Going threw a switch to the WAN port on a router

[bigboy529]

Hi all
I'm in the process of planning my home network setup and while doing it I also plan for future fiber.

My main router is a TP-Link Archer D9 currently used for ADSL, but I would be able to use it for fiber as well one day threw its WAN port.

At the location in the house where I plan to install the fiber ONT one day, I will also put a unmanaged TP-Link 8 port Gigabit switch.

I want to connect the fiber ONT directly to the switch, and 4 Ethernet points installed in different rooms in the house will also be connected to the switch.

Then I want to put the Archer D9 in another room of the house where it's more central, it will be close to one of the Ethernet points which runs back to the switch.

Now my questions:
1. Will this work if I plug the fiber ONT in to the switch and from the switch run a cable in to the WAN port of the router?

2. If so, this single Ethernet cable from the switch in to the routers WAN port, will it carry all traffic, or will it be nececery to run another cable from the switch to one of the other normal router ports for all other traffic on the network?

 

[ponder]

If you don't use the LAN port on the router how are you going to route the traffic?

Ideally you want a switch that supports vlans (but not required) so the ONT/WAN port is in one vlan while the clients/LAN port are in another as they are separate networks. Regardless two cables to the router will be required.

 

[RoganDawes]

It's unlikely to work the way that you describe, because you will end up with two DHCP servers on the same network:

1. The DHCP server in the Fibre CPE
2. The DHCP server in your Archer router.

And I say the same network, because they will both be plugged into the same 8-port unmanaged switch.

The better way to do it would be to run two cables to the Archer, one from the ONT/CPE, and one to the 8-port switch.

Alternatively, put the Archer closer to the ONT, and move the gigabit switch to the central location. This might affect wifi coverage, though.

 

[bigboy529]

It's unlikely to work the way that you describe, because you will end up with two DHCP servers on the same network:

1. The DHCP server in the Fibre CPE
2. The DHCP server in your Archer router.

And I say the same network, because they will both be plugged into the same 8-port unmanaged switch.

The better way to do it would be to run two cables to the Archer, one from the ONT/CPE, and one to the 8-port switch.

Alternatively, put the Archer closer to the ONT, and move the gigabit switch to the central location. This might affect wifi coverage, though.

I didn't know the fiber ONT devices have DHCP enabled.
So if I run a dedicated cable from the ONT to the Archer's WAN port and another cable from one of the Archer's other ports to the switch, will it work or will I still have DHCP issues?

 

[LazyLion]

threw / through :wtf:

 

[Geoff.D]

The ONT may or may not be DHCP enabled --- it depends on your Fibre Service Provider.

What you do not want is to have more than one device trying to dish out IP addresses on the same network.

Far better for you to decide on a suitable central point where you would like to take the fibre connection to and get the fibre service provider to install the fibre connection all the way to that point.

This may require you to install a suitable duct for the fibre cable to a point externally where you expect the fibre service provider to connect to. Once the ONT is at the most suitable central point, you will have maximum flexibility to decide where your main router is going to be installed, and, then install a switch after that if necessary and install APs instead of routers connected to that switch or directly to the main router.

Don't get conned into believing the fibre service providers pitch about having to install the ONT close to the entry point where the fibre enters your home! It is BS and only because he does not want to have to climb around in your roof etc. BUT if you provide a suitable duct, all he has to do is blow the fibre through that duct and it does not matter where the duct ends. The only proviso is it must be a duct suitable for fibre and NOT trunking or conduit.

 

[supersunbird]

Well, if its openserve fibre they install the ONT and then some kind of router there with it. This is a 4 port router but only port 1 works and that connects to your router with the WAN port with a network cable. Then you can run the length of cable to your router in the more central location, then a cable would need to come back to the 8-port switch.

 

[agentrfr]

Telkom and Vuma ONT/CPEs both have DHCP enabled... you are going to have to have only your router's WAN plugged into the ONT/CPE and nothing else into the ONT/CPE

 

[bigboy529]

The ONT may or may not be DHCP enabled --- it depends on your Fibre Service Provider.

What you do not want is to have more than one device trying to dish out IP addresses on the same network.

Far better for you to decide on a suitable central point where you would like to take the fibre connection to and get the fibre service provider to install the fibre connection all the way to that point.

This may require you to install a suitable duct for the fibre cable to a point externally where you expect the fibre service provider to connect to. Once the ONT is at the most suitable central point, you will have maximum flexibility to decide where your main router is going to be installed, and, then install a switch after that if necessary and install APs instead of routers connected to that switch or directly to the main router.

Don't get conned into believing the fibre service providers pitch about having to install the ONT close to the entry point where the fibre enters your home! It is BS and only because he does not want to have to climb around in your roof etc. BUT if you provide a suitable duct, all he has to do is blow the fibre through that duct and it does not matter where the duct ends. The only proviso is it must be a duct suitable for fibre and NOT trunking or conduit.

I'll give my entire setup a rethink thank you. The plan was to install a duct for the fiber to the point where I want it in the house so that they could simply blow it threw, but I didn't know that it can't be conduit or trunking.
Where can I find fiber ducting, have you got a link?