How to configure a LAN network on Omada Gateway: Normal vs. Bridge Mode

Contents

Objective

This article explains the differences between normal and bridge modes for LAN network on Omada gateways and how to configure these modes via the standalone web interface and the Omada Controller.

Introduction

You can choose normal mode or bridge mode when setting up a LAN network. The key differences between these modes are:

Normal Mode:
In normal mode, you can assign one VLAN to the interface. For example, you can configure a Layer 3 IP/MASK as 192.168.10.1/24 with VLAN 10. All LAN ports will be added to this VLAN in standalone mode, while only the selected LAN ports will be added in Controller mode. Packets tagged with VLAN 10 can be processed by this Layer 3 interface. For instance, a client sending a DHCP request with VLAN 10 tagging will receive an IP in 192.168.10.x range from the gateway.
Bridge Mode:
In bridge mode, you can assign multiple VLANs to the interface. For example, you can configure a Layer 3 IP/MASK as 192.168.10.1/24 with VLANs 10-19. All LAN ports will be added to VLANs 10-19 in standalone mode, while in Controller mode, only the selected LAN ports will be added. Packets tagged with VLANs 10-19 can be processed by this Layer 3 interface. For instance, a client sending a DHCP request with any VLAN tag from 10-19 will receive an IP in 192.168.10.x range.
Additionally, bridge mode provides VLAN isolation, meaning devices on different VLANs cannot communicate with each other. For example, if PC1 connects through VLAN 10 and PC2 connects through VLAN 11, they won't be able to ping each other due to VLAN isolation. However, this isolation applies only within the same bridge LAN network. For instance, if Bridge LAN Network A includes VLANs 10-19 and Bridge LAN Network B includes VLANs 20-29, PC1 (connected to VLAN 10) and PC2 (connected to VLAN 20) will be able to ping each other.

Via the Web Interface

Step 1. Go to Network > LAN and click Add to create a new LAN network.

The location for creating a new LAN network on the Gateway's web interface in standalone mode.

Step 2. The default mode is set to Normal. Depending on your needs, select either Normal or Bridge mode. Set the VLAN according to the selected mode—one value for Normal mode or multiple values for Bridge mode.

Configuration of LAN network, where you need to set the Mode and VLAN.

Via the Omada Controller

Step 1. Go to Settings > Wired Networks > LAN > Networks and click Create New LAN to add a new LAN network.

The location for creating a new LAN network on the Omada Controller web interface.

Step 2. The default VLAN type is Single (Normal mode), but you can choose Multiple (Bridge mode) based on your needs. Set the VLAN accordingly—one value for Normal mode or multiple values for Bridge mode.

The configuration of LAN network, here need to configure VLAN Type and VLAN.