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ToxicMan's avatar
ToxicMan
Tutor
Jul 09, 2020

Orbi RBR 853 in AP Mode and Wired Backhaul. Satellites Aren't Detected Through a Switch

Read the entire thread and got some great tips.  Now I can safely request an RMA for my brand new RBR853. 

 

The RBS850s will not appear as connected satellites when they are attached through a switch.  I found this article that clearly says they should be fine, and the RBS 850 is listed as a supported client for the config.

Here is the link to connect a wired backhaul according to approved NetGear Technical docs

https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System

I replaced an existing RBK53 setup and cabled it exactly in its place with no changes.


Setup:

Unifi Managed Switches

Frontier FIOS with G1100 Router

Scenario 1 (Existing RBK53 Cabling Setup:
* Orbi Router AP Mode (WAN port) -> Unifi Switch -> G1100 Router LAN port
* Orbi Satellite (LAN port) -> Unifi Switch

Outcome:
- Satellites are not listed in "attached devices" => no mesh;

Read some threads, tried some stuff. Had this outcome

Scenario 2:
* Orbi Router AP Mode (WAN port) -> Unifi Switch -> G1100 Router LAN port
* Orbi Satellite (LAN port) -> Orbi Router AP Mode (LAN port)
Outcome:
+ Satellite is listed in "attached devices" => mesh;

Scenario 3:
Setup:
* Orbi Router (LAN port) -> Unifi Switch -> G1100 Router LAN port
* Orbi Satellite (LAN port) -> Unifi Switch
+ Satellite is listed in "attached devices" => mesh;
- No internet detected within Orbi RBR UI. 

9 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru
    Jul 09, 2020

    What is the model# of these switches?

    IF there managed, please disable all IGMP and green ethernet protocols on these switches. There are known problems with managed switches with Orbi systems. 

    • ToxicMan's avatar
      ToxicMan
      Tutor
      Jul 09, 2020

      No EEE on the switches and no IGMP either.

       

      I have a three floor home with the top and middle floor ethernet runs terminating into a 

      UniFi Switch 8 POE-60W
      Version 4.3.13.11253
      Board Revision 8

       

      These two Unifi switches then uplink to my tech closet on the ground floor where I have a

      Model UniFi Switch Lite 16 POE
      Version 5.6.0.11463
      Board Revision 8
       
      The tech closet has my ONT and G1100 router.  
      The G1100 LAN side is cabled to the Unifi Lite 16.
       
      I replaced an RBK53 setup with the RBR850 setup in exact same topology.  There has been no change to the network architecture at all.  I had no problems with the RBR50 seeing it's two satellite RBS50s at each floor.  The MESH worked well.

      I was expecting the replacement to go smoothly and configured the RBR850 in AP mode just like my RBR50.  All the satellites were detected when on the bench pre deployment.  of course, they were not wired backhaul at that time.  When I deployed in place of the RBK53 system, that's when the problems started.  No detection of the satellites and no MESH network.  
       
      Unfortunately I cant give a dedicated backhaul without going through the switch fabic.  
       
       
       
      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru
        Jul 09, 2020

        Ok, 

        So if you take one RBS and directly connect it to the back of the RBR with out a switch in between. Does the RBS connect and report a wried status on the RBRs web page? 

        I do remember seeing a problem with the status reporting incorrectly when in AP mode when ethernet connected. I'll have to check my notes on this.