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Forum Discussion
Marnic
Mar 27, 2026Initiate
GS108E challenges
I'm taking my first steps with a Big Boy network, hoping to set up 4 VLANs behind OpnSense. However, I seem to be stumbling at the fundamental step of getting the switch working. Words of wisdom ...
- Mar 27, 2026
Marnic wrote:
3) Back to Basic 802.1Q VLAN.
a) Create new VLAN 'IoT', tag 10.
b) Set port 6 (the laptop) to this VLAN.
Now I can't even ping the switch!
$ ping 192.168.1.3
PING 192.168.1.3 (192.168.1.3) 56(84) bytes of data.
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=10 Destination Host Unreachable
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=11 Destination Host Unreachable
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=12 Destination Host Unreachable
I... what? Surely setting a VLAN wouldn't lock me out from the management page?On the OPNsense adapter intended for the trunk, all the (four?) VLAN are [T]agged - or is there one VLAN [U]ntagged? In my experience, and here in the community, the majority of such issues are caused by the big, powerful firewall applinaces.
Scratch the Basic Dot1q approach - like this you can either define a port as Access Port [U]ntagged and the matching PVID, or as a Trunk Port (all [T]agged).
I'd suggest to use the advanced VLAN config instead. Properly configure access port #6 for the VLAN 10 as [U] and the PVID is set correct to 10 for the port #6? And on the port for the trunk, you can use one VID [U]ntagged with the appropriate same PVID.
Marnic wrote:
2) 'Communication Error.'
So, then I tried the Advanced VLAN. My steps were :
a) Click 'SWITCHING' -> 'VLAN' -> 'Advanced 802.1Q VLAN' -> 'ACTIVATE MODE', and continue past warning.
b) Click 'APPLY'.
I get a modal 'Advanced 802.1Q VLAN Communication Error.'. Other than a few CSS or JavaScript warnings and errors (all presentational as far as I can tell), there's nothing in the console.
How do I resolve this error? It crops up whenever I click the Apply button, regardless of what config changes I've made.Factory default the GS108E, and restart from scratch, enabling the Advanced mode, ...
Have deployed the current GS308E v1.00.11 firmware?
Using some "exotic" browser, or an industry standard Chrome or Firefox?
schumaku
Mar 27, 2026Guru - Experienced User
Marnic wrote:3) Back to Basic 802.1Q VLAN.
a) Create new VLAN 'IoT', tag 10.
b) Set port 6 (the laptop) to this VLAN.
Now I can't even ping the switch!
$ ping 192.168.1.3
PING 192.168.1.3 (192.168.1.3) 56(84) bytes of data.
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=10 Destination Host Unreachable
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=11 Destination Host Unreachable
From 192.168.1.46 icmp_seq=12 Destination Host Unreachable
I... what? Surely setting a VLAN wouldn't lock me out from the management page?
On the OPNsense adapter intended for the trunk, all the (four?) VLAN are [T]agged - or is there one VLAN [U]ntagged? In my experience, and here in the community, the majority of such issues are caused by the big, powerful firewall applinaces.
Scratch the Basic Dot1q approach - like this you can either define a port as Access Port [U]ntagged and the matching PVID, or as a Trunk Port (all [T]agged).
I'd suggest to use the advanced VLAN config instead. Properly configure access port #6 for the VLAN 10 as [U] and the PVID is set correct to 10 for the port #6? And on the port for the trunk, you can use one VID [U]ntagged with the appropriate same PVID.
Marnic wrote:2) 'Communication Error.'
So, then I tried the Advanced VLAN. My steps were :
a) Click 'SWITCHING' -> 'VLAN' -> 'Advanced 802.1Q VLAN' -> 'ACTIVATE MODE', and continue past warning.
b) Click 'APPLY'.
I get a modal 'Advanced 802.1Q VLAN Communication Error.'. Other than a few CSS or JavaScript warnings and errors (all presentational as far as I can tell), there's nothing in the console.
How do I resolve this error? It crops up whenever I click the Apply button, regardless of what config changes I've made.
Factory default the GS108E, and restart from scratch, enabling the Advanced mode, ...
Have deployed the current GS308E v1.00.11 firmware?
Using some "exotic" browser, or an industry standard Chrome or Firefox?
Marnic
Mar 27, 2026Initiate
schumaku wrote:Have deployed the current GS308E v1.00.11 firmware?
Uh... is that recommended? Google isn't throwing up any instances of this.
schumaku wrote:Factory default the GS108E, and restart from scratch, enabling the Advanced mode, ...
I've tried this. Factory reset, update firmware (GS108E only), try to apply settings.
schumaku wrote:Using some "exotic" browser, or an industry standard Chrome or Firefox?
I've tried Firefox with extensions, Firefox in safe mode, and Vivaldi (Chromium derivative) on Win 10, and Firefox with no extensions on Fedora.
Sorry, I could've sworn this part of your answer wasn't here before. I'm not ignoring you!
- schumakuMar 27, 2026Guru - Experienced User
Marnic wrote:
Sorry, I could've sworn this part of your answer wasn't here before. I'm not ignoring you!
Hyperactive, sometimes updating (extending) my earlier replies. Sorry for any confusion caused 8-)
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