Orbi 750 and Home Assistant system (smart home)

Question

Hey Everyone!I'm new here and new with Netgear products.&nbsp;just bought a few weeks ago my Orbi750. and i have couple of questions:&nbsp;1. Integrating it with Home Assistant - I see 30 devices but most of them are "unknown". what could be the reason?&nbsp; &nbsp;a. does it matter whether I use it on AP\Router mode?&nbsp;2. When I changed to AP mode, I send PING to the "router" and I get some packet-loss, the ping isn't consistent. I reset to factory the router and used it on Router mode and the ping was ok. changed back to AP mode and the ping is&nbsp;faltering. is that normal???I have a Forti 30E which is my FW\DG and DHCP server. is it connected somehow?the router got an IP outside of the DHCP scope + I ran&nbsp; advanced IP scanner and no other device was found with the same address.&nbsp;3. When I was on Router mode, I disabled DHCP and couldn't connect to its WIFI + the app. I got APIPA. is it normal as well?&nbsp;4. What is more recommended to use smart home devices that use the 2.4G frequency? guest, IOT or the original 2.4 network?&nbsp;5. The "Anywhere Access" feature - is it safe? or shall I use VPN via my FW?&nbsp;&nbsp;THANKS A LOT!

FURRYe38 · Answer

MeshiMesh&nbsp;wrote:
Hey Everyone!
I'm new here and new with Netgear products.&nbsp;
just bought a few weeks ago my Orbi750. and i have couple of questions:
&nbsp;
1. Integrating it with Home Assistant - I see 30 devices but most of them are "unknown". what could be the reason?
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/NETGEAR-Mobile-Applications-and-Apple-Devices-FAQ/td-p/2220016/jump-to/first-unread-message
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&nbsp; &nbsp;a. does it matter whether I use it on AP\Router mode?
Yes. If your ISP Modem or ONT is just that, a modem or ONT with out any built in router and wifi with in these units, then you need to run the orbi system in router mode.&nbsp;
If the modem or ONT has built in router and wifi features,&nbsp;This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAThttps://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NATCouple of options,1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS850/m-p/2367505/highlight/true#M53985https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&amp;app=desktop Try option #2 first...
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2. When I changed to AP mode, I send PING to the "router" and I get some packet-loss, the ping isn't consistent. I reset to factory the router and used it on Router mode and the ping was ok. changed back to AP mode and the ping is&nbsp;faltering. is that normal???
I have a Forti 30E which is my FW\DG and DHCP server. is it connected somehow?
the router got an IP outside of the DHCP scope + I ran&nbsp; advanced IP scanner and no other device was found with the same address.
While in AP mode, it's best to configure the RBR for static IP address configuration and give it a IP address that is outside of the host routers DHCP IP address pool range. Example, 192.168.1.100 to .200 on the host router, then set a static IP address of 192.168.1.75 on the RBRs AP mode static configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS850/m-p/2367505/highlight/true#M53985https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&amp;app=desktop 
The .75 address will always be accessible for the RBRs web page in AP mode.
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3. When I was on Router mode, I disabled DHCP and couldn't connect to its WIFI + the app. I got APIPA. is it normal as well?
DHCP needs to be enabled for router mode.
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4. What is more recommended to use smart home devices that use the 2.4G frequency? guest, IOT or the original 2.4 network?
If you have v7 FW loaded on the system, then give the IoT network a try.&nbsp;
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5. The "Anywhere Access" feature - is it safe? or shall I use VPN via my FW?
Yes. Never have had issues with it. Mostly for Orbi app to access the system when away from home.
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FURRYe38 · Answer

MeshiMesh&nbsp;wrote:
Thank you very much!
well, my assumption was that by logic - if the router isn't my D.G that it shouldn't be connected by the internet port&nbsp;🤔
Older generation non mesh routers, or NON NG branded routers may have had the support for just connecting to the LAN port when in AP Mode. NG and for ORBI MESH systems, has always been required to connect the router unit to the upstream host router using the WAN port always.&nbsp;
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"LAN ports are just for ethernet connections to ethernet devices only" - what do you mean by that? can't I connect endpoints to those LAN port?&nbsp;After all, these port are used as switch in principle, don't they?
Ethernet devices are end points so yes you can connect ethernet connected devices to the LAN ports behind the RBR. Can even ethernet connect the RBS to the RBR.&nbsp;
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My current setup is as I mention above + 1 ethernet cable form the switch to the RBS. so you I MUST remove it and connect it directly to one of the LAN ports on the router.
please see the 2 setups below:
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The upper one (setup 1) is what I have right now - the router connected on the WAN port only (I removed the 8 ports sw for the time being).
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Setup 2 - I did for test but as you can see, LAN ports only. Haven't tried the WAN at all before.
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Option 3 - what if 'll put the router to be the first point right after my Forti FW and and then it will connect to the SW via a LAN port + another LAN port directly to the satellite?
What do you think about that?
This is the few options supported to ethernet connect the RBS to the RBR, router or AP mode:
https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System 📡 ‌‌🛰️
This works for me every time. I've tested many Orbi systems, router and AP mode this way.&nbsp;
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**do you have any article that explains what is the difference between the WAN port and the LAN once? even though I use it as AP and this is not my D.G.
NG and for ORBI MESH systems, has always been required to connect the router unit to the upstream host router using the WAN port always. It's how the system is designed and internal design with the LEDs sensing and configuration has required the use of the WAN port for router AND AP mode.&nbsp;
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MeshiMesh · Answer

Thanks a lot, much appreciated!! please see my notes below:

1. I have only 3 mobile devices at home (iphone, ipad and an android) the rest are tv, shield tv, av receiver, smart plugs, smart boiler etc. i don't think i have the MAC option for each.

a. I meant related to topic 1 - if I would work as ROUTER mode, will the unknowns could be fixed?

Moreover, I don't use a modem. I have a fiber optic with a GPON that is connected directly to my WAN **bleep** on my Forti.

2. I already gave the router a static IP that is outside the DHCP scope. 192.168.3.4 while the scope is 5-170.

BTW - is it problematic to give the same IP to the router and AP mode? forgot to mention this. I mean, when I turn in back to router mode, what happens to the IP I gave it?

To fix this, I need to change to router mode and then give it another IP and then change it back to AP mode, correct? no need to factory reset?

4. I currently use Forti 30E but soon it will be changed to OPNsense (over ProxMox).

any recommendations to that infrastructure?

5. "Anywhere Access" feature - except issues, I wonder if it secure as well? more than VPN let's say....

THANKS!

FURRYe38 · Answer

MeshiMesh&nbsp;wrote:
Thanks a lot, much appreciated!! please see my notes below:
&nbsp;
1. I have only 3 mobile devices at home (iphone, ipad and an android) the rest are tv, shield tv, av receiver, smart plugs, smart boiler etc. i don't think i have the MAC option for each.
Phones and pads should. I know for Apple and iOS 18, there are 3 options for Private WiFi Address, Disabled, Fixed and Random. Makes it nicer I guess. IMO, while at home, mine is disabled. Like to see actual host names and no need for odd mac addresses while at home.
&nbsp;
a. I meant related to topic 1 - if I would work as ROUTER mode, will the unknowns could be fixed?
Moreover, I don't use a modem. I have a fiber optic with a GPON that is connected directly to my WAN **bleep** on my Forti.
Posible. Just now sure how those devices are set up by the mfr to show a host name on routers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
2. I already gave the router a static IP that is outside the DHCP scope. 192.168.3.4 while the scope is 5-170.
BTW - is it problematic to give the same IP to the router and AP mode? forgot to mention this. I mean, when I turn in back to router mode, what happens to the IP I gave it?
For router mode, avoid static IP address set on the RBR. Use DHCP. You can give a IP address reservation on the host router for the RBR in router mode. This should be with in the host routers default DHCP IP address range. So go back and configure DHCP and let the RBR get a auto detected IP address for router mode. Then go in an configure AP mode and set the static IP address there. You can use 192.168.3.4 here if that is what you want for AP mode.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
To fix this, I need to change to router mode and then give it another IP and then change it back to AP mode, correct? no need to factory reset?
Correct.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
4. I currently use Forti 30E but soon it will be changed to OPNsense (over ProxMox).
any recommendations to that infrastructure?
If your using a host router at any point here, then keep the AP mode configuration on the Orbi system.
&nbsp;
5.&nbsp;"Anywhere Access" feature - except issues, I wonder if it secure as well? more than VPN let's say....
It is. Again, only meant for Orbi app access from a remote location on your phone or pad to limited features with in the orbi app. Does not work as a VPN.
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MeshiMesh · Answer

Hello!&nbsp;Well after many messages and tests - my issues were resolved!!!what happened is that I connected the Orbi router to one of its LAN ports, rather that the "internet" (WAN) port.&nbsp;Then, "suddenly" my wifi is ok, I see devices were discovered correctly in the "attached devices", the Orbi app is working, there are continuous pings (to the router, to google and to the FW).&nbsp;What's still bothers me is:&nbsp;1. What is the difference between the "Internet" port and the other LAN ports? reminding you that I'm working as AP mode.the architecture is: FW WAN&gt; SWITCH &gt; ORBI R WAN.AND ALSO ONE OF THE SWITCH PORTS GOES TO THE ORBI S - THERE ISN'T A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM. should I add such, or can it cause some loops in my network?My SW BTW is managed but no currently, it acts for the time being just as normal switch.&nbsp;&nbsp;2. On the Orbi app I see that the satellite is connected, but on the web management console, it is not recognized. see attached screenshots.

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Orbi 750 and Home Assistant system (smart home)

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