making HP Z420 into a router

[37293]

I recently got another of these workstations and was wondering if it could be repurposed into a very powerful router using PFsense. would this work? I would also need to get a second NIC right

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@37293,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Yes indeed, repurposing an HP Z420 workstation as a PFsense router is possible, and it could indeed serve as a very powerful router due to its robust hardware. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

Key Considerations:

1. Hardware Compatibility:

   • The HP Z420 workstation is well-suited for this purpose as it has powerful processors and enough RAM to handle PFsense and various add-ons.
   • Check that the Z420 supports hardware acceleration for encryption (e.g., AES-NI) if you plan to use VPN features, as PFsense benefits from this feature.

2. NICs (Network Interface Cards):

   • You will need at least two NICs for routing: one for the WAN (internet) connection and one for the LAN (internal network).
   • The built-in NIC on the Z420 can serve as one of these ports, but you'll likely need to add a second NIC.
   • Consider adding a dual-port or quad-port gigabit NIC, such as an Intel PRO/1000 series card, for better performance and flexibility.
   • Avoid Realtek-based NICs as they can be less reliable under heavy loads compared to Intel-based ones.

3. Power Consumption:

   • Workstations like the Z420 are not power-efficient compared to dedicated hardware routers. Ensure you're comfortable with the increased power consumption.

4. Cooling and Noise:

   • The Z420 is a desktop-class machine and may produce more heat and noise than a purpose-built router. Place it in an area where this won't be disruptive.

5. Setup and Configuration:

   • Download the PFsense ISO image and create a bootable USB drive.
   • Install PFsense on the Z420's hard drive or SSD.
   • During installation, assign the NICs to WAN and LAN appropriately.

6. Performance Overhead:

   • The Z420's processing power will allow you to handle advanced routing features such as VPNs, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and more. It's overkill for a simple home network but excellent for advanced use cases.

 

Recommendations:

• For the second NIC, choose a high-quality Intel-based card to ensure stability and performance.
• Ensure your Z420's firmware is up to date and that the workstation is in good working condition before repurposing it.
• Use a reliable UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to handle power fluctuations, especially if the Z420 will run 24/7.

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to ask!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[37293]

would I need any sort of powerful GPU? also I would upgrade the PSU to a newer one since my last one fried 4 GPUs. 

[NonSequitur777]

@37293,

No, you won’t need a powerful GPU for repurposing the HP Z420 as a PFsense router. PFsense is a networking-focused operating system that doesn’t utilize a GPU for its operations. The onboard graphics or a basic GPU is sufficient to provide video output during installation or troubleshooting.

Why a Powerful GPU Isn’t Needed:

• PFsense runs headless in most setups, meaning after the initial configuration, you can manage it remotely via a web interface or SSH.
• GPU-intensive tasks, such as video rendering or gaming, are irrelevant for a router or firewall appliance.

 

Regarding the PSU Upgrade:

Upgrading the PSU is an excellent idea, especially if the previous one caused significant damage. Here are some considerations:

1. Quality Over Wattage:
   Choose a high-quality PSU from reputable brands like Corsair, Seasonic, or EVGA. A 400–600W PSU should be more than sufficient since the Z420 won’t house multiple GPUs or other power-hungry components in this setup.

2. Protection Features:
   Look for a PSU with built-in protections like:

   • Overvoltage Protection (OVP)
   • Overcurrent Protection (OCP)
   • Short Circuit Protection (SCP)
   • Over Power Protection (OPP)
     These features can prevent hardware damage if a fault occurs.

3. Efficiency Rating:
   A PSU with an 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, or Gold rating will help reduce power consumption, particularly if the machine runs 24/7.

4. Modular or Semi-Modular PSU:
   This can help with cable management and airflow, especially since you’re repurposing the Z420 and may not need many of the standard PSU connectors.

5. Unfortunately, an industry-standard ATX power supply is not directly compatible with your HP Z420 Workstation. The Z420 uses a proprietary PSU design and motherboard power connectors, which differ from standard ATX specifications: an 18-pin power connector instead of the standard 24-pin ATX connector. However, there are ways to address this limitation! There is a specialized adapter cable available to convert a standard ATX PSU's 24-pin connector to the proprietary 18-pin connector used by the Z420. Make sure the adapter supports the correct power signaling for the Z420, such as from this trusted eBay Seller: 11-inch 24-Pin to 18-Pin ATX Power Supply Adapter for HP Z420/Z620 Workstations | eBay.
6. If, however, using a standard ATX PSU seems too complicated, you can purchase a replacement or higher-capacity HP Z420-compatible PSU from a third-party supplier such as eBay.

   The standard proprietary HP power supply options available for the Z420 are:

   1. 400-watt Power Supply: (p/n: 749552-001 or: 749710-001). This is the base model PSU that comes with the Z420, suitable for standard configurations without high-power components.

   2. 600-watt Power Supply: (p/n: 623193-001 or: 632911-001). This is an upgraded option, ideal for configurations requiring more power, such as those with high-performance GPUs or additional peripherals.

7. For a visual guide on upgrading the power supply in your HP Z420 Workstation, you might find the following video helpful: https://youtu.be/Mm6OnJMqydQ.

 

Additional Recommendations:

• If the workstation’s onboard graphics are damaged or unreliable, consider using an entry-level GPU like an NVIDIA GT 710 or an AMD Radeon 5450 -cheap, power-efficient, and sufficient for basic display purposes.
• Ensure good ventilation and cooling, especially since a fried PSU may have affected other components. Inspect the motherboard and capacitors for any signs of damage or wear.

If you have further questions or encounter issues during the setup, feel free to ask!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[37293]

so a Nvidia Quadro k4000 3GB would work fine then?

[NonSequitur777]

@37293,

A Nvidia Quadro K4000 3GB has an 80-watt TDP, so, when paired with a 400-watt power supply, will be just fine -overkill even for your purposes.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777