Boingfire BFT8KB Edge-Max System

Boingfire BFT8KB Edge-Max is the top tier in the Boingfire Edge family – a fanless, industrial-grade appliance designed for security gateways, SD-WAN nodes, VPN concentrators, VoIP PBX and advanced edge computing. Built around the BFT8 motherboard and a solid aluminum enclosure, it is engineered for 24/7 reliability in small and mid-size business environments.

At its core, the BFT8KB Edge-Max uses an Intel Atom x5-E3940 quad-core CPU with 8GB onboard DDR4 memory. This combination offers a strong balance of performance and low power consumption. With 4 Intel I226-V 2.5GbE LAN ports, the system is ideal for multi-gigabit WAN/LAN links, VLAN segmentation, multi-WAN failover and high-speed inter-VLAN routing.

Storage is handled by dual full-size mSATA slots, allowing you to run the operating system on a reliable SSD and add a second drive for logs, data or OS-level software RAID. For connectivity expansion, the platform provides multiple Mini PCIe slots and an M.2 B-key slot, enabling Wi-Fi, 4G LTE or 5G modem cards. With external and onboard SIM support (via installed modem modules), the BFT8KB can be turned into a powerful SD-WAN or LTE/5G edge device with carrier redundancy.

One key advantage of the Edge-Max model over lower tiers is its built-in audio I/O (Line-Out and Mic-In). This makes it a strong fit for IP PBX, IVR, paging, call recording and other voice-enabled applications, combining routing, security and telephony in one compact box.

The fanless black anodized aluminum enclosure doubles as a heatsink, keeping the system silent while maintaining thermal stability. Front-accessible Ethernet ports, console, HDMI, USB, audio and power connections make installation straightforward in network racks, wall-mount locations or edge cabinets.

Optimized for open-source ecosystems, the Boingfire BFT8KB Edge-Max works seamlessly with OPNsense, pfSense, Proxmox VE, popular Linux distributions and other x86-64 operating systems (subject to driver support). It is an excellent choice for MSPs, integrators and advanced end users who need a flexible, compact and robust edge platform.

Typical use cases:

• Next-generation firewall / UTM for SMB and branches

• SD-WAN and multi-WAN edge with LTE/5G backup

• Central VPN / WireGuard / IPsec hub

• VoIP PBX, IP telephony, IVR and call recording

• Industrial IoT or remote site gateway

Key features:

• Intel Atom x5-E3940 quad-core CPU with AES-NI

• 8GB onboard DDR4 memory (industrial, non-removable)

• 4 × Intel I226-V 2.5GbE LAN ports

• Dual mSATA slots for SSD and optional software RAID

• Mini PCIe and M.2 B-key expansion for Wi-Fi, LTE and 5G

• Audio Line-Out and Mic-In for PBX and voice workloads

• Fanless black anodized aluminum enclosure

• Low-power, always-on design suitable for 24/7 operation