SOLVED - Supported Wifi (2024)

Hello

I'm looking to upgrade my home network to 801.ac. I was wondeirng if anyone had any luck with a specific ac adaptor within freenas, presumable PCI-E, but maybe usb3?

Failing that, can anyone point me to where I can find more generic information such as what chipsets to look for on cards? As FreeNAS is based from FreeBSD, is it a case of whats supported in the latter will be supported in the former?

I've searched the forums, but the most recent posts seem to be a few years old. Appreciate people maybe more attuned to the 10/40g end of the spectrum :)

Obliged.

Supported WiFi? None whatsoever.

mgk said:

As freenas is based from free-bsd, is it a case of whats supported in the latter will be supported in the former?

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Not even that, and FreeBSD's 802.11 adapter support is atrocious as it is.

It seems to me that putting together a robust and high performing file server and then accessing via wifi would be akin to owning a McLaren F1 and driving 5 MPH down a dirt road. With potholes. In the rain.

Just don't.

mgk said:

I'm looking to upgrade my home network to 801.ac.

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WiFi as said above is not supported, so the best ways around this is to have APs on your network for WiFi access to your shares and other stuff, and your FreeNAS hardwired.

I have couple ubiquiti covering my house, but even with that type of AP, I won't do huge file transfers. Just saying don't expect too much ;)

Ericloewe said:

Supported WiFi? None whatsoever.

Not even that, and FreeBSD's 802.11 adapter support is atrocious as it is.

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Ok, cool thanks for confirming.

melloa said:

WiFi as said above is not supported, so the best ways around this is to have APs on your network for WiFi access to your shares and other stuff, and your FreeNAS hardwired.

I have couple ubiquiti covering my house, but even with that type of AP, I won't do huge file transfers. Just saying don't expect too much ;)

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Yep, had thought of this approach. Used ubiquitis for campus networks so hope theyre working out for you.

Jailer said:

It seems to me that putting together a robust and high performing file server and then accessing via wifi would be akin to owning a McLaren F1 and driving 5 MPH down a dirt road. With potholes. In the rain.

See Also

How to set up a NAS: A step-by-step configuration guide | TechTarget

Just don't.

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Yeah, so you've picked up on one aspect, without any background or consideration of other factors, and decided its the only important thing. Maybe for me, the ability to store the server in a wifi served area, and it take good care of the data I store on it is more important than the throughput. Maybe I just want to try it, and see what happens. To use your analogy, maybe I view FreeNAS a a slow moving tank, which slowly trundles down the road, no worries about potholes or rain, taking good care of the data I put inside. Who knows eh?

wblock said:

If I were going to try this, I would pick an Atheros wireless chipset. But I would not be surprised if the wireless modules had been removed from FreeNAS to save space. In general, a separate wireless access point or router is usually easier.

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Thanks, I have a few older ones kicking about, I'll try.

Cheers

Although it might be an interesting technical project, I would not bother trying to implement wifi directly on the NAS.

I have a fairly complex 802.11ac network in my house, including a subnet in my home office that is connected to the main house network via an 802.11ac wireless bridge. I have a pc and FreeNAS on the office subnet. They are plugged into the bridge's switch, so at the end of the day they don't know they are on a wireless network. I get about 870 Mb (mega-bits) of throughput over the wireless bridge I'm using, which is about 85-90% of the speed most people see on a good 1GB ethernet connection. It is, in fact, considerably faster than the network speed coming into most homes.

So is that fast enough? Depends upon what you do. Routine file copies and system back ups - no problem. A few Plex video streams - no problem. Bragging rights to your friends that you have the fastest networking in town - maybe not. You get the idea.

I've had my set up in place for over a year and it has been just fine. Some advice for success:

1) Buy good wifi gear. I spent a little over $100 each for wifi routers. Buy good brands and pick models that can be configured as bridges. Do a little research.

2) Each wifi router should be on a UPS (they don't have to be large, expensive UPS's.) This will give you the best reliability.

3) Learn something about networking. I don't say this to put people down, but many folks who complain of network problems did not configure their systems properly.

pschatz100 said:

1) Buy good wifi gear. I spent a little over $100 each for wifi routers. Buy good brands and pick models that can be configured as bridges. Do a little research.

2) Each wifi router should be on a UPS (they don't have to be large, expensive UPS's.) This will give you the best reliability.

3) Learn something about networking. I don't say this to put people down, but many folks who complain of network problems did not configure their systems properly.

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Hey Pschatz100, thanks for your background, interesting info.

This site http://smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews seemed to offer some good technical guidance on AP's/Routers.

Interesting point about the UPS, whats the reasoning behind it? I was looking for one for NAS, and they could run off the same one in theory, just unsure what the risk is compared to data loss/system issues.

Re networking, 10 years as a sys/network admin at an ISP. Networking is fine, although home network is at the other end of the spectrum to what I'm used too, hence the question . I'd always look to see if I've configured or otherwise pebcak'd the system.

Thanks again

mgk said:

This site http://smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews seemed to offer some good technical guidance on AP's/Routers.

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An interesting read. I suspect there is more detail there than most people care to know, but the recommendations are helpful.

Interesting point about the UPS, whats the reasoning behind it? I was looking for one for NAS, and they could run off the same one in theory, just unsure what the risk is compared to data loss/system issues.

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I did not mean to suggest that wifi routers need to be on a dedicated UPS. I get internet access via Comcast cable, along with my TV service. The cable modem is configured as a modem only, and all the firewall and routing chores are handled by the main wifi router. The cable modem and main wifi router are on the battery protected side of a small UPS system. I did not originally plan it this way but I found the UPS on sale for marginally more than a good surge protector and I believe this has contributed to the stability of my network by eliminating small power fluctuations and drop outs.

The wireless bridge in my office is connected to the same UPS as my NAS.