4G/5G & Eth WAN Router+Net Pause Switch
Budget: ₹1,500 – ₹12,500 INR
Project Title : Custom 4G/5G & Ethernet WAN Router with Physical Internet Pause Switch
Project Overview
I am looking for an experienced embedded hardware engineer (or team) to design and build a custom networking device.
The device should be capable of receiving internet from either a physical 4G/5G SIM card or an Ethernet WAN input and provide internet through a dedicated Ethernet LAN output.
The primary feature is a physical hardware switch that instantly pauses and resumes internet connectivity to the connected LAN device while keeping the Ethernet link active.
Functional Requirements
1. Internet Sources
The device must support two independent internet sources:
A. Cellular
Physical Nano SIM card slot.
Support 4G LTE and 5G NR.
Compatible with as many global 4G and 5G frequency bands as reasonably possible.
Automatic network selection.
B. Ethernet WAN Input
One RJ45 Ethernet WAN port.
Accept internet from an existing router, modem, or network switch.
DHCP support.
Static IP configuration preferred.
2. Internet Source Selection
The device should allow selecting which internet source is used:
5G/4G SIM
Ethernet WAN
Automatic failover between the two sources is optional but preferred.
3. Ethernet LAN Output
One dedicated RJ45 LAN output.
Gigabit Ethernet preferred.
Plug-and-play operation.
4. Physical Internet Pause Switch
The device must include a physical ON/OFF toggle or rocker switch.
When switched to Pause:
Internet traffic to the LAN output must stop immediately.
The Ethernet physical link must remain active.
The connected device should still detect the Ethernet cable as connected.
No need to unplug or reconnect cables.
When switched back to Resume:
Internet traffic should resume immediately with minimal delay.
This feature is the highest priority of the project.
5. Performance
Stable 24/7 operation.
Low latency.
Reliable for gaming and general networking.
Fast switching between paused and active states.
6. Power
USB-C or standard DC power input.
Low power consumption preferred.
7. Status Indicators
LED indicators for:
Power
Cellular signal
Internet source (SIM or Ethernet)
LAN activity
Internet pause status
Deliverables
Complete hardware design.
PCB design files.
Firmware/software.
Bill of Materials (BOM).
Prototype (preferred).
Source code for firmware.
Documentation explaining hardware and firmware.
Assembly instructions.
Preferred Experience :
Looking for engineers experienced with:
Embedded systems
PCB design
Cellular modem integration
Ethernet networking
Firmware development
Linux/OpenWrt (preferred)
Quectel, SIMCom, Fibocom, or Telit cellular modules
Additional Notes
The Ethernet WAN input and 4G/5G SIM should both function as internet sources.
The Ethernet LAN output should always remain electrically connected, even when internet is paused.
The pause switch should control only the forwarding of internet traffic, not the Ethernet link itself.
The design should use reliable, commercially available components and be suitable for long-term operation.
I am open to design suggestions, provided the core functionality remains unchanged.
Project Overview
I am looking for an experienced embedded hardware engineer (or team) to design and build a custom networking device.
The device should be capable of receiving internet from either a physical 4G/5G SIM card or an Ethernet WAN input and provide internet through a dedicated Ethernet LAN output.
The primary feature is a physical hardware switch that instantly pauses and resumes internet connectivity to the connected LAN device while keeping the Ethernet link active.
Functional Requirements
1. Internet Sources
The device must support two independent internet sources:
A. Cellular
Physical Nano SIM card slot.
Support 4G LTE and 5G NR.
Compatible with as many global 4G and 5G frequency bands as reasonably possible.
Automatic network selection.
B. Ethernet WAN Input
One RJ45 Ethernet WAN port.
Accept internet from an existing router, modem, or network switch.
DHCP support.
Static IP configuration preferred.
2. Internet Source Selection
The device should allow selecting which internet source is used:
5G/4G SIM
Ethernet WAN
Automatic failover between the two sources is optional but preferred.
3. Ethernet LAN Output
One dedicated RJ45 LAN output.
Gigabit Ethernet preferred.
Plug-and-play operation.
4. Physical Internet Pause Switch
The device must include a physical ON/OFF toggle or rocker switch.
When switched to Pause:
Internet traffic to the LAN output must stop immediately.
The Ethernet physical link must remain active.
The connected device should still detect the Ethernet cable as connected.
No need to unplug or reconnect cables.
When switched back to Resume:
Internet traffic should resume immediately with minimal delay.
This feature is the highest priority of the project.
5. Performance
Stable 24/7 operation.
Low latency.
Reliable for gaming and general networking.
Fast switching between paused and active states.
6. Power
USB-C or standard DC power input.
Low power consumption preferred.
7. Status Indicators
LED indicators for:
Power
Cellular signal
Internet source (SIM or Ethernet)
LAN activity
Internet pause status
Deliverables
Complete hardware design.
PCB design files.
Firmware/software.
Bill of Materials (BOM).
Prototype (preferred).
Source code for firmware.
Documentation explaining hardware and firmware.
Assembly instructions.
Preferred Experience :
Looking for engineers experienced with:
Embedded systems
PCB design
Cellular modem integration
Ethernet networking
Firmware development
Linux/OpenWrt (preferred)
Quectel, SIMCom, Fibocom, or Telit cellular modules
Additional Notes
The Ethernet WAN input and 4G/5G SIM should both function as internet sources.
The Ethernet LAN output should always remain electrically connected, even when internet is paused.
The pause switch should control only the forwarding of internet traffic, not the Ethernet link itself.
The design should use reliable, commercially available components and be suitable for long-term operation.
I am open to design suggestions, provided the core functionality remains unchanged.