Orbi rbk43 and wireless vlan

Hi Jimbronie

Interesting question, although I don't have any insight or experience with what you're trying to do.  In this forum there are others who are well versed on this type of configuration and should be able to help.

If I may, let me ask why?  What are you trying to accomplish?  Usually bringing another router into the picture will require one of them to be a access point.  What do you think a VLAN will do for you?

Good luck with your questions?

Thanks

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Jimbronie wrote:
After reading about how insecure many iot devices are I looked into a vlan. It appears that the orbi I have can do a vlan but it is for a wired connection not a wireless connection.

As we know most iot devices are wireless. So I had a thought. If I set one of the wired ports on my orbi router to be a vlan (I’ll eventually need help with the settings.) can I connect another router and create a new wireless network for the iot devices to connect to? If this is an option with the iot devices be in fact separated from my main network? If this does work will I need to switch wifi networks to log in to those devices?

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Orbi's VLAN support is specific to the way certain internet providers handle IP television. Open the "Help" information at the bottom of the VLAN screen or turn to page 84 of the Orbi user manual. https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf 

It is clear that nearly all IoT devices are wireless (either Zigbee or WiFi). And, it is also clear that there is a near hysteria over IoT devices being "insecure".  Frankly, I am just puzzled. What exactly is "insecure" about a wall plug, vacuum cleaner, light bulb, etc. etc.? (1) They are all behind the router firewall.  Unless I have deliberately opened a port to a device, it is impossible for anyone on the internet to connect to that device.  Unless someone knows my WiFi password, it is impossible for them to connect to anything in my LAN from nearby. (2) Is someone going to learn when my vacuum sweeps? The smart plug does not know what is being powered. (3) Aha, the IoT device will be used as a gateway to attack my PC and steal my email, bank account numbers, etc. Really?  My PC also has a firewall that blocks incomming connections.  Some actual information about the threat would be useful to help determine how paranoid I should be.

The original, residential Orbi has no capability to segregate devices apart from the Guest WiFi SSID. Some Orbi owners put all their IoT devices into the Guest WiFi.

As for setting up another WiFi network that duplicates the Orbi WiFi coverage, I believe that once set up, the device can be managed from a device on a different WiFi network.  If it can be managed from a coffee shop, it can be managed from the Orbi.