Topics
Browse everything pfSenseLab publishes by category and tag: every topic covered here, with the most recent guides listed under each one.
Tags
- #pfsense 19
- #networking 5
- #firewall-rules 4
- #firewall 3
- #hardware 3
- #homelab 3
- #protectli 3
- #security 3
- #vpn 3
- #wireguard 3
- #appliance 2
- #buying-guide 2
- #failover 2
- #iot 2
- #mini-pc 2
- #netgate 2
- #network-segmentation 2
- #openvpn 2
- #pfblockerng 2
- #remote-access 2
- #tutorial 2
- #vlan 2
- #ad-blocking 1
- #beginner 1
- #carp 1
- #comparison 1
- #dco 1
- #dns 1
- #firewall-hardware 1
- #gateway-groups 1
- #geoip 1
- #ha 1
- #high-availability 1
- #home-networking 1
- #ids 1
- #installation 1
- #intel-n100 1
- #intrusion-detection 1
- #ip-reputation 1
- #ips 1
- #load-balancing 1
- #maxmind 1
- #multi-wan 1
- #nat 1
- #network-security 1
- #nic 1
- #opnsense 1
- #pfsense-plus 1
- #pfsync 1
- #policy-routing 1
- #port-forwarding 1
- #proxmox 1
- #ram 1
- #requirements 1
- #road-warrior 1
- #setup 1
- #sizing 1
- #snort 1
- #storage 1
- #suricata 1
- #threat-intel 1
- #troubleshooting 1
- #virtualization 1
- #vlans 1
- #xmlrpc 1
Categories
Hardware 4 posts
- pfSense Appliances: Netgate, Protectli, or DIY BuildWhat a pfSense appliance actually buys you, how Netgate, third-party boxes, and DIY builds differ, and the five checks to run before ordering any of them.
- pfSense Requirements: Minimum & Recommended HardwareSee pfSense minimum and recommended CPU, RAM, storage, and NIC requirements for basic routing, VPN, pfBlockerNG, and Suricata IDS/IPS.
- Best Mini PC for pfSense 2026: Buying Guide and PicksWhat actually matters when picking a mini PC for pfSense in 2026: Intel NICs over Realtek, core count for IDS and VPN, RAM headroom, and which boxes fit.
- Best pfSense Hardware to Buy in 2026 by Use CaseA spec-based comparison of pfSense appliances, mini PCs, and used systems by WAN speed, IDS/IPS load, NICs, support, power use, and budget.
Networking 3 posts
- pfSense VLAN Setup for Homelab: Design, Rules, and TestspfSense VLAN setup for homelab: trunk layout, a four-VLAN plan, firewall rules in apply order, mDNS reflection, DNS pinning, and the tests that prove it.
- How to Set Up an OpenVPN Server on pfSenseRun the pfSense OpenVPN wizard end to end: CA and server certificate, a tunnel network that will not collide, firewall rules, and client export.
- pfSense VLAN Configuration: Segment IoT, Guest, and TrustedThis pfSense VLAN configuration guide covers trusted, IoT, and guest networks, plus DHCP, firewall rules, switch tagging, DNS access, and tests.
Security 3 posts
- pfSense Suricata vs Snort: Which IDS/IPS to ChooseSuricata suits most pfSense homelabs with multithreading, EVE JSON logs and Snort rules. Choose Snort for OpenAppID, then stage IDS before inline IPS.
- pfSense GeoIP Blocking with pfBlockerNG and MaxMindAdd a MaxMind license key for GeoLite2 country blocks, choose inbound or outbound actions, then add Emerging Threats, Spamhaus and Abuse.ch feeds.
- pfBlockerNG Setup on pfSense: DNSBL and Threat BlockingThis pfBlockerNG setup guide covers DNSBL feeds, resolver enforcement, IP reputation, false-positive tuning, testing, and rollback on pfSense.
Advanced 2 posts
- pfSense Multi-WAN Setup: Failover vs Load BalancingUse separate gateway tiers for dual-WAN failover or the same tier for per-flow load balancing. Configure policy routing, DNS and NAT for both links.
- pfSense High Availability: CARP Failover Setup GuideBuild two active-passive nodes with CARP VIPs, pfsync state replication and XMLRPC config sync. Check spare LAN and WAN IP needs, then test failover.
VPN 2 posts
- How to Set Up WireGuard VPN on pfSense: Step-by-Step GuideSet up WireGuard VPN on pfSense step by step: install the package, create the tunnel, add peers, assign the interface, and write the firewall rules.
- OpenVPN vs WireGuard on pfSense: Performance and FeaturesThis pfSense comparison covers OpenVPN and WireGuard throughput, CPU use, edition support, Plus-only DCO, authentication, TCP fallback, and roaming.