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Forum Discussion
RBRE960B compatibility with BGW320-500
Hi, I'm currently running an AT&T Fiber connection with a BGW320-500 modem/router combo unit. First week of March I picked up an Orbi RBRE960B and swapped out my old Netgear Nighthawk for it. I i...
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple 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://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&app=desktop
What CAT# lan cable are you using between the RBR and ISP modem?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
Understood. As mentioned, the modem is configured for pass-through and has the routers IP address provided. Wifi was also disabled on the modem prior to configuring it for pass through, and the Orbi is running in Router mode. (Though I've considered trying it in AP, but that seems a huge waste to use an RBRE960 as an access point)
When the issue began, the router and modem were connected using a Cat5e cable. All of the cables have since been replaced and it's currently using a Cat8 cable. No change in behavior between the two.
House is only about 1100 square feet. The satellites are unplugged and sitting in the closet currently. That was part of the troubleshooting throughout the last 2 months, again as mentioned in the original post. The combination modem/router and Orbi router are the only network equipment being used. And as mentioned, with the Nighthawk router everything works flawlessly. But with the Orbi Mesh, the fiber modem desyncs.
I'll have to check the firmware later and get back with that. But it was recently updated. Within the last 30 days.Seen other users with odd behaviors with these particular BGW modems.
As a sanity check, remove the IP Pass thru and configure the RBR for AP mode for a few hours, see how the behavior does then.
What channels are you using?
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Yeah I'll give that a try. Will have to wait until after work. I WFH and have the Nighthawk connected currently so I can stay online.
On a side note, just as a test I took the RBR to the other end of the house and plugged it into the power to see what would happen. About ten minutes later the modem dropped again. Went and unplugged the RBR from the wall and I was back online before I got back to my chair.
I'm not immediately sure of the precise channels, but all are set to the highest available option. I'm currently only showing one neighbor, running on channel 1. I know quite a few more SSIDs pop up in the list in the evening. Maybe 5 - 10 total. I've monitored that a bit last month and I'd never seen any terrible overlap with the channels I'm using. Maybe one or two, not in the same channel but on a nearby frequency.