LTT guide for building your own Router

Written By: Jacob Mehnert
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LTT guide for building your own Router

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

6

Time Required

1 hour

Introduction

This video will cover how to create your own network router using any x86 computer, and an Intel-based NIC. This video was created by the Linus Media Group and can be found on the LTT Youtube channel. You can also find the original video here.

Things you will need

  • An x86 computer with a 3rd generation PCIe slot - Typically this is any PC that has been manufactured within the past 10 - 15 years
  • An Intel-based NIC - They use a 4 port card, but as long as you have 2 ports then you should be fine
  • An SSD (In place of your Hard Disk Drive) - 256 GB is recommended
  • Either PFSense or OpnSense - OpenSense is a more user-comprehensive GUI
  • A cheap multipart networking switch - A Netgear GS308 is a good inexpensive one
  • A Wireless Access Point or Mesh System
  • A USB Drive for installing your Operating system

    • To get things ready you are going to want to open your machine up and give it a good dusting, and depending on how old it is, maybe replace the thermal paste.

    • If you haven't yet, it is recommended that you upgrade your processor and your storage to a single 256 GB SSD.

    • Once your device has been cleaned, install your Network NIC into your PCIe slot.

    • Using your USB Drive, create a live boot of OpnSense.

    • Typically you can write it with Etcher, or Win32DiskImager to create this.

    • Plug it into your soon-to-be Router and select the device from your boot manager.

    • If your machine happens to have an internal speaker, you may hear a beep. While not annoying, it may be surprising if you're not expecting it.

    • During the boot sequence, it will ask for manual input, but you can skip these steps.

    • Once you are prompted to log in, take note of the port numbering of your system.

    • You can get the numbering by taking the ethernet port from a nearby computer and testing each port. (If you can, physically label these ports)

    • When prompted to log, do so by using installer as the username and opnsense as the password.

    • When the device reboots remove the USB, otherwise you will reboot back into the installer.

    • Once Opnsense is installed, plug your client system into the port marked as LAN in your console and using a web browser put the IP address 192.168.1.1. This is the default address set by the operating system and should be changed.

    • By default, OPNsense will allow for a range of 100 different IP addresses. You can change this in your IP range settings by modifying the last Octet of the From field to 50. and the last Octet of the To field to 254. This will allow a range of 200 different IP addresses.

    • You can also modify your DNS settings to use Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 for IPv4) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4 for IPv4).

    • While we have one port assigned on your router, it is recommended that you pair it with an inexpensive multi-port Switch, and a few Wireless Access Points.

Conclusion

Congratulation, you have just created your very own router that can be updated, customized, and configured to your liking. You may also want to consider pairing it with your own custom VPN or your own server.

Author

Jacob Mehnert

Member since: 18/10/21

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