The Solid Firewall Router with 2x10G SFP+, Intel i3/N100-series CPUs, dual 2.5G ports, and DDR5 RAM is designed for enterprise-grade networking. It supports pfSense, Proxmox, and ESXi, leveraging AES-NI encryption for secure, high-throughput data handling. Its compact design, dual NVMe/HDD storage, and 10G connectivity make it ideal for data centers, SMEs, and advanced home labs.
Ryzen 7 vs i5 Gaming Performance
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Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
How Does the 2x10G SFP+ Design Enhance Network Performance?
The dual 10G SFP+ ports enable fiber or copper connections for ultra-low latency and high bandwidth (up to 20 Gbps aggregate). This is critical for environments requiring rapid data transfers, such as virtualization clusters, NAS systems, or real-time analytics. The Intel i226-V 2.5G ports add flexibility for multi-gigabit LAN/WAN segmentation.
The 10G SFP+ architecture also supports link aggregation (LACP) to combine bandwidth for high-availability workloads. For example, pairing both ports creates a 20 Gbps trunk for connecting hypervisors to storage arrays. The router’s ability to handle jumbo frames (up to 9000 MTU) further optimizes large data transfers, reducing CPU overhead by minimizing packet fragmentation. Compatibility with third-party SFP+ modules allows cost-effective upgrades—use 10GBASE-SR for short-range fiber or 10GBASE-T for copper cabling up to 30 meters. This flexibility makes it suitable for edge computing deployments where network conditions vary.
| SFP+ Module Type | Max Speed | Distance | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10GBASE-SR | 10 Gbps | 300m | Data center racks |
| 10GBASE-LR | 10 Gbps | 10km | Campus networks |
| 10GBASE-T | 10 Gbps | 30m | Office cabling |
What Are the Benefits of DDR5 RAM in a Networking Device?
DDR5 offers 50% higher bandwidth (4800 MT/s) and lower power consumption than DDR4. For firewall routers, this improves concurrent processing of firewall rules, VPN sessions, and traffic analysis. With 32GB+ capacity, it supports memory-intensive tasks like running multiple VMs or caching large datasets.
Beyond raw speed, DDR5 introduces on-die ECC (Error-Correcting Code) to mitigate bit-flip errors in mission-critical environments. This is crucial for maintaining packet integrity in 24/7 operations. The dual-channel configuration further reduces latency by allowing parallel access to firewall state tables and Suricata IDS signatures. For hyper-converged setups running Proxmox or ESXi, the increased memory bandwidth ensures smooth VM migrations—a 16GB VM can transfer 15% faster compared to DDR4 systems. Additionally, DDR5’s 1.1V operating voltage reduces thermal stress, enabling stable performance even in passively cooled deployments.
How Does Dual NVMe and HDD Storage Optimize Workloads?
The dual NVMe slots (PCIe 3.0/4.0) provide 7000 MB/s read speeds for hosting VM disks or firewall logs, while the 2x SATA HDD bays offer affordable bulk storage. This hybrid setup allows tiered storage—NVMe for critical apps, HDDs for backups—maximizing both performance and capacity.
“This router bridges the gap between SMB and enterprise networking. The 10G SFP+ and Intel’s hybrid cores let SMEs deploy carrier-grade features—SD-WAN, Zero Trust segmentation—without Cisco-level budgets. For managed service providers, it’s a white-label dream: compact, silent, and capable of hosting 50+ VPN clients.” — Network Architect, Tier 1 MSP
FAQ
- Does It Support VLAN Tagging?
- Yes. The Intel i226-V NICs and 10G SFP+ ports support IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, allowing traffic segmentation for multi-tenant or departmental networks.
- Can I Use This for a Home Lab?
- Absolutely. Its low noise (fanless options) and 15W power draw make it perfect for homelabs. Run pfSense, a Plex server, and game servers concurrently.
- Is ESXi Officially Supported?
- Yes. The Intel NICs and CPUs are on VMware’s HCL. Use ESXi 8.0+ for best results, with NVMe drivers preloaded.