Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Remove LAN interface

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    28 Posts 6 Posters 4.4k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • ?
      A Former User
      last edited by

      Hello - I have a 4 port NIC installed.

      em0 = wan
      em1 = lan
      em2 and em3 = lagg0

      lagg0 interface is used for several vlans.

      I'd like to utilize the second ethernet connection on my modem for a second WAN interface. However, I don't have any ports left.

      Can I delete my lan interface since it's not being utilized? If so, can I change pfsense IP to an unused IP on a vlan?

      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • johnpozJ
        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
        last edited by johnpoz

        Your internet connection is over a gig? The only "modems" I have seen with multiple interfaces is for higher than gig setups. What is the specific make and model of your modem - just curious.

        Pfsense does like its lan - you can rename it, and could move it to your lagg if you want. But the "lan" interface is where it puts the antilock out rule. But sure you could disable the antilock out rule if you want, etc.

        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

        ? 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • ?
          A Former User @johnpoz
          last edited by

          @johnpoz said in Remove LAN interface:

          Your internet connection is over a gig? The only "modems" I have seen with multiple interfaces is for higher than gig setups. What is the specific make and model of your modem - just curious.

          Pfsense does like its lan - you can rename it, and could move it to your lagg if you want. But the "lan" interface is where it puts the antilock out rule. But sure you could disable the antilock out rule if you want, etc.

          Internet connection is 1000/25 and I have the ARRIS Surfboard SB8200. I tested the second ethernet connection and was lucky enough to get an IP assignment. I thought my ISP would prohibit that.

          Anyway, is it as simple as creating another vlan on lagg0 and assigning the LAN to that vlan?

          JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • JKnottJ
            JKnott @A Former User
            last edited by

            @angdigi said in Remove LAN interface:

            I tested the second ethernet connection and was lucky enough to get an IP assignment. I thought my ISP would prohibit that.

            My Hitron modem also supports 2 connections. When I connect a computer to the 2nd port, it gets a public IPv4 & IPv6 addresses. I suppose if I were to connect another pfSense system to it, it would also get a /56 prefix. I use that 2nd connection for testing my firewall & VPN from outside my network.

            PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
            i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
            UniFi AC-Lite access point

            I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • JKnottJ
              JKnott @A Former User
              last edited by JKnott

              @angdigi said in Remove LAN interface:

              I'd like to utilize the second ethernet connection on my modem for a second WAN interface.

              Does pfSense support multiple WAN connections? One thing it does support is assigning priority, for IPv6, on the LAN side, so that you could have more than 1 WAN connection, through more than 1 pfSense system and making one WAN the default.

              PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
              i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
              UniFi AC-Lite access point

              I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • johnpozJ
                johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                last edited by johnpoz

                @JKnott said in Remove LAN interface:

                it gets a public IPv4 & IPv6 addresses.

                So your isp provides you how many IPv4 addresses - because what your saying is I just put a switch on my modem be it 1 port or 2 ports model and now I could get say 100 public IPv4 addresses?

                The activation of the 2nd port would come down to the ISP, and what their config setups on the device. Unless it gives you a 2nd public IPv4 That you want to use for forwarding, or outbound that is different than your 1st IPv4 I don't really see the point there.. You still really only have 1 internet connection. When it comes to ipv6 - they could give you 100,000 IPs doesn't matter since your not natting the IPv6 address.

                Anyway, is it as simple as creating another vlan on lagg0 and assigning the LAN to that vlan?

                Yup!

                This frees up the physical interface - bobs your uncle.

                An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                JKnottJ ? 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • JKnottJ
                  JKnott @johnpoz
                  last edited by

                  @johnpoz said in Remove LAN interface:

                  So your isp provides you how many IPv4 addresses - because what your saying is I just put a switch on my modem be it 1 port or 2 ports model and now I could get say 100 public IPv4 addresses?

                  The modem already has a switch, like most. When used in gateway mode, there are the usual 4 ports available. In bridge mode, it provides 2 addresses, as I mentioned. It doesn't matter which 2 of the 4 ports are used. So, I can have 2 addresses on both IPv4 and IPv6. In gateway mode, I get a single /64. In bridge, a /56 prefix through pfSense. I haven't tried getting 2 /56s, but I expect that would work too.

                  PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                  i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                  UniFi AC-Lite access point

                  I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • johnpozJ
                    johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                    last edited by johnpoz

                    @JKnott said in Remove LAN interface:

                    The modem already has a switch, like most.

                    No not like most.. If your talking a gateway device then sure... But "MODEMS" normally only have 1 lan side port..

                    There are
                    Modems
                    Routers
                    Gateways - a gateway is a combo modem and router.

                    The 8200 he mentions is a "modem" but it has 2 ethernet interfaces. Some isp don't enable the 2nd interface, etc.

                    What is the make and model of your device?

                    An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                    If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                    Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                    SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                    JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • ?
                      A Former User @johnpoz
                      last edited by

                      The activation of the 2nd port would come down to the ISP, and what their config setups on the device. Unless it gives you a 2nd public IPv4 That you want to use for forwarding, or outbound that is different than your 1st IPv4 I don't really see the point there.

                      Forwarding is exactly what I want t use it for. Now I can have two reverse proxies, one of them being in a true DMZ, along with other services, and keep it separate from the rest of my network.

                      Anyway, is it as simple as creating another vlan on lagg0 and assigning the LAN to that vlan?

                      Yup!

                      This frees up the physical interface - bobs your uncle.

                      Awesome. So pfsense will retain the default 192.168.1.1 address. Can you think of any other implications? I have a Unifi controller managing a few APs and managed switch. I suppose I'll need to add the new VLAN in the controller, otherwise nothing will be able to talk to pfsense...

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • JKnottJ
                        JKnott @johnpoz
                        last edited by

                        @johnpoz said in Remove LAN interface:

                        What is the make and model of your device?

                        Hitron CGN3ACSMR. As mentioned, it can be configured in gateway or bridge modes. Mine's in bridge. It's been years since I've had a plain modem. Also, while it is a gateway device, the ISP calls it a modem, as do many others.

                        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                        UniFi AC-Lite access point

                        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • ?
                          A Former User
                          last edited by

                          So, just wanted to report back that I created a vlan on lagg0 and assigned the LAN interface to that vlan. All seems OK.

                          However, the extra nic on the modem is now plugged into em1 but does not seem to be getting an IP, which I don't understand because when I plugged my laptop into that extra nic it did get an IP.

                          Status->gateways just says pending for the new WAN interface

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            Might be locked to the laptop MAC address.

                            Could be it was never supposed to happen and the second port is not intended to be used.

                            Steve

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • johnpozJ
                              johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                              last edited by

                              Yeah... maybe your laptop had a rfc1918 address? 192.168.100 is common for modems to hand out.

                              Also as mentioned you almost always have to reboot a cable modem when you change the device connected to it.. To release the mac pairing.

                              An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                              If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                              Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                              SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • ?
                                A Former User
                                last edited by

                                It was locked to the laptop MAC. I spoofed the interface with the MAC and it obtained an IP.

                                Connection doesn't seem stable though. I can't route traffic out the new WAN gateway. Also, the interface bounces between up and down frequently.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • johnpozJ
                                  johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                  last edited by

                                  Have you actually validated with your ISP that you should get and be able to use a 2nd IPv4 address on this interface.. I find it highly unlikely that ISPs would just let users have a 2nd IP without the user paying for it at min.

                                  Are you paying for more than 1 IPv4 address?

                                  An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                  If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                  Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                  SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                                  JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • ?
                                    A Former User
                                    last edited by

                                    I called a few times and each person had a different answer. First it was only one IP address per modem, then it was we don't offer the service of adding a second IP anymore, finally it was we don't lock ports on customer provided modems. That's when I tried with a laptop.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • JKnottJ
                                      JKnott @johnpoz
                                      last edited by

                                      @johnpoz said in Remove LAN interface:

                                      Have you actually validated with your ISP that you should get and be able to use a 2nd IPv4 address on this interface.. I find it highly unlikely that ISPs would just let users have a 2nd IP without the user paying for it at min.

                                      I read about it on a my ISP's user forum, which is moderated by some employees. I am not paying extra for the 2nd address.

                                      PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                                      i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                                      UniFi AC-Lite access point

                                      I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • johnpozJ
                                        johnpoz LAYER 8 Global Moderator
                                        last edited by johnpoz

                                        And are you on the same ISP as the OP?

                                        That your ISP doesn't charge for extra IPs is nice for you - they are leaving money on the table ;) More then likely they don't even know its happening and have just not locked it down yet ;)

                                        Are you on a business line, that an ISP would hand out multiiple IPv4 in this day and age of shortages seems like really bad business practice if you ask me.

                                        That 2nd IP could be used to support another customer, or at min get more money from you per month.. If they just have IPs sitting there unused... But to hand them out for free, they should prob fire their business model guy ;)

                                        An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools
                                        If you get confused: Listen to the Music Play
                                        Please don't Chat/PM me for help, unless mod related
                                        SG-4860 24.11 | Lab VMs 2.8, 24.11

                                        JKnottJ ? 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • JKnottJ
                                          JKnott @johnpoz
                                          last edited by JKnott

                                          @johnpoz said in Remove LAN interface:

                                          Are you on a business line

                                          No, just a plain residential account. However, I generally don't use the 2nd address, other than for occasional testing.

                                          PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                                          i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                                          UniFi AC-Lite access point

                                          I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • ?
                                            A Former User @johnpoz
                                            last edited by

                                            @johnpoz

                                            My ISP used to offer the service of a 2nd IP but now they don't. Yet they don't lock down customer modems with multiple ports.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.