# VLAN Setup Plan v3 - Safe Mode Approach

**Created:** 2026-01-31
**Status:** PLANNING
**Approach:** Safe Mode with atomic commands for auto-rollback protection

---

## Lessons Learned from Previous Failures

1. **IP on bridge stops working** when VLAN filtering is enabled
2. **Duplicate same IP** on bridge + VLAN interface causes routing confusion
3. **VLAN interface doesn't receive traffic** until VLAN filtering is enabled
4. **Solution**: Use Safe Mode + atomic script execution

---

## Prerequisites

- Router: MikroTik hAP ax³
- Current IP: 192.168.1.1/24 on bridge
- Access: WinBox connected via **MAC address** (not IP!)
- CAPsMAN: Already configured and working

---

## Phase 1: Preparation (No Risk)

### Step 1.1: Backup Current Configuration

```routeros
/system backup save name=before-vlan-v3
/export file=before-vlan-v3
```

Download both files from WinBox → Files.

### Step 1.2: Verify Current State

```routeros
/ip address print
/interface bridge print
/interface bridge port print
/interface bridge vlan print
/ip dhcp-server print
```

**Expected:**
- IP 192.168.1.1/24 on bridge
- VLAN filtering = no
- No bridge VLANs configured

---

## Phase 2: Create VLAN Infrastructure (Safe - No Filtering Yet)

### Step 2.1: Create VLAN 40 Interface

```routeros
/interface vlan add interface=bridge name=vlan40-catchall vlan-id=40
```

**Verify:**
```routeros
/interface vlan print
```

### Step 2.2: Add VLAN 40 to Bridge Table

All LAN ports untagged, bridge tagged (for CPU access):

```routeros
/interface bridge vlan add bridge=bridge vlan-ids=40 tagged=bridge untagged=ether2,ether3,ether4,ether5,wifi1,wifi2
```

**Verify:**
```routeros
/interface bridge vlan print detail
```

### Step 2.3: Set PVID on All LAN Ports

```routeros
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether2] pvid=40
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether3] pvid=40
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether4] pvid=40
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether5] pvid=40
/interface bridge port set [find interface=wifi1] pvid=40
/interface bridge port set [find interface=wifi2] pvid=40
```

**Verify:**
```routeros
/interface bridge port print
```

**Expected:** All ports show PVID=40

### Step 2.4: Add IP to VLAN Interface

This creates a "duplicate" IP temporarily:

```routeros
/ip address add address=192.168.1.1/24 interface=vlan40-catchall comment="VLAN40-Management"
```

**Verify:**
```routeros
/ip address print
```

**Expected:** Two entries for 192.168.1.1 (bridge and vlan40-catchall)

### Step 2.5: Create VLAN40 DHCP Pool (if not exists)

```routeros
/ip pool add name=pool-vlan40 ranges=192.168.1.10-192.168.1.250
```

### Step 2.6: Verify Everything Before Critical Step

```routeros
:put "=== VLAN Interface ==="
/interface vlan print
:put "=== Bridge VLANs ==="
/interface bridge vlan print detail
:put "=== Bridge Ports (check PVID) ==="
/interface bridge port print
:put "=== IP Addresses ==="
/ip address print
:put "=== Ping Test ==="
/ping 8.8.8.8 count=2
```

**STOP HERE if anything is wrong!**

---

## Phase 3: Enable VLAN Filtering (Critical - Use Safe Mode)

### Step 3.1: Enter Safe Mode in WinBox

1. In WinBox, press **Ctrl+X**
2. You'll see "Safe Mode" indicator in title bar
3. All changes will auto-rollback if connection is lost

### Step 3.2: Create the Activation Script

Create a script that does everything atomically:

```routeros
/system script add name=activate-vlan source={
    # Enable VLAN filtering
    /interface bridge set bridge vlan-filtering=yes

    # Move DHCP server to VLAN interface
    /ip dhcp-server set [find name~"defconf"] interface=vlan40-catchall

    # Wait 2 seconds for changes to apply
    :delay 2s

    # Remove duplicate IP from bridge (keep only VLAN interface IP)
    /ip address remove [find interface=bridge and address~"192.168.1.1"]

    :put "VLAN activation complete"
}
```

### Step 3.3: Run the Script (While in Safe Mode!)

```routeros
/system script run activate-vlan
```

### Step 3.4: Verify Immediately

```routeros
/ping 8.8.8.8 count=3
/ip address print
/interface bridge print
```

### Step 3.5: If Everything Works - Exit Safe Mode

Press **Ctrl+X** again to confirm and save changes.

### Step 3.6: If Connection Lost

- Wait up to 10 minutes
- Router will auto-rollback to previous state
- Reconnect via WinBox (MAC address)

---

## Phase 4: Verification

### Step 4.1: Check All Settings

```routeros
:put "=== Bridge VLAN Filtering ==="
/interface bridge print where name=bridge

:put "=== IP Addresses ==="
/ip address print

:put "=== DHCP Server ==="
/ip dhcp-server print

:put "=== Internet Test ==="
/ping 8.8.8.8 count=3
```

**Expected:**
- vlan-filtering=yes on bridge
- IP 192.168.1.1/24 ONLY on vlan40-catchall
- DHCP server on vlan40-catchall
- Internet working

### Step 4.2: Test Client Connectivity

From a device on the network:
1. Disconnect and reconnect WiFi
2. Check if you get IP from 192.168.1.x range
3. Test internet access

---

## Phase 5: Add Additional VLANs (After VLAN40 is Stable)

Wait 24-48 hours to ensure VLAN40 is stable before adding more VLANs.

### VLAN Overview

| VLAN | Name | Subnet | Purpose | Assignment |
|------|------|--------|---------|------------|
| 10 | Management | 192.168.10.0/24 | Infrastructure | Port-based (ether4,5) |
| 20 | Trusted | 192.168.20.0/24 | Family devices | RADIUS |
| 25 | Kids | 192.168.25.0/24 | Kids devices | RADIUS |
| 30 | IoT | 192.168.30.0/24 | Smart home | RADIUS |
| 40 | Catch-All | 192.168.1.0/24 | Default/Unknown | Default |

### Step 5.1: Create VLAN 10 (Management)

```routeros
# Create VLAN interface
/interface vlan add interface=bridge name=vlan10-mgmt vlan-id=10

# Add IP
/ip address add address=192.168.10.1/24 interface=vlan10-mgmt

# Add to bridge VLAN table - ether4/5 untagged for Unraid
/interface bridge vlan add bridge=bridge vlan-ids=10 tagged=bridge untagged=ether4,ether5

# Update PVID on Unraid ports
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether4] pvid=10
/interface bridge port set [find interface=ether5] pvid=10

# Remove ether4/5 from VLAN40
/interface bridge vlan set [find vlan-ids=40] untagged=ether2,ether3,wifi1,wifi2

# Create DHCP for VLAN10
/ip pool add name=pool-vlan10 ranges=192.168.10.100-192.168.10.200
/ip dhcp-server add address-pool=pool-vlan10 interface=vlan10-mgmt name=dhcp-vlan10 disabled=no
/ip dhcp-server network add address=192.168.10.0/24 gateway=192.168.10.1 dns-server=8.8.8.8
```

### Step 5.2: Add Static Leases for VLAN10

```routeros
/ip dhcp-server lease
add address=192.168.10.2 mac-address=18:FD:74:54:3D:BC comment="CAP XL ac" server=dhcp-vlan10
add address=192.168.10.3 mac-address=F4:1E:57:C9:BD:09 comment="CSS326" server=dhcp-vlan10
add address=192.168.10.20 mac-address=A8:B8:E0:02:B6:15 comment="Unraid" server=dhcp-vlan10
```

---

## Rollback Commands

### Emergency: Disable VLAN Filtering

```routeros
/interface bridge set bridge vlan-filtering=no
```

### Full Rollback: Restore Backup

```routeros
/system backup load name=before-vlan-v3
```

### Factory Reset (Last Resort)

Hold reset button while powering on until LEDs flash.

---

## Safe Mode Quick Reference

| Action | WinBox | CLI |
|--------|--------|-----|
| Enter Safe Mode | Ctrl+X | Ctrl+X |
| Exit & Save | Ctrl+X | Ctrl+X |
| Exit & Discard | Close WinBox | Ctrl+D |
| Auto-rollback | ~10 minutes | ~10 minutes |

**Important:** Safe Mode only protects while you're connected. If disconnected, changes rollback automatically.

---

## Checklist Before Enabling VLAN Filtering

- [ ] Backup saved and downloaded
- [ ] WinBox connected via MAC (not IP)
- [ ] VLAN interface created
- [ ] Bridge tagged in VLAN table
- [ ] All ports have correct PVID
- [ ] IP added to VLAN interface
- [ ] Safe Mode entered (Ctrl+X)
- [ ] Ready to run activation script

---

## Troubleshooting

### Lost Connection After Enabling Filtering

1. Wait 10 minutes for Safe Mode rollback
2. If no rollback: Connect via WinBox MAC discovery
3. Run: `/interface bridge set bridge vlan-filtering=no`

### DHCP Not Working

Check DHCP server interface:
```routeros
/ip dhcp-server print
```
Should show `interface=vlan40-catchall`

### Internet Not Working

Check NAT:
```routeros
/ip firewall nat print
```
Should have masquerade rule for WAN.

### Devices Not Getting IP

1. Check bridge VLAN table has ports as untagged
2. Check ports have correct PVID
3. Check DHCP pool has available addresses