Hi everyone!
Intro (skippable):
Beacuse I want my stuff to be reusable in the future and beacuse of warranty reasons I decided to build a router based on N100 myself. I've already created 2 posts where I showed my current network topology and wanted to make it enterprise-level for cheap. Since I actually need a proper network and would like to be 2.5G ready so I think I will also go for 2x Ubiquiti U6 LITE/U6+ (VLANs, WiFi 6 but not sure which PoE injectors make sense) and 2x MikroTik Cloud Router Switch CRS310 (one for rack second for computer room).
Main Questions:
Beacuse for now the build will be used as a router and firewall (OPNsense/pfSense) it would be great to keep energy consumption as low as possible. Same goes for it's size.
- Should I consider going for N100 MOBO variant with DC power option or just buy separate PSU (PSU suggestions needed)?
- Beacuse I am frankly new to networking, which (all I know it is safer to go for Intel) 2.5G NICs would you recommend (performance and C-state wise)? What are use cases for quad NIC over dual one if I already had 2.5G switch? If Asus PRIME N100I-D D4-CSM is concerned (seems to be cheapest ~100 euro MOBO) I guess that it's not worth considering beacuse of PCIe slot?
- Based on previous points - which, actually cheap, case would you recommend that would do the job?
- Or should I just stick to some prebuilt mini PC with 2.5G?
Secondary Question:
Any Ubiquiti U6 LITE/U6+ or MikroTik Cloud Router Switch CRS310 alternatives suggestions?