RBR50 with Quantum fiber

Question

So I just got Quantum fiber installed after having spectrum cable internet for years. I know the RBR50/RBS50 are legacy mesh systems by now. The Quantum installer brought 3 of their mesh pods for me to use. When he saw the Orbi he said he can just connect nid output directly to the Orbi and my network would stay the same. Surprisingly to me, he was right and all my connected devices continue to work.

My question has to do with settings to optimize the Orbi with the fiber modem. I have read numerous articles about bridge mode, vlan tagging, double nat, and so on. Has anyone needed to make adjustments to settings when connecting the RBR50 to fiber?

FURRYe38 · Answer

If all is working, then would be nothing to change.&nbsp;
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026
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Did the ISP install a ONT with built in router and wifi or just a ONT unit only with out built in router and wifi? The later being preferred to use with a external wifi router system.&nbsp;

GatorMitch · Answer

Thanks for reply. The Ont doesn’t have router/wifi, the pods they gave me serve as the router/wifi.&nbsp;

FURRYe38 · Answer

👍

CrimpOn · Answer

GatorMitch&nbsp;wrote:
SThe Quantum installer brought 3 of their mesh pods for me to use. When he saw the Orbi he said he can just connect nid output directly to the Orbi and my network would stay the same.

As you are aware, the original Orbi system is WiFi5, which was the prevelant WiFi standard in 2016 when the Orbi system was released.&nbsp; In the past eight years, new WiFi standards have become common, including WiFi6, WiFi6E, and now WiFi7.&nbsp; These are all "backward compatible" with WiFi5 in the sense that older devices continue to connect and function.&nbsp; As long as the customer has few devices capable of WiFi6, 6E, or 7, then deploying a newer system has little value.
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From the post, it appears that those three units are sitting in a box unused.&nbsp; Are you being charged a monthly fee for them?
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The installer was correct that all existing WiFi devices will connect as long as the WiFi system has exactly the same WiFi credentials as the existing Orbi. (SSID/password) Thus, you are free to experiment with using one system or the other just by moving the cable from one router to the other (and back).&nbsp; You could configure the ISP units to match the Orbi credentials. Power off the Orbi. Move the cable. Power up the ISP system.&nbsp; (I would do this when people are not actively using the system.)
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It might be worth taking a few minutes to:

Inventory your WiFi capable devices.&nbsp; Do you have smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, laptops, televisions, or Desktops that support WiFi6 (or newer)?&nbsp; (I now have three -wow!, and am not motivated to consider purchasing a replacement for four Orbi units.)
Understand what the fiber company delivered.&nbsp; i.e. look up the specs on the internet. (If you provide the specific brand and model number, perhaps someone on the forum can comment from experience.)&nbsp; Would three WiFi access points provide additional coverage that would be worthwhile?
Confirm what you are paying for.&nbsp; If you are not going to use them, will you save money by returning them?

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GatorMitch · Answer

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I probably have some wifi6 capable devices (iPhones, Apple TV, laptop). Not worth upgrading my old Orbi, but might be worth trying the pods quantum gave me. The pods are included with my service so no added monthly charges. The pods are model Q9500WK. How would I go about signing the pods the same Wi-Fi credentials to the pods so all my network devices would see the pods just as they see the Orbi? From what I understand the pods are Wi-Fi 6. Not sure if I would notice anything different with them as all my devices are working fine with the higher speeds that I’m getting from the Quantum fiber.

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RBR50 with Quantum fiber

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