Our BIG network upgrade! - OPNsense DEC4280
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Description
Monitor your systems from anywhere using Pulseway at: lmg.gg We've got to support and secure a LOT of devices on our office network which can be a challenge for even the beefiest routers and firewalls. Today Jake is showing off one of the TWO new OPNsense DEC4280s we got to show off why this expensive piece of open-source equipment is worth it for us. OPNsense overview videos to
Promos
Check out the OPNsense DEC4280 Rack Security Appliance: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► PRODUCTS WE USE ON THE SHORTCIRCUIT SET: lmg.gg FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 A very special brown box 0:37 Unboxing and port walkthrough 2:07 Taking a look at the insides 8:35 Sponsor - Pulseway 8:56 Finishing reassembly 9:44 Setting everything up and dashboard walkthrough 14:10 Programming cables and running tests 17:10 Overall thoughts and pricing 17:58 Outro
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The video documents a high-end network upgrade centered on OPNsense DEC4280 hardware, beginning with an unboxing that highlights the device’s form factor, ports, and cooling design. The presenter repeatedly points out the open source nature of the platform, noting that OPNsense is a fork of PFsense and explaining the differences that appeal to their setup. We get an in-depth look at the DEC4280’s internal layout, including the 16-core embedded AMD EPYC CPU, 64 GB DDR4 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD, as well as hot-swappable style components and a non-hot-swappable power supply design. The video shifts to practical assembly steps, detailing the internal cooling strategies, airflow considerations, and how the fans and ducts contribute to efficiency and noise levels. During reassembly, the host demonstrates the modular approach to swapping components and discusses how this appliance is intended for demanding office networks while keeping energy usage in check. The sponsor segment for Pulseway appears mid-roll, followed by a continuation of the setup and initial validation tests. The host then demonstrates basic configuration through the OPNsense dashboard, including the DHCP setup, WAN and LAN interfaces, and an overview of firewall and VPN capabilities, contrasted with familiar PFsense navigation for viewers new to the platform. Finally, the video delves into performance testing with dual 25 Gbps links and a 50 Gbps test scenario, presenting a quantitative view of throughput, CPU usage, and temperature while offering a candid assessment of price versus alternative solutions, such as low-cost minis or other enterprise options. The conclusion weighs the device’s premium hardware and software integration against its price, emphasizing its appeal to network professionals who value open source and centralized management features, while acknowledging the limitations and tradeoffs for smaller budgets. Overall, the video blends hardware exploration with practical network lab testing, delivering a detailed snapshot of what it takes to deploy a high-end, open source firewall and routing platform in a real office environment.
Topics · networking · hardware_review · open_source_software · IT_infrastructure · office_networking · firewalls · rack_mount_hardware · servers
Questions answered
- What makes the OPNsense DEC4280 a compelling choice for office networks?
- The DEC4280 combines a high core count AMD EPYC embedded CPU, ample RAM, and fast NVMe storage with open source firewall software, open source flexibility, and centralized management options, delivering strong throughput, edge security features, and configurability suitable for demanding office networks.
- Does the video discuss thermal and power considerations for the DEC4280?
- Yes, the host highlights optimized cooling design, dual power supplies, airflow modeling, and the rated cooling performance, noting the fans and ducting help maintain reasonable noise levels and efficiency under load.
- What is highlighted about OpenSense Business Edition in this video?
- OpenSense Business Edition is presented as a premium package that includes a one-year license and additional managed services like OpenCentral, intended to simplify monitoring and updates in a multi-device deployment.
- Are there any major price-related caveats mentioned for the DEC4280?
- Yes, the presenter points out the €6,000 price tag and compares it to alternative, lower-cost options like compact servers or other firewall appliances, acknowledging that the DEC4280 is a premium solution for enterprise-grade needs.