Starting pfsense for New Users

[angtc11]

Unless you need >8GB, this is ok.

Thanks! However the link has 16GB options, those are not good value? May I know why you mentioned unless need >8gb?

 

[Mach3.2]

If you're running pfsense bare metal, 8GB od RAM is more than enough.

I only give my pfsense VM 2.5GB of RAM, the rest I split across 2 VPN servers and the Unifi Controller.

 

[TanKianW]

Thanks! However the link has 16GB options, those are not good value? May I know why you mentioned unless need >8gb?

Do check out the website at intel/AMD on the processor specs and the max memory size supported before making your purchase.

As Mach3.2 put it, 8GB is more than sufficient for this use case.

 

[hwzlite]

Continue to run the old hardware with a new/second hand motherboard from taobao. Still can find quite a lot of them. Good old server, I find it a waste to retire them.....some for sentimental value.

Most of my servers/systems are constantly brought/resuscitate back to life with "new" old hardware. Motherboard usually the first to up lorry. Easily get on the cheap from ebay/taobao. Surprisingly Convergent still honor my Kingston Value DDR3 (lifetime limited warranty) when it kaput after 9 years of service!

True true, still looking high&low in taobao for pairing my existing Lian Li PC-Q18 (mini-itx) case.

If $$$-no-object, would love to go for those supermicro's embedded Atom C3850 with Quad LANs

 

[TanKianW]

True true, still looking high&low in taobao for pairing my existing Lian Li PC-Q18 (mini-itx) case.

If $$$-no-object, would love to go for those supermicro's embedded Atom C3850 with Quad LANs

If budget not on your side and you are not a brand supporter....can take a look at the China brand industrial OEM board manufacturer. Just make sure they use solid caps for longevity.

Can take a look at 研盛芯控-ELSKY and 研域工控 main boards.

 

[Mach3.2]

https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/m5x946/fyi_you_should_probably_avoid_using_wireguard_on/
https://lists.zx2c4.com/pipermail/wireguard/2021-March/006494.html

PSA: Probably shouldn't be using pfsense's implimentation of kernal mode wireguard if you're using it.

 

[TanKianW]

https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/comments/m5x946/fyi_you_should_probably_avoid_using_wireguard_on/
https://lists.zx2c4.com/pipermail/wireguard/2021-March/006494.html

PSA: Probably shouldn't be using pfsense's implimentation of kernal mode wireguard if you're using it.

Good info. Read it this morning too on another website.

I am still using it for testing only. New function must be extra cautious.

*For precautionary measures, taken down the implementation of WireGuard from my earlier posted threads to prevent misleading the forumers. Will repost when the fog is clear.

 

[irlyneedhalp]

Hi I have a basic question, am trying to build a DIY pfsense router but just want to check if I can still watch Starhub IPTV, specifically for the FTA channels which apparently would only work if only directly connected to the issued Nokia or Linksys routers? Thanks!

 

[jasonho]

Took the plunge.....

Installed ESXI, Synology 918+ img and going to explore with Openwrt next....

 

[TanKianW]

WireGuard Removed from pfsense

*Stop using WireGuard on pfsense until further notice.

NOTE: I have also removed the implementation of WireGuard on my threads.

 

[jasonho]

WireGuard Removed from pfsense

*Stop using WireGuard on pfsense until further notice.

NOTE: I have also removed the implementation of WireGuard on my threads.

Quite dramatic, i guess in a opensource world, thats bound to happen alot.

 

[TanKianW]

WireGuard Removed from pfsense

*Stop using WireGuard on pfsense until further notice.

NOTE: I have also removed the implementation of WireGuard on my threads.

Instructions to disable WireGuard on pfsense:
1) Go to interface page to delete the WG interface
2) Go to VPN -> WireGuard, and uncheck the enable box on the connection created.

*You can continue to use version 2.5 of pfsense if you have updated. There is no need to roll back. You just don't use the WireGuard function.

 

[hwzlite]

Quite dramatic, i guess in a opensource world, thats bound to happen alot.

LOL , and the squabble between pfSense® vs OPNSense , which originated from m0n0wall (my first virtual router )

 

[TanKianW]

Quite dramatic, i guess in a opensource world, thats bound to happen alot.

Well, in our time, **** happens a lot. Opensource or not opensource. So long it was created by human, nothing is perfect and it will be flawed.

Imagine this is not opensource, you only know it when it was hacked.

I think most will take failure as negative. I look at failures as room for improvement and doing it better the next time round. Successes are build on failures, not success.....though our education system think likewise. This failure probably comes at the right time for Netgate. A "wide open" wake up call.

 

[xiaofan]

Good point about open source. I am involved in a few open source projects myself. The main issue is actually lack of developers in smaller projects (could be widely used projects). So pfSense model is actually good, open source projects supported by a viable business.

BTW, running pfSense has rekindled my interests in running FreeBSD. So I just powered on my Raspberry Pi 2 and 3B+ boards and FreeBSD actually runs pretty well on them. Yes Raspberry Pi OS is very smooth but kind of boring.

 

[irlyneedhalp]

Bumping on this query as I couldn't find info elsewhere, thank you in advance to all the gurus here!

"Hi I have a basic question, am trying to build a DIY pfsense router but just want to check if I can still watch Starhub IPTV, specifically for the FTA channels which apparently would only work if only directly connected to the issued Nokia or Linksys routers? Thanks!"

 

[xiaofan]

Hi I have a basic question, am trying to build a DIY pfsense router but just want to check if I can still watch Starhub IPTV, specifically for the FTA channels which apparently would only work if only directly connected to the issued Nokia or Linksys routers? Thanks!

Are you using the Starhub TV+ Box with the Starhub TV+ Pass and Starhub Fibre Internet? In that case, yes, you need to use the Nokia Beacon 1 (wired or wireless, one of the worst free router from ISPs), Linksys EA7500 V2 or EA8100 (wired) to get FTA channels directly on the Starhub TV+ box (said to be laggy)

Unless someone reverses engineering the protocol of the FTA channels it will not work with pfSense.

Solution is actually easy if you are okay with the following two options.
1) get a digital tuner box and antenna. You may need only an antenna if your TV has the DVB-T2 tuner built-in.
2) using MeWatch and cast from mobile phone.

 

[irlyneedhalp]

Are you using the Starhub TV+ Box with the Starhub TV+ Pass and Starhub Fibre Internet? In that case, yes, you need to use the Nokia Beacon 1 (wired or wireless, one of the worst free router from ISPs), Linksys EA7500 V2 or EA8100 (wired) to get FTA channels directly on the Starhub TV+ box (said to be laggy)

Unless someone reverses engineering the protocol of the FTA channels it will not work with pfSense.

Solution is actually easy if you are okay with the following two options.
1) get a digital tuner box and antenna. You may need only an antenna if your TV has the DVB-T2 tuner built-in.
2) using MeWatch and cast from mobile phone.

Thanks xiaofan, yes sorry forgot to mention I’ve recently recontracted with the new StarHub TV+ with Nokia Beacon (100% agree it’s very very subpar). This is really quite saddening as I was really looking forward to building a DIY pfSenserouter, or in fact just putting any routers upstream (excited about flashing DDwrt Openwrt firmwares too) but have had too many hair-pulling moments when the FTA channels were somehow “blocked”, now that I have more confirmation on the flaw in the setup, will need to plan again. Thank you for the suggestions as well, actually MeWatch is definitely a viable option, will look into it, sorry for hijacking the thread too.

 

[TanKianW]

Thanks xiaofan, yes sorry forgot to mention I’ve recently recontracted with the new StarHub TV+ with Nokia Beacon (100% agree it’s very very subpar). This is really quite saddening as I was really looking forward to building a DIY pfSenserouter, or in fact just putting any routers upstream (excited about flashing DDwrt Openwrt firmwares too) but have had too many hair-pulling moments when the FTA channels were somehow “blocked”, now that I have more confirmation on the flaw in the setup, will need to plan again. Thank you for the suggestions as well, actually MeWatch is definitely a viable option, will look into it, sorry for hijacking the thread too.

It is ok. The thread is to help forumers. Feel free to drop by when you have the chance to DIY your pfsense router again.

*BTW I saw your earlier post but did not reply because I am not the "best person" to answer your question. Do not want to provide you with the wrong info.

 

[irlyneedhalp]

It is ok. The thread is to help forumers. Feel free to drop by when you have the chance to DIY your pfsense router again.

*BTW I saw your earlier post but did not reply because I am not the "best person" to answer your question. Do not want to provide you with the wrong info.

No worries, was just looking for answers as the online resources are too broad (not in SG context and think no other ISPs in the world place such a ridiculous restriction on their IPTV service), then StarHub side lagi jialat don’t need to comment further, honestly any form of help is appreciated already, so thanks!