The Perfect Budget Router? Sub £200 1U Server from Aliexpress

Рет қаралды 483,636

7 жыл бұрын

In this video I take a look at a cheap 1U server from Aliexpress that looks like the perfect hardware to build a router.
NOTE ABOUT PFSENSE COMPATIBILITY:
Unfortunately the CPU in this device (and other similar devices on Aliexpress) does not support AES-NI instructions. Netgate (the creators of PFSense) have decided to make this a requirement of PFSense 2.5 which is due to be released in a couple of years. This means that this system won't be able to run PFSense 2.5. There are, however, many alternative operating systems that will run great on this hardware such as OPNSense, VyOS, Sophos UTM, IPFire, Untangle.etc or alternatively you could just run a bare OS. Personally I've stopped using PFSense and replaced it with bare FreeBSD using a combination of PF and dnsmasq to serve my needs. Hopefully in a couple of years time, CPUs supporting AES-NI will have started to find their way into devices like this (since these devices tend to use slightly older CPUs).
The particular model I have here has an Intel Celeron C1037U, 4gb of DDR3L RAM and a 64gb SSD. These machines are available in several configurations from various sellers.
Link to the specific device I purchased: www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...
www.camerongray.me/
/ camerongray1515
AFFILIATE LINKS NOTICE:
Product links under this video marked “(Affiliate)” are affiliate links where I may receive a small commission on qualifying sales. Affiliate programs that I am a member of include, but are not limited to: Amazon Associates, eBay Partner Network and AliExpress Affiliates.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Purchasing through these affiliate links will not cost you any more money, however the commission earned significantly helps fund the production of videos on my channel.

Пікірлер: 525

@camerongray1515 6 жыл бұрын

==UPDATE== There are now similar machines available with newer CPUs that support AES-NI which would allow PFSense >= 2.5 to be used. Probably worth getting one of these instead of the older generation I looked at.

@stonent 6 жыл бұрын

They include the free gift so they can put "Gift" on the box to try to avoid customs charges.

@1sonyzz 6 жыл бұрын

Pfsense, opensense, or nonsence...

@Soda88 4 жыл бұрын

Is this compatible with RouterOS?

@davidflorey 5 жыл бұрын

The little red washers are used to protect the surface of the board from the screw destroying the top layers when being fastened into place. All PC's used to have these when assembled, but many PC makers now just don't include them...

@prashkd7684 3 жыл бұрын

Great.. Now uncle Xi knows all your dark secret.

@Garolfa 6 жыл бұрын

do you recommend using this with SQUID Proxy?

@meh757 6 жыл бұрын

that pcie header is not meant to be plated its actually meant to have a slot soldered on sideways then the card would lay next to the board or use a riser

@mrosenhave3649 6 жыл бұрын

But can it run crysis?

@xorinzor 5 жыл бұрын

"warranty void if lable removed" xD

@wirelesspackett 6 жыл бұрын

Whats a rooter???

@timeltdme4355 6 жыл бұрын

if you do not have enough time then

@MyEden587 6 жыл бұрын

Great to see that "Made in China" at such a price level can actually mean something good. Thank you for the extensive and thoughtful review. Really enjoyed watching this eventhough I am not on the search for a pfsense router.. hehe

@PoeLemic 6 жыл бұрын

Love your video. Helps me see all the steps for testing and gauging new hardware like this. I learned a lot, and I'm quite JELLY at your wonderful router. Also, you have nice hardware and thanks for showing us what you're working with & using daily ...

@Dreamagine1 6 жыл бұрын

Really nice detailed overview and review! Covered all the details and used all the correct terms too, which is surprisingly rare for most reviewers.

@IljaSara 6 жыл бұрын

With a little modding I think you could insert a 5.25" drive cage containing 4x2.5" hotswap slots in to the corner where you normally mount your hard drives. That would then make this router essentially a little backup server too.

@GRADAN31 6 жыл бұрын

For the date label on the SSD, it is the warranty start date, not manufacture date.

@richardgraham65 6 жыл бұрын

You cannot complain about that kit, very well made and exceptional quality and assembly. How they make money manufacturing this sort of thing amazes me. Grounded through the PSU, as a lot of these will be used without an earth. I guess the only risk with this sort of thing is if it turns up DOA or damaged, trying to claim on the warranty with the shipping charges would make it uneconomical. I am surprised at just how good quality internal components are used here.

@dash8brj Жыл бұрын

Those noctua fans come with LNA's which you could have installed between the YanLoon fans and the system board. I did this in my 28 port switch. It sounded like a 747 spooling up for takeoff, then settled down to 747 at cruise without them, now my fridge is louder in the kitchen than the switch with the LNA's fitted. As a bonus I now have 2 40MM Noctua's to fit to one of these - love the LAGG idea! I used the LNA's as my Switch isn't a stock PC motherboard, and was concerned the switch would complain about the RPM signal being different from the noctuas vs the original stock fans (They are Sunon).

@kieranmarshall2 6 жыл бұрын

dude, this review was awesome. actually given me confidence to buy from aliexpress. i'd love to see more stuff on your rack / network layout etc ( i'm learning all this stuff )