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BadgerDog's avatar
BadgerDog
Aspirant
Dec 21, 2019

Replacing Home Apple Extreme Router Network with RBK50 AC3000 Tri-Band WiFi

I currently have a hardwired Cat 6 LAN and an  Apple Network Extreme router located in our below ground level basement and connected to my Bell Canada DSL Internet Modem. The Apple router connects into the DSL Modem via PPPoE and in-turn connects to a Linksys 32 port LAN switch to deliver internet service throughout our 4,000 square foot home. 

 

At various points throughout our home LAN, I also have 4 additional Apple Network Extreme routers of various ages, connected to the same LAN and set to BRIDGE mode to act essentially as Ethernet Wi-Fi repeaters.

 

The main base Apple Network Extreme router connected to DSL is also set up to deliver Wi-Fi service.

 

As you know, Apple has discontinued its entire router product line, so I bought the initial Orbi 2 pack RBK50 AC3000 system to replace my current Apple environment.

 

The Apple Network Extreme seems to deliver my Internet service via the hard-wired LAN switch-based connections in each room of our home, but the Wi-Fi service it provides is slow and often drops out.

 

So, my question is ...

 

How do I connect my new Orbi 2 pack RBK50 AC3000 system into what I have to provide ONLY Wi-Fi internet service throughout our home, yet leave the existing Apple Extreme Router with its 5 hardwired LAN Apple units in BRIDGED mode to handle all of the Cat 6 LAN services?

 

Is this possible, or is there a better way?

 

ie:  should I throw out the entire Apple Router system and plug the Orbi Router directly into the BELL DSL modem (does it support PPPoE?) for Wi-Fi and then plug the Linksys32 port switch into one of the Orbi's LAN ports.  I'd then locate the backhaul Orbi Satelite somewhere else in the house via Ethernet connection, to handle our extended Wi-Fi needs?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

Regards,

Doug

 

 

 

10 Replies

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  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru
    Dec 21, 2019

    Keep the current network running and disable the wifi on Apples router. Then configure the Orbi for AP mode. Connect it to the network as being your upgraded WiFi system. Keeping the apple router network as your main router for the system would be easiest solution. 

     

    You can use the same SSID and PW on the Orbi system as what your currently using. 

    • BadgerDog's avatar
      BadgerDog
      Aspirant
      Dec 23, 2019

      Followed your suggestion and set up the main Orbi as an AP plugged into Apple Extreme Router via a LAN port on both ends.  I turned OFF all other wi-fi on the Apple Router and also the Bell Canada DSL 5 megabit modem.

       

      Setup satellite Orbi on a different floor and it connected fine to main Orbi via 5Gz special backhaul link.

       

      On the Orbi app, the network map shows main and satellite on-line and a green dot.  There no top ring lights showing on the Orbi satellite unit itself,  but there's a constant mauve (or purple?) light illuminating the top ring on the main Orbi downstairs?  Perhaps the result of an AP setup as opposed to being plughged into the DSL modem?

       

      The Orbi wi-fi network is operating fine and I'm able to use it from other devices and check its status both on the Orbi iPhone app and also from a Safari browser.

       

      I decided to make the backhaul an Ethernet hard-wired LAN connection, so I plugged a LAN cable which leads back to the centralLInksys switch, into a spare connection on the back of the satellite Orbi.

       

      I rebooted everything and now the satellite Orbi still has no light on the top ring, but on the iPhone Orbi network map it has a constant mauve (or purple?) dot instead of a green one, as it used to have when connected via the Orbi via 5Gz special backhaul link?  It also shows as off-line on in the app when clicking on it.  There's still a  constant mauve (or purple?) light illuminating the top ring on the main Orbi downstairs and that status never changed.

       

      I disconnected the satellite Orbi from the LAN cable and went back to the Orbi via 5Gz special backhaul link and everything started working fine again.

       

      I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I followed the Netgear instructions for an Ethernet-based backhaul connected to a LAN switch.  Any ideas on how to get the AP working with this Ethernet configuration.

       

      Thanks for your previous help.