NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Orbi RBRE960 as AP behind Firewalla Purple
Previously configuration was a Spectrum Modem connected to a Firewalla Purple (FWP) in router mode connected to an Orbi Mesh system in AP mode. Everything worked flawlessly. I wanted to upgrade to ...
Can you confirm that although WiFi is intermittent, that wired devices are stable?
The correct implementation is to "copy what worked" exactly. i.e.
- Firewalla connects to modem with Ethernet cable
- Orbi router (RBRE960) WAN port connects directly to Firewalla LAN port with Ethernet cable. (no switch in between)
- Orbi satellites connect to the router either
- Using the default 5G WiFi backhaul, or
- Using Ethernet connection to the RBRE960 LAN ports (either directly or through a switch)
It might be useful to take it "one step at a time." i.e.
- Connect only the router and see if connections are stable before adding satellites.
- Depending on what the original Orbi system was, the Guest and other WiFi SSIDs may behave differently with the 960 product than before. If the previous system was the original "50" product, for example:
- Guest devices get assigned IPs in a different IP subnet with the 960
- There is no option about Guest devices having access to the primary network as with the 50 router.
CrimpOn - thanks for the quick reply and good callouts.
I did connect exactly as before (Orbi RBR50v2) and had the issue I described below. I also took it slowly and only had the RBRE960 connected to the Firewalla.
Wired clients maintained connectivity.
Orbi Satellite backhaul connection to the RBRE was wireless.
I knew the RBRE960 handles guest networks differently than the RBR50, so guest network and IoT are OFF.
Connectivity is still "bouncing" every 30-45 seconds.
Phil
Does this happen if router mode on the RBR and does this happen with the RBR if the Firewalla device is NOT in the configuration, just connect the RBR to the ISP modem in router mode and see if the problem continues?
What channel configurations are currently set on the router?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?What other devices are near by the RBR?
How many RBS are deployed?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.No, this does not happen if the RBRE960 is in router mode and the Firewalla is removed from the configuration.
Channel Configurations are 2.4 (Auto), 5 (40 GHz) and 6 (69 GHz)
No other wireless devices near the RBRE960, and again, when in Router mode, the Orbi works FLAWLESSLY
No wireless interference from neighbors - we are on acreage with no homes nearby.
1 RBS is deployed
House is 3000 SF - RBRE on 1st floor and RBS on 2nd floor about 60 feet away - but have unplugged the RBS with same results
RBRE960 Firmware is V6.3.7.10
Spectrum Modem is Arris TM1602
All Cat6 cables
Sounds like something in the firewalla device maybe causing problems though you wouldn't think so if the RBR is in AP mode and just passing data thru. However have seen other users with similar firewall appliance device causing problem, blocking too much traffic or blocking some traffic that the Orbi system relies on. Once this is resolved at the firewall device, Orbi started working correctly.
Does this happen to all WiFi devices, or just some devices?
Do the affected WiFi devices have IP addresses that are
- Assigned (i.e. reserved by MAC address) in the Firewalla, or
- Chosen randomly from the DHCP pool by the Firewalla?
When devices report "no internet", do they maintain LAN connectivity? i.e. do they respond to ICMP (ping) from a wired device on the LAN? (My Android devices have apps that allow them to generate pings.)
Is it only specific apps on the WiFi devices that report "No Internet"?
Happens to all WiFi devices - laptops, smart devices, etc.
Only reserved IP addresses are for the Orbi - 192.168.1.30 for the RBRE and 192.168.1..35 for the RBS
When the RBRE goes offline (although the device's lights do not change - they remain off) pings to any wireless device respond with "Request Timed Out" As soon as things are back up, I get normal ping replies.
pvanbeek wrote:
When the RBRE goes offline (although the device's lights do not change - they remain off) pings to any wireless device respond with "Request Timed Out" As soon as things are back up, I get normal ping replies.
Just a technical note. The RBRE960 router cannot be going "offline", because wired devices continue to function normally*. Something is clearly amiss with the WiFi capability
Does the Firewalla maintain a log file showing when IP addresses are assigned from the DHCP server? (wondering if those devices which fail have their IP addresses reassigned.)
* For example, wired devices can ping the router (30) and the satellite (35) during these episodes and a browser session to the router from a wired devices continues to function during the episode.
