For anyone considering the N5105 version for pfSense from the WooyYi store on AliExpress, they are shipping with the intel I226-V network interfaces, and they DO NOT work with pfSense 2.6. I can confirm they do work pfSense 2.7 (currently still in development). The SSD interface on the N5105 is NVME not Msata as the previous model, which I had some compatibility issues. As pfSense 2.7 is still currently in development I wouldn't recommend the N5105 until 2.7 is released.
I have a similar to this but with 1gig interfaces running ESXi and on that it's running Pfsense and Openmediavault for a 1Tb local storage. Never had any issues, solid as a rock. Have been running this setup for 3+ years
I think it is funny how you feel it and say it is solid. What i Love to see is more deep dive into the hardware of these edge routers. That intel chip has several vulnerabities that can't be fixed so best to ensure your edge router is strong enough and free of hardware vulnerabilities.
@@ropeframeanimationsyamin3171 I think Spectre or Meltdown? Very difficult to exploit. On the other hand I think these would be more secure than the generic ISP router you'll get. Most of those are not even kept up to date with the exception of only a handful.
I've got a Sophos XG230 Rev 3 unit atm with pfsense installed, it idles at around 28-30w though, thought about changing the CPU, but tbh it'll be all the other things like LED display, 8 x NICs and so forth. I may put XG Home back on it, as much as I'm intrigued with pfsense, I do like the L7 capapabilities of Sophos etc. pfblocker I find hit and miss. I did have pfsense running on a E3845 Atom, and in reality that'd be fine. Currently on a 125/20 Virgin connection, but waiting for high speed FTTP if it ever arrives. Apparently 900/900 potentially next year.. The UK's connectivity speeds TBH are a joke. Yes 90% of homes don't need anything more than ADSL.
Thanks for this Sam! I've seen mini PCs like this on Amazon and never really dared to order one in case I received a box with rocks in or something that emitted too much radiation 🙂 Would be interesting to see the power draw 🙂
Little late to the party (still catching up on your channel). I noticed you left the video memory allocated to the default (8GB), considering you're not running local graphics on this box, may as well set it to it''s lowest value (256MB?) and use the ram for the system. A shame about the Samsung ram though, you must have been disappointed.
Thanks, this was a first experience with AliExpress, and I wanted to help others who may be unsure. You're quite right, too, on the n5105, I missed that. The price is roughly the same, so it's definitely the one to go for. Appreciate the feedback.
@@sheridans Received my unit this afternoon. Very excited to get started. My 16gb Transcend shows up in bios however the 500gb Samsung 970 Evo not recognized by the BIOS. Any settings you think I should tweak? Thanks!
For anyone considering the N5105 version for pfSense from the WooyYi store on AliExpress, they are shipping with the intel I226-V network interfaces, and they DO NOT work with pfSense 2.6. I can confirm they do work pfSense 2.7 (currently still in development).
The SSD interface on the N5105 is NVME not Msata as the previous model, which I had some compatibility issues.
As pfSense 2.7 is still currently in development I wouldn't recommend the N5105 until 2.7 is released.
Opnsense though.
Since 2.7 has been released, it works both
I have a similar to this but with 1gig interfaces running ESXi and on that it's running Pfsense and Openmediavault for a 1Tb local storage. Never had any issues, solid as a rock. Have been running this setup for 3+ years
Good to know, thanks for sharing 👍
Great video! I'll be posted for the updates on the test! I am really interested in getting one of these boxes for pfsense.
I think it is funny how you feel it and say it is solid. What i Love to see is more deep dive into the hardware of these edge routers. That intel chip has several vulnerabities that can't be fixed so best to ensure your edge router is strong enough and free of hardware vulnerabilities.
What vulnerability?
@@ropeframeanimationsyamin3171 I think Spectre or Meltdown? Very difficult to exploit. On the other hand I think these would be more secure than the generic ISP router you'll get. Most of those are not even kept up to date with the exception of only a handful.
Nice video, good taredown of the product. Great price especially with 2.5g ports. Will be interesting to see long term tests.
If I had doubts or issues, I'm sure others do too. Go for the better cpu as mentioned by others.
More tests incoming
@@sheridans do you know how to use simcard slot on the bottom of mb?
Love these videos!
Glad you like them!
I've got a Sophos XG230 Rev 3 unit atm with pfsense installed, it idles at around 28-30w though, thought about changing the CPU, but tbh it'll be all the other things like LED display, 8 x NICs and so forth. I may put XG Home back on it, as much as I'm intrigued with pfsense, I do like the L7 capapabilities of Sophos etc. pfblocker I find hit and miss. I did have pfsense running on a E3845 Atom, and in reality that'd be fine. Currently on a 125/20 Virgin connection, but waiting for high speed FTTP if it ever arrives. Apparently 900/900 potentially next year.. The UK's connectivity speeds TBH are a joke. Yes 90% of homes don't need anything more than ADSL.
Being from the UK, completely agree about crap connectivity.
Thanks for this Sam!
I've seen mini PCs like this on Amazon and never really dared to order one in case I received a box with rocks in or something that emitted too much radiation 🙂
Would be interesting to see the power draw 🙂
I was same about ordering, finally tried it. Power consumption is 10w
@@sheridans Nice.....
Could you update the description or pin a comment with your findings almost 1.5 year later?
Yes, all the ones I have are still running fine. Thanks for suggestion
Little late to the party (still catching up on your channel). I noticed you left the video memory allocated to the default (8GB), considering you're not running local graphics on this box, may as well set it to it''s lowest value (256MB?) and use the ram for the system. A shame about the Samsung ram though, you must have been disappointed.
The samsung ram worked in the newer model (also a video on that) so no loss in the end :)
wan to lan (NAT) speedtest would be nice, I would need to know if it can handle full 1gbit/s wan lines (or even faster)
More testing to come!
I wonder how to connect it to the internet? Which port is input and which are outputs? 🤕
It depends on how you set it up, I have done a video installing pfsense or opnsense on one of these
Does anyone know where to get the BIOS for these mini PCs? I have an N5100 from the same store and I suspect that the BIOS has a problem. Thanks.
I have tried reaching out, not got anywhere yet
how to install on a NVMe M.2 SSD
do you know how to use the simcard slot?
Didn't even check if it was supported tbh,will look
Any customs charges to UK?
Not on anything purchased under £135. Haven't had any customs charges, just have to buy 1 at a time :)
J4125 is an older CPU. Get the 5005 instead. They have 2.5 Gbs Ethernet ports also.
It’s just a PC, so nothing to figure out.
Thanks, this was a first experience with AliExpress, and I wanted to help others who may be unsure. You're quite right, too, on the n5105, I missed that. The price is roughly the same, so it's definitely the one to go for.
Appreciate the feedback.
I ordered one without ram and storage, what RAM do you suggest which would be compatible?
The one in this which is working is Samsung M471A1K43CB1-CRC 8GB PC4-2400T-SA1-11 1Rx8
@@sheridans Thanks for the information, the 2nd one you listed is using Micron chipset though
just 1 with that info on it, see 14:42
@@sheridans Received my unit this afternoon. Very excited to get started. My 16gb Transcend shows up in bios however the 500gb Samsung 970 Evo not recognized by the BIOS. Any settings you think I should tweak? Thanks!
Will have to take a look at mine tomorrow. It's at the office