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Forum Discussion
goswh
Nov 21, 2019Tutor
AP Mode with Ethernet Backhaul?
 I have an Orbi 2 satellite kit that I bought in March of 2017. Apparently it is now EOL and EOS.     I'm running the latest firmware as of yesterday's download and install, and still cannot get Ether...
- Nov 22, 2019Well, I fixed it. :-) It's a longer story, which I am happy to share here in detail, but before that long post here's the TL:DR: I consolidated a few different vendor switches in such a way that I had all NetGear ProSafe switches and no others. It gave me peace of mind to have an all Netgear infrastructure. And, "one throat to choke," so to speak. Well all but one bit of kit, and that's my trusty firewall. Speaking of, here's the short version - used an available port on the Netgate SG-5100 to be my dedicated Wireless/Wired home network and setup a 192.168.13.0 / 24 network complete with DNS, DHCP and all that in the pfSense firewall software running on the 5100. I work from home and segregate traffic for my VMLAB, Corporate Network, Home PCs, IOT devices, Wireless and more. Orbi's don't do that. :-) Configured all firewall rules for outbound and intra - lan access for my internal networks
- Configured all 5 Netgear switches with VLAN 13 for this new network.
- Added a factory defaulted RBR50 with the latest GA firmware to the firewall via the Internet port. Configured the Orbi Router to be in AP Mode. Went into Advanced Settings again and disabled Daisy Chaining (important for Next Steps further down the page). Connected the Router LAN port #1 to a Netgear switch configured wtih an untagged VLAN ID of 13 running a PVID of 13.
- Created trunk ports on all the switchs so that every switch would be able to carry all VLAN traffic to every corner of my network.
- Connected Orbi Satellites (SBS50 x 2; RBS20 x1) to the living, laundry & guest room Netgear swtiches configured the same way for VLAN 13 as described in Step 3. Didn't need to do anything to the satellites but plug them in to power and the network drop in each room.
 With the removal of the other networking gear and a reduction in my network stack, I'm actually getting better throughput, performance and stability on the wire and wireless sides of the setup. Even with the 4x4 MIMO and the 6X6 MIMO APs I had, I would normally get 60-100 MBps over Wireless. I had 6 APs (5 in the house, 1 in the office) and I never felt like I was getting my money's worth. And this was with my iMac being within 5 feet of an AP. The Orbi kit I ordered from Costco in March of 2017 sits 15 feet from my iMac and I get 200 to 400+ MBps over the wireless connection when I go to Fast.com in a browser. So clearly the Orbi's and the Qualcomm Chips they use, are something. Anyway, I appreciate the responses. It's always fun to roll up my shirt sleeves, pull and all nighter, and know that my tech skills are still somewhat relevant. Up Next: I am going to try to use the 2nd RBS20 that I have in the garage using wireless backhaul. The fact that I disabled daisy chaining is going to make this just about impossible, I realize. I'm only hesitant because I finally have this ethernet backhaul working, and I don't want to F with the settings. LOL! 
CrimpOn
Nov 21, 2019Guru - Experienced User
You are going to hear that "Orbi does not function well with managed switches." I, personally, have none and thus have no opinion.
I have never heard anyone say that Orbi ethernet backhaul only works in router mode. As far as I know, it works in both router and AP mode. The VLAN's and loops may be causing unnecessary and unwanted confusion. Orbi supports VLAN's but only in a very limited sense: for television sets. (Check the VLAN Help information at the bottom of the VLAN page for more information.)
Does everything have to pass through the managed switch? Can't the Orbi WAN port be connected directly to the 5100 router and the satellites directly to the Orbi LAN ports?
It might help to explain how VLAN's figure into the network design. Are you thinking that WiFi devices will be "VLAN aware"? Plan to ethernet connect devices to the satellites which must be part of VLAN's?
- goswhNov 22, 2019TutorThanks, CrimpOn . I tend to be wordy in forum posts, so I do my best to minimize the chatter. To your point, though, yes, I could have explained that a bit better. I did as you suggested and put the Orbi right off an unused port of the 5100. Longer post in reply to my OP was just published. Thanks for the feedback! //Shawn