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Forum Discussion
2 different networks with one orbi router
Hey everyone! I recently set up an Orbi RBK50 mesh system with one RBS50 satellite, and so far, I’m loving the speed and coverage. However, I ran into an issue: I connected the Orbi router to my local Wi-Fi provider’s router and then synchronized the RBS50 satellite, but now I’m seeing two different networks. There's my original local Wi-Fi provider network and the Orbi network. I was hoping there would be just one merged network. Is this normal? Should I try to merge them somehow, or is it fine to keep them separate?
20 Replies
You see two WiFi networks because there are two WiFi networks
- The ISP device is a combination modem/router/WiFi, and
- The Orbi is a combination router/WiFi
Even if you were to configure both of them with the same WiFi credentials (SSID/password), they will remain two separate networks.
While I can think of scenarios where having two WiFi networks in the same house might be useful, 99.9% of users turn off the ISP WiFi so that (a) there is no chance of it interfering with the Orbi WiFi, and (b) so that there is no doubt which WiFi system devices are using.
Thanks for you answer.
How do I turn off the ISP Wifi so I only keep the Orbi Wifi working?
jackalt wrote:
How do I turn off the ISP Wifi so I only keep the Orbi Wifi working?
You'll have to check the details of the local Wi-Fi provider’s router for that information. It may have an on/off switch somewhere, or you may have to go into a web browser and the graphical user interface (GUI).
What is the local Wi-Fi provider’s router? Is it also a modem that connects you to the internet? Or just a router?
If it is a modem/router you may be able to turn off the router bit completely and use it in modem-only mode.
If it is just a router, you might be able to do without it completely.
Just another user with time on their hands.
jackalt wrote:
However, I ran into an issue: I connected the Orbi router to my local Wi-Fi provider’s router and then synchronized the RBS50 satellite, but now I’m seeing two different networks. There's my original local Wi-Fi provider network and the Orbi network.
Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, as well as the problem you see, you can end up with local problems with addresses on your network. Among other things, the other router can misdirect traffic to addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual default IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
This explains some of the other drawbacks.
What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Unless you have specific reasons for using two routers – to create two separate networks for example – it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point (AP) with a wired connection to the main router. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit.
How do I configure my Orbi router to act as an access point? - NETGEAR SupportBut that has its own drawbacks:
Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Just another user with time on their hands.
Thanks for your answer.
When you say:
"it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point (AP) with a wired connection to the main router. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit"
you mean using only my local wi fi router only and setting up the Orbi router as a wifi access point (AP) connected with ethernet cable to the first router?
jackalt wrote:
When you say:
"it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point (AP) with a wired connection to the main router. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit"
you mean using only my local wi fi router only and setting up the Orbi router as a wifi access point (AP) connected with ethernet cable to the first router?
Yes.
Unless you feel the need to have two separate and independent wifi networks.
Just another user with time on their hands.
