8.4 KiB
8.4 KiB
OPNsense Hardware Buying Guide
🛒 Recommended Purchase: Protectli VP2420
Why This Model?
- Perfect for gigabit internet with DPI/IDS/IPS
- Future-proof with 2.5GbE ports
- Expandable RAM (8GB → 32GB)
- Low power (6-10W, fanless, silent)
- Excellent support from Protectli
- Coreboot firmware (extra security)
- Made for 24/7 operation
Specifications
CPU: Intel Celeron J6412 (4 cores, 2.0 GHz)
RAM: 8GB DDR4 (upgradeable to 32GB)
Storage: 256GB M.2 SSD
Network: 4x Intel i226-V 2.5GbE
Power: 6-10W (passive cooling)
Size: Small, fanless, silent
Performance Capabilities
- ✅ 1 Gbps throughput with Zenarmor DPI
- ✅ Suricata IDS/IPS + Zenarmor simultaneously
- ✅ ntopng network monitoring
- ✅ Months of detailed logs
- ✅ VPN server (WireGuard/OpenVPN)
- ✅ Multiple VLANs for network segregation
Where to Buy
Option 1: Protectli Direct (Recommended)
Website: https://protectli.com/product/vp2420/
- Price: ~$429 (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
- Shipping: Usually 3-5 business days (US)
- Support: Excellent US-based support
- Warranty: 1-year standard, 3-year available
- Customization: Can upgrade RAM/SSD before shipping
Configuration Options:
- 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD: $429
- 16GB RAM / 256GB SSD: $479
- 32GB RAM / 512GB SSD: $579
Recommended: 8GB / 256GB (sufficient for home use)
Option 2: Amazon
Search: "Protectli VP2420"
- Price: ~$450 (varies)
- Shipping: Amazon Prime (2 days)
- Support: Through Protectli
- Returns: Amazon's easy returns
Pros: Faster delivery, easy returns
Cons: Slightly higher price, limited configuration
Alternative Hardware Options
Budget Option (~$250): Qotom Q555G6
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Celeron J4125 (4 cores, 2.0-2.7 GHz)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB mSATA
- Network: 4x Intel i225-V 2.5GbE
- Performance: 1 Gbps with Zenarmor Free/Home
Where: Amazon, AliExpress
Price: $220-280
Caveat: Less support, longer shipping from China
Good for: Tight budgets, tech-savvy users
Premium Option (~$750): Protectli VP4650
Specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 (up to 64GB)
- Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe
- Network: 6x Intel i226-V 2.5GbE
- Performance: Multi-gigabit with full Zenarmor Business
Good for:
- Multi-gigabit internet (2.5G+)
- Running many services (Suricata + Zenarmor + VPN + more)
- Future-proofing for 10+ years
- Small business use
Overkill for: Most home networks under 1 Gbps
📦 What's Included
In the Box:
- Protectli VP2420 unit
- Power adapter (12V)
- VESA mount kit
- Quick start guide
- WiFi antennas (if configured)
NOT Included:
- Monitor (only needed for initial setup, then headless)
- Keyboard (only for initial setup)
- Ethernet cables (use existing)
Initial Setup Requirements:
- Monitor (HDMI) or laptop for console access
- USB keyboard (for initial config)
- Ethernet cable to modem/switch
- ~30 minutes of time
After initial setup, manage entirely via web interface (no monitor needed).
💳 Total Cost Breakdown
Hardware: Protectli VP2420
- Device: $429 (8GB/256GB from Protectli)
- Shipping: Free (usually)
- Tax: Varies by state
- Total Hardware: ~$430-460
Software: Zenarmor
- OPNsense: FREE (open source)
- Zenarmor Free: $0 (limited features)
- Zenarmor Home: $59/year (recommended)
- Zenarmor Business: $149/year (overkill for home)
First Year Total:
- Hardware: $430
- Zenarmor Home (Year 1): $59
- Total: $489 first year
- Then: $59/year ongoing
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership:
- Hardware: $430 (one-time)
- Zenarmor: $59 × 5 = $295
- Total: $725 over 5 years
- Monthly: $12.08/month
🆚 Cost Comparison
Commercial Parental Control Services:
Qustodio Premium:
- $138/year for up to 15 devices
- 5 years: $690
- Does NOT include router/firewall
Net Nanny:
- $90/year for 1 device, $140/year for unlimited
- 5 years: $700
- Does NOT include router/firewall
Circle Home Plus:
- $130 device + $10/month subscription
- 5 years: $730
- Basic features compared to Zenarmor
OPNsense + Zenarmor:
- $725 over 5 years
- Includes enterprise firewall
- Includes network security (IDS/IPS)
- Includes traffic analysis
- More features than commercial services
Winner: OPNsense for same cost, more features!
⚡ Quick Buy Decision Guide
Buy VP2420 If:
- ✅ Internet ≤ 1 Gbps (most homes)
- ✅ Want to run Zenarmor + Suricata
- ✅ Planning to use VPN
- ✅ Need reliable 24/7 operation
- ✅ Value excellent support
Buy Budget (Qotom) If:
- ✅ Budget is critical ($250 vs $430)
- ✅ Internet ≤ 500 Mbps
- ✅ Okay with less support
- ✅ Comfortable troubleshooting
Buy Premium (VP4650) If:
- ✅ Internet > 1 Gbps (2.5G+ fiber)
- ✅ Running many services
- ✅ Small business use
- ✅ Want maximum future-proofing
Don't Buy Any If:
- ❌ Happy with basic MAC blocking
- ❌ Don't need application visibility
- ❌ OpenWRT limitations are acceptable
- ❌ $0 budget is absolute requirement
🚚 Delivery Timeline
Protectli Direct:
- Order Processing: 1-2 business days
- Shipping: 3-5 business days (US)
- International: 7-14 days
- Total: 1 week domestic
Amazon:
- Prime: 2 days
- Standard: 5-7 days
- Total: 2 days - 1 week
AliExpress (Budget Options):
- Shipping: 2-4 weeks
- Customs: May add delays
- Total: 3-6 weeks
📋 Pre-Purchase Checklist
Before ordering, ensure you have:
- Measured available space (device is ~6" × 4" × 1")
- Confirmed power outlet near router location
- HDMI monitor for initial setup (or laptop for serial console)
- USB keyboard for initial setup
- Ethernet cables (CAT6 recommended for 2.5GbE)
- Budget approved ($430 + $59/year)
- Spouse/partner on board with purchase 😊
🔧 What to Do When It Arrives
Day 1: Unboxing & Setup
- Connect: HDMI monitor, keyboard, power, ethernet to modem
- Boot: Install OPNsense (30 minutes)
- Configure: Basic WAN/LAN settings (30 minutes)
- Test: Verify internet works (10 minutes)
Day 2: Advanced Config
- Install: Zenarmor plugin (15 minutes)
- Setup: Zenarmor trial (15 days free) (30 minutes)
- Configure: Basic parental policies (2 hours)
Day 3: Home Assistant
- Install: OPNsense HA integration via HACS (30 minutes)
- Setup: API keys and entities (1 hour)
- Test: Device tracking and controls (1 hour)
Day 4-7: Optimization
- Monitor: Watch usage patterns
- Adjust: Fine-tune policies
- Test: Verify all features working
- Deploy: Set Archer AX72 Pro to AP mode
🎁 Bonus: What Else You Can Do
Once you have OPNsense running:
- VPN Server: Access home network remotely (WireGuard)
- Guest Network: Isolated WiFi for visitors
- IoT VLAN: Segregate smart home devices
- Ad Blocking: Network-wide ad blocking (AdGuard)
- DNS over HTTPS: Privacy-enhanced DNS
- Traffic Shaping: QoS for video calls
- Intrusion Detection: Suricata IDS/IPS
- Network Monitoring: ntopng analysis
All included FREE with OPNsense!
📞 Support Resources
Protectli Support:
- Email: support@protectli.com
- Phone: (720) 339-9885
- Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM - 5 PM MT
- Response: Usually < 24 hours
OPNsense Community:
- Forum: https://forum.opnsense.org/
- Documentation: https://docs.opnsense.org/
- Reddit: r/OPNsenseFirewall
Zenarmor Support:
- Forum: https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?board=76.0
- Email: Via Zenconsole portal
- Documentation: https://www.zenarmor.com/docs/
✅ Final Recommendation
Buy the Protectli VP2420 for $430
It's the sweet spot for:
- ✅ Performance (handles gigabit + DPI)
- ✅ Price ($430 vs $750 premium)
- ✅ Support (excellent from Protectli)
- ✅ Reliability (designed for 24/7)
- ✅ Future-proofing (expandable to 32GB RAM)
Order from: Protectli.com (best support) or Amazon (faster delivery)
Add: Zenarmor Home Edition trial (free for 15 days, then $59/year)
Result: Enterprise-grade parental control system for your 3 kids!
Ready to order? Visit https://protectli.com/product/vp2420/
This guide is specifically tailored for a household with 3 children (ages 14-17) and 22 devices needing comprehensive parental controls.