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daddylogan's avatar
daddylogan
Aspirant
May 06, 2022

Making my ORBI RBR50 a second network IP

Ok, have had the Orbi RBR50 for a while and 1 satellite. Had it hooked to a Aris Surfboard modem and it worked great.

Then I moved to North Dakota and when they hooked my bundle of TV and Internet they gave me one of those all-in-one modems and routers. My Orbi's are now sitting useless. I starting thinking though that why cannot I plug my Orbi into an open LAN port on the back of the Midco modem/router (I believe it is made by Aris as well and I have one port left open) and then assign it a different IP address so I can have two networks? That way I can move my satellite router downstairs and have better coverage and I can choose which device(s) uses what network/router.

Is this possible and what do I need to do. I am not very knowledgeable in this network stuff or the lingo so I kind of need it spelled out for me in language I can understand. I did watch a YouTube tutorial where a guy did this with other routers...but none were Orbi's and I would rather get the info from the source and where people know this product.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you folks!!!!

 

peace out,

 

Mike

4 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 06, 2022

    Yes, the Orbi system can be plugged into that open LAN port on the new system and will create the same WiFi network that you had before.

    The only difference may be that the IP addresses will change if there is a conflict with that new router.

     

    What many customers elect to do is have only one router.  That is:

    • Put the Orbi router into Access Point (AP) mode so that it provides WiFi, but does not do any of the "router functions", such as assigning IP addresses, forwarding ports, Parental Controls, etc. etc.
    • Find a way to put the ISP combination device into "modem only" mode and disable any WiFi that it might have.
      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        May 07, 2022

        I didn't watch the entire 33 minutes, but in general he seems to be correct.  The keys are:

         

        • It has to be an Ethernet cable connecting the two routers.  As long as they are in the same room, that's pretty easy.  But then there are two WiFi routers in the same room, possibly using the same WiFi channels. Moving the 2nd router to a different room can be a chore.
        • If just "connected", then the two neworks are entirely separate, which often isn't ideal. Devices on one network cannot connect to devices on the other network.
        • And with a "Double NAT", there are specific applications which fail:
          https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT 

        Good Luck!