RB1200 Getting my internal switch to use my dhcp server without need cable

RouterOS Beginner Basics
1

Hi
I worked somewhat with mikrotik products many years ago, and recently dusted off my RB1200 unit. I have upgraded to ver 6.37.1 (stable).

I have made a dhcp server on one port, which works fine. I also configured a WAN port, again with success.

I am wondering about the internal switch (eth 1 - 5), which I never really needed to use before. And this question is very basic, so I appologize in advance.

(and I have read http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Switch_Chip_Features, and the switch works also fine)

Now to the “dumb” question: How do I make my dhcp server work on the switch ? Right now I just use a cable between the dhcp server port (eth9) and the master switch-port (eth1). But there surely is a way of doing this in winbox, and not need to actually physically connect the two ports with an ethernet cable ? I have tried many different things, but so far only getting this to work with a cable between the ports, as mentioned ?

What am I doing wrong ?

2

You need to add a bridge then add port eth9 and eth1 to the bridge (you can also add the other unused ports if you like). You will also need to move the local IP and dhcp sever to the bridge instead of eth9.

3

thank you, I did try bridging port 9 and 1, but did not move the dhcp server to the bridge… I’ll try that when I get home from work. Thanks for the reply :slight_smile:

EDIT: The reason I didn’t move the dhcp server was that is was already on port 9, so I guess it seemed redundant to me somehow… Anywell, will definitly try this later today (Y)

4

thank you @2frogs… That did the trick :slight_smile:

If you wouldn’t mind 2 follow up questions…

  1. By bridinging like this, I still take full advantage of the wire-speed switching CPU (also on port 1) ?
  2. I now have port 6 and 7 free. Will I deteriorate the performance of the switch (port 1-5) by also adding these ports to the bridge ? I have a couple of units that do not need speed per se, a UPS which only sends and receive snmp packages, and an older outdoor AP (G only) ?

Thank you in advance (Y)

5
  1. Yes, any devices connected to that switch group will have full wire speed.
  2. No. I only use bridging in my home network and see no difference in speed compared to using the switch CPU.
6

Thanks again 2frogs, I really appreciate your help :slight_smile: