diff --git a/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_realtek b/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_realtek
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e2a7cf5a69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_preinit_iface_realtek
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+set_preinit_iface() {
+
+	# Create a switch on lan1 to configure the VLAN 1.
+	# Without configuring VLAN ID 1 RTL8380 - RTL9300 will not
+	# forward packets.
+	ip link add name switch type bridge vlan_filtering 1
+	ip link set dev lan1 master switch
+	ip link set lan1 up
+
+	pi_ifname=switch
+}
+
+boot_hook_add preinit_main set_preinit_iface
diff --git a/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/98_remove_preinit_realtek b/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/98_remove_preinit_realtek
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dc5fdb059b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/target/linux/realtek/base-files/lib/preinit/98_remove_preinit_realtek
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+remove_switch() {
+	# delete switch created in 05_set_preinit_iface_realtek again
+	ip link del name switch
+}
+
+boot_hook_add preinit_main remove_switch