For what it's worth, I've picked up a DT122-BE mini PC ($90) and you can also get HP 730 mini PCs pretty cheap to run pfSense you really don't need a full blown Intel i5. For anyone other than a BUSINESS you just (ideally) need 2 ethernet ports (or more) and something that can run 24x7 with pretty low power since it's basically an always-on appliance. I'm running an i3-6100T as per my signature, and CPU hovers between 0% and 2% on a 1Gbe connection, and maxes out around 5% during a full-speed
speed test (i.e. i5 would be incredible overkill).
Actually, I need 5 ports, and since I couldn't find one, I went with the 6 Port Protectli/Yanling device
- WAN
- LAN (Secured)
- WIFI-1 (Secured)
- CAMS (Dirty - no access to internet or any other network)
- WIFI-2 (Dirty - IoT, Amazon Echo's, Thermostats, etc etc can only access internet and nothing else)
Sure, you could get by with just a single port and use a managed switch with vlans, but I prefer separate, physical cabling, switches, etc. etc. So, keeping in mind that I wanted a 6 port, a bare Protectli Vault with their lowest processor (Celeron 3865U) is currently selling for $289 plus tax and shipping. Those HP 730 mini PCs were release in 2015 and personally, I don't really want to use something that old for my network, besides, they don't have enough ports or the ability to add extra ports for what I want.
I received the Yanling device today directly from Hong Kong and I am very pleased. There is not doubt in my mind that the Protectli devices are rebranded Yanling. You can even see in this video the Yanling name on the motherboard and the motherboard model number is exactly the same as my device. Of course I don't have the warranty and support that Protectli offers, but I only paid $377 total for it, versus the $560 the Protectli Vault costs.
No your right, I probably don't need an i5 processor, but since I was saving almost $200 - why not? I plan on running ESXI on it and will virtualize pfSense and probably at least one Win10 machine probably for my HomeSeer automation and Veeam for backups. But again, very few devices actually have 6 ports and just as important, Yanling uses Intel ports which ESXI is supposed to be pretty picky about
Youtube showing the Protectli 6 port
Lastly - didn't pay any customs fees and so far I am very pleased with this transaction. Here is a link to the "Official Yanling' store where I bought my 6 port
Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters, Importers, Products, Trade Leads, Supplier, Manufacturer, Exporter, Importer
s.click.aliexpress.com
and here is a link to the Protectli Vault website for comparison
Compare our trusted Firewall appliances with all its capabilities side by side. Find the one that works best to secure your network!
protectli.com
s.click.aliexpress.com
