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.

  • Mountain_Mike_420@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    4 months ago

    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.

    • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
      0·
      4 months ago

      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.

      • Mountain_Mike_420@lemmy.mlEnglish
        0·
        4 months ago

        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.

        • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
          0·
          4 months ago

          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.