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Orbi RBK50 with Xfinity (Arris TG862G) modem/router
Hello All: I have an Orbi RBK50 mesh system (router & 1 satellite) to install with my Comcast Xfinity modem/router. From what I have read so far, I should enable bridge mode on the Xfinity as well as disable the xfinitywifi hotspot. Then wire the Orbi to the Xfinity and proceed with the instructions on the Netgear app (or manual or online how-to). However, my brother-in-law - who swears by this system and actually talked with a tech at NetGear about this - tells me I definitely have to be on the phone with NetGear tech support before I do this. I'm no engineer, but I'm not a dunce, either, so I'm wondering if I really need to wait for tech support and then have him/her walk me through this? And if so, any advice on getting through easily? Is NetGear tech pretty responsive and patient? What else should I look out for? Is there a better step-by-step instruction than "How do I install my NetGear or Orbi router after I've enabled bridging"?
Thanks for your patience and any advice for a newbie. Doing this sort of stuff is not how I like to spend my time so I'm trying to get prepared before I actually start disconecting the existing hardware. My wife is working from home and doesn't like the idea of days with no internet.
Cheers,
Andy
earoberts wrote:However, my brother-in-law - who swears by this system and actually talked with a tech at NetGear about this - tells me I definitely have to be on the phone with NetGear tech support before I do this.
You don't need to be on the phone with Netgear. You might need to talk to Comcast technical support if your modem has some temporary issues assigned an IP address to your new Orbi router (and its different MAC address). I called 800-COMCAST and used the phone menus to send a reset signal to my modem when I recently switched from my Orbi AC to Orbi AX router. When I first switched my Orbi RBR850 could not get an IP address but I don't know why nor why it eventually started working.
Here are Xfinity instructions for configuring bridge mode: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/wireless-gateway-enable-disable-bridge-mode. Enabling bridge mode will automatically disable the wireless radio on the modem because it's no longer a router and will no longer give out IP addresses.
9 Replies
If you can get the ISP modem bridged fully, you don't need to be on the phone with NG support to setup the Orbi system.
You can use the Orbi app or I prefer a wired PC and web browser connected to the RBRs web page.
You can refer to the installation guide or user manual for additonal information as well.
earoberts wrote:However, my brother-in-law - who swears by this system and actually talked with a tech at NetGear about this - tells me I definitely have to be on the phone with NetGear tech support before I do this.
You don't need to be on the phone with Netgear. You might need to talk to Comcast technical support if your modem has some temporary issues assigned an IP address to your new Orbi router (and its different MAC address). I called 800-COMCAST and used the phone menus to send a reset signal to my modem when I recently switched from my Orbi AC to Orbi AX router. When I first switched my Orbi RBR850 could not get an IP address but I don't know why nor why it eventually started working.
Here are Xfinity instructions for configuring bridge mode: https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/wireless-gateway-enable-disable-bridge-mode. Enabling bridge mode will automatically disable the wireless radio on the modem because it's no longer a router and will no longer give out IP addresses.
Mikey94025 and FURRYe38, thanks for the help integrating the Orbi mesh system and Xfinity router/modem. I'm going to do tha tomorrow when my wife is out of the house.
-Andy
Hope it goes well. I would have the ISP help you with bridging the ISP modem if you need and is recommended then you can fully using the orbi in router mode. Hope it all goes well.
