Opensense is often bound by single-core operations depending on where a network packet may plumb itself through the kernel

When would this become an issue? Pfsense is about the same way as far as single-core operations, tho IDS/IPS like Suricata can utilize multiple threads. My standalone pfsense box sits between my modem and the rest of the network. I haven’t noticed any sluggishness or stuttering. Throughput seems quite reasonable, and supports a diverse group of devices attached to the network.