Step By Step Guide | Build A 10GbE Router! PfSense 10Gbps 2U Network Appliance Dual 10GBase-T +SSD 🚀

A 4K60 HDR tutorial to build a robust 10Gbps router using affordable components with long life expectancy.

I built this security appliance at the end of November 2017 and was always told that it is "overkill." The appliance and Hoffman EWMW242425 rack have proven to be future proof and extremely reliable, all at an affordable cost. The 2U standard ATX case utilizing standard sized ATX motherboards and power supplies enables this appliance to always have replacement parts available at an affordable price.

I used a Razer Blade 15 Advanced 2021 model with Thunderbolt in order to have a bus speed capable of true 10Gbps speeds. The QNAP's SFP+ port accepts many different types of modules for fiber optic and copper testing at higher speeds.

Components Used For pfSense:
Intel X550 PCI-E X4 Dual 10GBase-T Network Card (X550T2)
Intel i3-8100 8th Gen LGA1151 Quad Core CPU
ASROCK LGA 1151 H310M-HDV Motherboard
Corsair DDR4 2400MHz 8GB Kit (2x 4GB)
Samsung EVO 850 250Gb Solid State Drive (SATA)
Noctua NH-L9i Low-Profile CPU Fan
Corsair ATX Power Supply
Rosewill 2U Rackmount ATX Case (RSV-2600)

Rack:
Hoffman EWMW242425 Rack Enclosure
Startech 2U Vented Shelf
Netgear CM-2000 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig Cable Modem (Cox 1Gig Service)
CyberPower 1500va PR1500RT2UC Smart App Sinewave UPS System
Netgear XS712T Managed Layer-3 10Gig Switch
ANNKE (Hikvision) 12MP 4K NVR 8CH & 4K HDMI Splitter

Network Tested With:
QNAP QNA-T310G1S Thunderbolt 3 SFP+ Adapter
Razer Blade 15 Advanced 2021 model w/i9 & Thunderbolt 3, Windows 11
Speedtest.net on Chrome browser to the "Fastest Server" closest to my location.