Unusual network configuration – trying to grasp its functionality
Unusual network configuration – trying to grasp its functionality
She wanted to get a game, but discovered it would take close to five hours at 4GB size! Her older brother mentioned that 5Mbit speeds weren’t standard back in 2020. We shared the same internet provider. I checked the router—it was a budget TP Link model, but there were some issues. The device wasn’t linked to the WAN port; instead, it had a single cable from the roof (connecting the wireless AP to the ISP) to a LAN port. Trying to connect the cable to the WAN port stopped the internet, though the Wi-Fi still worked. Connecting to other LAN ports functioned fine. I also accessed the router’s admin panel, which returned a “refused to connect” error when checking the default gateway. This suggested either IP/MAC restrictions or that the GUI was disabled, requiring a different tool like telnet. I used a mobile app to scan the network and saw the router listed as a Mikrotik device, hinting it might have been flashed with custom firmware. It’s strange since her brother stayed silent and seemed to be limiting bandwidth for himself, but I suspect he did. What are your thoughts? Are there steps you could try or details I missed? This configuration is unusual—not just because the internet cable isn’t on the WAN port, but also because the router claims a different brand and can’t be accessed via the admin panel.
If a phone cable is in the wall near the router, you likely don’t need anything in the WAN port since that cable handles data transfer with your ISP. Having no web interface is typical for standard routers offered by your ISP, as it helps prevent accidental changes that could disrupt your internet connection. Mikrotik supports downloading RouterOS, which might explain why someone has adjusted the network settings. The speeds they charge for usually match what you’re seeing.
It was really challenging for me. I struggled a lot because I couldn't figure it out. Everyone else had network problems or wanted to add more APs, but I always managed it quickly—within an hour, even with the cable setup.
It's an extremely old building, almost as if it hasn't seen a phone line for years. They installed a dish on the roof that links to an AP across several kilometers. That AP is tied to the router's LAN port and a PoE adapter, which supplies power directly into the roof cable—something I've verified.
they connected the internet to the electric copper wires for operation, which functions but might explain the slowness. where are you located globally? since mikrotik is based in Latvia, it’s likely that if you’re elsewhere, the issue could stem from someone altering the router.
She doesn’t seem to be taking anything for herself. The 5Mbits connection is extremely slow. I’m having issues with our previous 12Mbits link whenever both of us used it at the same time. It just couldn’t handle it. When one of us streamed 1080p on YouTube, the whole family was cut off from using anything. Can’t they get a better plan? Switching from 12Mbits to 1Gbits only increased our monthly cost by about 30% while doubling the speed. With a new contract, they usually provide a fresh router too.
They share the same ISP but I receive 50Mbit. This provider doesn’t offer clear speed tiers; performance varies by time of day—sometimes 20Mbit, other times 50. If there’s no action taken on the network, why is the router behaving like a Mikrotik device and the interface not accessible?
You're right to question it. The device you found wasn't functioning as a router but rather as a wireless access point connected to a wired network. It was acting as a client on the LAN, generating a wireless SSID while the DHCP server was managed elsewhere.