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What is the WAN port of a router?! Reassigning a WAN port to a LAN port in the router settings

To use a LAN port as a WAN, you don’t have to sit through manuals or flash an ADSL modem, thereby voiding the warranty. Meanwhile, we have a backup channel that can be used for important tasks that do not tolerate network interruptions.

What can this be useful for? It is no secret that providers are suspicious of large traffic generation, especially if it is “mail” (smtp, pop3). Sending SMS messages via the Internet can also fall into the “spam” category. Even if you reboot the router (changing the IP address), it does not guarantee blocking by the provider. Therefore, the second channel will come in handy here.

If you decide to change your provider, switch from Rostelecom to TTK. Both providers currently do not provide equipment for free - you will need an additional router to work with TTK, because... a standard ADSL modem does not have a WAN RJ-45 interface. You have two options - either buy a router, such as DIR 300 or 620, or reconfigure one of the four LAN ports in the WAN direction. Our method is different in that we will not use special firmware, like DD-WRT or OpenWRT, but will perform all actions on standard firmware (using the example of Dlink 2640 nru)

Old firmware

Go to the modem settings. At 192.168.1.1. Finding the point "Additionally" and choose "Interface Grouping". In point Ethernet WAN Port put a dot on the port that we want to use for the WAN connection, for example, LAN1:

For some modems, the top menu is in the left column - they are identical:

Now you need to configure this WAN port. Let's say your provider uses PPPoE authorization (by login and password). This is how it works, for example: TTK. To do this, go to the “Network” tab and select “WAN”. Click the “Add” button:

Name- WAN PPPoE
Connection type- PPPoE
Physical interface- LAN1
PPP username- Here write your login for Internet access
Without authorization - the checkbox should NOT be checked
Password- your password for Internet access
Password confirmation- repeat the password
MTU - 1492

The rest of the settings remain default!

Now plug your ethernet cable into LAN1 and you’re good to go.

New firmware

Switch the wire from the modem to the computer to LAN2 before starting the settings!. Let's go to Advanced settings:

Below (scroll with your mouse if it’s not visible) in the menu, put a tick on the item “Make it a WAN”:

Write all questions in the comments.

And during its installation, each of us dealt with LAN and WAN connectors. They are intended for different purposes, but are used together, which often leads to confusion. Let's figure out what they are and what the difference is between them.

The Internet cable is connected through the WAN socket, and local devices are connected through the LAN.

What is LAN

This type of connection will allow you to combine a certain number of computers located at a short distance from each other into a local environment.

When purchasing a router, you may notice on the back of it there are four identical sockets of the same type. All of them are created with the purpose of connecting several PCs to one access point.

A LAN port is needed if you want to create a group to connect all the equipment inside the house to the Internet. Thus, it is possible to create a network that will cover an area of ​​​​a couple of kilometers, for which they buy a cable with high bandwidth.

What is WAN

Using this type of connection, an external network is created, which represents a large number of groups and users, regardless of their location. The main difference is that the previous format is intended for internal connection of several PCs, and this type of connection is external.

There are many global networks, but the most famous and frequently used is the World Wide Web. This is what most clients prefer at different distances, since it is not limited geographically and is created using telephone wires and more modern technologies.

You probably saw a WAN type connector when purchasing and installing a router - a cable from the provider is connected to it. The joint operation of both ports is that one of them transmits a signal, which is then distributed to devices connected to the router.

Technical points

The main differences between these formats:

  • The first type helps to create an internal network; WAN is used to connect users globally.
  • A local group has a limit on the number of clients and territory, a global group does not.
  • The ports have different data transfer protocols - Ethernet and 802.11 for local and PPP, HDLC, Frame Relay for external.

The Internet is an indispensable condition for the comfortable existence of absolutely every modern person. Today you can work, shop, chat with friends and watch TV online. It is almost impossible to find a person who does not need the Internet. Moreover, more and more people are giving up watching landline TV in favor of network broadcasts.

To connect to the Internet, routers or network routers are most often used, which allow you to enjoy all the benefits of Wi-Fi. However, in this regard, users quite often have questions: “WAN - what is it? How to configure it? What is it for?” Let's consider these points in detail.

WAN: what is it?

This is a solution that is widely used when connecting routers or routers to the Internet. If the equipment is configured correctly, communication will be high-quality and reliable.

The abbreviation itself means what is translated as “global computer network”. A WAN connector is also often called an Ethernet port. He is responsible for connecting to an external computer network.

If you look at the back of the router, it will have from 3 to 10 connectors. Several of them are labeled LAN, and only one is labeled Internet or WAN. Experienced computer geeks also call this port UpLink.

However, it is worth understanding not only the question “WAN - what is it?”, but also how it differs from other connectors. After all, outwardly they all look absolutely identical.

How WAN differs from LAN

As mentioned above, the ports are very similar in appearance, so it is easy to confuse them. However, if you plug the Internet cable into the LAN connector, absolutely nothing will happen. The fact is that this port is intended for creating a local network. That is, if there are several computers in one apartment and they need to be combined, then LAN is used. It allows you to access open folders and quickly transfer information from one device to another.

To access the Internet directly, you need to connect to a global network, that is, to a WAN. This is the only way to enjoy all the benefits of online shopping and communicating with friends from any corner of the planet.

Thus, it becomes obvious that these are in no way interconnected. The Internet is often called the largest WAN network. This is why very often routers have the abbreviation Internet. This helps users not to miss the connector and start using the Internet without unnecessary problems.

So, with the question "WAN - what is it?" We figured it out, now it’s time to look at setting up the connection. If you don’t want to delve into all the intricacies of the router interface, you can call your Internet provider and ask a consultant to explain the sequence of actions. But in fact, not everything is as complicated as it might seem at first glance.

Connection

Let's take a closer look at the WAN settings. First of all, you need to connect the router to the network. To do this, use a regular network cable that comes with the router. After this you need:

  • Connect one end of the cable (usually blue) to the router (LAN connector), and the other to a laptop or PC network card.
  • Turn on the devices and wait until the computer boots up completely.
  • Open any Internet browser window and enter the IP address of the router in the address bar. To find out, just check the router model. Also, the required address is often indicated on the packaging with the router. If the data is nowhere to be found, then you need to look at the manual for the router.
  • Press the Enter key.
  • Wait for the page to load.

After this, you need to perform a few more manipulations to connect the WAN.

Settings in the browser

To start using a wireless network, you must complete the following steps:

  • Enter the login and password for the router (most often “admin” and “1234”).
  • Login to devices.
  • Open WAN menu. If there is no such inscription, then find Setup.
  • Fill in all fields. All necessary data is clarified with the provider, sometimes they can be found in the contract itself.
  • Specify the data transfer type L2TP or PPTP.
  • Create a password and name for the router.
  • Select the type of encryption (optional).
  • Enter the access point address.
  • Select "Automatically obtain DNS address".

Updating settings

If necessary, you can activate the firewall in the same menu. To do this, just check the appropriate box. Next, click the “Save” button and wait until the updates are downloaded.

After this, you can remove the LAN cable. It's better to restart your computer. Now you can connect the Internet cable to the WAN port on the router and find a wireless network on your computer. At the next stage, just enter the password for the router and start using the Internet.

Some routers have WAN miniport ports. They are designed for high-speed Internet. Today, only some providers provide such a service (for example, Rostelecom).

Internet connection interfaces are connectors that are located on the back of the router and on the side of the laptop or on the back of the system unit. Using these connectors, the computer and router can exchange data with each other and other devices they are connected to.

The interface for connecting to the global web is divided into two types: LAN and WAN. Let's look at both.

What is LAN

LAN is an abbreviation and in English it sounds like local area network. Translated, it means local network. Using this connector, all computers, televisions, and other devices that are located in any organization or even at home are connected.

On the router Depending on the variety, you can most often find 4 or 8 ethernet LAN ports. All of them are marked in yellow or any other color and numbered.

On some routers or switches, such interfaces may be a lot more, since devices are used to connect a large number of computers, for example, as in the picture below:

Routers connect all devices into a single local web, most often via a UTP or FTP LAN cable. UTP marking means that the cable is not shielded, and in the case of FTP, shielding is common to all 4 pairs. In principle, there is no large interference in houses that would dampen the transmission of information. This type of cable is also called twisted pair. It consists of four pairs of multi-colored wires through which information is transmitted and received. They are connected to the port in a certain sequence via an RG45 connector.

What is WAN

WAN is also an acronym. Sounds like a wide area network. Translated means global web. This interface provides an Internet connection for all devices on the local area or one computer. To connect to it, RG 45 connectors and corresponding connectors are also used. It connects to the router via a blue WAN port (sometimes another one, with the appropriate label) from the provider’s router.

To connect the router to the global web, the same cable is used - twisted pair UTP or FTP. There are several wire markings: FFTP, STP, SSTP. They all differ in the degree of shielding. It is worth noting that UTP is used quite rarely here.

In addition, there is such a thing as WWAN, which is essentially the same as VAN, but wireless cellular technologies are used to transmit information. The same goes for WLAN and WMAN.

What's the difference between WAN and LAN?

First of all, the difference between a local and a worldwide network is topology. For local it is peer to peer (translation equal to equal, usually without a server), for global it is client-server. To create a LAN network you do not need to purchase expensive equipment. A few computers and a router are enough. Transmission speed The local one always has more than the global one. But the geographical coverage of the global one is greater.

Depending on where the device is installed, the VAN and LAN may be assigned a different address. If we take a home router as an example, then WAN is assigned a global or external IP from the user’s point of view, and LAN is assigned internal or local.

From point of view security WAN is inferior to LAN. The printer can be shared on a local network. A web covering only local devices also has a limitation by the number of connections, while the wide area network has no such restrictions.

What is MAN

MAN is a network of a large city or metropolitan area network. Possesses high speed connection unlike the worldwide one. It differs from the first two in that it connects devices located in different buildings. Of course, it is smaller than the global web, but larger than the local network.

Distance The area that this grid covers ranges from one to ten kilometers. The diameter of such a grid can range from 5 to 50 kilometers. MAN is not owned by one company, but usually includes several groups or providers who pay for the equipment.

Today we will talk about what the WAN port of a router is. How to configure a WAN port? How is it different from a LAN port? Let's try to figure it out... This solution is actively used to connect routers and routers to the Internet. Stable operation of the equipment can be ensured by the correct channel configuration.


Sequencing

Let's look at the WAN port settings. First of all, you need to connect the router to the network. Using a network cable, which is usually included in the kit, you need to connect the LAN port of the router to the network card of a laptop or desktop computer. After this, you can turn on both devices. Wait until your PC finishes booting. Now open the Internet browser window. Here you will need to enter the IP address of your router. You can find out the meaning of the IP address in the operating manual. After that, press the Enter button. The WEB interface of the equipment will begin loading. When it completes, you will need to perform some actions in the browser.

Working with an Internet Browser

To configure the WAN port, you will need to enter your login and password. This will allow you to access the router settings. Open the WAN menu. In some cases it may also be called Setup or Internet. Here you will need to fill in all the fields of the proposed table. Select the data transfer protocol type, such as L2TP or PPTP.

Specify the encryption type. This is necessary if your provider supports this feature. Enter the IP of the Internet server or access point. Fill in the “Login” and “Password” fields. This information can be obtained from your Internet service provider. Check the box next to the item used to automatically obtain the DNS server address. If you need to enter a static IP address for the router, you need to fill in the Static IP column.

Saving settings

To activate the DHCP, NAT and Firewall functions, you need to check the boxes next to the corresponding items. You may not use some parameters if you do not plan to connect more than one PC to the equipment. In order to configure the WNA port, you need to click “Save”. After this, reboot your router. For this purpose, you can use a special function in the menu or simply restart the device. After this, connect the cable from your provider to the WAN port and check the functionality of the device. Now you can launch the browser and open several pages in it.

What is the difference?

Well, we've sorted out the setup. Now let's check the difference between a WAN port and a LAN port. Typically, a router has one port of the first type and several ports of the second type. They look exactly the same. To ensure correct operation of the device, it is important not to confuse these two types of ports. WAN refers to a connection to a wide area network that spans many computer systems around the world, while LAN refers to a regular local connection that includes multiple personal computers.

So the difference between these two ports is the purpose. WAN is used to connect to an external network. Its participants interact with each other taking into account the speed of information transfer. The Internet is by far the most famous WAN network. It is for this reason that on routers today you can often find a port with such an abbreviation. The LAN port is used to connect to the local network. When using a LAN connection, a direct topology is used. The WAN network is built on a mixed hierarchical topology. These channels also differ in the data transfer protocols used.