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FreeBSD net guides

42 guides about net software and administration.

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Best DNS Servers for FreeBSD

Compare the best DNS servers for FreeBSD: BIND, Unbound, and NSD. Resolver vs authoritative, DNSSEC support, configuration complexity, performance, and which to choose.

2026-04-09

Best Email Server Software for FreeBSD

Compare the best email server software for FreeBSD: Postfix, OpenSMTPD, Sendmail for MTA; Dovecot and Cyrus for IMAP; webmail and anti-spam solutions. Full comparison with setup guidance.

2026-04-09

Postfix vs Sendmail vs OpenSMTPD on FreeBSD

In-depth comparison of Postfix, Sendmail, and OpenSMTPD on FreeBSD: configuration, security, performance, features, and which MTA to choose for your use case.

2026-04-09

FreeBSD High Availability: CARP, HAST, and Failover Guide

FreeBSD high availability with CARP virtual IPs, pfsync firewall state sync, HAST block-level replication, ZFS send/recv, and load balancer failover configurations.

2026-04-09

FreeBSD Network Performance Optimization Guide

Optimize FreeBSD network performance with sysctl tunables, ring buffers, polling, TSO/LRO, LAGG, RSS, interrupt coalescing, and practical benchmarks.

2026-04-09

FreeBSD VPN Gateway: Complete Build Guide

Build a FreeBSD VPN gateway with WireGuard: server setup, split tunnel, PF NAT, multi-client configuration, kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and monitoring.

2026-04-09

FreeBSD WiFi: Driver Updates and Roadmap 2026

Current state of WiFi driver support on FreeBSD in 2026. LinuxKPI-based drivers, iwlwifi, Realtek, Intel AX support, what works, what does not, and the roadmap ahead.

2026-04-09

How to Configure IPv6 on FreeBSD: Complete Guide

Set up IPv6 on FreeBSD: SLAAC, DHCPv6, static configuration, dual-stack, PF firewall rules for IPv6, radvd, and troubleshooting IPv6 connectivity.

2026-04-09

FreeBSD Networking: Complete Administration Guide (2026)

The definitive guide to FreeBSD networking: interface configuration, VLANs, bridges, LAGG, routing, PF firewall, DNS, DHCP, VPN, IPv6, and network performance tuning. Every command tested on FreeBSD 14.

2026-04-09

How to Configure WiFi on FreeBSD: Complete Wireless Guide

Set up WiFi on FreeBSD: supported chipsets, wpa_supplicant configuration, WPA2/WPA3, hidden networks, automatic connection, hotspot mode, and troubleshooting wireless issues.

2026-04-09

HAProxy on FreeBSD: Load Balancer Review

In-depth review of HAProxy on FreeBSD: installation, Layer 4/7 balancing, health checks, SSL termination, performance, and comparison with NGINX and relayd.

2026-04-09

isc-dhcp-server on FreeBSD: DHCP Server Review

Review of isc-dhcp-server on FreeBSD: installation, subnet configuration, address pools, failover clustering, relay agent setup, migration path to Kea, and comparison with dnsmasq.

2026-04-09

How to Set Up LDAP Authentication on FreeBSD

Configure centralized LDAP authentication on FreeBSD with OpenLDAP: server setup, user/group schemas, PAM integration, SSH key lookup, and sudo authorization.

2026-04-09

NFS on FreeBSD: Network File System Review

Comprehensive review of NFS on FreeBSD covering NFSv4, server and client configuration, Kerberos authentication, ZFS exports, performance tuning, and comparison with Samba.

2026-04-09

OpenLDAP on FreeBSD: Directory Server Review

Review of OpenLDAP on FreeBSD: slapd installation, schema configuration, ACLs, TLS, replication, and integration with SSH/sudo/PAM for centralized authentication.

2026-04-09

Syncthing on FreeBSD: Decentralized File Sync Review

Review of Syncthing on FreeBSD: installation, folder sharing, device pairing, relay servers, conflict handling, and comparison with rsync and Nextcloud.

2026-04-09

Tailscale on FreeBSD: Mesh VPN Review

In-depth review of Tailscale on FreeBSD: mesh VPN setup, ACLs, exit nodes, subnet routing, MagicDNS, and comparison with manual WireGuard and ZeroTier.

2026-04-09

How to Capture and Analyze Network Traffic on FreeBSD with tcpdump

Master tcpdump on FreeBSD: capture filters, display filters, saving to pcap, analyzing HTTP/DNS/TLS traffic, BPF expressions, and integration with Wireshark.

2026-04-09

tcpdump on FreeBSD: Packet Capture Review

Review of tcpdump on FreeBSD: BPF filters, capture modes, pcap file handling, advanced expressions, performance tuning, and comparison with Wireshark and tshark.

2026-04-09

Wireshark on FreeBSD: Network Protocol Analyzer Review

Review of Wireshark on FreeBSD: installation, capture filters, display filters, protocol analysis, tshark CLI, and integration with tcpdump captures.

2026-04-09

How to Set Up AdGuard Home on FreeBSD

Step-by-step guide to setting up AdGuard Home on FreeBSD. Covers installation, web interface, DNS filtering, custom rules, DHCP integration, DNS-over-HTTPS, and comparison with Pi-hole.

2026-03-29

Best VPN Software for FreeBSD in 2026

Compare the best VPN solutions for FreeBSD: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec/strongSwan, and Tailscale. Covers performance, configuration complexity, security, and use case recommendations.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up ISC DHCP Server on FreeBSD (Updated 2026)

Complete guide to setting up ISC DHCP server on FreeBSD. Covers installation, dhcpd.conf configuration, subnets, fixed addresses, failover, logging, and migration to Kea DHCP.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up High Availability on FreeBSD with CARP

Complete guide to high availability on FreeBSD with CARP. Covers virtual IPs, failover configuration, pfsync for firewall state, multi-service HA, and testing failover scenarios.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up Load Balancing on FreeBSD

Complete guide to load balancing on FreeBSD. Covers HAProxy, NGINX as load balancer, relayd, health checks, SSL termination, session persistence, and choosing the right tool.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up a FreeBSD Router and Gateway

Complete guide to building a FreeBSD router and gateway. Covers IP forwarding, NAT with PF, DHCP, DNS, QoS, multi-WAN, VPN, and monitoring.

2026-03-29

How to Implement VLANs on FreeBSD

Step-by-step guide to implementing VLANs on FreeBSD. Covers VLAN concepts, if_vlan interface creation, rc.conf configuration, inter-VLAN routing, trunk ports, PF firewall rules, and troubleshooting.

2026-03-29

How to Configure NAT on FreeBSD with PF

Complete guide to NAT configuration on FreeBSD using PF firewall. Covers source NAT, port forwarding (rdr), 1:1 NAT (binat), NAT pools, logging, and troubleshooting.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up NFS File Sharing on FreeBSD

Complete guide to setting up NFS on FreeBSD. Covers NFS server configuration, exports file, client mounting, NFSv4, automounter, ZFS integration, and performance tuning.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up OpenVPN on FreeBSD

Step-by-step guide to setting up OpenVPN on FreeBSD. Covers installation, EasyRSA PKI, server and client configuration, routing, TLS hardening, and troubleshooting.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up Samba File Sharing on FreeBSD

Complete guide to setting up Samba SMB/CIFS file sharing on FreeBSD. Covers installation, smb4.conf configuration, user authentication, ZFS shares, macOS/Windows clients, and Active Directory integration.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up WireGuard VPN on FreeBSD

Step-by-step guide to setting up WireGuard VPN on FreeBSD. Covers kernel module installation, key generation, server and client configuration, PF firewall rules, and troubleshooting.

2026-03-29

WireGuard vs OpenVPN on FreeBSD: VPN Comparison

Head-to-head comparison of WireGuard and OpenVPN on FreeBSD. Covers performance, security, configuration complexity, use cases, mobile support, and recommendations.

2026-03-29

Best Firewall Solutions for FreeBSD in 2026

Compare the best firewall solutions for FreeBSD: PF, IPFW, OPNsense, and pfSense. Covers features, performance, configuration, NAT, QoS, logging, and when to use each.

2026-03-29

pfSense vs OPNsense: Which Firewall Should You Pick in 2026?

OPNsense wins for most users in 2026 -- better UI, faster updates, fully open-source. pfSense still leads for Netgate hardware and support contracts. Full comparison inside.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up PF Firewall on FreeBSD

Step-by-step guide to configuring PF firewall on FreeBSD. Covers pf.conf syntax, basic rules, NAT, port forwarding, tables, anchors, rate limiting, logging, and troubleshooting.

2026-03-29

PF vs IPFW: FreeBSD Firewall Comparison

Head-to-head comparison of PF and IPFW firewalls on FreeBSD. Covers syntax, features, NAT, QoS, logging, performance, and when to use each.

2026-03-29

Best Dedicated Servers for FreeBSD in 2026

Compare the best dedicated server providers for FreeBSD in 2026. Reviews Hetzner, OVH, Vultr Bare Metal, Scaleway, and PhoenixNAP with pricing, FreeBSD support, and use case recommendations.

2026-03-29

Best VPS Hosting for FreeBSD in 2026

Compare the best VPS providers that support FreeBSD in 2026. Detailed reviews of Vultr, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Linode, and OVH with pricing, performance, and FreeBSD support analysis.

2026-03-29

FreeBSD as a Home Lab Server: Complete Guide

Complete guide to building a FreeBSD home lab server. Covers hardware selection, installation, jails for services, bhyve VMs, ZFS storage, networking, monitoring, and project ideas.

2026-03-29

How to Build a NAS with FreeBSD and ZFS

Complete guide to building a NAS with FreeBSD and ZFS. Covers hardware selection, FreeBSD installation, ZFS pool layout, Samba/NFS shares, snapshot automation, monitoring, and maintenance.

2026-03-29

How to Set Up FreeBSD on a VPS (Vultr, DigitalOcean, Hetzner)

Step-by-step guide to deploying FreeBSD on popular VPS providers. Covers Vultr, DigitalOcean, and Hetzner setup, initial security hardening, and essential first steps.

2026-03-29
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