RBR50 with AT&T Arris BGW210-700 - setup

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Laineybirdy wrote:

I would be forever grateful if someone would please give me explicit instructions for setting up my Orbi (RBR50) with my new AT&T fiber router (Arris BGW-210-700)

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Yes, this situation is more confusing than one would hope it should be.  Can you please answer a few questions:

• Is the AT&T service being used only for internet, or does it also provide telephone service?
• Is the Arris BGW-210-700 connected to a fiber ONT (the red ethernet jack on the back)?
• Do you already have any devices connected to the Arris BGW-210-700 (computers, TV's, etc.)?

To start with, the Orbi can be used simply by connecting the Orbi yellow (WAN) jack to one of the yellow jacks on the back and turning on the power to the Orbi.  It should wake up and "just work."  There are a few things about doing this that are sometimes a problem:

• This will leave you with two WiFi networks in the house.  If all you want is to access the internet, it doesn't matter which a device connects to.  But, it is certainly confusing and most people would rather disable the Arris WiFi.  As the Arris User Manual points out on page 12 (Arris BGW-210-700 ) you can use a web browser and navigate to http://192.168.1.254 and enter the code printed on the Arris label.  This will bring up a configuration web site which will have an option on it to disable the WiFi.
• Having two WiFi access points physically close to each other may cause interference.  Getting rid of the Arris WiFi will take care of that (see above).
• Having the two routers creates what is called a "Double-NAT" which in specific situations causes real problems.  That is why people are prompted to change one of the two devices from a router to "something else."  i.e. turn the Arris into "simply a modem" or turn the Orbi into "simply an Access Point."
• Connecting devices to both the Arris and the Orbi can also cause weird issues, like not being able to "find" a printer or a network storage device.  (That's another reason people try to get rid of "Double-NAT")

Now, if the answers to the questions at the top are:

• Only internet.  No phone.  No TV.
• Connected to the Fiber ONT.
• Nothing is already connected to the Arris

Unplug the cable from the Arris (red) ONT jack, plug it into the Orbi, and power on the Orbi.  It may just come up and work great.  If not, call AT&T service and say, "I have removed the Arris and plugged in my own router."