Network Topology, FVS318v3 plus Orbi

Question

I currently own a NetGear FVS318v3, which I use in part because it enables me to establish a box-to-box VPN with a second, remote FVS318v3 on a separate, remote LAN.&nbsp; I'm thinking about adding several Orbi wifi devices to establish mesh-enabled wifi coverage.
&nbsp;
I'm thinking that I'd like to hardwire all my devices, including each Orbi device individually, into the FVS318v3.&nbsp; That is, each Orbi device would be connected to the FVS318v3 in a hub and spoke topology, rather than hardwiring one Orbi device and daisy-chaining the others wirelessly.&nbsp; I want to do this because the walls in my home are concrete and, therefore, I expect that daisy-chaining won't work all that well.
&nbsp;
All this means, I believe, that the FVS318v3 would serve as my subnet's router and gateway.&nbsp; I&nbsp;also think that that means that&nbsp;the Orbi devices would serve as access points only, not as either a router or a gateway.
&nbsp;
Can Orbi devices be made to work this way?&nbsp; Am I even thinking about this correctly?
&nbsp;
Thanks.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

FURRYe38 · Answer

Your 1st picture diagram should work if the Orbi router and satellites are all connected to this switch. If it's a non managed non smart switch non green ethernet switch you should be fine with this configuration. I would run the Orbi router in AP mode since your getting DHCP from the Firewall&nbsp;
pcrowley203&nbsp;wrote:
Thanks for sending that link.&nbsp; The set up depicted in the upper portion of the attached file looks most like what I want to set up.
&nbsp;
Exactly what I'd like to set up is depicted in lower portion of the attached file.&nbsp; Will something like that work?&nbsp; If so, can the two boxes shaded in yellow be a single box, i.e., my FVS318v3?
&nbsp;
Again, my goal is to ensure that all traffic that initiates on my LAN and goes out to the internet passes down the box-to-box VPN.
&nbsp;
If what I've depicted in the attached file can't be made to work, does the Orbi router support box-to-box VPN?&nbsp; I've seem some indication that it does.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

pcrowley203 · Answer

OK, great.&nbsp; Thanks.
&nbsp;
Just to be clear (as I've attached at least two files named diagram.png earlier in this thread):&nbsp; Are you saying the set-up in the file attached to this post -- which file is named Capture.png -- should work?&nbsp; That is, assuming I move the DHCP functionality to the FVS318v3?
&nbsp;
Also, I'm thinking that, rather than wrestle with this myself, I might be better off hiring someone who really understands this stuff to set it up.&nbsp; Someone like that should be able to get this done in an hour or so, I would think, whereas it might take me days of trial and error.&nbsp; Any idea how I can find a truly knowledgeable network engineer who would be willing to take on such a small project?&nbsp; I think such a person could probably work on this remotely, so he or she could be physically located anywhere.

FURRYe38 · Answer

No, the very first picture with a switch behind the FVS firewall was recommended as a working solution.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It's possible that the Orbi and satellite may work directly behind the FVS firewall with out the switch, however you'll have to test this out.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
I would check local listings in a phone book or local computer store for on site help. This wouldn't really take a network engineer to get this working. Rather someone with good knowledge of networking and home networking equipment. I believe if you already have this system in place and your just adding the Orbi system, put the non managed switch in behind the FVS firewall and connect the satellites and Orbi router to it and configure AP Mode on the Orbi router and you'll be set:
https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&amp;app=desktop&nbsp;
&nbsp;
You can set up the Orbi router first for AP mode before connecting it to the main system. Once it's configured then connect it and add the satellites.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

FURRYe38 · Answer

The recommended way to connect Orbi and it's satellites is the following methods:
https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
&nbsp;
Now the satellites can be connected to switches. Non managed switches are preferred. However Managed switches can be used inbetween if you disable ALL IGMP Procols. IGMP seems to cause problems with Orbi.&nbsp;Satellites are dependent upon being connected either wirelessly or wired to the main Orbi base router. Switches work in between. Connecting satellites thru other routers or a firewall may not be possible. We don't see alot of configurations for home users using this.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

pcrowley203 · Answer

Thanks for sending that link.&nbsp; The set up depicted in the upper portion of the attached file looks most like what I want to set up.
&nbsp;
Exactly what I'd like to set up is depicted in lower portion of the attached file.&nbsp; Will something like that work?&nbsp; If so, can the two boxes shaded in yellow be a single box, i.e., my FVS318v3?
&nbsp;
Again, my goal is to ensure that all traffic that initiates on my LAN and goes out to the internet passes down the box-to-box VPN.
&nbsp;
If what I've depicted in the attached file can't be made to work, does the Orbi router support box-to-box VPN?&nbsp; I've seem some indication that it does.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Forum Discussion

Network Topology, FVS318v3 plus Orbi

10 Replies