Post AxjIrwuJC89xtJhYsi by artwaw@c.im
 (DIR) More posts by artwaw@c.im
 (DIR) Post #AxjG1nyGyRGPD4Z1LU by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
       2025-08-31T12:38:19.164402Z
       
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       @stfn @mikrotik Please think twice and don't award copyright infringers that also attacks people with proprietary malware with more money (it has been months and mikrotik still hasn't compiled with the GPLv2 for GPLv2 software I downloaded off their website).My personal recommendation for a router would be any GNUbootable computer with an Intel 82599ES SFP+ card (also under many brand names for example HP 560SFP+) - as that works with free software.In a KGPE-D16 system, that would give you 2 SFP+ ports and 2 1000BASE-T 8P8C ports with no proprietary limitations - you'll be able to route or switch packets however you wish.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxjIrwuJC89xtJhYsi by artwaw@c.im
       2025-08-31T13:01:39Z
       
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       @Suiseiseki @stfn @mikrotik gnu-bootable computer with a dedicated sfp card instead of a small switch? Why not whole server rack instead?
       
 (DIR) Post #AxjIryGg8ReE6zAwO8 by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
       2025-08-31T13:10:08.026366Z
       
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       @artwaw @stfn The switch runs proprietary software, so that is best avoided - even if the small size seems convenient (a GNUbooted ThinkPad with a expresscard to full-size PCIe adapter or a microATX board will likely work instead, although any SFP+ modules may be limited to 1000BASE-T speeds by limited PCIe channels).Yes, the GNUbooted server+router goes in the rack, alongside the switch that runs free software.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxjJgleIoOcpk9Rltw by artwaw@c.im
       2025-08-31T13:11:44Z
       
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       @Suiseiseki @stfn how that fits a use case of a small switch with regards to power consumption and physical dimensions?
       
 (DIR) Post #AxjJgmLuCHVHvNqarg by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
       2025-08-31T13:19:20.350840Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @artwaw @stfn GNUbootable ThinkPads are quite low power consumption and fit right into a bookshelf right next to the books you don't read.A GNUbooted GA-G41M-ES2L or GA-G41MT-ES2L or GA-G41MT-D3 is quite small as that's a microATX board and has not bad power consumption with a low-power quad core Xeon with a LGA775 mod sticker.