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Peter_Zaitsev's avatar
Peter_Zaitsev
Aspirant
Sep 11, 2021

Orbi LTE (LBR20) - Can it be used in Bridge Mode ?

I got Orbi LTE which seems to give better Mobile Performance than simple model as LM1200     It however wants to act as a router and give me private IP on the local network. I wonder can it instead just act as a bridge and give assigned IP from mobile provider to my device ?

 

I'm using it for backup connection, where different device does all the routing...

4 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 12, 2021

    It would be helpful to know more about the entire network design, such as:

    • What is this 'other device' that is doing the routing?
    • Is the LBR20 intended to function simultaneously with another ISP connection, or only as a fail-over connection?

    The LBR20 User Manual show how to put the LBR20 into Access Point (AP) mode on page 86).

    https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/LBR20/Orbi_LBR20_UM_EN.pdf 

    Note that this mode requires disabling the LTE function.

     

    My guess is that the answer is "not the way you are imagining."

     

    An LBR20 is probably overkill as a failover connection.  Most typical designs employ something like a Ubiquiti Edgerouter with connections to the primary and LTE providers and internal logic dictating how traffic behaves when one or the other link goes down.

    • Peter_Zaitsev's avatar
      Peter_Zaitsev
      Aspirant
      Sep 12, 2021

      Orbi LTE Is  essentially  LTE Modem + Router + Wifi Access Point.  I do not need it in AP mode (disabling everything else) but rather simply LTE Modem (Disabling everything else)

       

      I have the  OPNSense based router which manages my home network (couple of dedicated subnets)   and several UniFI devices for Wireless connections. I have AT&T Fiber as main channel and I am looking to use Orbi LTE as failover solution only if  Fiber goes down.

       

      I know it is NOT 100% Intended way to use it but it according to my tests provices better mobile network performance compared to LM1200 - the LTE Modem Devices  NetGear has.  

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Sep 12, 2021

        Thanks for the information.  Makes perfect sense.  My impression is that it cannot be done with this product.

        I have not seen any Orbi WiFi router with the capability to disable WiFi. None. LIkewise, if the LTE link is active, that puts the Orbi as the 'first device' which sort of implies router mode.  Dang.

         

        Netgear provides 90 days of 'complimentary support' with a new purchase. There's a link on the product registration page to Contact Support.  It might be entertaining to ask them.

         

        I have a suspicion that if this particular LTE product 'works better' than the LM1200, it might be a result of better antennas on the Orbi product.  Notice the extra antennas in photos 10-11 of the fcc filing: https://fccid.io/PY319400468/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-4708064 

        (I could not find a similar fcc page for the LM1200. Sorry.)

         

        If the LM1200 is still around, it might be worth experimenting with a MIMO antenna with TS9 connectors to see if that improves performance.