I am looking for a Network card with 4 Ports (GB/s speed) and PCIe interface for my Linux Build. The build would have to fulfill the functionality of a NAS, a Router and more or less of a Server. It would create a sub-net to an already existing LAN network and I would like to have all devices wired directly via LAN to that Linux machine (and not having a Switch in between) hence the needed 4 ports. Afaik a NIC with an Intel chip would be advisable because Intel provides Linux drivers. My pick for now would be the HP NC364T PCI Express Quad Port Gigabit Server Adapter Available for 128€ including VAT and shipping (yeah, gonna need a product that's getting sold in Germany). Anyone got experience in that area?
Also looking for WiFi functionality but I think the setup for a Wireless Add-In card isn't that easy for Linux and Software isn't necessarily available for it. If manageable my pick for that would be currently the ASUS PCE-AC68 (for 77€)
Alternatively I would have to get an Access Point and have that wired via LAN to my network, any suggestions there?
Also if anyone got experiences in that area and has a specific suggestion for a Linux distribution that's flexible enough and not specialized on only routing or operating in a NAS and having it more operate as a server please to enlighten me. I've got experience with Ubuntu, Manjaro, Knoppix and a few other distributions already and probably most of the major ones would support the tasks I would wanna throw at it, but ideas are welcome. I am more looking for more information on that point still and maybe gonna create an extra thread on it anyway.
I only ask as if there isnt a particular reason a gigabit switch might be cheaper than a 4 port nic.
This is true, Intel NICs are generaly the best NICs but there are plenty of decent other options.
Most NICs will work fine. I've not actually heard of any that dont except older NICs are killer NICs.
The NIC you picked supports Linux as per there PDF specifications, though its meant for proliant servers, i cant imagine it being locked to them. Dont take my word for it though.
This, it depends on the kernel as the kernel is monolithic which means it includes things such as printer drivers, mouse drivers, etc by default. The question becomes is if by default there is a driver by default for what you need, so generally searching for compability is all you need to do
Here is a comment I found that helps, Atheros and Intel NICS and WIFI are highly recommended both of which have great linux support. As an example my laptop has Atheros AR8161 which is supported by default
As for a distro for your usage you described what you're looking to do is going to be tough, but most distros are going to be capable of what you're trying to do so picking Ubuntu Server, Debian, CentOS, etc will be appropriate for your server
I don't want multiple layers and I want to implement some kind of traffic shaping and statistics. Also I want to limit/supervise/manage the ability for the devices on the network to talk to each other as my network will be rather complex.
Thanks for the Links @Eden Thanks @100557662 for for the explanation. I'm not finished with researching further and I am gonna try out different Distros for myself. As for the WiFi Add-In card, I am still looking for one to try out (may be an Atheros) and may send it back if it generally doesn't play along nicely with different Distros I throw at it. Alternatively I still could go the Access Point route.
Intel NICs will most likely work on Linux without issue.
I do not recommend trying to use a wifi card as an AP. My experience has been pretty bad:
Card may be well supported for regular use under LInux but still not allow master (AP) mode
Features like higher speeds or some security modes may not be supported in master mode
Even if all of the above work, the performance may suck including poor stability, low range and low speed
Of course I only tried a few cards and this was a long time ago, but at the time I could buy a consumer AP for far cheaper that vastly out performed my wifi card setup.
@mythicalcreature makes a good point actually that I should have remembered. WiFi cards support different modes many but not all support ap/master mode. Plenty of n cards but ac cards.. You'd need to do some research.
@mythicalcreature Yeah, figured that the "master" mode would be a problem when I found only tutorials/answers and software for using it just on a client. @Nate1994 Thanks but I wouldn't like to run proprietary/non-free software on my "server" as there's sensible data on the encrypted but usually mounted drives.
Gonna get probably that Intel NIC I posted and a consumer Access Point device that's just connected to my LAN network. Still gonna do more research and also looking in other Forums before I'm confident enough to make the buy and try it all out. Thanks for the answers!
Thanks for your suggestion @lessershoe but I don't want a device specialized for NAS and one as a router, I want a build that can really act as a home-server and manage all that. Also a firewall doesn't have to be that bulletproof as my "server"
and is therefore already behind another router which as the last node in front of the WAN acts as a firewall against "attacks" from the internet. What I will practice in therms of protections is only whitelist/forward ports I plan on using / limit it down and log network activity (esp. used ports). As I won't use Windows but rather Linux on that machine the "danger" for process to being able to communicate with that machine or through it is unlikely. If you are interested, here is how the network will roughly look like from my plans until now, the router and NAS at the bottom left is what I'd like to be in one device and use it as a proxy, server etc.
