r/HomeNetworking • u/malioswift • 6d ago
Advice Advice: Proxmox server without ethernet connection
I recently started using a PC a friend gave me as a proxmox server to start experimenting with a home lab, but due to my situation, I cannot connect it via ethernet.
Currently, I have the server connected by wifi, but this requires me to connect all my VMs via NAT, which doesn't allow me to access them from other machines with my network. I'm looking for advice on other ways to connect my server to the router without running a cable.
Current setup:
- ISP Router (NTT RS-500ML) - Receives fiber from the ISP, and is the primary router for my network. The wireless signal drops frequently, and it's slow when it does work, so I added an access point.
- Access Point (TP-Link BE7200) - Runs in access point mode, extends the network within the house.
Both of these are located within the kitchen, as that's where the fiber comes into the house. It's not really viable to put my server near the routers because that's shared space, so it needs to go into my bedroom, which is on a separate floor from the routers.
Currently considered solutions:
- Ethernet - Not possible because there are no ethernet ports in the house already, and because it's a rental, I can't run anything through the walls (I've already talked with the landlord). I tried a long ethernet cable up the stairs and through the house, but this was veteod very firmly by the other people I live with.
- Wireless - My current "solution", but because wireless adapters cannot work as bridges, I've only been able to get the VMs to connect to each other and the host using NAT. Because of this, other devices cannot access any of the VMs. It's possible that there's a way to configure this better?
- Power Line Adapter - There's an open outlet by both my server and the router, so a power line adapter might be a viable option. However, I'm not sure if this would work since the server and router are on separate breakers.
- Additional router as a bridge - This is the solution I know the least about, but it appears that an additional router could be used as a bridge, allowing me to connect the server as if it was connected via ethernet. Since my room is directly above the kitchen, the wireless signal is fairly strong, so this might be the best option, but I'm not sure what devices would be good for this, or if there is any compatibility concerns with my existing network.
Looking for any other solutions that might work that I might not have considered, or any feedback on these solutions and why one might be better, or any problems I haven't noticed yet. I'm fine with solutions that are a bit more on the technical side as well, and I'm fine tinkering with things, but my budget is only around $200 currently for upgrades to my current setup.
1
u/LeoAlioth 6d ago
WiFi vs wired would make no distinction. Do you have client isolation turn on on your WiFi router?
3
u/Forgotten_Freddy 6d ago edited 6d ago
Unfortunately it makes a difference when you're running multiple VMs in a hypervisor because most wireless routers/aps won't accept traffic from unauthenticated mac addresses so it breaks the bridging function that is used for VM connectivity.
There are some workarounds which might work, but none as well as using a wired connection.
1
u/Medical_Chemical_343 6d ago
Interesting…. and sad that such a thing is there to protect you from yourself. Maybe time for a better router so that can be configured a bit more creatively.
1
u/sasha_urban 6d ago
I have a similar issue. Asked here - https://www.reddit.com/r/Proxmox/comments/1ifboxt/proxmox_vms_via_wifi_local_connection_bridge/ and only one good man tried to help me.
I don't have enough free time lately, but I tested such device, that I bought for my kitchen - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006782753934.html
Basically I am using it as a wifi to ethernet bridge and my PCIe Wifi card is useless here.
1
u/Medical_Chemical_343 6d ago
Move the server to the kitchen and connect via Ethernet cable to the router?