My current internet setup is like this (which is common for most people).

fiber line from ISP <-> ISP fiber modem <-> Personal wifi router <-> switch

This is working fine with no issues. But I need to power two devices. I want to reduce this to a single device.

fiber line from ISP <-> Modem+Firewall PC <-> Switch <-> AP1,AP2...

From my initial research, what I need is an SFP module which can be attached to a PC which supports SFP. OPNsense should be able to handle most SFP modules.

What is the community’s take on this? Is this worth the effort? Can I find a mini-PC which supports SFP? Will it be cost effective?

  • FlexibleToast@lemmy.worldEnglish
    23·
    10 hours ago

    Those two devices are likely very low power arm devices. I wouldn’t be surprised if a mini pc consumes more power than those two devices. If power is your concern you should probably measure how much they’re actually pulling.

    • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      4·
      7 hours ago

      I dunno, my newest cable modem chews up a boatload of power for no good reason - really pisses me off.

      It uses more power (50w) than my 2019 SFF desktop I run as a server, with an 8TB drive (20w).

      I know because they both sit on their own smart switches.

      • MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zipEnglish
        6·
        7 hours ago

        50w… holy shit!

        My server with 1 SSD, 3 HDDs running multiple docker containers doesn’t usually pull more than 35-40w.

        My router tops out at 8w and my wireless access point at 5w IIRC.

        • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
          1·
          5 hours ago

          My consumer broadband router (which acts as a WAP, modem, and router) looks like it’s rated for a 36W power supply. Putting a Kill-A-Watt wattmeter on it shows it currently using about 14W.

    • xavier666@lemmy.umucat.dayOPEnglish
      2·
      6 hours ago

      This is something I completely forgot to account for. I heard that some SFP modules (10G) can consume a lot of power. I think the devices are pretty low powered. I’ll have to get a smartmeter and rethink the setup. Thanks a lot!

    • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
      5·
      9 hours ago

      Maybe correct? Though my cable modem gobbles down some 15W… Without even doing the Wifi… So, I bet this isn’t a universal truth, as a Mini-PC will comsume less and provide all kinds of extra services, networking, NAS…

      • FlexibleToast@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        7 hours ago

        Wow, that’s a power hungry modem… But, look into the power usage of those sfp modules. They can be ~10w on their own.

        • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
          1·
          4 hours ago

          Yeah, they often get quite warm. Some day I’ll be in the same situation as OP. And I can’t wait to throw out that supid modem. No clue, though what kind of SFP the fiber provider requires. I mean there’s quite a selection available…