BFT8KB Edge-Max System

The Boingfire BFT8KB is a compact, fanless 2.5GbE network appliance kit built for demanding firewalls, routers, SD-WAN CPE, VPN hubs, and edge/IoT gateways where performance and reliability are critical. Powered by an Intel® Atom™ x5-E3940 quad-core CPU with 8 GB onboard DDR4 and four Intel I226-V 2.5GbE LAN ports, it delivers strong multi-gig routing, security, and VPN performance with ultra-low power consumption and silent 24/7 operation. Dual mSATA slots, four Mini-PCIe slots, one M.2 B-key slot, support for multiple SIMs, plus audio line-out and mic-in for VoIP projects, for smooth deployment and troubleshooting, give you the flexibility to add LTE/5G and Wi-Fi modules, integrate voice or PBX functions, build advanced multi-WAN designs, and adapt the platform to complex deployments. Housed in a rugged, black-anodized aluminum enclosure and optimized for popular open-source platforms such as OPNsense®, FreeBSD, and Linux-based firewalls, the BFT8KB is an installer-friendly, OEM-ready solution for SMBs, branches, MSPs, and advanced home labs.

Datasheet     Hardware Guide

SKU: BFT8KB Category:

The Boingfire BFT8KB is a high-performance, fanless network appliance kit designed for modern security and edge networking workloads. Built around the Boingfire BFT8 system board and enclosed in the rugged black-anodized aluminum chassis, it pairs an Intel® Atom™ x5-E3940 quad-core processor with 8 GB of onboard DDR4 to deliver reliable throughput for next-generation firewall, VPN, SD-WAN, and unified communications deployments.

Equipped with 4 × Intel I226-V 2.5GbE LAN ports, dual full-size mSATA slots, 4 × Mini-PCIe slots, 1 × M.2 B-key slot, and support for multiple SIMs, the BFT8KB gives integrators exceptional flexibility to combine wired WAN, LTE/5G, and Wi-Fi in a single compact appliance. A pre-installed mSATA SSD (capacity configurable at order time) provides robust solid-state storage from day one.

Unlike many low-cost appliances, the BFT8KB also includes audio line-out and mic-in, enabling IP-PBX, voice gateway, or other audio-enabled edge applications on the same platform. With its fanless thermal design and 12 V DC input, the system typically draws only around 7.2 W in firewall scenarios, making it ideal for 24/7 use where silence, efficiency, and reliability are non-negotiable.

Optimized for open-source platforms such as OPNsense®, FreeBSD, and Linux-based firewall/router distributions, the BFT8KB is an excellent fit for MSPs, OEMs, and advanced users who want a standardized, open, and brandable hardware base for their solutions.

Key Points

  • More Memory for Heavier Workloads: 8 GB onboard DDR4 lets you run deeper inspection, more VPN tunnels, more services, and heavier rule sets than 4 GB-class appliances.

  • Quad-Core Intel Atom with AES-NI: the x5-E3940 CPU delivers efficient performance with hardware-accelerated encryption for fast IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard VPNs.

  • Multi-Gig Ready on All Ports: Four Intel I226-V 2.5GbE ports provide headroom beyond 1GbE, high-speed LAN, and inter-VLAN routing.

  • Serious Expansion for LTE/5G & Wi-Fi:  Dual mSATA, 4 × Mini-PCIe, and 1 × M.2 B-key slot enable rich combinations of LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, and additional storage or expansion cards.

  • Built-In Audio for Voice / PBX: Line-out and mic-in make it easy to integrate IP-PBX, announcement systems, or voice-enabled edge services on the same hardware.

  • Multi-SIM, Multi-Carrier Designs: Support for multiple SIMs allows intelligent cellular failover and carrier diversity for SD-WAN and remote sites.

  • Fanless, Low-Power, 24/7 Operation: Silent design with typical consumption around 0.6 A @ 12 V (~7.2 W) keeps operating costs low while maintaining reliability.

  • Rugged, Compact, Installer-Friendly – Compact 189 × 157 × 29 mm aluminum enclosure fits easily in cabinets, racks, and tight edge locations, with industrial build quality.

  • OEM & MSP Ready – Custom branding, labels, BIOS presets, and pre-installed OS images make it straightforward to ship this as your own appliance line.

Typical Use Cases

  • Next-Gen Firewall / UTM Appliance
    Ideal as a central firewall or UTM delivering multi-WAN, VLANs, IDS/IPS, and VPN for SMBs, branches, and managed customers, with 2.5GbE headroom for future bandwidth growth.

  • SD-WAN / Multi-WAN Edge CPE
    Combine wired internet and multiple LTE/5G links via Mini-PCIe and M.2 modules, then use multiple SIMs for carrier redundancy and smart path selection at the edge.

  • VPN Hub / Remote Access Gateway
    Use the x5-E3940 with AES-NI to handle secure tunnels for remote workers, branch connectivity, and MSP-managed VPN services with stable, predictable performance.

  • IP-PBX / Voice Edge Appliance
    Leverage the audio line-out and mic-in, plus multiple network ports, to host IP-PBX software, SIP trunking, and voice services alongside security and routing.

  • IoT / Industrial Edge Gateway
    Integrate sensors and field devices via Ethernet, serial, and GPIO, then backhaul over wired or cellular networks with centralized firewalling and policy control.

  • Standardized MSP CPE Platform
    Pre-load your OS, apply your branding, and deploy the same hardware across many customers for simplified support, inventory, and lifecycle management.

Specifications:

Processor (CPU) Intel Atom x5-E3940, Quad-Core (AES-NI)
Core 4 (Quad Core)
CPU Frequency 1.6GHz (Base) / 1.8GHz (Burst)
RAM 8GB Onboard DDR4 (Non-removable)
Storage 2 x Full-size mSATA slots (SATA 3.0, 6Gb/s)
Display Port 1 x Micro-HDMI
Resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4K)
Ethernet Ports 4 x RJ45 2.5GbE
Ethernet Controller Intel I226-V
Storage Software RAID (OS-dependent), 1 x pre-installed mSATA SSD (capacity selectable)
Watchdog System Reset, Programmable 1–255 sec / 1–255 mins, Disable
Power Button 1 x Power Button
Reset Button Via watchdog trigger header (internal)
Cooling Fan Fan-less
Serial Port 1 x RJ45 External, 1 x TTL Serial Header
Audio 1 x Line-out, 1 x Mic-in
Power 12V ±10% only
Typical Power 0.6A @ 12V (7.2W)
Max. Power 5A @ 12V (60W)
GPIO 24 x GPIO (Digital I/O)
USB 2 x USB 2.0 (Internal), 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 (Type A)
Mini PCIe Slot 4 x Mini-PCIe, 1 x M.2 B-key slot (4G/5G)
Operating Humidity Up to 95% RH @ 40°C (Non-condensing)
Storage Humidity Up to 95% RH @ 60°C (Non-condensing)
Operating Temperature 0°C to 60°C
Storage Temperature -40°C to +85°C
Dimension 189 x 157 x 29 mm (W x D x H)
Weight 1.71 Lbs (Approx.)

Each BFT8KB kit includes:

  • Boingfire BFT8 system board with Intel® Atom™ x5-E3940 and 8 GB onboard DDR4

  • BFCASET4S compact black anodized aluminum enclosure (pre-assembled)

  • 1 × mSATA SSD, pre-installed (capacity selected at order time)

  • 12 V / 2 A DC power adapter with region-appropriate AC plug (e.g., NA/EU/UK, depending on SKU)

  • All necessary internal cabling and connections for normal operation

Optional for MSPs, OEMs, and projects (on request):

  • Custom enclosure logo and port label printing

  • Alternative 12 V / 5 A power adapter for heavy expansion (multiple LTE/5G or Wi-Fi cards)

  • Pre-installed OS images (firewall, router, IP-PBX, or other Linux/FreeBSD-based platforms)

  • TPM 2.0 module, GPIO expansion boards, additional mSATA SSDs, and tailored BIOS presets

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