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Forum Discussion
Manage 2 different Orbi physical sites (RBR40 and RBR50) remotely from an external browser or app
I have two separate Orbi mesh networks in two different physical locations that I manage and support:
My home network: (1) RBR40 router and (2) RBS20 satellites
A family member's network in their home: (1) RBR50 router and (1) RBS50 satellite
Each network location (router / satellites) is registered to a different Netgear user account and password. Both networks are running the latest firmware.
When I am onsite at each location, I use my Orbi app and Anywhere Connect on different iPads to locally monitor and manage the Orbi mesh network. I use my iPad in my home and I use the family member's iPad for their mesh network. As well, I can use a Chrome browser for router access by typing in https://192.168.1.1 and logging in with the Admin username and password.
What I want to be able to do is login to the Orbi routers from a Chrome browser (or NightHawk app?) from any location external to the two homes. For example, if I am out of town and I need to provide support to the two Orbi locations.
I have experimented unsuccessfully with OrbiLogin.net and the NightHawk app and cannot connect in remotely. I could very easily be doing something wrong.
Is remote (external) management of Orbi routers possible? If so, using what applications or processes? Do I have to do NAT port forwarding?
Thanks for any guidance!
SailorGuy57
6 Replies
On the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings menu there is an entry for Remote Management or Web Services Management. After first creating a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) entry, this page can be used to activate web access to the router from the internet. Any web browser can navigate to the Orbi router from anywhere on the internet and log in using "admin" and the web password.
The instant Remote Management is activated, people will begin attempting to log into the Orbi web interface. With my 25 character admin password, security web sites claim it will take about 4 billion years for someone to finally hack their way into my Orbi.
This can be set up only from the web interface, which means you have to be connected to the Orbi system to do so.
Thanks for the prompt response.
**** NEVER MIND - I found the DDNS setup option ****
On both the RBR40 and RBR50 "Web Services Management" screen, there is no clickable "enable" checkbox (see the attached screenshot).
https://www.screencast.com/t/pLx9pJpk0
Do I have to enable something to permiit remote management?
And instead of defining a DDNS entry, can I just use the external IP address in my URL? Is there a specific port number to add?
For example: "https://70.123.45.28:1234"
Thanks,
SailorGuy57
SailorGuy57 wrote:
And instead of defining a DDNS entry, can I just use the external IP address in my URL? Is there a specific port number to add?
Yes, you can use the Public IP address with a web browser. On my Orbi, the Remote Web Access would not set up until I had DDNS working. My suspicion is that they felt not being able to automatically follow changes in dynamic IP assignment was doomed to fail (eventually).
This is unfortunate. I just now loaded v2.7.3.22 on my spare Orbi and brought up the Web Services page (see attached). Under the "Local Management" section I have another section labelled "Remote Management" that allows me to restrict which public IP addresses can reach my Orbi remotely and the default port number (8443). So my web browser entry would be:
https://dynamicDNSname:8443 (the link is secured - SSL - hence the https.
Another strange thing is this time when I enabled Remote Web Access, it did not require me to set up DDNS. I could use the IP address. This Orbi WAN IP address starts with 192.168 because it is attached to my primary Orbi for testing purposes - not directly to a modem.
I have no explanation for what could cause the same firmware version (v2.7.3.22) to have different web pages. Maybe do a restart?
And..... there is another option for remote access: Set up OpenVPN. This is what I use to administer two Orbi systems. As a computer nerd, I took satisfaction in hammering away at OpenVPN until I got it working (and it was a struggle).
Please ignore my previous post - it timed out before I could completely edit it.
I'm making progress, but I'm not able to remotely access the router:
I created a DDNS entry.
I rebooted my router.
My URL is responding to ping.
But I get a "site can't be reached" in Chrome.
And in the Web Service Management screen, there is no clickable "enable" option.
See this screenshot: https://www.screencast.com/t/FM1Q8Y3XY24
How do I enable the remote access?
Thanks,
SailorGuy57
