I used to use a Soekris net6501 as my home gateway, but its CPU maxes out NAT'ing about 300 Mbps, sadly, so I started looking at alternatives when I got Centurylink fiber.
I used to use a UniFi Security Gateway Pro but it failed one day and wouldn't power on any more. Dave had a backup for me handy, but the Unifi controller software wedged itself and wouldn't let me remove the old (dead) one ..."
There is much adoration of Ubiquiti hardware on forums and message boards. I do not doubt for a moment it has been well-deserved.
However, I have a question about the software. I would like to use own kernel and custom utilities.
If I understand correctly, installing one's own choice of OS on Ubiquiti hardware is not always possible and even if successful it carries a penalty in terms of performance versus retaining the Ubiquiti pre-installed proprietary OS.
Soekris made it easy for the user to install the OS of her choice. Tradeoff: More user "control", but a slower router.
The question is: Are there other alternatives to Soekris that can exceed 300mbps and allow for user-chosen OS?
This is another line of (faster) routers where the vendor has allowed for easy installation of user-chosen OS.
https://protectli.com/product-comparison/
There are comments in some other forums and message boards about these computers but I have not seen this company discussed on HN before.
Note the website claims models FW1, 2 and 4 have no Intel ME, SPS or TXE.
https://protectli.com/kb/intel-management-engine-vulnerabili...