ih_aswc

We've used the PC Engines APU2C4 with pfSense on client sites that have basic requirements and don't need loads of throughput (i.e. up to 100Mbps). Happy to recommend them - haven't had any problems so far. https://linitx.com/product/linitx-apu2-c4-4gb-3nicusbrtc-rackmount-pfsense-msata-firewall-kit/14241 The APU2 is based around the AMD GX-412TC which has AES-NI support so should fully support pfSense 2.5. Bear in mind these don't have a modem included, so if your broadband is ADSL/VDSL (or presented as anything other than Ethernet) a separate modem will be required.

I always use Excel: Fibre Optic Duplex Patch Leads - Multimode OM3 50/125 (Mixed Connectors) | Excel Networking Prices aren't on the site but should be well under £10 depending on how many you want.

One possibility could be to deploy a PAC file into Internet Options on each of the suite workstations, and use the timeRange() function to specify a "fake" proxy for a period covering the lunch break, and to go out directly (or specify your real proxy, if you use one) for the rest of the day. PAC Functions | FindProxyForURL (expand the timeRange() entry) For example: function FindProxyForURL(url, host) { // Lunch break is 1200hrs to 1300hrs (for example), so return a dead address during this time // 127.0.0.1 loops back web requests to localhost, thus causing the browser to error out if (timeRange(12, 13)) return "PROXY 127.0.0.1:8080"; else return "DIRECT"; } Or if you have a real proxy server: function FindProxyForURL(url, host) { // Lunch break is 1200hrs to 1300hrs (for example), so return a dead address during this time if (timeRange(12, 13)) return "PROXY 127.0.0.1:8080"; else return "PROXY my.real.proxy:8080"; }