pfS_WAAAT i5-3470T / Intel VT1000 / 1U Rack Mount Firewall/Router

Sorry, I never addressed this. I misspoke. I don’t use it as IPMI, but I use it as my management port for pfsense, so if I misconfigure one of my other ports, I can always get back into pfsense using that port.

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@COZisBack, Thanks for clarifying that for me. That makes a ton of sense, and is how I have mine setup. Hope your holidays went well, and I wish you all the best this New Year!

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Thank you sir. You as well.

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That’s great! I ordered me one of those PC’s and a quad 1000vt card with the short bracket. $167 total. Thanks.

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nice, small and efficient

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Hello guys…

Have a couple questions:
I just did this same build using the iStar 1U server case…

  1. My RESET button works fine, but the POWER button does nothing, for those running this case, do you have a functioning Power button on the front panel? (Wondering if I have a faulty switch?)

  2. Using the noctua fans, are you pushing out or pulling air into the case?

UPDATE: Got an RMA on the case, that is working better now.

Question on temps. I am seeing 68C on CPU… as high as 73C on reboots.
I’m using the silverstone and noctua fans. Unsure how you guys are seeing such low temps.

I"m also using HIAdaptive mode.

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I really like this build, and want to replicate this. eBay doesn’t seem to have these motherboards in stock these days, and finding a suitable successor appears to be a challenge. For the chassis, can you mount it so that the I/O is on the front of the case instead of the rear? Looks like in a post from Dec 2019 it shows the ears mounted on the I/O side, but hard to tell with certainty. @COZisBack overall would love to hear how this has held up for you since you built it and if you have any pointers as I attempt to replicate this for my pfSense setup.

I’d just use adaptive.

The rack-mount ears can be moved to the IO side, I have one in front of me. You’ll lose access to the power and reset buttons though, and unless you get the proper power connector, you’ll have a bit of power cord sticking out of the front.

Similar build in this thread if you want more pics: pfSense 1U Rack Build Complete

As far as the mobo goes, you are correct. It looks like the supply has dried up. To be honest though, people liked that board mainly because it had a dual NIC. But for less than $30, you can add a nice quad NIC.

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Yep, I did more research and found that the ears can be moved. I bought the case and did just that - those screws were really difficult to get out though!!

For the motherboard, I found a similar one here, and if you look at the used ones, you can get it for about $60 - ASUS Mini ITX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard Q87T/CSM. It was really the only option that I could find (used or new) where it was mini-ITX form factor, has a PCIe slot, and uses19v power.

I’m building one now, in the process of buying all the parts, looks like the build will wind up costing me around $250.

good find! Keep us updated