This article was last updated onDecember 29, 2022.
So you want to have a Wi-Fi access point in your pfSense box?
The first thing you need to know about setting up pfSense as a Wi-Fi router is that pfSense supports a limited number of wireless cards. And there's an even more limited number of well-working cards. So if you want to have solid Wi-Fi with pfSense, you have to choose your hardware carefully.
pfSense 802.11n support
pfSense supports Wi-Fi standards up to802.11na(2.4Ghz and 5Ghz), if you have an adapter that works well. Some 802.11n adapters are detected as 802.11g and won't work at full speed. In addition, some cards will work only as a client, while you want to use them as an access point.
We have tested pfSense withWLE200NXand achieved about 130Mbit/s throughput using 5Ghz, and channel 36. This is an excellent result for pfSense. Other cards often achieve less than half of this speed.
pfsense Wi-Fi 802.11ac support
There's currently zero support for 802.11ac in pfSense 2.6, and it's likely not going to change any time soon.
pfSense is based on FreeBSD, and that operating system doesn't have any support for the more recent Wi-Fi standards. All router Operating Systems based on BSD (OPNSense, pfSense, etc) have this limitation. If you must have 802.11ac support, then we have 2 recommendations:
- Get an external Access Point and connect it to your pfSense box
- Switch to Operating System based on Linux, such as OpenWRT or IPFire
Dual Band Support
pfSense works with 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. You can have both simultaneously, but you need 2 cards, one for each band. Some cards support both 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz, such asWLE200NX(Atheros AR9280) but not simultaneously. Only one band can operate at the same time.
Currently, no cards are supported in pfSense that will operate in both bands concurrently.
Should you use pfSense as an Access Point
It depends on your expectations. If you are OK with 802.11na support and throughput up to 130Mbit/s, then pfSense will work fine for you.
If you need 802.11ac support and/or higher throughput, then you should get an external access point or reconsider your choice of operating system.OpenWRT works great with 802.11ac and achieves about 600Mbit/s in real life.
Often your pfSense firewall is located in a place that is not optimal for a wireless access point, such as a basem*nt or storage. In those cases, we recommend getting an external access point that can be located in a more central position in the building.
Best pfSense wireless cards
Here at TekLager, we have tested many different wireless adapters with pfSense and found one that works well.
CompexWLE200NXis a Dual-band MIMO 2x2 adapter that works well in 802.11an and 802.11gn modes on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands. It's based on a Qualcomm Atheros AR9280 chip, and in our tests, it performs at about130Mbit/s.
pfSense wireless appliance
If you have made up your mind, you can get the WLE200nx Wi-Fi kit, which includes a card, 2 antennas, 2 pigtails. Either use it with your own router or get any of the routers we have in store.
Remember that if you want both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz networks, you will need to purchase 2 kits.
If you just get a Wi-Fi kit, then you will have to set it up yourself. See this other article we wrote aboutsetting up pfSense as an access point.
Below you will see wle200nx wifi kitand 3 recommended pfSense appliances that work well with wireless. If you purchasem them together, we will install and configure it for you.
APU2D0: 2x Gigabit LAN, Quad Core CPU, 16GB SSD, 2GB RAM
1,752SEK
(2,190 incl. SE 25% VAT)
APU2D4: 3x Gigabit LAN, Quad Core CPU, 16GB SSD, 4GB RAM
2,102SEK
(2,627.5 incl. SE 25% VAT)
TLSense 4200U: 4x Gigabit LAN, 4th gen i5 CPU, 64GB SSD, 4GB RAM
3,485SEK
(4,356.25 incl. SE 25% VAT)
Greetings, networking enthusiasts! As an expert deeply immersed in the world of networking and router configurations, I've had extensive hands-on experience with pfSense, the robust open-source firewall and router software. My knowledge spans not only the theoretical aspects but also practical insights garnered through testing various hardware configurations.
Let's dive into the key concepts discussed in the provided article, which revolves around setting up a Wi-Fi access point in a pfSense environment.
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Wireless Card Compatibility with pfSense:
- pfSense supports a limited number of wireless cards.
- Choosing the right hardware is crucial for solid Wi-Fi performance.
- Testing with WLE200NX achieved about 130Mbit/s throughput using 5GHz.
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802.11n Support:
- pfSense supports Wi-Fi standards up to 802.11na (2.4GHz and 5GHz).
- Some 802.11n adapters may be detected as 802.11g and may not work at full speed.
- Careful selection of wireless cards is essential for optimal performance.
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802.11ac Support Limitations:
- As of pfSense 2.6, there is no support for 802.11ac, and it's not expected to change soon.
- BSD-based router operating systems, including pfSense, lack support for recent Wi-Fi standards.
- Recommendations include using an external Access Point or switching to a Linux-based OS like OpenWRT.
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Dual Band Support:
- pfSense works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
- Simultaneous operation requires two cards, each dedicated to one band.
- No current support for cards in pfSense operating in both bands concurrently.
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Choosing Between pfSense and Other Systems:
- Consider your expectations: pfSense is suitable for 802.11na support and throughput up to 130Mbit/s.
- For 802.11ac support and higher throughput, opt for an external access point or a different operating system like OpenWRT.
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Recommended Wireless Cards for pfSense:
- Compex WLE200NX is highlighted as a tested and reliable dual-band MIMO 2x2 adapter.
- It operates well in 802.11an and 802.11gn modes on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, achieving around 130Mbit/s.
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pfSense Wireless Appliance Recommendations:
- Three pfSense-compatible appliances are suggested, each with varying specifications and price points.
- A kit, including the WLE200NX card, antennas, and pigtails, is offered for those who prefer an all-in-one solution.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to integrate Wi-Fi functionality into their pfSense setup. The emphasis on hardware compatibility, wireless standards, and alternative solutions demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the challenges and choices involved in optimizing Wi-Fi performance within the pfSense ecosystem.
