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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR40 router set up as AP to RBR50 router
Hi, I have an Orbi AC3000 wifi sytem which includes the RBR50 router, RBS50 satelite, RBS50Y satelite and RBW30 satelite (see photo). I´m trying to set up a supplemental RBR40 router as a simple ...
Noroddveien wrote:Hi, The distances are within 30 feet but the problem is that I don´t want RBR40 to communicate with the satelites at all. RBR40 is connected directly to my RBR50 via ethernet cable and I just want it to act as a simple AP with wifi connection to my devices only. I thought that setting RBR40 to AP automatically turned off satelite functions etc.
This is not correct, although it may not be causing the issue you report. "Router" vs. "Access Point" pertains to the mode of the base unit (RBR40).
Imagine a person who has an ISP combination modem/router and is unable to put it into bridge or passthrough mode.
He wants to connect an Orbi system (router plus satellites) to gain WiFi coverage, but to avoid having a "Double NAT" situation, the Orbi base unit is put into AP mode. It still connects to and coordinates with the satellites. It simply no longer performs "routing" functions, such as port forwarding, DMZ, (usually) DHCP, Armor, Disney Circle, etc. etc. (There is a list somewhere. I need to get a copy of it.)
So, even though there are no satellites connected to the RBR40, there could be. The RBR40 will no doubt activate its 5G WiFi backhaul signal in preparation for a satellite to appear.
This, however, does not "explain what happened." Two (or more) Orbi systems can be activated in the same area. They may compete for the same bandwidth and interfere with each other, but they should all remain separate networks.
Perhaps it would help to understand how the RBR40 was configured as an access point. Does it have the identical WiFi name (SSID) and password as the primary Orbi system?
My RBR50 router has SSID=ORBI3000 while my RBR40 (AP mode) is configured with SSID=RBR40. So, from what I understand, RBR50 and RBR40 will compete for satelite connections depending on location of satelites. BTW, RBS50 satelite is connected to my router via ethernet backhaul. My RBR40 is ethernet-connected to RBR50 via 2 switches and is located in an annex adjacent to our house.
Make sure that the 2 network switches between your RBR50 router and RBR40 (AP) for the ethernet backhaul are not "green" switches. For some reason, the wired backhaul will not work on power-saving green switches. There have been multiple threads on the community forums regarding this, such as https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-Ethernet-Backhaul-Compatible-Switches/m-p/1913276
You might be able to use female-to-female RJ45 connectors where your switches are for this wired backhaul connection to your AP, making it work like a single long network patch cable.
My switches are standard "non green" gigabite switches. In addition, my physical network layout makes it impossible to include a single long network patch cable between RBR40 and RBR50. I guess my best option is to sell the RBR40 and get a new satelite (connected via ethernet backhaul). Shame though, as I already have the RBR40 and a new satelite is quite expensive here in Norway.
As long as the SSIDs are different between the RBR50 and RBR40 and the RBSs are already synced to the RBR50, then they should remain connected to the RBR50 only.
