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javcarbe1's avatar
javcarbe1
Aspirant
Aug 06, 2022

Orbi as AP with another router

Hi everyone, 

My house was running a router with some repeaters around with not issues, I buildt an extension for rent , and I offer internet to the tenants, I order some ORBI, because i didnt want move the network setups, I connect them as AP, this is the issue I found, from my switch I have to run 2 ethernet wires one to the wan (yellow port) and the other to the any ethernet port... That is correct? some time i lose the connection with the AP...  Is any idea how you can help me...

Also i tried 2 networks in one, one for the ORBI the other to the normal I use at home... works great but if I connect to that i was not able to see my devices by name I have to use the IP addressnal, never lost the signal ?

Any ideas

Thanks

8 Replies

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

    One Ethernet cable is required from the Orbi base unit (RBRxx) to the network.

    Using a separate WiFi name (SSID) for the Orbi network is a good idea.

    Please be aware that when the Orbi is in access point (AP) mode, the tenant devices will be assigned IP addresses by the primary router, and thus will be in the same "IP Space" as your network.

     

    It might be worth considering leaving the Orbi unit in router mode so that it will create a separate IP network for the tenants.  You cannot 'see' their devices (privacy for them) and they will have difficulty accessing your devices.

    • javcarbe1's avatar
      javcarbe1
      Aspirant
      Aug 06, 2022

      My question is why I have to use 2 ethernet cables one for wan port the other to the other orbi router port. That maybe is the conflict ? loosing the connectivity..

      The orbi ap mode use another name.ssdnew

      My router separate each band ssd, ssdna, ssdacn

       

      how is now

      modem to router wan, port to switch, from switch 2 cables one to orbi wan the other to another port

      i tried this

      modem to orbi wan ,orbi to switch, switch to router (nothing)

      modem to router wan, router to orbi port, router to switch (nothing)

       

      Before I used this and works fine

      Orbi as router 192.168.10.1 dhcp on assigned an IP for the wan 192.168.0.200  SSD-NEW one cable from switch to orbi wan

      Router dhcp 192.168.0.100 dhcp on SSD/SSDNA/SSDACN 

       

       

       

       

       

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

        A diagram of the existing network (simple drawing on paper, than scan or take picture) would be most helpful. Then, show where the new Orbi unit is to be connected. Is this new Orbi a single unit, or a system composed of a router unit and one or more satellites?

         

        When there is an existing network (of any brand), another WiFi router (perhaps an Orbi) can be connected to it to create a new network for the tenant.  Unlike WiFi "extenders" which connect to an existing system over WiFi, WiFi routers (such as Orbi) connect only with an Ethernet cable. This requires one Ethernet cable from the Orbi RBR unit to any part of the existing network that has a path to the internet, such as

        • To an open port on the primary router
        • To an open port on one of the existing repeaters
        • To an open port on a network switch that is part of the existing network.

        If the Ethernet cable allows the Orbi unit to be placed in the tenant space, then the tenant will have the ability to connect to the Orbi system using both

        • An Ethernet cable, or
        • WiFi

        If the Ethernet cable does not extend to the tenant space, then the tenant obviously will not have access to an Ethernet port, but can connect to the Orbi over WiFi (provided the Orbi 'covers' the tenant space).

         

        I still see a need for only one Ethernet cable.