repurposing T61 as a router

[crux]

Hi,

I'd like to upgrade from the commercial router I'm using now to a dedicated FreeBSD or OpenBSD pf firewall/router utilizing one of my T61's, but am not sure what Ethernet card to get or how to go about it with a Thinkpad.

I ran a pfSense router/firewall Dell tower a couple years, it's not networking that is the question. I never use wi-fi or Bluetooth and want to stay with my Ethernet LAN. I'm just not certain what network card to get, I did look on ebay and saw USB based cards.

Other than add RAM or change a HDD I've never really worked inside one to know which slots can be used, or what would be the best solution. I haven't needed to as they all run great.

I push Thinkpads heavily in the FreeBSD community, the only complaint about them being whitelists. I can handle the FreeBSD end but always refer people to you guys when it's a Thinkpad question I can't answer, and why I ask.

[axur-delmeria]

Perhaps an Expresscard Gigabit LAN adapter? https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Exp ... 003N3G1BI/

Another idea is to get the 2503 dock and install a network card on its PCI Express slot. If you can't find a 2503 dock, an Expresscard to PCIe extender (same one used in eGPU setups) may also work.