CWWK Mini PC N355 16GB 2TB - Micro Firewall Appliance with 4 x 2.5GbE

In this review the CWWK Micro Firewall Appliance (N355-4LAN, 16 RAM 2T SSD) is evaluated as a compact, network-focused Mini PC aimed at small offices, home labs, and network hobbyists. The bottom line: it stands out for its combination of the Twin Lake N150/i3-N355 processor and four 2.5GbE ports, making it a practical choice when you need a small, versatile appliance for firewall, VPN gateway, or light virtualization tasks without sacrificing modern connectivity. Its strengths are interface density and flexible storage, which are the single biggest reasons to buy.

Key Features

• Processor: The Twin Lake N150/i3-N355 4-core CPU offers burst speeds up to 3.6GHz for responsive packet handling and light virtualization workloads.
• Network throughput: Four 2.5GbE I226-V ports provide higher-than-gigabit LAN bandwidth for multi-WAN or LAN segregation in small office networks.
• Memory and storage: Single SO-DIMM DDR5 slot supports up to 32GB of RAM and an M.2 NVMe x4 slot provides fast primary storage or OS boot for firewall images.
• Display and expansion: Dual 4K display output via HDMI and DisplayPort plus an M.2 Key-E slot for WiFi6/Bluetooth modules make it suitable for monitoring consoles and wireless uplift.
• Service and compatibility: Compatible with common open-source firewall and OS builds like OPNsense, OpenWrt, and mainstream desktop OS installs for flexible deployment scenarios.

Who It's For

The CWWK N355 Mini PC is best for network professionals, home lab enthusiasts, and small businesses that need a compact firewall appliance with multi-gig LAN ports and the ability to run OPNsense, OpenWrt, or virtualization with VT-X/VT-D support. It also suits anyone who wants a quiet, small machine to serve as a NAS, VPN gateway, or application host with expandable NVMe storage.

It is less appropriate for users who need high-end CPU performance for heavy virtualization clusters or for those who require multiple internal 3.5in drive bays out of the box; this model prioritizes compactness and interface versatility over chassis-level expandability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High density networking with 4 x 2.5GbE ports for improved LAN throughput compared with standard gigabit boxes.
• Modern DDR5 memory support and NVMe x4 storage provide responsive system performance and fast I/O.
• Flexible OS support and virtualization features (VT-X, VT-D) make it useful for multiple appliance roles.
• Dual 4K display outputs and M.2 Key-E for WiFi6 expand use cases beyond pure routing.

Cons

• Single SO-DIMM and single primary M.2 slot mean limited internal upgrade paths compared with larger systems.
• No built-in SATA bays for direct 3.5in drives without adapters, so larger mass storage requires external or adapted solutions.

Specifications

CPU	Twin Lake N150 / i3-N355 4 cores, burst to 3.6GHz
Memory	1 x SO-DIMM DDR5 4800MHz, up to 32GB
Storage	1 x M.2 NVMe x4 (supports M.2 or mSATA via adapter)
Network	4 x 2.5GbE Intel I226-V ports
Display	Dual 4K outputs: HDMI + DisplayPort
Wireless expansion	M.2 Key-E slot supports WiFi6/Bluetooth module
Extras	USB 3.0, multiple USB2.0, COM pin, GPIO, fan headers, VT-X/VT-D support

Our Verdict

The CWWK N355 Micro Firewall Appliance is a compact, well-equipped Mini PC for users who need multi-gigabit LAN, DDR5 memory, and NVMe storage in a small footprint. It represents good value for small offices and home labs that will use it as a firewall, VPN gateway, or light virtualization host, though those needing heavy internal expansion or many drive bays should consider larger chassis options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this run OPNsense or OpenWrt?
Yes. The unit is compatible with popular open-source firewall distributions and can be used as an OPNsense or OpenWrt appliance.

How many network ports and what speed?
It includes four 2.5GbE Intel I226-V network ports, enabling multi-gig LAN setups and higher throughput than standard gigabit ports.

Is WiFi included?
WiFi is not built in by default; the M.2 Key-E slot supports adding a WiFi6/Bluetooth module for wireless capability.