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Forum Discussion

Cbritchey's avatar
Cbritchey
Aspirant
Jun 06, 2017

Connecting Orbi Router to Ethernet drop vs cable modem/ router

Hi, my home is wired for Ethernet and my Fios router is located in my unfinished basement. I was wondering if I could connect my Orbi router to one of my Ethernet drops in my main living area to provide better coverage for my large home?

8 Replies

  • Retired_Member's avatar
    Retired_Member
    Yes as long as that ethernet port connects straight to the Fios device.
  • Thx for the reply. There is currently a switch between the Fios router and the drops. Is that ok or do I need to move off the switch directly to the Fios router?
    • rhester72's avatar
      rhester72
      Virtuoso

      It will work either way, though you will likely have problems with guest isolation if it isn't in AP mode.

       

      Rodney

  • Thx. Does that mean that I can only Set up in AP mode if connected directly to the Fios router and not through the switch?
    • st_shaw's avatar
      st_shaw
      Master

      No. Connect Orbi to your switch and set in AP mode.

      • OrbiPhilip's avatar
        OrbiPhilip
        Luminary

        To the OP. If you want to use the orbi router as your edge device, simply run two ethernet drops to your RBK50.  Feed FIOS to the ORBI and return from the ORBI to your switch. If you are familiar with ethernet wiring, you can split one drop into two for this purpose.

        Note: VLAN trunking support would be an excellent new feature. He could create a vlan for the FIOS, a VLAN for his devices, and setup ORBI as a "router on a stick". I currently have my RBK50 router in the basement because that's were the cable and the cable modem live. My preferred location only has one ethernet drop. With vlan trunking I would locate the basement router to the preferred location and the satellite upstairs.