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RBR50 setup with network switch
I am going to be setting up my RBR50 with a network switch. The reason for this is because I'm on a community network with no access to the main network modem. Currently I'm setup using a linksys wifi...
Yes, like I said, if you need a switch then install one at the walll out let then connect the RBR to the switch. But nothing else can connect to the switch. If you need more ports in back of the RBR, then you can add a switch here as well.
Good Luck.
FURRYe38 wrote:Yes, like I said, if you need a switch then install one at the walll out let then connect the RBR to the switch. But nothing else can connect to the switch. If you need more ports in back of the RBR, then you can add a switch here as well.
This is a good practice, but is not technically correct.
Let me start by commenting there is no need to "power cycle the modem". Yes, it is often recommended as a good practice, but your situation is not "normal". Adding a switch to the picture does not accomplish this.
The entire complex is being "fed" by a modem and a router (not simply a modem). A modem accepts only a single device, and the Comcast modem is supplying internet to a bunch of "houses". The link that appears on Jack #12 of the patch panel is connected to an ethernet port on that router, as are patch panels in other houses. (An easy way to verify this is to look at the IP address on the WAN port of the Linksys. If it is a "private" IP address, that is an indication that your Linksys is connected to a router.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_network
If you connect an 8-port switch to port #12 on the patch panel, then each device that is connected to that switch will get an IP address from the central router, just like the Linksys router did. When you then plug the Orbi/Linksys into the switch, it will create a different private IP space on the LAN side of the Orbi/Linksys. Anything connected to the Orbi/Linksys will have internet access, but it will have no access to other devices that are connected directly to the switch.
This is why FURRYe38 (and I recommend (a) replacing the Linksys with the Orbi, and (b) if you need additional ethernet ports, attach the switch to the Orbi.
There are situations where the ISP modem has fixated on the MAC address of the router that has been attached and refuses to recognize a new MAC address. That is what resetting (or power cycling) the modem accomplishes. This is not your situation.
Actually can be good and bad if the user doesn't understand how switches work or the intent of the use of the switch is. It's technically correct, however may not be a normal configuration. Would be a corner case use or last resort kind of thing. Most of us understand the from a wall outlet ISP with not in room ISP HW, the first device connection should be A NAT router. However placement and such may cause some to want to move the router farther away from the wall outlet or have other considerations. Most cases a longer LAN cable could be used. Or a switch can be used but wouldn't be really needed. IF the ISP is providing NAT abilities upstream from the wall out let, then a switch could be connected at the wall out let then everything else to this switch. Again corner case an not see in most avgerage home configurations.
Hope they can get the Orbi connected properly and enjoy.