Hi everyone!!Here’s a totally newbie trying to set up my new Orbi RBK 53.My house is totally wired with cat6 cable and I have ethernet access in every room provided via my ISP router connected to a switch.This ISP router is the main one and is connected by cable to the Orbi router.I’d like to connect a NAS for backup and multimedia accesible from every room. If I connect it to a LAN port in the Orbi router, would it be accessible from the whole network or the Orbi router will generate a subnet that will “hide “ the NAS?Thank you!!

Short answer: "yes". If the Orbi is in the default "router" mode, then it will create a new subnet that will be frustrating to access. Put the Orbi in "Access Point" (AP) mode (on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Setup) and the primary router will assign IP addresses to every device in the network, so the NAS will not be "hidden". Can you clarify where the "switch" is in relation to the primary router, the Orbi, Orbi satellites, and the NAS?

Thank you very much for your help, CrimpOn!!I have a telecommunications box at the entrance to the house where the fiber signal arrives, equipped with a switch that distributes the signal to the different rooms; Thus (and everything inside the box) the fiber enters and connects to the modem router (HGU of O2), which in turn is connected to the switch to give signal to all the rooms in the house. The Orbi router connects by cable in the living room of the house and the Orbi satellite is one floor higher, connected by wifi to Orbi router.I have done this setup because the HGU router wifi, being tucked into the box, is practically non-existent.Precisely to one of the LAN ports of the Orbi router in the living room is where I want to connect the NAS to be able to access it from different PCs in other rooms and use it for backup, ... and I was worried that it would be hidden in a subnet of the Orbi router but so that you comment I see that the solution is to configure the Orbi as an access point.By the way, I was thinking that to take advantage of the NAS (DDNS service, VPN, ...) I could put the HGU in bridge mode and connect a good router with triple VLAN (that is, in the box: HGU-neutral router- switch). As it is not going to give me WIFI service, I do not need it to be very powerful in this aspect, rather that it manages the issue of network traffic, ports, well ... Any suggestion ???Thank you again!

Pseudocharro wrote:By the way, I was thinking that to take advantage of the NAS (DDNS service, VPN, ...) I could put the HGU in bridge mode and connect a good router with triple VLAN (that is, in the box: HGU-neutral router- switch). As it is not going to give me WIFI service, I do not need it to be very powerful in this aspect, rather that it manages the issue of network traffic, ports, well ...Presumably the Orbi is a good router that can serve your needs as described. You could abandon using your current switch and instead use the Orbi router. Connect your current switch (or all its devices) into the LAN ports of the Orbi. Then you're using the Orbi as your router and have access to all its functions. Ideally, also change your current HGU router to bridge to the Orbi router so you don't have Double NAT. You can also disable all the HGU wireless since you'd now be using your Orbi for wireless.

Hi! Thanks for your reply!So...HGU in bridge mode...Orbi router...switch, correct? Both satellites should be then wired-connected and used as access points, because wifi communication between Orbi router and them should be impossible as the router is inside the connection box.Moreover, if I need the three RBK53 units for wifi coverage, should I purchase another Orbi unit? I am in doubt between these two options:1. Use the Orbi router as the main router connected to the HGU (then I have to buy another satellite), or2.Keep the three Orbi units for Wifi mesh and connect any other router to HGU (ideally a Netgear router to ensure full compatibility)What do you think about??Many thanks!!

Orbi RBK53 subnet | NETGEAR Communities

14 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru
Jun 12, 2020
Short answer: "yes". If the Orbi is in the default "router" mode, then it will create a new subnet that will be frustrating to access. Put the Orbi in "Access Point" (AP) mode (on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab, Advanced Setup) and the primary router will assign IP addresses to every device in the network, so the NAS will not be "hidden".

Can you clarify where the "switch" is in relation to the primary router, the Orbi, Orbi satellites, and the NAS?
- Pseudocharro
  Tutor
  Jun 13, 2020
  Thank you very much for your help, CrimpOn!!
  
  I have a telecommunications box at the entrance to the house where the fiber signal arrives, equipped with a switch that distributes the signal to the different rooms; Thus (and everything inside the box) the fiber enters and connects to the modem router (HGU of O2), which in turn is connected to the switch to give signal to all the rooms in the house. The Orbi router connects by cable in the living room of the house and the Orbi satellite is one floor higher, connected by wifi to Orbi router.I have done this setup because the HGU router wifi, being tucked into the box, is practically non-existent.
  Precisely to one of the LAN ports of the Orbi router in the living room is where I want to connect the NAS to be able to access it from different PCs in other rooms and use it for backup, ... and I was worried that it would be hidden in a subnet of the Orbi router but so that you comment I see that the solution is to configure the Orbi as an access point.
  
  By the way, I was thinking that to take advantage of the NAS (DDNS service, VPN, ...) I could put the HGU in bridge mode and connect a good router with triple VLAN (that is, in the box: HGU-neutral router- switch). As it is not going to give me WIFI service, I do not need it to be very powerful in this aspect, rather that it manages the issue of network traffic, ports, well ... Any suggestion ???
  
  Thank you again!
  - Mikey94025
    Hero
    Jun 13, 2020
    Pseudocharro wrote:
    By the way, I was thinking that to take advantage of the NAS (DDNS service, VPN, ...) I could put the HGU in bridge mode and connect a good router with triple VLAN (that is, in the box: HGU-neutral router- switch). As it is not going to give me WIFI service, I do not need it to be very powerful in this aspect, rather that it manages the issue of network traffic, ports, well ...
    Presumably the Orbi is a good router that can serve your needs as described. You could abandon using your current switch and instead use the Orbi router. Connect your current switch (or all its devices) into the LAN ports of the Orbi. Then you're using the Orbi as your router and have access to all its functions.
    
    Ideally, also change your current HGU router to bridge to the Orbi router so you don't have Double NAT. You can also disable all the HGU wireless since you'd now be using your Orbi for wireless.
FURRYe38
Guru
Jun 13, 2020
What mode is your ISP modem working in? router mode?If so, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Disabled-Features-on-the-Router-when-set-to-AP-Mode

What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?

Yes you can connect the NAS to the RBR.
- Pseudocharro
  Tutor
  Jun 13, 2020
  Thanks!
  To me, third option seems to be easier and the best.
  Don’t know much about the switch, is a generic device installed by the telecommunications operator that did the installation.
  By the way...RBR means rear LAN port?
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Jun 13, 2020
    Pseudocharro wrote:
    By the way...RBR means rear LAN port?
    "RBR" is the router. "RBS" is a satellite.

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Orbi RBK53 subnet