Editing Futotemporarywikipage (section)

=== Caution When Purchasing NICs ===

# '''Avoid Realtek at all costs:''' Read '''pfSense''' and FreeBSD forums to learn about the issues from people who use Realtek network interface cards. Sometimes you’ll get something working, but often you will get headaches and nightmares that are not worth the cost savings. Realtek network cards are best avoided in pfSense &amp; similar setups due to known issues with poor performance &amp; compatibility. Intel network interface cards are preferable for reliability &amp; better support in open-source projects like pfSense.

<blockquote>'''Note of Appreciation''': pfSense developers have created drivers for network interface chipsets like the 225 ([https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-src/commit/517904de5ccac643589c71ac0d2751797f89e4f9 citation 1], [https://github.com/pfsense/FreeBSD-src/commit/9ffb4c0adab4853ab752ecda6a5ff59ea943af4e citation 2]) that didn’t exist before. Intel network interface cards are known to have better performance &amp; reliability in FreeBSD systems than Realtek chipsets. The ecosystem of open source firewalls are invested in providing support for these chipsets, providing solutions when the manufacturer doesn’t.

This is an excellent argument in favor of [https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/uuigfy/is_the_intel_i225v_nic_ok/ paying money for open source software]. The igc driver for the i225 Intel network chip was made available to everyone! Commercial users, non-paying users of pfSense, and other FreeBSD based routers/firewalls all benefit from people paying for open source software. Top notch programmers wrote these drivers because they were able to pay their rent &amp; bills doing so.

When you pay for open source software, you are sending a message that it makes sense for top notch programmers to spend money developing open source code that doesn’t abuse you rather than going to work for facebook.
</blockquote>
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<li>'''Buy from Reputable Vendors:''' Avoid counterfeit products by purchasing from trusted sellers. There are many counterfeit cards out there.</li></ol>

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<li>'''Vendors don’t know the difference:''' Many vendors selling knockoff cards do not even know they are doing it. Wholesale liquidators operate with low profit margins while selling a wide variety of equipment and lack the time and expertise to vet all of what they sell. As a result, many vendors sell counterfeit and fake Intel network cards.</li></ol>

* '''Recommended:''' ''The Art of Server'' on eBay ([https://www.ebay.com/str/theartofserver link])
* '''Example product:''' Intel X540 ([https://www.ebay.com/itm/166585171595 link])

'''Verify Compatibility:''' Make sure the card fits your PC’s available slots.

* Be wary of non-standard form factors or connectors.

'''HINT:''' Buying cards that are branded from server re-sellers is a good way to avoid fakes. For instance

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