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Forum Discussion
ORBI
Hi there gang! I have a quick question I think I have double nat as I have an orbi installed (router mode) behind a comcast gateway that is broadcasting a wifi signal too and is not in bridge mode....
Correct - no router in AP mode.
AP mode is useful becasue the router also performs network address translation (NAT). With NAT, you have 1 single upstream address that gets translated to multiple downstream (client) addresses. If both your Comcast gateway and Orbi are in router mode, then both are doing NAT, and double-NAT can sometimes interfere with some applications.
In AP mode, the upstream gateway handles all NAT (and security), and the Orbi just sort of transparently connects clients to the gateway.
thank you all, so what is ideal?
how would you guys configure it?
I have a comcast gateway that is both a router and a modem with an orbi that is ethernet lined to the gateway currently.
I appreciate all of your time on this!
Marc
- There is no clear cut ideal choice. Only tradeoffs.
Using the Comcast gateway as a router and the Orbi as an AP allows you to use the Comcast's Wi-Fi in addition to the Orbi's. If you have a huge place that even your Orbi can't cover, then this is an upside. Of course, this would only make sense provided that you can put some distance between the Orbi and Comcast gateway. You can also use the extra Ethernet ports on the gateway to connect devices.
If you put the Comcast gateway into bridge mode and use the Orbi as a router, then you lose the Comcast's Wi-Fi. You can only connect the Orbi to the gateway. All other wired devices must be moved to the Orbi.
OTOH, you can leverage the router functions on the Orbi, which may be better than the Comcast gateway. You also have the peace of mind that Comcast can't get into your Orbi. You should assume that Comcast can access the gateway.
Note, if you have IPTV or VOIP services, then it may not be possible to put the Comcast gateway into bridge mode without affecting them.
So, tradeoffs.Thanks so much for taking the time to explain. Happy New Year.
I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer here - it just depends on which device you want to manage as your router. Keeping the Comcast gateway as a router and putting the Orbi in AP mode is probably the simplest solution, but other way around should also work. Performance-wise, it shouldn't really matter. They give you the flexibility because not all cable modems are the same - many are simply bridge-only, while others (like yours) have router capabilities as well. So the Orbi has modes to work with either type.
thank you!
