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| linux_router:hardware [2023-04-16 Sun wk15 09:44] – [VM / Docker on Router] baumkp | linux_router:hardware [2024-02-24 Sat wk08 12:12] (current) – [Router Hardware] baumkp | ||
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| *A small ARM based machine, e.g. Raspberry Pi 3. (The current RPi looks much more capable.) However these machines are generally limited in a number of way, including by definition not x86 based. Many do not have more than one NIC and the NIC are often not full Gigabit. (To be fair this hardware may be sufficient in most cases, as most homes do not have better than 100Mb/s internet connections, | *A small ARM based machine, e.g. Raspberry Pi 3. (The current RPi looks much more capable.) However these machines are generally limited in a number of way, including by definition not x86 based. Many do not have more than one NIC and the NIC are often not full Gigabit. (To be fair this hardware may be sufficient in most cases, as most homes do not have better than 100Mb/s internet connections, | ||
| - | *The Raspberry Pi 4 looks like a much better option than earlier versions for a home router. Still has the complexity of only native 1 NIC, but that is full 1Gbe and there are 2 USB 3 port to allow another full 1Gbe NIC off USB. | + | *The Raspberry Pi 4 & 5 looks like a much better option than earlier versions for a home router. Still has the complexity of only native 1 NIC, but that is full 1Gbe and there are 2 USB 3 port to allow another full 1Gbe NIC off USB. |
| *An older x86 based machine. The main downside to these is poor power consumption and large size, even an old server tends to use more than 30W at the wall, or greater than $60/year power. Also the board I had only had one built in NIC, so I would need a PCIe NIC card. There is also the issue of reliability and performance for the older hardware, although it is probably good enough in this respect. That all being said if one is strapped for cash this may be a good way to start as the upfront cost would be smallest, if not zero. | *An older x86 based machine. The main downside to these is poor power consumption and large size, even an old server tends to use more than 30W at the wall, or greater than $60/year power. Also the board I had only had one built in NIC, so I would need a PCIe NIC card. There is also the issue of reliability and performance for the older hardware, although it is probably good enough in this respect. That all being said if one is strapped for cash this may be a good way to start as the upfront cost would be smallest, if not zero. | ||
| *At the moment, 2016, there are a lot of Intel Celeron J1900 based units with 4 NICs around. The J1900 is an older CPU, 4 cores, 2.0-2.42 GHz. Also in many cases the NIC hardware is older, particularly on the cheaper units, so care must be taken if you want to ensure more up to date hardware. These machines are a good option, low power (~8 - 10W), small size. They come with 2 SATA ports and mini PCI-E slots. By the time you fit them out they cost out USD250 - 350, with 4-8GB RAM and 120GB mSata drive. The cheaper options are as noted above usually with older NIC hardware and lower memory and HD size and can be had at even lower prices. | *At the moment, 2016, there are a lot of Intel Celeron J1900 based units with 4 NICs around. The J1900 is an older CPU, 4 cores, 2.0-2.42 GHz. Also in many cases the NIC hardware is older, particularly on the cheaper units, so care must be taken if you want to ensure more up to date hardware. These machines are a good option, low power (~8 - 10W), small size. They come with 2 SATA ports and mini PCI-E slots. By the time you fit them out they cost out USD250 - 350, with 4-8GB RAM and 120GB mSata drive. The cheaper options are as noted above usually with older NIC hardware and lower memory and HD size and can be had at even lower prices. | ||
| - | *I decided to get a Supermicro [[https:// | + | *I decided to get a Supermicro [[https:// |
| <fs smaller> I don't see the point installing a 64bit OS on systems with less than 4GB of RAM. A 32bit OS can only natively access up 4 GB RAM, but should give better compromise with such limited RAM.</ | <fs smaller> I don't see the point installing a 64bit OS on systems with less than 4GB of RAM. A 32bit OS can only natively access up 4 GB RAM, but should give better compromise with such limited RAM.</ | ||