So I unboxed the system plugged it into my wired network and set it up. Software updated to the latest version. As far as I can tell everything works fine. After viewing this forum I find out the latest software is all buggy and I was supposed to use ap mode. I have left everything as is, but was wondering if I changed it to the recommended setup will I end up with problems everyone else is having? The orbi is plugged into a older netgear wireless router which is still broadcasting wifi and providing DHCP addresses for the network. What problems should I be seeing if I leave my orbi setup in router mode instead of ap? And will I start to have all the problems everyone is complaining about if I put it in ap mode?

If you are not having problems with Orbi now, then you shouldn't have prolems changing it to AP mode. Why are you continuing to use an old router in additon to Orbi? You can keep it if you want, but if you do you should turn off the WiFi on your old router and use AP mode with Orbi. To learn about issues with using two routers, google "doube NAT" or search for it on Netgear's forums. It may work OK, but it is not the proper way to operate.

I have an extensive ethernet network using my Comcast Arris TG1682G Gateway but wifi sucks. I bought the RBK50 to replace my wifi. I read where I need to disable wifi in the gateway and also put in bridge mode, but I'm not clear whether I should put the RBK50 in AP mode or not.

Robert, I have a Comcast gateway and I've had the same problem getting a straight answer on this. I have the router on the gateway set to bridge mode and the Orbi is in router mode. I have the latest firmware (2.0.0.74). I've spoken directly to Netgear support twice trying to find out why my Orbi keeps dropping internet access. On both occasions they confirmed that my setup is correct and that I should not be in AP mode. You can find many posts on this forum that contradict that advice, of course. I've considered trying AP mode, but I've seen numerous connection complaints from others who are using AP mode, so I doubt that will solve the issue. I also haven't been able to find clear directions regarding what the gateway should be set to in order to support AP mode (e.g., IP passthrough?). I have tried resetting both the Orbi and the satellite, removing the satellite (router only), rebooting the gateway - you name it. Nada. Nothing else that support has recommended has improved the situation. Seeing that internet connectivity is a major issue for a lot of people, it seems that Netgear would post a coherent, comprehensive, updated page on the community to minimize the confusion created by hundreds (thousands?) of people trying to figue this out and throwing out incorrect and/or misleading advice, but I guess that's too much to hope for. It would also be nice if Netgear provided explicit instructions for setting the Orbi up for those using gateway devices. Instead they default to the assumption that the user is connecting to a stand alone modem, which is clearly not the case for many people. By the way, I have seen some comments indicating that the router and satellite should be reset and the firmware update manually. Again, I doubt that will work and I can't believe that Netgear would expect people to do that. I've purchased a number of Netgear products over the years, but this has just about done it for me. I doubt that I'll every use Netgear again. Wayne

If the Arris takes a public IP on the WAN interface and is acting as your router, serving up LAN IP addresses via DHCP, then you should set Orbi into AP mode. This is usually the simplest to setup. If you already have an extensive Ethernet network that's working, you can leave all existing equipment as it is (except you should disable WiFi on the Arris), and just plug Orbi into the LAN somewhere, and set it up for AP mode.

Thanks for the comments. Following are some additional questions: 1. Assuming that a Comcast gateway (modem/router combination) is set up as you described in the first paragraph, I would assume the gateway should not be in bridge mode. Is that correct? 2. Also, does IP passthrough have anything to do with operating in AP mode? If so, how is that done? 3. My understanding is that setting the gateway to non-bridge mode can be accomplished by connecting a laptop directly to the gateway. Is that correct, or would I have to contact Comcast support? I'm thinking that Comcast would have to reset the system, but I'm so confused at this point, that I have no idea.

Ap mode or router orbi rbk50 | NETGEAR Communities

51 Replies

st_shaw
Master
Aug 13, 2017
If you are not having problems with Orbi now, then you shouldn't have prolems changing it to AP mode.

Why are you continuing to use an old router in additon to Orbi? You can keep it if you want, but if you do you should turn off the WiFi on your old router and use AP mode with Orbi.

To learn about issues with using two routers, google "doube NAT" or search for it on Netgear's forums. It may work OK, but it is not the proper way to operate.
- RobertWycoff
  Aspirant
  Dec 03, 2017
  I have an extensive ethernet network using my Comcast Arris TG1682G Gateway but wifi sucks. I bought the RBK50 to replace my wifi. I read where I need to disable wifi in the gateway and also put in bridge mode, but I'm not clear whether I should put the RBK50 in AP mode or not.
  - seurat0109
    Aspirant
    Dec 03, 2017
    Robert,
    
    I have a Comcast gateway and I've had the same problem getting a straight answer on this. I have the router on the gateway set to bridge mode and the Orbi is in router mode. I have the latest firmware (2.0.0.74).
    
    I've spoken directly to Netgear support twice trying to find out why my Orbi keeps dropping internet access. On both occasions they confirmed that my setup is correct and that I should not be in AP mode. You can find many posts on this forum that contradict that advice, of course. I've considered trying AP mode, but I've seen numerous connection complaints from others who are using AP mode, so I doubt that will solve the issue. I also haven't been able to find clear directions regarding what the gateway should be set to in order to support AP mode (e.g., IP passthrough?).
    
    I have tried resetting both the Orbi and the satellite, removing the satellite (router only), rebooting the gateway - you name it. Nada. Nothing else that support has recommended has improved the situation. Seeing that internet connectivity is a major issue for a lot of people, it seems that Netgear would post a coherent, comprehensive, updated page on the community to minimize the confusion created by hundreds (thousands?) of people trying to figue this out and throwing out incorrect and/or misleading advice, but I guess that's too much to hope for. It would also be nice if Netgear provided explicit instructions for setting the Orbi up for those using gateway devices. Instead they default to the assumption that the user is connecting to a stand alone modem, which is clearly not the case for many people.
    
    By the way, I have seen some comments indicating that the router and satellite should be reset and the firmware update manually. Again, I doubt that will work and I can't believe that Netgear would expect people to do that.
    
    I've purchased a number of Netgear products over the years, but this has just about done it for me. I doubt that I'll every use Netgear again.
    
    Wayne

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Ap mode or router orbi rbk50