Fritzbox modem/router in router-only setup connected to pfsense router works but doesn't show up in DHCP table

I have a spare Fritzbox modem/router. This is an old model from my provider that I keep as a backup. I wanted to see if this could work as router only, so I've connected one of the LAN ports to my current pfsense router.

It turned out to work, in the sense that I could connect to the wifi, and I had internet access. If I logon to pfsense, I don't see any IP for the Fritzbox. My laptop gets an IP from pfsense, so it seems like the Fritzbox is acting like an AP only.

I would have thought that it would act like a router with its own network. Why does it work like this, or is this a matter of setup?

Solution 1:

The LAN ports on the Fritzbox are acting as a switch which are bridged to the Wireless network, which means that traffic can flow from devices connected, but the Fritzbox itself does not need an IP, which is why you are not seeing it in pfSense.