Hello. Is it possible to implement this? Maybe there is some ready-made guide.
I would like to configure the following on a router with Openwrt firmware. The router includes a Wan pppoe Internet cable. The second cable from the router is connected to the second device with openwrt. Information from the first cable is routed through the router to the second device. The connection to the Wan pppoe takes place on the second device. And also via the same second cable, the Internet is distributed from the second device through the remaining Internet ports on the router and possibly also via WIFI.
The fact is that I have only one input for an Internet cable on my second device.
I'm having trouble understanding the question/goal... I'll state what I think you are asking -- please confirm or correct:
Your first device has multiple ethernet ports, the second device (OpenWrt) only has one. You're asking if you can use the ethernet ports on the first device as lan ports even though the OpenWrt device is the unit responsible for the PPPoE connection.
Is that correct?
What are the two devices (brand + model)?
At the moment, I don't think there is a need for device models.
The main question is whether it is even possible to implement it.
You seem to have understood everything correctly, but I'll try to clarify more.
I understand that it is possible to configure the First device so that it forwards the first port to the second. The first port is an Internet cable, and the second port is a cable that is connected to the Second device. And then I will be able to make a PPPoE connection on the second device, as if I had just connected an Internet cable directly to it.
And if there was another port on the second device, then everything would be simple. I would set it up to distribute the Internet. I would connect it to the third port on the First device. And I would set up Internet distribution from the third port to 4 and 5 on the first device, and it is possible to use WI-fi.
The question is whether one port can perform two functions at once.
The first device is a fairly old Wifi router model (right now there is no way to name the model), it has little memory. The second device is a minicomputer with a dual-core Celeron processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB SSD. I installed the latest version of Openwrt on it and expanded the root disk to the full 120 GB.
Maybe, but there are more details that are key...
Can you draw a diagram of your desired topology?
Yes, but...
This is critical. The devices need to support VLANs. Most OpenWrt devices do this without issue. But we need to know what hardware we're dealing with and what hardware+firmware is on the other device
1 Like
Good. I'm going to look at the models now.
Firs
Model: TP-Link TL-WR941N/ND v5
Architecture: Atheros AR9341 rev 3
Firmware Version: OpenWrt 18.06.9 r8077-7cbbab7246 / LuCI openwrt-18.06 branch (git-20.319.49209-ab22243)
Kernel Version: 4.9.243
Second
Model: CSI CSI RN1
Architecture: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU J1800 @ 2.41GHz
Firmware Version: OpenWrt 24.10.1 r28597-0425664679 / LuCI (HEAD detached at 2ac26e56) branch 25.103.51521~2ac26e5
Kernel Version: 6.6.86
This device should be removed and e-wasted. The firmware on it is VERY old and it has many serious accumulated security vulnerabilities since it has been EOL and unsupported for 5 years now.
The first device is ethernet only, so you can remove it and plug the cable directly into any other router.
How many ethernet ports does this device have?
This device have one Ethernet port
Can you add more ports? PCI slot and/or USB?
If not, you can add a managed switch (do not get the entry level devices, though).
It doesn't matter now.
What does that mean?
I didn't know about such things. It is interesting. But I still don't want to buy anything right now.
The topology is possible, but your TL941N is too old to be safe/useful. You need a new device.
The simple solution is to:
- Add an ethernet port to your x86 router. This can be as simple as a $10 (USD) USB-ethernet adapter. Once you have two ports -- one port will be used for the wan and the other for the lan.
- Add a basic unmanaged switch (~$15 USD) to the lan port to allow multiple devices to be connected.
I understood about security. It doesn't matter to me right now. But can it implement this topology?
Presumably, yes. But 18.06 is unsupported and has been for half a decade. Using that will mean that you are on your own to get the VLANs working (different syntax than modern OpenWrt uses), and you will also put your network (including your router) potentially significant risk.
1 Like
Thank you for your answers.