Pfsense has an openvpn server and client built in. Also if you are using site-to-site ipsec vpns it can be useful. I think it will also use the extensions if you run a web proxy to inspect tls traffic. If you just use it for a nat gateway, then you don't need aes-ni or even most of the features Pfsense provides.
The disk itself is flexible, hence the floppy disk. In contrast a hard disk had rigid platters, hence hard. The outer casing has nothing to do with it.
Pfsense has an openvpn server and client built in. Also if you are using site-to-site ipsec vpns it can be useful. I think it will also use the extensions if you run a web proxy to inspect tls traffic. If you just use it for a nat gateway, then you don't need aes-ni or even most of the features Pfsense provides.