This blog post aims to address replacing your BT modem/router with a pfSense firewall, and why it may be beneficial. It will cover the features and benefits that such an upgrade can provide, as well as outline some of the potential issues and drawbacks associated with this type of setup. We'll provide you with some hardware suggestions, as well as video tutorials on how to get started.
Introduction
BT broadband is a popular choice for many internet users in the UK due to its reliability and affordability. While it is a good provider, there are some drawbacks that can potentially stifle your network's performance and security. One of the best ways to upgrade your home network is to replace your BT Broadband modem/router with a pfSense router/firewall – a free open source firewall software solution. In this blog post, we will discuss why pfSense is better than the BT Broadband modem and the benefits it can provide.
Many ISP modems do not get updated with new firmware or software. This means that they won't have the latest security features or improvements in speed and performance. pfSense is a way to get these updates so your modem will be safer and work better.
Introduction to pfSense
pfSense is a free, open-source firewall software solution that can be used to secure your home network. It is highly configurable, allowing you to tailor its settings and features to meet your needs. pfSense provides more advanced features than most regular ISPs' modems, such as being able to set up virtual private networks (VPNs), configure port forwarding, and create advanced firewall rules.
Benefits of pfSense
The main benefits of pfSense include enhanced security and improved performance. pfSense offers far more advanced security features than most regular home routers, such as being able to set up a VPN connection to allow you to securely access your home network remotely, and advanced security filter. pfSense also offers improved performance due to its advanced routing algorithms and optimised traffic management capabilities.
Potential Issues With pfSense
While pfSense is a great option for improving your home network security and performance, there are some potential issues that you should be aware of. pfSense is a complex solution and requires some technical knowledge to set up and maintain properly. Also, pfSense is not officially supported by BT Broadband, so you may have to turn to third-party technical support if you need help with your pfSense setup.
Hardware Consideration
Hardware consideration is an important factor to consider when replacing your current ISP modem with pfSense. pfSense generally requires more powerful hardware than a typical home router, so you will need to make sure that the pfSense machine you choose is powerful enough to handle the extra load. pfSense can also require additional hardware such as RAM and hard drives, so it is important to make sure that you are familiar with pfSense hardware requirements before making a purchase.
pfSense can run on most commodity hardware, even older computer systems. However if you're looking for something small and low-powered, AliExpress is a website that has pfSense hardware which may be good for you to buy at very good prices.
Installing pfSense
pfSense is a special type of router that will give you more features and better security for your internet connection. Our video can help you install pfSense on your chosen hardware for use with BT Full Fibre Broadband (FTTP), we will go through the pfsense installation process, step-by-step.
Configuring pfSense for BT Full Fibre Broadband
Finally, once you have pfSense installed, you'll need to configure your internet connection settings specifically for connecting to your BT Ful Fibre Broadband. Again, to help you we have provided a video on the settings required to configured pfSense with BT Full Fibre Broadband.
Conclusion
Overall, pfSense is a great option for upgrading your home network. It offers enhanced security features and improved performance compared to regular home routers. However, pfSense does require some technical knowledge to set up and maintain properly and is not officially supported by BT Broadband. For those who are willing to take the time to learn how pfSense works and are willing to take the risk of turning to third-party support if necessary, pfSense is a great way to improve your home network's security and performance.
FAQs
One of the best ways to upgrade your home network is to replace your BT Broadband modem/router with a pfSense router/firewall – a free open source firewall software solution.
Can I replace my BT modem? ›
Yes, as long as it's compatible with our broadband service.
How do I get a new modem from BT? ›
Get help at www.bt.com/business/contactus - you'll find faqs and contact options to tell them of the problem , they will sort it out for you or if necessary send you a new router.
Can I use any modem with BT? ›
Re: BT Compatible Router/Modem
If your router connects to an ONT by etthernet cable then any router with a WAN port that meets your other requirements will do. If your router connects to master socket via the grey port on the router, then you need a router with an inbuilt VDSL modem or a separate VDSL modem.
What's better than pfSense? ›
If you want high customizability and a large support community, pfSense is a good option. If you prioritize an easy-to-use interface and frequent updates, instead, OPNsense may be better. Ultimately, pfSense offers more flexibility for seasoned users, but OPNsense provides a more polished out-of-box experience.
Do I need a router if I have pfSense? ›
If you want to connect your home or business LAN to another network or the Internet, you will need at least one router.
Is it worth upgrading my BT router? ›
It would seem that router already has WiFi rated at 1733 Mbps on 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band and is compatible with TP-Link's OneMesh. So unless you have devices that are compatible with WiFi6 then there's not much point in upgrading at present.
What is the latest BT modem? ›
Do all new customers get the latest router? With BT, its fibre customers get the newest Smart Hub 2, while those on its standard broadband get the older BT Home Hub 4.
How do I update my BT modem? ›
BT 4G Home Hub settings and updates
- Connect your BT 4G Home Hub to your computer via a cable or WiFi.
- Click LOG IN HERE to access settings.
- Enter your username and password, then click Log In.
- Click Device Settings.
- Click on Online Updates then Check for Updates.
Upgrade to a BT Home Hub for FREE
If BT are your service provider give them a call. Explain to them that you would like better WiFi coverage around your house. In particular if you have it, that you aren't able to take full advantage of the faster BT Internet Connection Speed offered by Fibre or Superfast Broadband.
Yes. Not the modem, and not as the first device after the modem. You can use it as a secondary router cascaded off the router provided by the ISP. The reason is that they need their router as the connection end-point so they can manage the connection.
What routers work with BT broadband? ›
The BT Smart Hub, BT Home Hub 5 (available as a paid upgrade), Hub 4 and Hub 5 all work with ADSL broadband. This means, if you move to an area that hasn't been hooked up to fibre, you'll still be able to use the same device.
Can I replace my BT router with a better router? ›
Yes you can use any third party router that is suitable for your connection type (you haven't said if you have ADSL, VDSL, G. Fast or FTTP) although if you have Digital Voice you will need to use the SH2 to access it.
Does BT allow third party routers? ›
Yes, you can connect a 3rd party router direct to the ONT. Note that if you have Digital Voice, this requires the SH2 to be connected directly to the ONT.
What is the IP for BT modem? ›
You can view and make changes to your Hub's IP and DHCP settings (if you need to revert to the default settings, there's a Reset to default button on the top right of the page). The default IP address is 192.168. 1.254 but you can change that here.
Can I replace my internet modem? ›
Most Internet providers allow you to purchase your own modem and router separately, or a device that contains both—it's up to you.
What can you do with a pfSense router? ›
pfSense® software is primarily used as a router and firewall software and is frequently set up as a DHCP server, DNS server, WiFi access point, and VPN server, all on the same physical device.
Does pfSense support Wi-Fi? ›
pfSense® software includes built in wireless capabilities that allow a firewall running pfSense software to be turned into a wireless access point, to use a wireless 802.11 connection as a WAN connection, or both.
Can I use my router instead of a modem? ›
You can use a router without a modem to transfer files or stream content between devices on a wireless network. However, you need a modem and an internet service provider (ISP) if you want to access the internet.
