Looking for router SBC suggestions for high expandability/modularity

[bobbintb]

I've been considering building my own router for a while now and am looking for the right SBC, or maybe even super small motherboard. I considered using one of my old PC's but I want something more compact. I'm trying to find something as expandable and modular as I can and nothing I've looked at thus far has really fit the bill. I'm thinking of something that can be easily upgraded so I don't need a new router every few years. Maybe something with a lot of PCIe or M.2 slots. The idea is I can just add cards to expand functionality (ignoring software for the time being). For example, if I decide to have a cellular backup, just add a new card. If I need more parts and don't want to add a switch, just add a new card. If a new Wifi standard comes out and it's time to upgrade, add a new card. I've looked at ODYSSEY-X86J4105 and it seems promising but I don't know if it's expansive enough. I'm also concerned about any potential bottlenecks. I was even thinking about something like a cryptomining motherboard with all those PCIe slots but I don't want something that big and a full size PSU. Any one have any ideas or suggestions?

 

[L&LD]

I've been looking at the Lenovo ThinkCentre SFF computers for a pfSense build myself. They are smaller but may not have the expandability you're looking for. Worth checking out though.

 

[degrub]

Search on here for Qotom for small boxes for routers and firewalls.
Otherwise, you probably looking for a small ATX case to give the most flexibility on cards.

 

[daveforever]

Compact and expandability are really contradictions in terms to a certain extent. However if you want a more traditional form factor with something that is still small I'd consider Intel NUC or Dell USFF.

 

[ben1557]

I don't know if I understand you correctly, but if you mean that you need a " pcb " that can be improved or programmed, then it seems that I met with such a thing on a raspberry pi (or something like that), if I'm not mistaken, then I took it here http://bestcell.solutions/s42_dk/ (on Amazon, too, like it was, you can search). I took it not for programming on it, but for personal purposes (I did Internet network coverage for my site), and there was a case with and without, the second probably will suit you

 

[bobbintb]

Compact and expandability are really contradictions in terms to a certain extent. However if you want a more traditional form factor with something that is still small I'd consider Intel NUC or Dell USFF.

Yes, that's essentially the issue I am coming across. I don't intend to be able to hook up a few video cards or anything like that. Just was hoping for a little more than I was finding.

I don't know if I understand you correctly, but if you mean that you need a " pcb " that can be improved or programmed, then it seems that I met with such a thing on a raspberry pi (or something like that), if I'm not mistaken, then I took it here http://bestcell.solutions/s42_dk/ (on Amazon, too, like it was, you can search). I took it not for programming on it, but for personal purposes (I did Internet network coverage for my site), and there was a case with and without, the second probably will suit you

I think that might be close to what I was looking for. I'd prefer something other than mini PCI-e but that's not a big deal. Plus some of the built ins are what I needed so less expandability is needed. Although I'm a little surprised the ethernet isn't gigabit.

 

[ben1557]

Yes, that's essentially the issue I am coming across. I don't intend to be able to hook up a few video cards or anything like that. Just was hoping for a little more than I was finding.

I think that might be close to what I was looking for. I'd prefer something other than mini PCI-e but that's not a big deal. Plus some of the built ins are what I needed so less expandability is needed. Although I'm a little surprised the ethernet isn't gigabit.

Yeah 100mb eth looks strange for this type of devices haha

 

[ben1557]

Yes, that's essentially the issue I am coming across. I don't intend to be able to hook up a few video cards or anything like that. Just was hoping for a little more than I was finding.

I think that might be close to what I was looking for. I'd prefer something other than mini PCI-e but that's not a big deal. Plus some of the built ins are what I needed so less expandability is needed. Although I'm a little surprised the ethernet isn't gigabit.

I again looked at the description of this thing, and it says that there will already be gigabit ethernet in case you chose Orange Zero+ if you are interested, you can review it again haha

 

[unmesh]

I got a used HP T730 Thin Client which is very quiet and has a PCIe slot to which I added a 4-port Intel Gigabit NIC to make a nice pfSense box. People have reported success with a dual-port SFP+ NIC in that slot although it likely doesn't push the full 10G per port. Prices fluctuate and I got mine with 8GB of DRAM and 32GB of mSATA SSD for $129. Including a sample link for a different config as a reference point

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It is meant to be used in the vertical orientation which may not be acceptable to some