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Orbi RBK53 and Comcast XB3 Set-Up -- It's Finally Working but is It Correct?
Yesterday I replaced my aging Apple Airport Base Station (and Time Capsule) with an Orbi RBK53 (router and two satellites) from Costco. My ISP is Comcast via an XB3. Powering up and placing the Orbis...
Furry -- Thanks very much for the reply! No, I did not reset the Orbi nor did I use the set-up wizard. I don't recall seeing either of these suggestions in the many on-line posts addressing similar set-up problems. The term "modem DMZ" is brand new to me so I'll need to sort that out how to do that. (The Netgear GS116 is an "unmanaged" switch and always has been passively trouble-free.) Whew! As I've often said over the years, the most challening aspect (to me) of home computing always has been the care and feeding of wi-fi networking. My series of Apple Airports and Expresses were reasonably well behaved but even they were naughty from time-to-time. I always was able to get them all singing on the same page but sometime it wasn't easy. Networking, to me, is a lot like black magic. It works, then it doesn't, then mysteriously, it works again. Plus, I figure the variety of modems in the marketplace complicates things for gear like the Orbi. Do you have an opinon on my second question:, i.e. Am I safe to power down, then power up each of the two satellites and watch the color bands for "blue" to make sure they're effectively positioned? As mentioned earlier, before encountering my Internet woes, both registered "blue" where I put them early during the install. Probably a dumb questions but I'd hate to experiment only to find that I have to go though the whole set-up process again. Believe me, yesterday was no fun and I'd like to avoid getting into the weed again. My spouse does not appreciate interruptions to her Internet service. Period.
Ok, well you'll be fine. The reason for mentioning DMZ is that when you have two routers on the same line and network, the 1st one is already doing router mangagement and translation of traffic. Putting another router behind the 1st one can cause additional problems as it's also try to do routing and translation of traffic on a private WAN address when it's actually now getting a Private LAN address. So in this configuration, we call this a double NAT condition. Using a DMZ on the 1st router for the 2nd router helps in this case.
Ya, I know, I try to do router and networking maintenance during late evening or night time when others have gone to bed.
Networking maybe black magic to you, however it's and exact science though. You learn by doing as well.
Get brave again, try bridging the modem then walk thru the set up wizard on the Orbi router. It should work to get the router connected with a bridged modem.
Furry -- I will try to summon the courage to do as you suggest. My hesitation is because, yesterday, immediately after I enabled Bridge Mode on the XB3, my Internet access completely disappeared, even directly cabled XB3-to-computer (bypassing the Netgear switch). Whatever the cause, a solution eluded me despite rebooting the modem, trying other computers on other Ethernet ports, etc. But as soon as I disabled Bridge Mode, bingo! -- Internet acces via Ethernet cable resumed and, later, even my Orbi system kicked in. As per your earlier message, the crash probably occured because I didn't factory reset the Orbi and didn't use the genie.
dscott77 wrote:
Furry -- I will try to summon the courage to do as you suggest. My hesitation is because, yesterday, immediately after I enabled Bridge Mode on the XB3, my Internet access completely disappeared, even directly cabled XB3-to-computer (bypassing the Netgear switch). Whatever the cause, a solution eluded me despite rebooting the modem, trying other computers on other Ethernet ports, etc. But as soon as I disabled Bridge Mode, bingo! -- Internet acces via Ethernet cable resumed and, later, even my Orbi system kicked in. As per your earlier message, the crash probably occured because I didn't factory reset the Orbi and didn't use the genie.
The reason for this is because you had no router at that point. With the old router in bridge mode, you should have been able to use the Orbi as the router. If however you are using your old router, then put the Orbi in AP mode. This is easy to do. And turn off the wifi from your ISP's router. Don't need the extra wireless congestion.
You have been most generous and gracious with your responses. At the risk of trying your patience, I'll ask another question: Which router should I choose? The Comcast XB3 with the Orbi in AP mode? Or the Orbi with the XB3 in Bridge Mode (thereby disabling the XB3 router feature)? I'm guessing the latter. I absolutely savvy the wisdom of having only one router so I'm going to muddle my way through this task. I simply want to enjoy high-speed wi-fi with as little complication as possible. Assuming the Orbi gets the router nod, in what order do I make these changes? At the moment, I have hard-wired access to the net and the Orbi wi-fi is operating perfectly. Do I Bridge Mode the Comcast first, then put the Orbi in AP second? Sigh. You've already gone to considerable trouble to help me out so if you know of a link to "here are the steps, 1,2,3...," I will be eternally grateful. If not, I'll go take my chances by guessing and pester you no more (except to report success, should that be my fate). My sincere thanks.
Is there a Mfr and model# of this modem?
I would do this, ask your ISP of the modem in question can be bridged. I know that some ISPs and modems don't support bridging.
You can for now, keep it configured as your main router and use the Orbi in AP mode. If it works don't fix it. LOL.
Understood. Arris Model TG1682P3CT. It appears that it can be bridged. Here's what Arris says:
"By default, the TG862 operates as a gateway, and provides Internet access for multiple devices connecting to the TG862 gateway. When operating as a gateway, the TG862 serves as a modem and a router and keeps the devices in the Local Area Network (LAN) hidden. In certain situations, it may be desired to disable the router function of the TG862, and have it operate as a modem only. This can be accomplished by configuring the TG862 for Bridge Mode. When Bridge Mode is enabled, the router function is turned off and the device directly connected to the TG862 will receive the Public IP address from the Cable Provider. This document describes how to enable and disable Bridge Mode.
NOTE 1: Although the TG862 does not route traffic when Bridge Mode is enabled, it can still act as a firewall if the firewall settings in the TG862 are enabled.
NOTE 2: The Bridge Mode feature is not included with units that have been leased or purchased from Shaw communications.
This is an ideal setup when:- Adding a firewall, router or another NAT device to manage the Local Area Network
- Hosting services or applications that can benefit from being directly accessible from the Internet"