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Build network switch from a PC

MacAlisterL
By MacAlisterL
in Networking
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Posted

If I put a couple of Intel Network cards in a pc could iut work as a switch without on os could it work?

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Posted

could you do that? Probably.

Without an OS? Definitely no.

Edit: You will still need something like pfSense as an OS
 

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Even with an OS like pfSense, it would not be worth it. Switches have ASICs that would be much more capable than the hardware in a pc.

ESXi SysAdmin

I have more cores/threads than you...and I use them all

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1 hour ago, Sunshine1868 said:

Even with an OS like pfSense, it would not be worth it. Switches have ASICs that would be much more capable than the hardware in a pc.

Totally agree. 

Whilst pfSense is designed for network use, it's specifically designed for 'router' use. If you need a switch, a cheap used ProCurve would do the job much better.

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This confuses me. Can any PC work without a OS? Also, even if you used a cheap PC and a couple 20$ 10/100 NICs, you would still be paying more just a simple switch. What is your purpose for this? If you just need a switch, buy this.

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