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Looking for a small form factor PC to use as a router (self.homelab)

submitted 1 year ago by p5f20w18k to c/[email protected]

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I'm looking for a 1L type PC, with dual gigabit, or a single gigabit (or 2.5g) port and space to put in a PCI card with more ports on it.

Planning to use it as a router, not decided on which OS yet, probably OPNSense.

Any advice on what to buy? Don't want to spend more than 150GBP, don't mind buying second hand either.

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[–] jecht360 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Some of the Lenovo tiny 1L machines can take a PCI card to add more ports. I've specifically seen it done with the 720q. You'll need a riser for it to fit. If you search on AliExpress for "lenovo thinkcentre tiny network riser card" or similar you'll find some examples.

Here's a different method someone used with a Lenovo M900 using an M.2 ethernet adapter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMKvhx7z3aY

There are several threads about this on Reddit, but I'm not going to link them because of all the mess going on over there. If you search a bit you'll find them though. If they've been deleted due to the protests, try a cached copy on Google.

[–] Hut 1 points 1 year ago

+1 for the tiny lenovos... just careful on the generation. Pre Tiny4 won't work.