Comment on Homelab hardware choices
irmadlad@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Protectli VP2430
Pricey. I mean, if you have the cabbage, no worries. However, you can find off brand, but similar for much less on ebay or Ali Express. I don’t run OPNsense, but I do run pFsense. My pFsense box runs pfblockerng, suricata, ntopng, unbound, tailscale, I use a ton of feeds, and quite the robust set of rules. It doesn’t take a super computer to be an effective OPNsense or pFsense firewall.
Mini PCs
Lenovo’s are nice, sip power, quiet, but unless you can source some used ones they get pricey.
hacktheplanet@programming.dev 1 day ago
Do you have any recommendations for brands on Ali Express?
I am still considering the Lenovo route, will do some more digging, thanks.
irmadlad@lemmy.world 1 day ago
As far as brands of firewall appliances on Ali Express, I hate to say it, but at the off brand level, it’s 6 of this, half dozen of the other. You pick the spec that gives you the best bang for your $$. Before I pulled the trigger tho, I would do a cursory search for reviews. You’re probably not the only person on the planet that has ever bought that specific off brand, so the chances there is a review somewhere is good.
kumi@feddit.online 17 hours ago
There are a couple of threads on ServeTheHome forums where people share experiences. Do consider the security aspect. I’d personally feel wary of exposing any of them to public internet. Even if you don’t believe in backdoors, it’s likely you won’t receive future security fixes for firmware.