USB 3.0 1Gbit NICs recommendations? reddit / freebsd ---------------------------------------------------------------------- k1rika · 2021-10-21 01:38 Hello, if you are using any USB 3.0 NICs with FreeBsd, which ones are working good for you? I tried one with a chipset which had existing drivers listed (ASIX AX88179, [axge](https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=axge&apropos =0&sektion=4&manpath=FreeBSD+12.1-RELEASE&arch=default&format=html)), however actually testing it and digging a bit further in with the debugging I found multiple posts confirming the issues I had with it, the device constantly turns on/off and i assume it might be related to a power saving feature, but had no success finding a solution for that one - so I need to try another one to extend my router by a much needed forth port. Can you help me suggesting ones which are working for you with FreeBsd so I don't have to buy them at random? Many thanks in advance ;) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rykolepl · 2021-10-21 23:27 Why don't you just use managed switch and VLANs? It gives you the same seperation while providing better scalability, because you don't need to add more ports when you add new network. You can even make a router with just one port (so called router-on-a-stick) And if you can't use managed switch and VLANs, better way around that would be to get something with as many NICs as you need, without dealing with problems with USB NICs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- edthesmokebeard · 2021-10-21 23:31 Lame. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- k1rika · 2021-10-22 01:17 Thats an interesting idea which actually did not cross my mind, good input. Thinking about it now, it seems not ideal to me tho. It is clunkier (one more height unit in the server rack + power), most likely a bit more expensive and for just one port it seems like an overkill. Also the bandwidth could be an issue like that as under full load the single line to the switch from the router might cap throughput in a configuration like that. It could work for others in a similar situation however and if it is about more than just that one port it is indeed more flexible. While I agree getting something with enough NICs would be the best solution and one I will most likely apply in the longterm, solving it like that is obviously also the most expensive approach and I still think for the moment a simple USB NIC would be the easiest way for me - and there must be some out there which aren't trouble and just do their job. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- rykolepl · 2021-10-22 02:01 > Also the bandwidth could be an issue like that as under full load the single line to the switch from the router might cap throughput in a configuration like that. LACP usually helps with that while also providing link redundancy. Both ends has to support it. Also I don't think you will really saturate 1Gbit full-duplex link with real-world usage. My home runs on 2x1Gbit LACP from switch to router (with router-on-a-stick) and I never saturate it with inter-vlan routing. The switch that I mention later does not support it, so keep that in mind. > most likely a bit more expensive You can get used switches for cheap. Or something like TL-SG108E, brand new for 30$ on amazon. If you consider that you may have to buy several USB NICs before you get one one that is working, it's cheaper. > one more height unit in the server rack You can get desktop switch (not rack mounted), like the TL-SG108E > power TL-SG108E has 5.4W power supply and it's rated at 3.6W. Also passively cooled rack-mounted switches can't take a lot of power because of passive cooling. You will most likely have hard time getting feedback on usb nics, because: - not many people are using it - manufacturers can change components without changing model number so with usb nics, you basically have to buy one, try it, and if it has problems, try another one, and repeat untill you have one that's working. After one PCIe NIC in my pfsense router failed, I used USB NIC while waiting for replacement and it was resetting itself under heavy load. So I don't recommend using ANY usb nic, unless absolutely necessary. Disclaimer: I have never used tl-sg108e or any other tp-link switch, but I think it's good starting point, because they are cheap. TL;DR I think you are making your life harder by trying to use USB NIC