A new router / firewall

[ikon 438]

Okay laying the pfSense aside for the time being (getting back to it once I've made some testing) I've stumbled across something that really caught my eye.

 

Anyone have any experience with the ZyXel USG series? especially the USG 20 and USG 50 they seem to pack all the features I need / want, throughput values seems to be quite acceptable. http://www.zyxel.com...0w_20.shtml?t=p Both have over 100Mbps fwall through and USG 20 has 75 Mbps with VPN and USG 50 has 90 with VPN. They are priced as:

 

USG 20 = 180€

USG 50 = 340€

 

Only downside is that the models have been the same for ages. I think this is the 3rd or 4th gen of these devices, so the reviews from the 2nd gen have only little correspondence.

 

Thoughts?

 

I bought a couple of Zyxel routers a few years ago. They never worked properly for me - I threw them out.

 

49 - 55€ / month

 

OMG, that's so cheap. I pay $60 for a 15/1 link, with a 100GB data cap.

[KrisseZ 0]

What went wrong / in what way didn't they function properly?

 

Datacaps? Lol. We don't have such things. Even most of our mobile broadbands are uncapped. I'd die if I was restricted for 100gb a month.

[ikon 438]

What went wrong / in what way didn't they function properly?

 

I don't recall the details because it was a few years ago, but I followed the manual to configure them and they did not behave the way they should have. After 1.5 days of frustration with them, I threw them out.

[KrisseZ 0]

Ah. Well it was mentioned somewhere that ZyXels configs aren't always self explanatory. But I might be able to live with it.

 

Did install pfSense to a VM. Have to admit, that even with some GUI logic thingies, the GUI is very polished and easy to use.

I'm going to ask a 802.1q capable switch for testing from school this friday. The next week is a holiday week so I thought I

could do some extensive testing.

 

Keeping you posted.

[Dave 410]

I just installed a USG50 for a customer and it is rock solid. It has a ton of features so I think that is what makes the UI so daunting. I thought it was easy to understand though. It does come with a 900 page PDF that explains everything it can do.

[KrisseZ 0]

What kind of a setup was it? Can you tell in greater detail?

[itGeeks 181]

These are great boards for Pfsense http://www.supermicr...SPE-HF-D525.cfm . I don't know how the price or availability would be for you though. The IPMI, dual Intel nics, watchdog features and lower power usage sold me on it.

 

Mattd390, I second you on the Supermicro however I purchased this one becouse it came with a 1U mini case that can be rack mounted and thats what I wanted, see link- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101364

 

Running in a VM is not a bad way to test. Check the hardware recommendations on their site. You do not have to spend a fortune for what you are describing. FYI, I just bought a dual Intel server NIC for $60 US. If you shop around you can build a great system for a modest investment.

 

Hi pcdoc, I just got my pfSense up and running with my new Supermicro hardware http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101364. Could you please tell me what packages you are running on it?

[mattd390 8]

Mattd390, I second you on the Supermicro however I purchased this one becouse it came with a 1U mini case that can be rack mounted and thats what I wanted, see link- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16816101364

 

 

That is a great setup. I have mine in a 2u Rosewill case I had laying around. I still need to get it 100% operational though lol. Did you know that you can by the enclosure and motherboard seperate? It runs about $270 that way. I dont know if it comes with a riser though so that may constiture buying it all in one. You may want to check out this site http://www.zomers.eu/knowledge/pfSense/Pages/Home.aspx. They had a great walk through on using the watchdog feature that will reboot your Pfsense box if it locks up. I plan on doing it when I find some time.

[ikon 438]

These are great boards for Pfsense http://www.supermicr...SPE-HF-D525.cfm . I don't know how the price or availability would be for you though. The IPMI, dual Intel nics, watchdog features and lower power usage sold me on it.

 

I have to admit a watchdog feature would be nice. Still, I don't think my Untangle box has ever locked up.

[KrisseZ 0]

Just wanted to inform you guys, that I got my pfSense testbed set up. Downside is that I'm restricted to 100mb network, so for the throughput testing the network might a bottleneck, since the 100mb is halved. I know it isn't shabby, but wanted to share a pic for u guys.

 

 

Wish me a joyful night.