[bambina]

is this forum dead? does anyone know how to best get tech advise about pcWRT routers or should i be using a different router make please as im confused?

[bambina]

just to add to my prior post, i am probably to scared of issues in replacing the ISP router as i live a long way from the property so i think i would prefer to just add pcWRT ROUTER/S LAN to WAN set up im thinking

[bambina]

Hi there, I have had a pcWRT Router for sometime and still trying to set it up and im so so so confused and need help please so im starting at the absolute beginning now as ive messed up so many times.

MY PROBLEM IM TRYING TO SOLVE
I have HMO Tenants and i pay for internet & i need to micro manage them their devices etc as well as be able to access the router remotely as i have cameras attached to the network of my own too yet the ISP doesn’t allow me these functions thus i bought a pcWRT router to try and solve the issues.
In addition to the above stated issues i also have massive wifi coverage issues too so need 2 or 3 routers broadcasting wifi for the tenants as there will be at least a dozen + devices on the internet at the same time yet im getting major complaints of coverage issues as the main ISP router is currently by the front door yet i do have Cat6 cable running through to the back of the property where i could easily plug in another router to the ISP router via Ethernet if wanted which may solve the coverage issues TBC if not then i would need to add another router yet again upstairs with no hard wire and i want all the same network like a mesh, hopefully all pcWRT Routers.

1. So i currently have a Modem then the ISP Router giving me Fiber Fast Broadband (145mbps), in ideal world i would love to just throw away the ISP router and put in the pcWRT router in its place but i don’t know if i can even do that or should do that and if so then exactly what the config should be, does anyone know please?

2. if the answer is dont replace the ISP Router then my next question is; can i just plug in the pcWRT into the ISP Router and if so then what config do i need to give the pcWRT to ensure it works seamlessly as a mesh and also allows me to remotely access it still and should the pcWRT router be then a router or a access point in the config?

[bambina]

i have also noticed today that when i type into the search bar the router IP address 192.168.1.250 which i changed the router to then it wont connect, it just flicks to another IP address starting with 10.etc and wont show me the splash page, is this normal?

[bambina]

Thanks so much for your replies but im still left confused, maybe my questions are erroneous or just poor quality or maybe im just a dizzy blond, or maybe all of the above yet i would love some clarity so i shall try and re-prase my questions please help reassure me.
Summary =
> My plan is to bridge the ISP router straight into the back of pcWRT router.
> LAN = I shall have 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz SSIDs which will be Not Broadcasting anything (disabled)
> X1 = I want many different people (who dont know each other) in the building to use just 1 VLAN SSID Broadcast & I shall also dedicate/link 1 port to the said Broadcast for a smart TV which they will all use only. (X1 to Port 1)
> Guest = I shall have a Guest SSID Broadcast 2.4ghz sandboxed for just Guests & No Port.
> X2 = I shall have this SSID Broadcast of 2.4Ghz set up to Port 2 so that i can connect my own IOTT Nany cameras to it as well as a Ethernet connection feeding a CCTV hub all just for me to access only.
> X3 i shall set up & keep sandboxed from everything until i allocate it a good use.
> Port 3 i shall risk leaving on LAN as i understand if anyone plugs into Port 3 on LAN then they will need a password to access anything on LAN anyway if i am correct in thinking this so i shall rely on this password as the chance of the Port3 being physically attacked is Low.
———————–
Sorry for the LongStory i just needed to know you understand my intentions incase you see any flaw in my set up.
———————–
> So i have gone through all the WIRLESS Wifi Networks and ticked ENABLE WIFI ISOLATION.
> I have in total 2 5Ghz & 4 2.4Ghz broadcasts, i am thinking i need to remove 1 of the 5Ghz Broadcast being the LAN as i never intend to use it & i think i cant have it anyway?
> SETTINGS – NETWORK = only things i have altered are in VLAN
LAN = Everything Ticked
GUEST Source to Guest Destination Ticked
X1 Source to X1 Destination Ticked (port1 selected)
X2 Source to X2 Destination Ticked (port2 selected)
X3 Source to X3 Destination Ticked

I don’t see any diagonal tick options now know what is meant by diagonal as i just see Rows & Columns
I just want everything to be isolated from everything as possible as no one using the internet there should be able to see anyone else using the internet there, i just want to give everyone the use of the internet Only yet whilst me having full control over everything & i don’t want someone with no password to be able to use LAN Port3 to view anything without even needing a password, yet when i do go to the building i will want port 3 for me to be able to plug into to do what-ever is needed that i couldn’t do via the cloud for example.
I don’t want someone to easy be able to plug into port3 and view the CCTV footage for example.

I am a Linux newbie & i use QubesOS with a auto Mac address and IP address randomize active & use burner Qubes for most things so i dont think i can set up the Administration for adding a specific device or user can i?

When or if i ever manage to get everything set up and running at this building i will then need to add more pcWRT router to extend the network as there are lots of dead spots in the building but thought to 1st complete the 1st pcWRT before setting out to sail on the open waters…lol

[bambina]

1. So when you say No cross talk between devices does that mean its the correct setting for multiple strangers using 1 VLAN like in a cafe for example?

2. If i uncheck all LAN ticks & allocate Port3 to Guest then how will i access the router hub as i normally only use the Ethernet wire when im there and when im not there i intend to use the Cloud?

[bambina]

Thanks for that.
1. So just to be clear, if i want all VLANS sandboxed from each other then im i correct in saying that only 1 tick is needed per VLAN such as X1 ticked for X1 and X2 ticked for only X2 etc and obviously just select the port you want with which VLAN?

2. As LAN is the Sudo then how do i make secure Port3 as surly someone using VLAN X2 (Port2) could simply just connect an ethernet cable to Port3 & gain access to the LAN (sudo) Hub interface?

[bambina]

Please also note that when i tried to tag a port whilst plugged into the port on Ethernet then that port stopped working on the router until i untagged it and i noticed that on the router hub settings it showed the Port as tagged to LAN even though i kept changing it to X1 it just keeps flicking back to LAN after saved, is this a known glitch maybe?

[bambina]

i have read the posts many times and played around many times yet i still fail to properly understand the VLAN / PORT section listed under; SETTINGS – NETWORK – VLAN and i would really love much help please.

Firstly please help me understand, what exactly is meant by LAN ?

Secondly;
I want to use all VLANS & Ports as follows;
LAN = i dont know what this means in this instance, i understand what it stands for though.
GUEST = I want to grant 1 SSID Broadcast only & keep Sandboxed from everything else.
X1 = I want to grant a VLAN SSID Broadcast + Port1 yet keep Sandboxed from everything else.
X2 = I want to grant a VLAN SSID Broadcast + Port2 yet keep Sandboxed from everything else.
X3 = I want to grant a VLAN SSID Broadcast yet keep Sandboxed from everything else.
—————
I can do all the SSID Broadcasting VLANS easy but just cant get my head around the Tagging of ports or what to tick where in the Columns and rows for it all to work correctly. I have listed what i think i need to do below & if someone could kindly confirm or correct me that would be amazing please?
————–
PORT1 = Tagged to X1
PORT2 = Tagged to X2
PORT3 =
LAN GUEST X1 X2 X3
LAN / / / / / i am confused as to why all are ticked on LAN?
GUEST /
X1 /
X2 /
X3 /

[bambina]

ok, i can confirm that the reason there was No Cloud icon showing was seemingly as i was looking for it offline & when i put the router online & checked in the HUB even then it took 10minutes for the cloud icon to appear, just thought to say so in case it helps anyone else that’s confused as i was…Thanks

[bambina]

Hi, i can confirm that there is NO Cloud option anywhere in the router Hub, i also went to Settings and its not there either?

[bambina]

I understand, thanks, so i intend to re-search for the cloud thing and try it that way, however im still confused about the below;

2. If i was to set up Remote Access on the pcWRT Router at Location 1 then could i simply disconnect the pcWRT Router thereafter set up at Location 1 then drive to Location 2 which is a few hours drive away and plug it in to another ISP Router and would i still have Remote Access as i set it up at Location 1 prior or do i need to set up Remote Access each time i move the pcWRT Router to a new Location with a total different ISP Router/modem?

3. When i do manage to set up remote access then can i BRIDGE the ISP Router and if so then what about firewalls, DNS and anything else, do i need to then set up all that stuff on the pcWRT Router or will the ISP Router whilst in bridge mode still provide all of that whilst it is in Bridge Mode?

[bambina]

I am trying to set up this pcWRT Router a long way away from where my location is so i wanted to pre-set it up from Location 1 then drive to Location 2 and plug it all in and leave?

I don’t recall doing as i don’t have or want anything to do with clouds, i was told i just remotely log into pcWRT website to get remote access and im sure that is via DDNS?

• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by bambina.
• This reply was modified 9 months, 3 weeks ago by bambina.

[bambina]

1. I am very confused as i tried to set up Remote Access and failed as i was looking for DDNS option in SETTINGS to click and couldn’t find then i looked for Cloud and couldnt find…?

2. If i was to set up Remote Access on the pcWRT Router at Location 1 then could i disconnect the pcWRT Router then drive to Location 2 and plug it in to that ISP Router and would i still have Remote Access or do i need to set up Remote Access each time i move the pcWRT Router to a new Location with a total different ISP Router/modem?

3. When i do manage to set up remote access then can i BRIDGE the ISP Router and if so then what about firewalls, DNS and anything else, do i need to then set up all that stuff on the pcWRT Router or will the ISP Router still provide all of that whilst it is in Bridge Mode?

[bambina]

is there an advanced idiots guide covering all the settings there after the initial set up please?

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