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Forum Discussion

Fredarmijo's avatar
Fredarmijo
Aspirant
Mar 25, 2020

Unmanaged switch support for multiple routers

I am trying to connect an orbi router and an Apple Airport Extreme router to my switch, in which the modem is also connected.  The orbi works fine, but the Apple AE does not.  What might I be doing wrong?

4 Replies


  • Fredarmijo wrote:

    I am trying to connect an orbi router and an Apple Airport Extreme router to my switch, in which the modem is also connected.  The orbi works fine, but the Apple AE does not.  What might I be doing wrong?


    The reinforce the commeent from FURRYe38 .  If this actually is a "modem" (not a combination modem/router), then what happens is something that is connected to the switch asks for an IP address address and the ISP says, "Aha.  This MAC address belongs to the customer who is using this particular modem.  I will assign an IP address to this MAC address, and ONLY this MAC address can send/receive using this modem."  So, the Orbi MAC got the IP address.  When the Apple Extreme router asks for an IP address, the ISP says, "Screw you.  I already have given out the one IP address for this modem."  (Actually, ISP's do not swear.)

     

    A router needs to be the only thing connected to the "modem".

     

    Now, if this modem is actually a modem/router, there are other considerations.

    • Fredarmijo's avatar
      Fredarmijo
      Aspirant

      Thank you for your help.  I have a JGS524 switch.  I have the modem, the Orbi, and the Apple AE plugged into the switch.  Should I be able to have both routers share the same IP address?

      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru

        You can't have two routers on the same line in that configuration.

        The switch configuration should be like this:

        ISP modem>Apple Router>switch>Orbi RBR in AP mode. 

        Or 

        ISP modem>Orbi RBR in router mode>switch.