A switch with port activation/de-activation button? Must use only 1 one 2 router with ISP

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Setup:

  • ONT (fiber optic) from ISP
  • 2 routers

This is a unique situation where only one router can be connected at a time to the ISP. There can be no central router to connect all devices. Again, only one router at a time can be connected. ISP can provide only one IP address.

Both routers can be plugged into a switch that can be plugged into ONT, but both routers cannot be active at the same time (or else there is a conflict, even if both routers are assigned the same spoofed MAC address). Turning routers on/off and/or unplugging Ethernet cables leads to needless wear-and-tear. A simple unmanaged switch with physical buttons that activate/de-activate specific ports can do the trick, but is there a name to such a switch type? Can someone provide a recommendation (MikroTik or not)?

Are there any other non-routing devices that can keep 2 routers connected to ISP ONT and have them both function? I don't think that it is possible...

2

Put an additional router in front of both to split the traffic to them.

What are other constraints according public IP?

3

What about a non-switch, i.e. an actual switch?
Like:
https://www.amazon.com/MOGOOD-Ethernet-Bidirectional-Isolation-Compatible/dp/B0G48TP86D

Multi-port ones with remote access do exist, but they are not actually cheap.
Example:
https://www.vpi.us/network-devices/gigabit-ethernet-switch-1044

4

Perfect! Exactly what I needed! Thank you!

5

Good :slightly_smiling_face:, that said, a manual switch is a good thing to avoid RJ45 connectors wear, but it remains somewhat "caveman style", maybe it would be smarter to use a Mikrotik device in the middle, the "mode" button can be used to activate or deactivate via script the interfaces, the user led could be used to mean "off"= port A active "on"= Port B active.
This way the function is both "local/manual" and "remote".

6

I think I would use a back to back RJ45 socket at a cost of little more than a Euro, Pound or Dollar. Yes, there will be wear on this coupler and the cables going into it, but these could be changed quite cheaply and you would leverage the wear on fixed sockets in routers or switches by a factor of possibly 1000 or more.