Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2024 21:09 Post subject: Recommended Mini PCI N100
Looking at moving from my R7800 onto a Mini PC, probably with an N100 processor
What models do people recommend with 2 x LAN ports. Mainly used for a router/firewall.
UK based.
Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2024 13:36 Post subject: Does it matter ?
I guess my thing here, does it really matter on what the spec of the box is as long as it has 2 x NIC and maybe wireless ?
Just worried about buying something that looks like it will do the job, but then the Ethernet and if it has it, wireless do not work as they are something obscure and not an Intel or Realtek.
i was kind of expecting to see a few chats of people with their models / specs to get an idea, but alas not.
These mini-PCs usually only have 1x M.2 slot for expansion cards.
And only chipsets designed for clients are usually available as M.2 WLAN cards.
The cards do not work in master mode or only to a very limited extent.
good powerful main router = yes
WLAN router = no _________________ Quickstart guides:
Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 228 Location: Germany, BW
Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2024 17:56 Post subject:
Make sure your CPU understands Encryption Instruction like AES-NI (N100 has it). You need it if you want to use VPN.
If you want to use WLAN you need the activated version of X64 Builds.
I have a few Mini-PCs like the HP ProDesk 600 G2 Mini.
I bought an Atheros ath10k M2 card and installed the 24h-trial of the X64 2GB-Version.
WLAN is working, but there is no Vanilla Option. You also can not configure the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz independently, there is only one config window.
The trial-version is a pita, you can not use ssh/telnet or the GUI for terminal commands, so "testing" is limited to the GUI what makes it useless for deeper testing. But it's my understandind it will act like the free version.
So, as you read in other comments, use X64 for all but not WLAN (so you don't need an activated DD-WRT version).
Compared to the normal Routers the Mini-PCs are really powerful.
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:27 Post subject: Basic use really
All it needs to do is basic routing, DHCP, DNS and a basic 2.4G wireless (I have a printer stuck in US mode and the wireless here regularly goes to channel 13 so the printer drops off)
The current R7800 takes the WAN from the ISP and then into a switch for internal use. Wireless is via a Mesh system.
