Fanless Firewall Appliance Intel N3700 Quad Core - 4x Intel LAN

In this review the Fanless Firewall Appliance Intel N3700 is evaluated as a purpose-built mini firewall for experienced users and small network projects. The single biggest reason to consider it is the combination of a quad-core Intel N3700 processor with AES-NI support and four Intel i225/i226 Ethernet ports, which together provide a stable hardware platform for pfSense or other open-source firewall and routing systems. It is compact, silent and designed for 24/7 operation, but buyers should be prepared to reinstall and configure firewall software themselves.

Key Features

• Processor: Intel N3700 quad-core CPU with AES-NI provides hardware acceleration for encryption and better performance than older Atom chips.
• Networking: Four Intel i225/i226 Gigabit LAN ports deliver stable, high-speed wired connections suitable for soft routing and multi-WAN setups.
• Storage and Memory: Ships with 8GB DDR3L (single SODIMM slot) and 128GB mSATA SSD, enough for firewall OS images and logs with upgrade headroom to larger mSATA capacity.
• Quiet, compact design: Fanless passive cooling and a 6W TDP keep the unit silent and energy efficient for continuous operation in tight spaces.
• I/O options: Dual display outputs (HD and VGA), two USB 3.0 ports, DC power input and antenna connections add flexibility for various deployments.
• Boot and power features: Supports Auto Power On, Wake on LAN, RTC wake and PXE boot with BIOS access via DEL for remote or automated startups.

Who It's For

This appliance is best for network enthusiasts, IT hobbyists and small business users who need a compact, fanless machine to run pfSense, Linux-based routers or other open-source firewall distributions. It is particularly useful where AES-NI acceleration and multiple Intel LAN ports are required for VPN throughput and stable routing.

It is not ideal for complete beginners who expect a plug-and-play firewall with preconfigured images; the unit ships with a preinstalled system but expects the buyer to reinstall or configure firewall software. Also, users needing more RAM than 8GB or heavy virtualized workloads should consider higher-spec hardware.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Four genuine Intel i225/i226 LAN ports provide reliable wired network throughput for routing and firewall tasks.
• Fanless, low-power design keeps noise and energy use minimal for continuous deployment.
• AES-NI capable N3700 CPU improves VPN and encryption performance versus older low-end chips.
• Compact form factor with VESA-style bracket makes mounting and placement flexible.

Cons

• Single SODIMM limits memory to 8GB, which restricts heavy multitasking or larger hypervisor setups.
• Some users report heat under sustained load and the need to reinstall or configure the firewall OS may be challenging for novices.

Specifications

Processor	Intel N3700 quad-core (1.6GHz up to 2.4GHz) with AES-NI
Ethernet	4 x Intel i225/i226 RJ45 Gigabit LAN ports
Memory	8GB DDR3L (1 x SODIMM slot, max 8GB)
Storage	128GB mSATA SSD (single mSATA slot, upgradeable)
Video & I/O	1 x HD, 1 x VGA, 2 x USB 3.0, Wi-Fi antenna connectors
Power & Cooling	12V/3A adapter, fanless passive cooling, 6W TDP
Dimensions & Weight	Approximately 5.27 x 5 x 1.43 in, 0.6 kg

Our Verdict

The N3700 fanless firewall appliance is a sensible value for experienced users who need a quiet, compact device with four Intel LAN ports and AES-NI support for VPNs. It offers the right balance of low power, solid I/O and upgradeable storage for small office or lab deployments, but beginners should be ready to handle OS reinstallation and some thermal management under continuous heavy load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work with pfSense?
Yes, customers report good compatibility with pfSense Community Edition, making it a practical platform for that software.

Can memory or storage be upgraded?
Memory is limited to a single SODIMM up to 8GB; storage uses one mSATA slot and can be upgraded from 128GB toward 512GB or larger compatible mSATA drives.

Is it noisy and suitable for 24/7 use?
Yes, the fanless design runs silently and the unit is intended for continuous operation, though it can run warm under sustained heavy network loads.