OPNsense

You can build a router on plain Debian or Ubuntu. The question is whether you should — and what it costs you over ten years.

You stacked your links, failover works — so why does a dropped WAN still kill every session? Load balancing, mwan3, and what bonding actually solves.

How to bond multiple connections at the packet level using the only serious open-source option.

Can your router learn when to prioritize Netflix over backups? We build schedule-aware QoS with OPNsense and cron.

Beyond the firewall tab—using OPNsense plugins and traffic shaping to learn real networking at home.

Should you pull fiber or Ethernet through conduit in a rental? One is forgiving, the other is expensive glass.

Measure your real internet performance with self-hosted tools. No ISP speed tests, no guesswork.

The VLAN lives in the firewall, not the AP. Here's how to actually segment your guest network.

Tracing OPNsense packet paths and quantifying double NAT's real latency cost.

What OPNsense tunables actually do, how they work under the hood, and when to touch them.

Why you need a VLAN tag for your ISP connection — and how authentication fails when you bring your own router.

Fiber backbone or copper Ethernet? How to wire a modern home network from the ONT to every room.

Stop compromising with bridge mode. Here's how to get a true standalone ONT from Israeli ISPs.

That 1492 MTU everyone recommends? It's likely costing you performance on modern fiber.

Is VLAN segmentation worth it for home networks, or is it just sysadmin cosplay?

What touring roadies and Foreign Service officers can teach you about packing up your home network and toddler's toys.

DNS-level ad and tracker blocking compared — where each tool shines, where they fall short, and the real tradeoffs.

Your smart bulb might be doing more than just dimming the lights. Learn how to spot suspicious "calling home" behavior in your home IoT devices.

Stop breaking your smart home. Learn how to use domain-based split routing and WireGuard to gain surgical control over your network.

Herman and Corn dive into the hidden world of telemetry, exploring why our devices phone home and whether "anonymous" data is actually a myth.

Discover the hidden plumbing of the internet, from the global CVE catalog to how tools like CrowdSec create a digital neighborhood watch.

Learn how to build a "portable digital fortress" using military tactics and roadie discipline to make your next move tech-stress-free.

Is OPNsense overkill for your home? Herman and Corn explore lightweight Linux alternatives for a faster, simpler, and more reliable network.