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Initially asked at https://networkengineering.stackexchange.com/questions/75891/router-use-lan-port-as-wan-port but was sent to Super User. There with screenshots. Here don't have 10 reputation — can't post images.

For a home internet, I am currently switching from ADSL ISP to optical fibre ISP. The fibre ISP consultants say that my ADSL modem-and-router can not be used in their network, so I need to acquire a new router (that will get the internet from fibre media converter).

My ADSL modem-and-router is ZTE ZXHN H108N, apparently flashed with my ISP's custom firmware; the fibre ISP's buy-from-us is Netis W1

I wonder whether an ADSL modem-and-router is actually useless in this case.

[HOWTO] TURN A LAN PORT INTO A WAN PORT!! [Linksys E900 Wireless Router]
The video in short: LAN ports and WAN port belong to 2 different VLANs. By assigning a LAN port to the same VLAN as WAN, you turn the LAN port into a WAN port.

-Only Broadcom based devices support port-based VLAN's

ZTE ZXHN H108N is ADSL/ADSL2+ Wi-Fi router based on Broadcom 6328.

So, my question is: on my ADSL modem-and-router ZTE ZXHN H108N, if I change the VLAN of a LAN port from 1 to 0, can I use it as a fully functional router connecting me to the fibre internet (can't check it myself now — the ordered fibre internet is underway).

Also, if yes, then will a crossover cable be required instead of straight-through?

I am a lay-user of networkware, please speak to me in plain English 

> telnet 192.168.1.1
Trying 192.168.1.1...
Connected to 192.168.1.1.
Escape character is '^]'.

Password: *****
Copyright (c) 2012 - 2015 ZTE Corporation
ZTE> show wan status
PVC-0 
        Status = Up
        Ip = 94.179.153.74
PVC-1 
        Status = Up
PVC-2 
        Status = Down
PVC-3 
        Status = Down
PVC-4 
        Status = Down
PVC-5 
        Status = Down
PVC-6 
        Status = Down
PVC-7 
        Status = Down

The accepted answers https://superuser.com/a/1068435/1250598 and https://superuser.com/a/1245737/1250598 on similar questions contradict each other. Clarifications are welcome

Veraellyunjie
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1 Answers1

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It is unclear that this will work although it is possible-probable even that a skilled expert could make it work.

I cant speak to this specific router but it if the device can run openwrt it can very likely be configured to convert a lan port into a WAN port, and likely by way ofsetting the ports up to connect to the chip using different vlans on the chip -> untagged ports on the "switch" side if the port. (I have done this on openwrt - albeit many years ago)

That said its high risk and not something I would consider worthwhile. Ethernet routers are dirt cheap, and (last I looked) openwrt was not user friendly - unless you happen to be a linux system admin by trade - which I am - Even then dd-wrt (which is unlikely to work on your dsl device) is way easier as it has a GUI you can do most things through.

Unless you are bloody minded, more interested in what makes the router tick or your time has no value, just spend $50 or olso on an ethernet router you can flash with dd-wrt. (That you mention you are a lay user of networkware means you are moderately likely to just brick your router and end up sad and frustrated)

davidgo
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