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Laineybirdy's avatar
Laineybirdy
Aspirant
Feb 19, 2020

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 ...
CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Feb 26, 2020
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."

 

Laineybirdy's avatar
Laineybirdy
Aspirant
Feb 27, 2020

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!