Bridge Interface Question

wirepro · Nov 12, 2018, 3:12 AM

I want to buy a Mini PCIe LTE Modem and bridge the LTE to a ethernet port. I have a public static IP that gets assigned from the carrier. With that one static IP that is being bridged to the ethernet port, can i access the pfsense remotely, or I because its being bridged i wont be able to access pfsense.

stephenw10 · Nov 12, 2018, 3:31 AM

Yes you could access pfSense on the bridged IP but there are a number of caveats there.

You can only bridge similar interfaces types so you would need a card that presents as an Ethernet device. You could not bridge to a PPP connection.
You provider would have to give you public static address (seems likely). Many mobile carriers use CGN which would prevent you connecting inbound.

Honestly it will be much easier to use an external LTE modem. For example:
http://www.netgear.co.uk/home/products/mobile-broadband/lte-modems/LB1110.aspx

Steve

wirepro · Nov 12, 2018, 3:40 AM

yes we are currently using that. But trying to minimize the number of devices. Carrier is giving us a public ipv4 address, so no CGN here.
Currently we are using netgear LB1120.

So what miniPCIe LTE cards presents as an ethernet device. I thought all of them would. But how would I bridge it and be able to access pfsense box remotely for management.

I want to see if they can give me two static IPs, i am sure i can make it work that way.

stephenw10 · Nov 12, 2018, 1:21 PM

Not sure what PCIe devices might allow that. I've only ever used PPP with those.

Why do you want to bridge this though? If you only have one public IP I'm not sure why you would. You could use that IP on the bridge interface and be able to access pfSense that way but then there seem little point in bridging.
If you use the public IP on some downstream device you wouldn't be able to access pfSense without going through that device somehow.
There is also the fact that most "modems" will want to use the IP themselves and run in router mode.

Steve