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belsokary's avatar
belsokary
Aspirant
Dec 29, 2020
Solved

Hardwired Orbi shows offline satellites.

Hello,

 

I tried to research this on these forums, but am having a hard time finding an answer.

 

Hardware List:

 

- Orbi RBR50 Router, Firmware v2.7.2.102

- Orbi RBS50 (x2), Firmware v2.7.2.102

 

Internet/Wiring Setup:

 

- Internet Via Frontier Fios, via Arris (Frontier Brand) Modem (1gigabit UP, 1gigabit DOWN)

- Modem is hardwired to Gigabit Switch (TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch (TL-SG108))

- From Gigabit Switch, I have three ethernet cables.  One is connected to the RBR50 router (connected to the yellow "internet" plug in the rear), the other two ethernet cables are connected to the RBS50 satellites via the ethernet ports on the back.

 

Description of Problem:

 

I was having issues with this setup, so I reset everything to factory defaults, I updated the routers' firmware, disconnected all ethernet cables (except for the one wired to the router's "internet" port) and went through a new setup using the wireless backhaul connection. (nothing hardwired in the beginning).

 

Once the setup was complete, everything was working, all satellites were recognized.  However, I wanted to go to a hardwired solution so that I could hardwire the satellites to some devices to take full advantage of the high internet speeds.  So switched my wiring setup to the one described above (frontier modem -> switch -> router/satellites).  After about 5-10 minutes, I logged into the router from a browser window, and I checked, and both satellites were showing as GOOD backhaul connection status.  Furthermore, they were correctly showing as a "wired" connection type rather than a 5G. I was excited, I ran some speed tests on devices hardwired to the satellites, and I was getting very fast speeds.

 

And then I changed the device names of my satellites. This is when things got a little crazy.  Once the satellites came back online, the satellites were now shown as "disconnected" or "offline" in the app.  The top lights are not glowing any colors, they are off, which should indicate everything is fine.  The hardwired devices are working just fine also.  And my Internet "seems" to be working, but I'm not sure I can really tell.

 

So Some questions:

 

- Is this wiring setup ok?  The images online show the ethernet cable going to the router's ethernet port and not "internet" port, but that doesn't seem to work for me.

- Why would satellites be fine, and then go offline? (backhaul status = Disconnected)

- Wifi seems to be working, but not sure how to really test that.  Is there a way to tell which router/satellite I am connected to as I roam through my house?

- Can I connect to a satellite directly?  And run some tests there?

 

Any tips would be great!

  • Orbi is designed for the satellites to be "behind" the router.  i.e. connected to the Orbi LAN ports.

    Not connected through the WAN port.

    The correct solution is to connect the gigabit switch to one of the Orbi LAN ports and connect satellites to the switch.

8 Replies

  • First off yes, test the RBS directly connected to the RBR. Wirelessly sync them first and make sure they connect, then after, connect a LAN cable between the RBR and RBS. 

     

    Heres my 1 connected behind two LAN switches, HP ProCurve 1400 series:

    • belsokary's avatar
      belsokary
      Aspirant

      When I try to connect directly to the Satellite IP address, I get the following status.  If I try to connect direclty to the other satellite, it doesn't connect at all....I can't wire the router directly to the satellites, but go back through a centralized switch, should that be ok?  If so, I can try disconnecting and syncing direct through wireless first again I suppose.

  • Orbi is designed for the satellites to be "behind" the router.  i.e. connected to the Orbi LAN ports.

    Not connected through the WAN port.

    The correct solution is to connect the gigabit switch to one of the Orbi LAN ports and connect satellites to the switch.

    • belsokary's avatar
      belsokary
      Aspirant

      Just wanted to provide full details in case someone else finds it useful:

       

      Hardware List:

       

      - Orbi RBR50 Router, Firmware v2.7.2.102

      - Orbi RBS50 (x2), Firmware v2.7.2.102

       

      Internet/Wiring Setup:

       

      - Internet Via Frontier Fios, skipped over the Frontier Modem and routed directly to the RBR50 Router using the "internet" port (yellow port on far left)

      - Connected a Router ethernet port to a Gigabit Switch (TP-Link 8 Port GigabitEthernet Network Switch (TL-SG108))

      ack.

      - I had to reset Satellites to Factory, and re-establish the backhaul connection first however prior to wiring to the switch.  I synced over wireless, and verified the backhaul wireless connection was successful.

      - I then ran ethernet connections from the Gigabit Switch to the RBS50 satellites.  Within a few minutes, the router correctly configured to a wired connection (see screenshot)

       

      All is working as desired now!

       

      Thanks for all the help!