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Forum Discussion
Device Set Up Question for Orbi RBK23
I recently purchased a Netgear Orbi RBK23 for use in my home -- where I have internet and wifi provided by AT&T with a U-Verse modem/router. I can set up the Orbi but I cannot, by way of connecting i...
PaulARahe wrote:
I recently purchased a Netgear Orbi RBK23 for use in my home -- where I have internet and wifi provided by AT&T with a U-Verse modem/router. I can set up the Orbi but I cannot, by way of connecting it with the existing modem/router, get to the internet with the Orbi.
It sounds like you have two routers on your network, the U-Verse and the Orbi.
Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, you can end up with local address problems. Among other things, the other router can misdirect addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
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. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit.
Sometimes it is possible to put the modem/router into modem only (bridge) mode and then to use the second device as the router. But some Internet service providers, such as BT in the UK, supply customers with a modem/router that just won't work in bridge mode. There may be ways to get the device to cooperate, but sometimes it is just easier to put the second router in AP mode. But that has its own drawbacks:
Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
You don't say what the model of the U-Verse device is. That might help someone to guide you in the right direction.
In my case, I have an Orbi in access point mode attached to a Netgear R7800 router.
Remember, when setting up stuff like this you have to do things in the rigyt order.
The U-Verse modem/router is a Pace 5031INV. I have the Orbi base station connected to it. I fiddled with the firewall to open things up. It looks like this now:
Firewall Active
The firewall actively blocks access of unwanted activity from the Internet.
Current Applications, Pinholes and DMZ Settings: Custom
| Device | Allowed Applications | Application Type | Protocol | Port Number(s) | Public IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBR20 | All | - | (all) | (all) | 23.122.218.18 |
I also tried disabling the wifi interface so that the U-Verse router no longer functioned as a router. The Orbi continued to function as a router, but it did not pick up the internet. I have no idea what AP Mode is.
PaulARahe wrote:
I also tried disabling the wifi interface so that the U-Verse router no longer functioned as a router.
Disabling the wifi will not disable the router bit of the Pace 5031INV.
Try to find a manual for this and see if it has a way of putting it into bridge (modem only) mode.
Messing around with the firewall will get you nowhere.
I have no idea what AP Mode is.It disables the router bit of the Orbi.
There is support for the Orbi WiFi System, including a manual, somewhere at the end of this link:
>>>> Orbi RBK50 | WiFi System | NETGEAR Support <<<<
See the section Use the Router as a WiFi Access Point.
That leaves the Pace 5031INV to work as the router.
Is it assumed that you went through all these steps to try to do a quasi-bridge on the DSL modem router? https://forums.att.com/t5/AT-T-Internet-Equipment/AT-amp-T-Modem-Router-Apple-Airport-Extreme/td-p/3607835#M14634
If that bridging does not work, go back to original settings on the Pace and consider AP mode on Orbi.
The AP mode is using your Orbi as access points only. You lose Orbi's router administrative functions and are allowing your Pace to act as DHCP server. In Orbi interface:
Advanced>Advanced Setup>Router / AP Mode. Select and save AP mode.
I did not know about the quasi-bridge solution. I will try it next if my current approach founders. I now have the Orbi set up as a Guest Network on the U-Verse system, and it seems to work. There may be a downside to this. If you know of any, please alert me.
My immediate thought is I really do not know what you are describing since setting up a guest network in a router is just setting up a separate SSID for that router for guests, with or without key code. That router is still lthe main router regardless of what you name the guest SSID. All routers that have guest network capability just set up another SSID so there can be a separate set of administrative access rules applied on connection.