All articles
Step-by-step OPNsense tutorials, plugin guides, and hardware recommendations for homelab networking. Covers installation, VLANs, IDS/IPS with Suricata, HA/CARP, and more.
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How to Set Up OPNsense as a VPN Server: WireGuard, OpenVPN
Set up OPNsense as a VPN server with WireGuard: instance, peers, WAN rule, MSS clamp and client config, plus when OpenVPN or IPsec IKEv2 fits better.
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OPNsense VLAN Setup: Trusted, IoT, Guest, and Management
Build four routed VLANs in OPNsense with an 802.1Q trunk, switch tagging, DHCP, inter-VLAN firewall rules, mDNS discovery, and isolation tests.
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Best NIC for OPNsense: Intel i226-V, i350, and 10G Picks
Why Intel i226-V, i350, and X520 NICs are the safe OPNsense picks on FreeBSD, where Realtek fits, and the iperf3 checks to run before you trust one.
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OPNsense DNS Blocklists: Unbound Setup and Tuning
OPNsense blocks ads and tracker domains natively through Unbound DNSBL. How to choose lists, scope them per VLAN, and fix the breakage they cause.
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OPNsense on Raspberry Pi: What Actually Works
OPNsense ships amd64-only images, so it will not boot on a Raspberry Pi. Here is what the Pi can still do for your firewall, and what to buy instead.
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OPNsense Port Forwarding: NAT Rules That Actually Work
OPNsense port forwarding needs a destination NAT rule plus a filter rule that matches the internal IP. Here is the correct order and the hairpin fix.
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OPNsense Training: A Self-Paced Learning Path
A staged OPNsense training path for homelab operators: seven lab exercises from first install to CARP failover, each with a build and a verification step.
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OPNsense Firewall Rules Explained for Beginners
A beginner walkthrough of OPNsense firewall rules covering rule evaluation order, every field, block vs reject, aliases, and reading the live log.
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How to Install OPNsense on Proxmox VE: Step-by-Step Guide
A walkthrough of how to install OPNsense on Proxmox VE: WAN and LAN bridge setup, VM sizing, the installer wizard, and interface assignment.
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OPNsense vs pfSense for Homelab: Packages, Updates, IDS
A source-based OPNsense vs pfSense comparison for homelabs, covering updates, licensing, IDS/IPS, VPNs, plugins, and which use cases fit each.
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OPNsense Multi-WAN Failover with Gateway Groups
Configure two ISP uplinks on OPNsense with gateway groups for automatic failover or load balancing: monitoring, NAT, DNS, and pitfalls that break it.
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Zenarmor (Sensei) on OPNsense: Free NGFW Setup and Tuning
Install and tune Zenarmor (formerly Sensei) on OPNsense for application-aware filtering and web category blocking, plus what the Free edition includes.
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HAProxy Reverse Proxy on OPNsense with Let's Encrypt
Use the os-haproxy and os-acme-client plugins to put one HTTPS front end in front of every homelab service on OPNsense, with automatic Let's Encrypt certs.
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OPNsense WireGuard Road Warrior: Remote Access Setup
Explains OPNsense WireGuard remote-access setup: instances, peers, interface assignment, firewall rules, client routing, DDNS, and troubleshooting.
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OPNsense Initial Setup: Complete Installation Guide (2026)
Install OPNsense on a Protectli vault or mini-PC step by step: installer options, interface assignment, WAN and LAN setup, and first-boot hardening.
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OPNsense Suricata IDS/IPS: Installation and Tuning Guide
Set up Suricata as an inline IPS on OPNsense: enable the built-in engine, add ET Open and Abuse.ch rules, choose alert or drop, and tune false positives.
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Best Hardware for OPNsense in 2026: Protectli and Mini-PCs
How to size CPU, NICs, and RAM for OPNsense in 2026, with picks across three tiers: fanless Protectli vaults, mini-PCs, and refurbished enterprise gear.
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OPNsense High Availability: CARP Active-Passive Failover
Explains how OPNsense uses CARP virtual IPs and pfsync for active-passive failover, including addressing, node setup, testing, and common pitfalls.