OpenWrt Router Setup Guide Options | Generated by AI

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Important: Since the router runs OpenWrt, you have two configuration options:

Option 1: Router as Simple Client (Recommended)

Keep OpenWrt’s br-lan as is (bridge of LAN ports + WiFi). Configure its WAN interface to get DHCP from your laptop:

1. On OpenWrt:

• Go to Network → Interfaces
• Edit WAN interface (or create new one)
• Protocol: DHCP client
• Physical interface: The port connected to your laptop’s USB Ethernet

1. Result:

Laptop (192.168.201.1) → DHCP → OpenWrt WAN → OpenWrt LAN/WiFi devices

• OpenWrt gets IP like 192.168.201.50 from your laptop
• OpenWrt NATs traffic for its LAN devices
• All traffic routes through Clash proxy

Option 2: Router as Switch/Bridge (Advanced)

Convert OpenWrt to bridge mode, making your laptop handle all routing/DHCP:

1. On OpenWrt:

• Disable DHCP server on OpenWrt
• Add USB-connected port to br-lan bridge
• Set OpenWrt LAN IP to static 192.168.201.2 (or disable IP entirely)

1. Result:

Laptop (192.168.201.1) → DHCP → All devices (wired+wireless)

• Single subnet 192.168.201.0/24
• Your laptop handles all routing/DHCP/proxy
• OpenWrt acts as dumb AP/switch

Which to choose?

For testing/quick setup → Option 1

• Minimal OpenWrt changes
• Works with existing OpenWrt config
• Double NAT but fine for proxy testing

For clean network → Option 2

• Single subnet, no double NAT
• All devices directly through Clash
• Requires more OpenWrt reconfiguration

Current recommendation:

Try Option 1 first since it’s simpler. On OpenWrt:

1. Connect USB Ethernet to any LAN port on OpenWrt
2. Log into OpenWrt LuCI (web interface)
3. Network → Interfaces → Edit WAN (or create new)
4. Protocol: DHCP client
5. Device: Select the physical port connected to laptop
6. Firewall: Assign to wan zone
7. Save & Apply

Then connect a device to OpenWrt WiFi/LAN and test curl https://api.ipify.org

Want me to provide exact OpenWrt CLI commands instead of web interface?

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