07-09-2020, 08:34 PM
I've not run FreeBSD (pfSense) on the Rock64, only ArchLinuxARM. IMO, Linux is a fully capable, advanced firewall, just without the pfSense GUI.
A big reason why pfSense adopted FreeBSD is licensing (BSD vs. GPL2). That said, I'm not diminishing FreeBSD in any way, it's VERY capable, too.
I use the Rock64 boards as very complex VPN routers (huge rule sets) and they run basically wire-speed. I first setup a Rock64 in an emergency, replacing some X86-64 and big Cisco hardware, after a severe hurricane with unexpected backup power failure. I ultimately had a VERY LIMITED power budget for a couple weeks. I was thoroughly amazed at how well the Rock64's performed---so amazed that I've never gone back to the x86 systems, except where I need 10GigE and 40GigE wire-speed. I still use Cisco at the high end, for wire-speed layer 3 filtering/routing.
A big reason why pfSense adopted FreeBSD is licensing (BSD vs. GPL2). That said, I'm not diminishing FreeBSD in any way, it's VERY capable, too.
I use the Rock64 boards as very complex VPN routers (huge rule sets) and they run basically wire-speed. I first setup a Rock64 in an emergency, replacing some X86-64 and big Cisco hardware, after a severe hurricane with unexpected backup power failure. I ultimately had a VERY LIMITED power budget for a couple weeks. I was thoroughly amazed at how well the Rock64's performed---so amazed that I've never gone back to the x86 systems, except where I need 10GigE and 40GigE wire-speed. I still use Cisco at the high end, for wire-speed layer 3 filtering/routing.