I need assistance in circumventing the Quantum/CenturyLink ONT.
I need assistance in circumventing the Quantum/CenturyLink ONT.
I'm trying to link a TP-Link router and switch the Quantum C5500XK to Transparent mode without spending too much time fixing issues. Quantum support suggests simply setting it to Transparent mode, with other settings handled automatically. Do you know how to keep access to the C5500XK? Should its public IP be set on the router or just VLAN 201?
I would likely rely on the customer service representative. More reliable than those who don’t understand the subject and simply ask why you need your own router when theirs suffices.
It appears their platform offers choices for handling the VLAN tasks, allowing you to decide whether your router manages it or the service provider does. I hope the representative clarified this correctly.
The main reason I wouldn’t use an ISP router is the risk of hidden backdoors that hackers might exploit. I strongly dislike complex features like automatic firmware updates. In my highly cautious security mindset, I’d prefer a physical switch you must manually update.
In my ideal scenario, I wouldn’t be able to run a router in truly private network mode. Most devices essentially mimic DMZ behavior by forwarding all ports. The clever part is they somehow spoof the WAN IP address onto the local port, making it seem like both routers are using public IPs while actually performing NAT.
For the majority of users, even if the ISP blocks removal or bridge mode, it’s usually manageable. Running a router behind another router only really matters for those managing servers at home. The era of NAT slowing traffic is behind us.
This device:
https://quantumfiber.com/support/equipme...rtnid.html
Also refers to the TP-Link router model:
= = = = =
Connectivity details:
ISP === fiber ===> [Fiber port] Quantum C5500XK [Ethernet Port] ---Ethernet Cable ---> [WAN Port] TP-Link Router [LAN Ports] ----> Wired network devices and wireless network devices
Please adjust your line diagram as needed.
I am choosing the TP-Link ER8411 because I prefer WAPs over a WiFi mesh network and want to add cameras later. My Quantum is still using old fiber equipment, so I have the existing outside media converter box instead of connecting everything directly to the C5500XK. I hope we can upgrade to support WAPs when I move to 2Gbps. ISP is fiber, so the setup looks like this: fiber port → media converter box outside → Ethernet port → Quantum C5500XK → Ethernet port → 10G WAN port → TP-Link ER8411 → LAN ports → VLAN 201 → WiFi router in access point mode. (This will stay until I get a TP-Link Omada SG3428XPP-M2 and cables are installed for the WAPs.) Eventually, the ER8411 will connect to a 10G fiber link with one SG3218XP-M2, which will then link to another SG3428XPP-M2. If the ER8411 had an additional SFP+ port, I would have planned a ring topology.
I'm new to Transparent Mode and unsure how to set up the WAN port on the router to connect with the ONT.
Mesh is just another marketing phrase, similar to how "AI" or "gamer" are used on many devices. It’s really another name for old Wi-Fi repeaters that have been available for years. People have come to realize that "new and improved" doesn’t really matter. Basically, it offers a simpler method for setting up multiple devices at once.
If you need to switch between different Wi-Fi radios, simply turn off the Wi-Fi radios in your ISP router and then connect WAP. Even remote mesh units can be configured to operate in AP mode only when connected via Ethernet. An AP is essentially a very basic device. It works similarly to putting a router in transparent mode, but in reverse.
I don’t know the exact steps for enabling transparent mode on the ISP router. From what I found online, there are two possible ways: either the router supports VLAN tagging, or the modem handles the VLAN part and sends everything else to your router. It was quite confusing, and I mostly came across screenshots. That’s why I trust the guidance provided by ISP technicians. Although most entry-level ISP staff aren’t much better than AI sometimes, you’ll eventually meet someone skilled enough to handle advanced networking tasks at the ISP.
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I didn't think of Reddit as a reliable source for information. I've always thought it was just a misleading platform.