Inexpensive Router Build (Using pfSense)

[Clayf700]

I'm looking to build myself a new family router. After watching Linus's building log on making a pfSense router, I did a bit of research then decided I would give it a swing.

 

Here are my requirements.

 

• A budget of $80-$175
• A very small form factor case (preferably one that stands up horizontally, but it doesn't matter that much)
• Is capable of outputting WiFi

 

I'm just barely diving into this, I feel iv'e done enough research to setup pfSense and get it running. However, what i'm unsure of is the hardware i'm going to need in order to make it function as a wireless router along with LAN and finding a small case that wouldn't take up very much desk space.

 

Really excited to plan this build out, what do you guys suggest?

[manikyath]

honestly, for that budget theres not a whole lot of options.

 

a decent wifi card will set you back more than 10% of your budget.

[Clayf700]

honestly, for that budget theres not a whole lot of options.

 

a decent wifi card will set you back more than 10% of your budget.

Herrrrm... What if we put the budget aside? Just making a fantasy router.

[thekeemo]

Not worth it

[ArcticDolphin]

Herrrrm... What if we put the budget aside? Just making a fantasy router.

If the budget were put aside, go buy a high end router from the likes of Juniper.

[manikyath]

Herrrrm... What if we put the budget aside? Just making a fantasy router.

if you're not an enterprise user (or a home user thats an enterprise by himself) its REALLY not worth it.

[Juanse]

Why don't you just get a normal router?

[manikyath]

If the budget were put aside, go buy a high end router from the likes of Juniper.

basicly this, i have a €200 linksys vpn router.

 

pfsense is for when those kinds of things dont jingle your bells anymore.

[ArcticDolphin]

I run pfsense... Virtualized in Esxi. The server set me back 2000 euro

[Clayf700]

basicly this, i have a €200 linksys vpn router.

 

pfsense is for when those kinds of things dont jingle your bells anymore.

 

 

Huh. wow. I just got the idea of doing one for cheap after watching this:

He did afterall do it with an old computer that ran Windows Vista

[ArcticDolphin]

Ah. If you have an old computer that could be pressed into service and the power bill is not an issue then... Buy a nic and a wifi card.

[,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,]

Ah. If you have an old computer that could be pressed into service and the power bill is not an issue then... Buy a nic and a wifi card.

 

You may end paying monthly for your router! haha

[ArcticDolphin]

You may end paying monthly for your router! haha

Rescue meeee!

[Clayf700]

Okay, so we're throwing all practicality out the window, and just making it for fun/hobby. What would be a good case, motherboard, and WiFi card that would take up little desk space? Just curious to see what you guys would suggest (I'm thinking of an old AMD cpu since I just need a tiny system that runs.)

[BryanDavis]

your better of finding a used desktop and adding a network card, i built mine for around 350$