To enable communication between two subnets using a Huawei EG8145V5 and a Xiaomi AX3000, configure the Xiaomi as a secondary router in LAN-to-LAN mode. Assign the Xiaomi a static IP on the main subnet, disable its DHCP server, and connect via LAN ports to bridge the networks while maintaining distinct routing tables.
Understanding the Network Topology
When connecting two routers from different manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi, the goal is often to extend Wi-Fi coverage or create separate network segments without losing connectivity. The default setup usually involves connecting the WAN port of the secondary router to the LAN port of the primary router. However, this creates double NAT, which isolates devices on the secondary network from those on the primary network.
To allow direct communication between devices on both subnets, you must avoid Double NAT. This requires treating the Xiaomi AX3000 not as a standalone gateway, but as an access point with routing capabilities. By configuring the LAN interfaces directly, you ensure that all devices receive IP addresses from the same DHCP pool (managed by the Huawei) and can see each other regardless of which physical router they are connected to.
Why Standard WAN Configuration Fails for Subnet Communication
In a standard WAN-to-LAN configuration, the Huawei EG8145V5 assigns a private IP range to the Xiaomi’s WAN interface. The Xiaomi then creates its own subnet behind it. Traffic originating from the Xiaomi’s LAN cannot easily reach the Huawei’s LAN because the routing tables do not share knowledge of each other’s internal ranges. This isolation is useful for security but problematic when you need file sharing, printer access, or local streaming between the two groups of devices.
Configuring the Xiaomi AX3000
The first step is to prepare the Xiaomi AX3000 before connecting it to the live network. You should perform these steps while the Xiaomi is disconnected from the Huawei router to prevent IP conflicts during the initial setup.
- Access the Admin Interface: Connect a computer directly to one of the LAN ports of the Xiaomi AX3000. Open a browser and navigate to the default management address, typically
192.168.31.1. Log in with your administrator credentials. - Change the LAN IP Address: Navigate to the Network Settings or LAN settings section. Change the IP address to an unused address within the Huawei’s subnet. For example, if the Huawei uses
192.168.1.x, set the Xiaomi to192.168.1.2. Ensure the subnet mask matches the primary router (usually255.255.255.0). Save the changes and log back in using the new IP address. - Disable DHCP Server: Go to the DHCP settings menu and turn off the DHCP server function. This is critical. If the Xiaomi still hands out IPs, devices will have incorrect gateway and DNS settings, leading to connectivity issues. The Huawei EG8145V5 will remain the sole source of IP addresses.
- Configure Wireless Settings: Set up your desired SSID and password. You can use the same name and password as the Huawei network for seamless roaming, or a different name if you prefer to manually select which router to join.
By disabling DHCP and assigning a static IP on the main subnet, the Xiaomi becomes a transparent bridge for traffic routing, allowing devices on both sides to communicate as if they were on the same switch.
Physical Connection and Final Setup
Once the Xiaomi AX3000 is configured, you need to connect it to the Huawei EG8145V5 correctly. Do not use the WAN (Internet) port on the Xiaomi. Instead, use any available LAN port on the Xiaomi.
- Take an Ethernet cable and plug one end into a LAN port on the Huawei EG8145V5.
- Plug the other end into a LAN port on the Xiaomi AX3000.
This LAN-to-LAN connection ensures that the data frames enter the Xiaomi’s switch fabric rather than going through its router processor for NAT translation. Devices connected to the Xiaomi will now request IP addresses from the Huawei, and their traffic will be routed based on the Huawei’s routing table.
Verifying Connectivity
After the physical connection is established, test the communication. Connect a device to the Xiaomi’s Wi-Fi or LAN port and try to ping an IP address on the Huawei’s network. Conversely, try to access a shared folder on a Huawei-connected device from a Xiaomi-connected device. If successful, you have achieved subnet bridging.
If you encounter issues, verify that the IP address assigned to the Xiaomi does not conflict with another device. Also, check that no firewall rules on the Huawei EG8145V5 are blocking incoming connections from the newly added subnet segment, although since they are on the same logical subnet, basic ICMP and SMB traffic should pass freely.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with correct configuration, users may face intermittent connectivity problems. One common cause is IP address exhaustion. Since the DHCP server is centralized on the Huawei, ensure its pool is large enough to cover all devices across both routers. Another issue arises if the Xiaomi’s firmware updates reset the DHCP setting. It is advisable to note down your configuration changes so you can reapply them if necessary.
For more advanced routing needs, such as directing specific traffic flows, you might explore how NAT rules affect cross-computer traffic, as detailed in our guide on How Do NAT Rules on One Computer Affect Traffic on Another?. Additionally, if you find that the single ISP modem cannot handle the load of multiple upstream connections, consider reviewing strategies for Setting Up Multiple Upstream Routers: A Comprehensive Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the WAN port on the Xiaomi for better security?
Using the WAN port creates a separate subnet and enables Double NAT, which isolates devices from each other. While this improves security segmentation, it prevents direct communication like file sharing or printer access between the two networks. For full interoperability, LAN-to-LAN is required.
What happens if I forget to disable DHCP on the Xiaomi?
If DHCP remains enabled, the Xiaomi will assign IP addresses that point to itself as the gateway. Devices will lose internet access because the Xiaomi does not have a route to the internet unless properly configured for NAT. They also risk IP conflicts if the Huawei tries to assign the same address.
Does this setup support IPv6?
Yes, provided both the Huawei EG8145V5 and the Xiaomi AX3000 support IPv6 and have it enabled in their respective settings. The LAN-to-LAN connection will pass IPv6 prefixes transparently, allowing devices on both sides to obtain global IPv6 addresses directly from the ISP.
How do I manage the Xiaomi router after disabling DHCP?
You can still access the admin interface by entering the static IP address you assigned earlier (e.g., 192.168.1.2) into a web browser. Ensure your computer is on the same subnet to reach this address. This allows you to update firmware or change Wi-Fi settings at any time.
Will this configuration work with other Xiaomi models?
Most modern Xiaomi routers follow similar logic for disabling DHCP and changing LAN IPs. However, menu names may vary slightly between firmware versions. Always look for the "DHCP Server" toggle in the Network settings and ensure the LAN IP is outside the DHCP lease range of the main router.
Is there a risk of IP conflicts in this setup?
Risks are minimal if you assign the Xiaomi a static IP that is outside the DHCP pool range of the Huawei. For instance, if the Huawei DHCP range is 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, setting the Xiaomi to 192.168.1.2 avoids overlap. Always document these assignments to prevent future conflicts.