Protectli Vault FW6D Firewall Mini PC - 6-Port Silent Fanless

In this review of the Protectli Vault FW6D, the bottom line is clear: this barebones, fanless mini firewall is for network professionals and advanced home users who want a compact, silent platform to run pfSense, OPNsense or similar software. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of a quad core Intel i5 CPU with six Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports in a passively cooled chassis, which delivers robust packet handling without fan noise or bulky rack hardware. This unit requires RAM and storage to be added by the user, so it targets people who value customization and control over out-of-the-box convenience.

Key Features

• Intel i5 Performance: The quad core i5-8250U provides strong single-thread and burst performance up to 3.4GHz for routing, VPN and encryption tasks thanks to Intel AES-NI hardware support.
• Six Intel NICs: Six Intel Gigabit Ethernet ports let the user build multi-WAN, segmented LANs, or complex firewall rules without needing additional switches or NICs.
• Fanless, silent design: A passively cooled chassis removes fan noise and moving parts, improving reliability in quiet office or lab environments.
• Barebones flexibility: The FW6D ships without RAM or mSATA storage so users can choose compatible memory and storage to match their preferred OS and workloads.
• USB and video access: Four USB 3.0 ports and an HDMI output provide easy console access, peripherals, and local display for setup and troubleshooting.
• Software compatibility: No OS is preinstalled, but the hardware is tested with pfSense, OPNsense, Untangle and other open-source firewall distributions for proven interoperability.

Who It's For

The Protectli Vault FW6D is best for network administrators, IT hobbyists, and small business owners who need a compact, quiet firewall appliance with multiple Intel NICs and a capable Intel CPU. It is particularly useful when AES accelerated VPN or high-throughput packet processing is required and the buyer is comfortable installing RAM, storage, and their chosen firewall OS.

It is not ideal for casual users who want a plug-and-play router with preinstalled software, or for those unwilling to verify hardware compatibility for memory and storage. Buyers who prefer included warranty-covered components rather than a barebones chassis should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Six Intel Gigabit ports provide flexible network segmentation without extra hardware.
• Fanless design yields silent, low-maintenance operation in office or home labs.
• Intel i5-8250U with AES-NI handles VPN and encryption-heavy loads efficiently.

Cons

• Ships as a barebones unit with no RAM or storage, so setup requires additional parts and compatibility checks.
• No OS preinstalled, so initial configuration requires experience with open-source firewall software.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Protectli Vault FW6D is a strong choice for knowledgeable users who want a silent, compact firewall with multiple Intel NICs and AES-NI acceleration. It offers excellent value when configured with compatible RAM and storage and paired with open-source firewall software, but it demands hands-on setup. Buy this if you need performance and expandability in a small, fanless chassis and are comfortable finishing the build yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the unit include RAM and storage?
No. The FW6D is a barebones unit and requires user-supplied RAM and mSATA storage; verify compatibility before purchasing.

Is an operating system preinstalled?
No. No OS is installed; the hardware is tested with pfSense, OPNsense, Untangle and other open-source firewalls.

Can it handle VPN and encrypted traffic?
Yes. The i5-8250U includes Intel AES-NI which accelerates encryption tasks and supports VPN throughput for small business and lab use.