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Vault NIC Port Information, Numbering, and Labeling
Overview
A NIC (Network Interface Card) is used to connect a computer to a network, most commonly via ethernet. All Protectli Vault models contain multiple individual Intel NICs that offer a wide range of use cases. Each Vault model contains a specific NIC model, and certain Vault models will have specific naming conventions printed on the Vault's chassis. This can sometimes cause confusion to those that are unfamiliar with hardware like ours. This article is meant to inform Protectli Vault users on what NICs are found in their Vault, how they are labeled, and how they are seen by different OS's (operating systems).
External Naming
FW Model Vaults
The FW Model Vaults are from one of our first product lineups and use a different labeling scheme compared to how Protectli labels newer products. Although the physical text on the faceplate denotes that specific ports are WAN/LAN/OPT, you can configure any of them how you'd like when using an operating system like OPNsense. This means that any of the NICs can be a WAN or LAN port, if you so desire. If you purchased OPNsense preinstalled from us, then the ports will be set in a way that makes sense with the physical text (WAN will actually be WAN, LAN will actually be LAN). On Linux distributions and Windows, you can use any of the ports to connect to the internet.
VP Series Vaults
The VP or "Vault Pro" series of Vaults all use a labeling scheme where ports are labeled with numbers. These numbers will be incremented from right to left. When using an OS like OPNsense, any of these ports can be configured as WAN or LAN ports. If you purchased OPNsense preinstalled on your Vault, Port 1 will be LAN and Port 2 will be WAN. The VP6600 will use SFP+ Port 1 as LAN and SFP+ Port 2 as WAN. On Linux distributions and Windows, you can use any of the ports to connect to the internet.
V Series (V1XXX)
The V Series is one of our newest Vault lineups. Similar to the VP Series, the ports are labeled with individual numbers. However, these are numbered left to right. When using an OS like OPNsense, you can set any of the ports as WAN or LAN. If you purchased OPNsense preinstalled on your Vault, Port 1 will be LAN and Port 2 will be WAN. On Linux distributions and Windows, you can use any of the ports to connect to the internet.
Internal LTE Modem
The internal MDG200 modem is technically seen as a USB to Ethernet Adapter on Operating Systems.
How Operating Systems See and Label the NICs
OPNsense:
OPNsense allows you to configure any of the interfaces as WAN or LAN. The chart below showcases how each Vault's NICs are seen in OPNsense, and how they would set them up if you purchased OPNsense preinstalled from us.
| OS | Port 6 | Port 5 | Port 4 | Port 3 | Port 2 | Port 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPNsense(Free BSD) Labeling (in software) | OPT4 | OPT3 | OPT2 | OPT1 | WAN | LAN |
pfSense:
pfSense, similar to OPNsense, allows you to configure any of the ports as WAN or LAN. Most 1GbE NICs will automatically configure interfaces in a certain way, but 2.5GbE+ NICs may require you to manually assign the interfaces. Below is a chart on what we'd recommend setting them as if you require guidance.
| OS | Port 6 | Port 5 | Port 4 | Port 3 | Port 2 | Port 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFSense(Free BSD) Labeling (in software) | OPT4 | OPT3 | OPT2 | OPT1 | LAN | WAN |
Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, etc):
Linux distributions will label the NICs in a standardized way, and this may differ between AMI BIOS and coreboot. The chart below shows how you'd see the NICs labeled. This would also be viable for hypervisor OS's like Proxmox.
| Vault Model | Port 6 | Port 5 | Port 4 | Port 3 | Port 2 | Port 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VP2410 | – | – | enp6s0 | enp3s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| VP2420 | – | – | enp4s0 | enp3s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| VP4630 | enp6s0 | enp5s0 | enp4s0 | enp3s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| V1210 | – | – | – | – | enp3s0 | enp2s0 |
| V1410 | – | – | enp5s0 | enp4s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| FW6Br2 | enp6s0 | enp5s0 | enp4s0 | enp3s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| FW2B | – | – | – | – | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
| FW4B | – | – | enp4s0 | enp3s0 | enp2s0 | enp1s0 |
Windows
Windows may label NICs arbitrarily. You should receive an internet connection when connecting to any of the ethernet ports. If you do not see the NICs available on Windows, please follow this guide on installing the required drivers.
Port Reference Labels Information and Uses
An optional accessory for our VP lineup are Port Reference Labels. You can use the stickers to place on your Vault to correlate with how you've set up interfaces on certain Operating Systems. This will be most useful for firewall OS's like OPNsense/pfSense or when running a hypervisor OS. A quick explanation of how'd you use them or why you'd want to use them can be seen in the following video: