Using PfSense as modem/connecting to FTTP/ONT

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 14:16

Anything specific I need to be aware of or any wisdom from experience appreciated.

Thank you.

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 15:45

ChrisD. said:
first of pfSense is not a modem

My bad, wrong choice of words.

Only used cable Broadband since broadband existed so all I have known

Yes, I just want to connect the ONT to the PfSense appliance so it can then handle the routing.

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 15:53

Sparx said:
What ISP are you going with for FTTP?

Aquiss.

Their website says their service works with a PfSense appliance so all good, hopefully

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 16:05

ChrisD. said:
You really should do a little bit of research into pfSense, they are not a very nice company by all accounts.

I am aware of their questionable ethics.

Neither are Microsoft or Google and many others but I still use their products.

Not saying I feel good for it, but there are more questionable companies I avoid.

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 16:07

Sparx said:
Looking at Aquiss' website they have a handful of guides to configure routers, looks like they use PPoE for FTTP.

Aquiss - Router Setup Guide : TP-Link Archer AX20 / AX23 (AX1800)

support.aquiss.net

So just ensure you have your PPoE username and password details ready and you'll be fine.

Yeah, I have that so should be good to go.

Why does the ONT not handle the authentication though?

So although the ONT is the modem, and PfSense is not a modem, PfSense still handles the connection similar to a modem or do I misunderstand?

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 16:12

ChrisD. said:
It's literally an optical to coax converter.

I'm with Aquiss, the username/password is in your ebilling portal. Literally any firewall which supports PPPoE should work.

Cool.

Any problems with them as an ISP?

I have done as much research as I could and they seemed great.

The ethics of them not being a multinational was a big draw to be fair.

Gimpymoo · 10 Aug 2022 at 16:25

ChrisD. said:
None, I wish I'd have discovered them sooner.

Where I have lived, Cable was the only option as ADSL/ADSL2, FTTC were naff in comparison.

FTTP opened up soo much in my area having took forever it seems to get here.

On the 500Mb service, I got 500Mb+, when I upgraded to 1Gb it fluctuated between 750Mbs and 900Mbs, just not good value and combined with their pitiful upload speeds.