This may possibly present complications. It will depend on your device. Typically, a radio can only join a single network (STA mode), so you'll need to use 2 radios to have 2 simultaneous connections. That usually means one will be 5G and the other will be 2G.
I would implement this (unless you missed to mention some special requirements) with two routers, each responsible for its own dedicated internet source and the associated lan clients.
While a lot of things are possible, going to the extremes is rarely sensible (difficult to set up, steep learning curve, hard to maintain and operate for little gain).
My special requirement would be to deploy the routers on multipleremote location. Part of feasibility test for now. I aim to squeeze out all the resources on the router and not waste it -- if possible.
The idea is to redistribute Starlink internet , and the authentication for the client devices can either be PPPoE, or Captive Portal.
Also with that said above, I'm using Xiaomi 4A router for the time being, as this is just experimental. I'm looking to replicate the configuration -- if attainable, on a commercial router based o OpenWrt.
When you have the chance, please check this out - the topography I think of. If possible to implement.
I am not knowledgeable in routers/networking, but trying to learn from handson experience, and through guides, and hopefully implement a setup in real world environment.
Just FYI, the backhaul for the root/main router would be multiple Starlink Bonded Together. The use case is to distribute Internet in remote places.
I'm looking if OpenWrt will suit the requirement, and if so, will replicate the setup on a more powerful commercial/industrial router based on OpenWrt Firmware.
lan port 1/2 <--> wan port PPPoE client <--> Lan 192.168.10.1
Can you explain what is happening there?
The upper left router seems like it's really just operating as a wifi repeater. You'll probably need to use relayd since the root router is not OpenWrt. When you're using relayd, there are a bunch of quirks and I don't think you'll be able to connect another network through that one... but I'm not entirely understanding what the lowest router is supposed to be doing and the link that has PPPoE in the middle.
PPoE connection on the client router (router image on the bottom right)
2nd Router -- the Xiaomi Router:
Act as a relay bridge, replacing physical ethernet cable between the root/main router
The LAN Port 1/2, I mean - either of the LAN Ports, would be able to provide access to the root/main router and be able to get IP via PPPoE for the 3rd Router.
The Xiaomi btw, has 2 LAN ports, and a WAN port (not configured for now). I am thinking to connect the client router to either of the LAN ports, so that the client router (3rd router) will get Internet via PPPoE. The client router should be getting a subnet of 192.168.10.1/24 - with a WAN IP of 172.32.50.5/32.
3rd router at the bottom right:
The third router -- the one at the bottom right is a client router (or CPE for paid subscriber), connected via LAN cable to the 2nd router (router image which is above).
This 3rd router, a client router is a PPPoE client, and should be connecting to the root/main router via the 2nd router.
The Root/Main Router:
Capable of serving internet connection either via Captive Portal or PPPoE on the same ethernet port.
If the pppoe connection requires VLANs or anything special, it probably won’t work. But if that can flow transparently though the relay, maybe it would be fine.
But why do you want:
the client router to be connected via the relay (as compared to a direct connection to the star link root router)?
a pppoe connection on the client router? (As compared to say a dhcp address assignment and having a different subnet behind that router)? For that matter, why even have the third router? If you run the openwrt router as a wifi client in routing mode, you don’t need a 3rd router to have multiple subnets.
I've updated my answer, reformatted, while you maybe answering it.
If the pppoe connection requires VLANs or anything special, it probably won’t work. But if that can flow transparently though the relay, maybe it would be fine.
-> it's not on VLAN yet.
But why do you want:
the client router to be connected via the relay (as compared to a direct connection to the star link root router)? -- the root/main router is not Starlink router, it's a sort of ISP router, it can handle Captive Portal authentication, and PPPoE. The backhaul for this router are Starlink connections. The reason why for not using direct cable connection is due to geographic/terrain challenges, so it needs to be wireless
a pppoe connection on the client router? (As compared to say a dhcp address assignment and having a different subnet behind that router)? For that matter, why even have the third router? If you run the openwrt router as a wifi client in routing mode, you don’t need a 3rd router to have multiple subnets. --- the 3rd router is a client router or a paid subscriber client router. Using the PPPoE allows me to throttle the internet, and create invoice/billing, disconnection, etc.
Well, I guess you could just try to see what happens if you setup relayd and attempt to connect pppoe through the relay. I honestly don’t know what will happen.
But, also keep in mind that there would be nothing to stop your customer from changing the connection protocol to dhcp on the 3rd router (unless you completely lock that down with no customer access at all). And even if you do lock down the 3rd router, they could simply unplug it and plug in their own router. In these scenarios, they would have direct access to your 10.0.0.0/20 network and there isn’t anything you could do about it.
Also, relayd is a bit quirky. You may not want to have paid subscribers behind a Relayd link because it can be unreliable in some cases.
No, they don't. Because they will be blocked by a captive portal. Like I said in the graphic, the root/main router is capable of Captive Portal and PPPoE on the same interface.
I am testing Relayd, and had asked for help on my other topic. I have success on a test router, but NOT on the root/main router, because currently, it only accepts - i think 1-hop for the IP. So will sort this out first.
Also, thank you once again for your feedback. If you think you have a workaround for this setup, can you please share, when you have the chance?
