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RBR750 Throttling WiFi to 100mbps on Gigabit Connection
I hope someone can provide some insight. I currently have an Orbi mesh system set up in my house. One RBR750 router, and 3 RBS750 satellites.
The RBR750 is connected to a Nokia XS-2426X-A gigabit router (verified set up in bridge mode by internet provider) via a LiteWave LS108GP switch. All cables from the modem to the switch and the switch to the router are Cat 5.
Here is my problem: the two desktop computers hard-wired to the switch continually enjoy +/- 960mbps connections without interruption. The Orbi, however, continually throttles the WiFi speed down to 100mbps. At first we thought it was an issue with the Nokia modem not being in bridge mode, but through a series of trial and error, we know we can restore the full 960mbps WiFi speed by rebooting the Orbi router only. We can leave the modem powered up, as well as the switch, and just reboot the Orbi, and the WiFi speeds go back to “normal”(at least for awhile), so we don’t think it’s a bridge mode issue. Any thoughts or suggestions?
13 Replies
One additional consideration is how important the Orbi "router features" are. When the ISP installs a router instead of a simple modem or fiber Optical Network Terminator (ONT), this creates a situation known as a "Double NAT". i.e. the ISP router uses the public IP address and creates a Local Area Network (LAN), hiding the local IP addresses from the internet using Network Address Translation (NAT). The customer router does the same thing. i.e. it accepts one private IP address from the ISP router and creates its own private address LAN, hiding those IP addresses with NAT.
This "Double NAT" can create all sorts of awkward situations, and can dramatically interfere with specific network applications. (Internet search for "double NAT" will provide examples.)
The obvious way to deal with a Double NAT is to get rid of one of the routers. either
- Put the ISP device into "Bridge Mode" (sometimes called "Passthrough Mode"), thus giving up ALL of its router functions.
This keeps the customer router as the primary routing device, creating one private LAN, assigning IP addresses, and preserving all of the "router functions" of the customer router.
In the case of Orbi, that would include the options to enable Bitdefender Armor, Smart Parental Controls, etc. - Keep the ISP device as the router and put the customer device into "Access Point" (AP) mode. This leaves the ISP router in charge of "router stuff" (creating IP addresses, regulating network access, etc.) and leaves the customer router providing WiFi and network access.
One additional consideration is how important the Orbi "router features" are.
DonMacGregor - if you want to use both the Nokia and the Orbi as routers (connecting client devices to both witht he Orbi in router mode), then you should take the Nokia out of bridge mode.
Personally I do that because I want some features in the Orbi that my ISP router doesn't have. But my ISP router is required for my TV set top boxes (and cannot be in bridge mode for that to work). So I double-route (and therefore have double-NAT).
This works ok for me, as the devices connected to my ISP router don't need to reach anything behind the Orbi.
- Put the ISP device into "Bridge Mode" (sometimes called "Passthrough Mode"), thus giving up ALL of its router functions.
It would be very helpful to see the IP address assigned to each of the devices now connected directly to the Nokia.
- Do they all report the public IP address?
- Do they report different private IP addresses?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_network
verified set up in bridge mode by internet provider via a LiteWave LS108GP switch
What is the purpose of the switch? In bridge mode, there normally wouldn't be a switch on the path, you'd just connect the Orbi directly to the Nokia router.
I agree with CrimpOn that in bridge mode you only want one device connected to the Nokia, as the passthrough address can't be shared.
I’ll try not to leave too long of a response.
Basically, when the fiber optic service was installed, the service entrance to the house left us with few options for locating the modem. Initially, it was in the garage, until we had a chance to extend the line with a longer fiber optic patch cable from the network terminal in the garage up to our home office, where we set the modem.
Initially, we had the RBR connected directly to the Nokia, but the geography of the house made for very poor WiFi signal strength. The home office is at the far end of the house, surrounded by two full bathrooms with tile/stone showers over full mortar beds, the upstairs mechanical closet with the furnace unit inside and metal ducts, and too many framed walls to count.
Because we needed to grab internet off the Nokia for Ethernet connections for the office (and a gaming console), but needed to move the RBR away from the Nokia to a better location for WiFi signal strength, we put in the switch, and moved the RBR about 25’ away from the Nokia.
We have eliminated the switch now, and are working on connection Ethernet to the lan ports on the RBR instead (will take some creative cabling).
Because we needed to grab internet off the Nokia for Ethernet connections for the office (and a gaming console), but needed to move the RBR away from the Nokia to a better location for WiFi signal strength, we put in the switch, and moved the RBR about 25’ away from the Nokia.
We have eliminated the switch now, and are working on connection Ethernet to the lan ports on the RBR instead (will take some creative cabling).You could use alternatively use the Nokia as a router (taking it out of bridge mode), and switch the Orbi to AP mode. Then you could connect ethernet devices directly to the Nokia.
It might be worth having another discussion with the ISP about "bridge mode" on the Nokia device. Many routers offer this feature and expect to connect to one device (computer, router, etc.), passing the public IP address to that one device, and disabling all "router functions" (including turning off the included WiFi capabilities).
When the Nokia is connected to an 8-port gigabit switch and several devices are connected to that switch, there may be confusion over which device takes over the public IP.
Also, connecting both the Orbi router and other devices to the switch results in two networks (the WAN side of the Orbi is one network and the LAN side is a network hidden behind Network Address Translation).
That is why the recommended practice is to connect the Orbi router directly to the ISP device and everything else to the LAN side of the Orbi router.
p.s. Since the Orbi 750 is an older WiFi6 model, it might be worth investigating with the ISP about using their Easy Mesh Beacons.
Already mentioned: "Nokia XS-2426X-A gigabit router (verified set up in bridge mode by internet provider) "
That is correct. FW version on the RBR is V7.2.7.15. I have already ordered all new CAT 6 cables and plan on swapping out everything. Just verified the current cables are 5e. Both the patch cable from the modem to the switch, and the cable from the switch to the RBR.
Try connecting the RBR behind the Nokia router then switch after the RBR.
Does the RBR web page under Advanced tab/Show Stats show 100Mbps or 1000Mpbs for the WAN port speed?
WAN Port Status says 1000M/Full
So is this the configuration you have connected the RBR? Nokia Router in bridge mode>TPLink Switch>Orbi RBR?
What FW version is on the RBR?
CAT6 UTP is recommended. Some CAT5 cables are not rated for 1000Mpbs. 5e is rated for 1000Mpbs.
