Old Server or new Hardware?

[limegorilla]

In short, I am upgrading my schools networking (looooooooooooong story) and we need a firewall - pfSense (and If anyone has better ideas, let me know) - but my question is, for a network that wont probably see more than 300 devices on it, would an old server suffice?

[Windows7ge]

Personally I wouldn't install used gear in a office/school. If it's not used, just old and it works well enough then go ahead but if it goes offline because of it's age then how much downtime can the school afford until a new machine is built?

 

These are basic questions you need to consider. Longevity.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

Personally I wouldn't install used gear in a office/school. If it's not used, just old and it works well enough then go ahead but if it goes offline because of it's age then how much downtime can the school afford until a new machine is built?

 

These are basic questions you need to consider. Longevity.

Also used stuff doesnt have warranty.

[limegorilla]

What would be the reccomended hardware (ish) then?

[Windows7ge]

14 minutes ago, limegorilla said:

What would be the reccomended hardware (ish) then?

PfSense doesn't need super strong hardware. A E3 Xeon and 4GB of RAM would probably suffice for a small network...Eh...300 devices...Might want to consider a quad core E5 and maybe 8GB of RAM just in case. Whatever expansion cards you need you'll have to figure out for yourself. Configuring PfSense is something I need to learn so I cannot help you there.