First home lab / Network edge
Network foundationProtectli-style firewall appliance
Give the lab a clear boundary. A dedicated x86 appliance runs the routing and firewall policy.
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Why it belongs in the plan
Controls traffic between the internet and the lab. A separate appliance lets the network keep running while you experiment with compute.
- Learning routing and firewall rules
- Planning isolated network segments
- A dedicated network gateway
Check the fit before buying
- Choose the exact appliance and check its NIC chipset against current OPNsense / FreeBSD support.
- Match WAN/LAN port count, port speeds and cables to the switch and internet service.
- Size memory, storage and cooling for VPN, inspection and the actual traffic load.
- Plan the upstream gateway, recovery access and configuration backup before changing your network.
What is still undecided
Exact Protectli model, NICs and configuration are still to be selected.
This guide is research-based. No hands-on benchmark, retailer configuration, stock level or price is asserted.
Source notes
OPNsense documents x86-64 hardware sizing. This is an appliance-family illustration, not a compatibility certification for a selected Protectli model.
Source-family guidance checked 2026-10-31. Confirm the exact listing and current documentation before buying.