Can't figure out wired connection with Opal

Erkhamion · February 24, 2024, 5:18pm

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently acquired an Opal which I updated to 4.3.7.
My setup prior to this, was a ZTE H288A (ISP provided) with DCHP deactivated and a RPi with PiHole and WireGuard installed, playing the role of DNS and DCHP server. WireGuard was used only for connecting to the RPi when away from home.
I connected the Opal WAN port to a LAN port in the ZTE, I enabled Drop-in Gateway and setup PiHoles DCHP Router Address to mach that of Opals. All my Ethernet devices are connected to the ZTE.
My problem is that although Wi-Fi connection is working just fine, it doesn’t happen the same with Ethernet. In order for my Ethernet devices to connect to the Internet, I have to set up static IPs with the ZTE as default gateway and the RPi as DNS. I can’t set up DHCP no matter what.
What am I doing wrong here?

Thank you in advance

SpitzAX3000 · February 24, 2024, 5:35pm

Did you mean Pi-hole’s DHCP Server (not a Router) instead?

Instead of setting your PiHoles address to match the Opals, set DHCP Gateway under NETWORK → LAN to your PiHoles.

Erkhamion · February 24, 2024, 6:24pm

Exactly that is what I mean. That is what I’ve got as a message in order for the Drop-in Gateway to work.

In Opal under Network → LAN I see the default settings used for the private and guest network in Wi-fi

SpitzAX3000 · February 24, 2024, 6:56pm

In the drop-in settings, do not inser the PiHoles IP if it is not installed on your main router. These settings are only for the Main upstream router.

I think the PiHoles DNS server IP should be set in your 2nd screenshot: DHCP Gateway.

Erkhamion · February 24, 2024, 9:53pm

Thank you for the time and effort!

Update:

In the Drop-in Gateway and DNS Server I’ve put in the ZTEs IP (ISP main Router) . Now, when I set up DHCP in an Ethernet device, ipconfig shows the Opals IP as DHCP and DNS. The given IP is from the from PiHole pool range. I tried to set PiHoles IP as DHCP Gateway in LAN-Private Network (2nd screenshot), as per your suggestion, but I’ve lost internet connectivity. Since it is optional, I’ve deleted it.

Now, I have internet connection in my Ethernet devices using DHCP, but I have serious doubts about the setup being correct. I’m puzzled by the settings in my 2nd screenshot, they seem to have an effect only on the Wi-fi connected devices (my phone sees 192.168.8.1 as router and acquires an IP from the 192.168.8.100-249 pool. So, there is the PiHole DHCP server for Ethernet and Opal DCHP server for Wi-fi?

One thing more that bothers me is, that it seem like having Drop-in activated, renders VPN unusable vor the Ethernet clients. I guess I have to find a way to set things up without using Drop-in.

SpitzAX3000 · February 24, 2024, 10:18pm

That’s what I was about to suggest to you! In fact the drop in feature is not flexible to all configuration scenarios.

Erkhamion · February 24, 2024, 10:46pm

I’ve realized that! But I see that it might not be possible from the Admin Panel. And if I need to dive into Luci, I’m afraid it’s gonna be a big mess

SpitzAX3000 · February 24, 2024, 11:05pm

don’t be afraid! Tinker around till you got it!

Erkhamion · February 25, 2024, 7:06am

I’d normally would, but it’s not easy when you know that your family will come after you and will lynch you if there’s no internet at home for 1 minute!

SpitzAX3000 · February 25, 2024, 9:59am

Then you can use the drop-in gateway feature but with installing PiHole on the gl device and use it instead of dnsmasq. Or just use ADGuard if you don’t really need the functionality of PiHole.

Erkhamion · February 25, 2024, 10:19am

Thank you for the suggestions.

From what I read, Adguard is not compatible with Opal, and after searching abit I found several mentions in Forums regarding installing PiHole in OpenWRT or DD-WRT but none successful.
Having a RPi PiHole server isn’t bothering me. The reason I want to ditch Drop-in Gateway is this:

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I’d love to be able to use VPN also with my Ethernet Clients not only with Wi-fi.
But this is a subject for a new topic, I guess! Until now, I wasn’t able to find a way to do this.

Thank you again for your time a patience SpitzAX3000

admon · February 25, 2024, 10:42am

I’m running AGH on my Opal - where did you read it’s incompatible?
You can’t have that much block lists, indeed. But it’s working.

Erkhamion · February 25, 2024, 10:48am

Hi admon!

In AdGuards Home Page:

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Opal is not supported. It’s not “incompatible” per se but it gives the “do not install” vibe.