NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
RBR50 with AT&T Arris BGW210-700 - setup
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) I have been all over trying to find ...
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)
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."
Thank you so much for that explanation - now it makes perfect sense and I understand why I am having issues with the WiFi. To answer your questions:
1. The AT&T service is also providing telephone service.
2. The Arris is connected to a fiber ONT
3. The only thing I have physically connected to the Arris is the Orbi modem but there are other devices that are connecting to the AT&T network and not the Orbi network. I'm not sure if your question was do I have anything physically connected. I have seen a screen showing devices that are connected and most are connecting to the Arris. I think this is what you explained with the double NAT - there are two networks.
Would it be true that if a device is connecting to the Arris, the signal wouldn't be as strong as if it is connecting to the Orbi - (which is why I have the Orbi)? I have two satellites yet since this new setup (AT&T fiber/Arris), I am getting slow internet in some parts of our house. So, turning off the WiFi on the Arris should help this and is easy but turning the Arris into simply a modem is the complicated part. I have been having issues with finding my printer.
I have a question about "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")." I don't understand this. I guess I don't understand how devices connect to a network. Is it true that those devices connected physically to the Orbi satellites like my garage door opener, Phillips Hue, and Solar, are connected to the Orbi network. Those devices like the Ring Doorbell and cameras that are looking for a network wirelessly, I can choose the network they connect to. Are they actually connecting to both networks somehow? Can I tell those devices that are connecting to the Arris network to forget that network and reconnect them to the Orbi which is giving me better range, turn off the WiFi on the Arris, and this may solve the problem?
Is all of this still secure?
I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try to figure out how to turn the Arris into a simple modem on my own and calling AT&T is a pretty awful experience. So, I guess a good question is: Can I have the Arris network just exist and tell all my devices to connect to the Orbi network, turn off the Arris WiFi, and this will solve the problem?
Thank you for your patience and help!
Modem Combo Units: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Cable-Modems-Routers/What-s-the-Difference-Between-a-Cable-Modem-and-Cable-Modem/m-p/1864698#M21950
This would be a double NAT 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=desktopI think your best and easiest configuration would be to try Option#3
Laineybirdy wrote:1. The AT&T service is also providing telephone service.
2. The Arris is connected to a fiber ONT
3. The only thing I have physically connected to the Arris is the Orbi modem but there are other devices that are connecting to the AT&T network and not the Orbi network. I'm not sure if your question was do I have anything physically connected. I have seen a screen showing devices that are connected and most are connecting to the Arris. I think this is what you explained with the double NAT - there are two networks.
Using the Arris for telephone means it has to stay.
No devices physically wired to the Arris (everything on WiFi) means that "Double-NAT" issues are less likely. (However, if in the future you decide to implement VPN into the Orbi or have problems with internet gaming, it will be time to revisit the issue.)
So, to start with, I would define the Orbi with the same WiFi credentials as the Arris and turn off WiFi on the Arris. Everything connects to the Orbi, which connects to the Arris. My Orbi worked this way for over a year, and I suspect thousands of other Orbi's around the world do today.
One "benefit" of this arrangement is that should you have a problem with the Orbi, you can simply remove it, turn the WiFi back on the Arris, and everything will connect to it.
As far as WiFi coverage, WiFi radio power is defined by the FCC. One single Orbi WiFi router will have about the same coverage as one Arris WiFi router. That's why Orbi has satellites: to extend the coverage.
Thank you! Another question, You say to define the Orbi with the same WiFi credentials as the Arris. Do you mean to give it the same name (SSID) and password as the one I have for the Arris? I have reset my Orbi and gone back through the process of re-setting it up. I gave it the same name and password as the Arris but it is not connecting. I'm thinking maybe I didn't understand what you meant about "define the Orbi with the same WiFi credentials as the Arris."
CrimpOn
If I may jump in, I have a similar installation as Laineybirdy EXCEPT I have no phone service and nothing connected to my ATT RG. To clarify, I I can connect my Orbi router directly to the Fiber ONT via ethernet and My Orbi will continue to connect to the internet without the ATT modem and just the fiber ONT?
Received my ATT Arris modem/router, placed it in IP pass through mode, deactivated 2.4 and 5Ghz wifi, plugged my Orbi WAN jack to LAN port on Arris and all works good. Didn't have to change anything on my connected or wifi attached devices. I did try to plug the Orbi directly to the Fiber box, bypassing the Arris modem and got nothing.
Your ISP may require the use of there modem/router with there Fiber box. Something to ask them to see if it can be removed and the Orbi RBR put in it's place.
LLZEL wrote:Received my ATT Arris modem/router, placed it in IP pass through mode, deactivated 2.4 and 5Ghz wifi, plugged my Orbi WAN jack to LAN port on Arris and all works good. Didn't have to change anything on my connected or wifi attached devices. I did try to plug the Orbi directly to the Fiber box, bypassing the Arris modem and got nothing.
