Best way to set up the ports on my router. Switch vs Bridging

RouterOS Beginner Basics
1

I’m trying to confirm the best way to set up the port on my router. Switch vs Bridging.

I’ve read that setting up in swith mode is preferable than bridge, but I’m not quite sure if my understanding of the switch commands are correct.

This is how my router is currently set up

ether1 is the wan port
ether2 - ether10 are lan ports

** in the future I will need to add a second wan port and set up load balancing of some sort.


/interace bridge
add name="LAN"
/interface bridge port
add bridge=LAN interface=ether2 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether3 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether4 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether5 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether6 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether7 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether8 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether9 horizon=1
add bridge=LAN interface=ether10 horizon=1
/interface ip
add interface=LAN address=192.168.0.1/24

I assume if I’m going to change it to switch mode, I should use something like this:

/interface ethernet
set ether1 master-port=none
set ether2 master-port=none
set ether3 master-port=ether2
set ether4 master-port=ether2
set ether5 master-port=ether2
set ether6 master-port=ether2
set ether7 master-port=ether2
set ether8 master-port=ether2
set ether9 master-port=ether2
set ether10 master-port=ether2

but I’ve a few questions,

  1. Do I give ether2 the ipaddress 192.168.0.1 (to work as this routers address)
  2. Will all computers connected on the ports ether2-ether10 be connected to the internet via ether1?

Thanks,
B

2
  1. Yes
  2. Ostensibly, yes. It will be as-if they were plugged into ether2.
3

brilliant, thanks.

4

Which device do you own? Many devices have multiple switch groups, for example a RB2011 has one switch on 1-5 and one on 6-10, so you could use switch feature on the particular group but need an additional bridge that connects the two switch groups together.

5

I have the AH1100x2, so I know I’ll have to bridge ether5 and ether6.Unless you know a better way, I’m always keen to learn!!

6

Bridge the masterports. If ether2 and ether5 are your master ports, then bridge them. Probably it does not make any difference but the configuration is more transparent.

7

Ah interesting, the port groups are 1-5 and 6-7. I didn’t think of bridging ether6 with ether2 that makes more sense.