I have an unused Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB model) lying around and I would like to install OpenWRT on it and use it as a router. I get Internet from DSL so I can’t hook it up on the Raspberry Pi directly, I need to plug an Ethernet cable coming from my actual router to the Pi.
I am no expert on networking, so please forgive me if I say something that is wrong. I want the WAN coming in from the router from the Pi’s Ethernet port, and the LAN coming out as Wi-Fi. I may also stick an additional Ethernet adapter to it in the future. I have tried doing this many times and have failed. So, could anyone explain to me how could I do this?
Also, what are VLANs, what are their uses and if I wanted one, how could I setup it in OpenWRT?
Thanks in advance.
How did you fail?
VLANs (Virtual LANs) are for isolating devices from each other (while still being plugged to the “LAN” ports of the same router).
While trying to set up the WLAN, I couldn’t connect to the AP, it said no internet access, and I couldn’t connect to the Pi, or ping any device from it.
To add a bit: With VLANs you can have several ‘virtual’ cables inside of a real (physical) cable. You probably don’t need it in a home setup, I’m not sure. It’s for use cases like you just have one ethernet port or one cable running through the wall, but you need two (or more) entirely separate networks on the other side. Like the telephone network or the seperate server network along with the normal network, all over one cable. It works by tagging all the network packets. In the end it’s just a number that gets attached to the packets and the other side knows how to handle the packets with those additional numbers attached to them. And it can send them out through different ports again.
At home, most people just have one network, so that kind of functionality isn’t needed. Some people put their TV set, NAS or the smart home devices or their home office and/or guests in different networks so the devices can’t mess with each other. A VLAN might be handy for those kind of things. And OpenWRT has VLANs, too, since there are two separate networks attached (as with every router). In this case the WAN side, going to your ISP, and your LAN. If you have a router with like 5 ports on the back, you can map those to either port if you change the VLAN settings. The labeling (WAN/LAN) from the manufacturer is just the default with OpenWRT.
I don’t think I am special but I have a few vlans setup. May main concern is using cheap “smart” devices from china and isolating anything they see or do to their own private network.
I also have a vlan setup for my guest network because I let my neighbors use it and wouldn’t want them exploring my nas.
That’s a bit more elaborate then ‘usual’. But not unheard of. I spoke to some people here on Lemmy who have put their cheap IoT devices on a separate Wifi. And guest networks are fairly common. IMHO those should be easier to set up on OpenWRT.
Regarding the cheap ‘chinesium’ smart devices: I hope you’re aware of projects like Tasmota, ESPHome and OpenBeken… I’m not that much into making everything smart, but I also have some smart sockets, LED strips and stuff. I had some luck with the first devices I bought and after that I payed attention to just buy things where I could replace the firmware. So for me they all communicate with my own MQTT broker and Home Assistant directly, and there isn’t any firmware on them any more that’d talk to the china cloud.
It’s not that easy though. Some require opening and flashing via an USB to serial adapter. And lots of devices aren’t supported by aftermarket firmwares at all. Especially the more elaborate ones.
Wow thanks. I’ll look into it. I bought a 4 pack of smart plugs for $25 and figured there had to be a catch. But 4 years later they are still working fine. Nothing I use them for is mission critical or high amperage but I’m happy.
I also have 4 levitation smart switches which I’m not as worried about them but still keep them on the vlan.
Besides those I have a cheap smart ir transmitter, and a google nest smart speaker. About to add 2 WiFi cameras to the vlan, so we will have to see how the performance works out.
Nice.
Cameras definitely need some more bandwidth. And their presence has a bigger impact on your privacy than the lightswitch. So you might as well do it right… I agree.
Me and by brother-in-law also each bought one of the 4 packs of cheap smart plugs with power metering. He had 2 fail after some years. But I guess he was just a bit unlucky. In our experience they’re pretty reliable overall. And the 2 failed safe(ly). They just stopped switching and didn’t burn down. I’m not 100% convinced, I use a more expensive brand one to make my washing machine smart since it draws a lot of power. But I use the cheap ones for everything else.
I -myself- am a bit reluctant towards cameras and smart speakers that listen in to arbitrary things. But that’s just personal preference.