I recently had a cablemodem snafu. I have a new Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Router and Satellite. I'd consider replacing the Router with the equivalent Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Cablemodem/router -- but it's not clear to me whether I can convert the WIFI Router in AP mode or if it's even something I should consider doing, short of just staying with a separate cablemodem. This is really for want to have less equipment handing around. Thanks!

One thing to consider, for cable ISPs, it's up to ISPs to push FW updates to users owned modems. So some ISPs may have policies where they don't push FW to user owned modems. So having a gateway modem with built wifi and router could become problematic if you can't get FW updates from the ISP. So to help with this, it's recommended for those ISPs that do not push FW to user owned modems or gateways, is to get a modem only unit which works for the ISP or rent the ISPs modem, then install a external wifi router which you the user have more control over, like your Orbi RBK system. If you already have the Orbi AX system and a ISP modem, then you should think about keeping it and using it. Once it's setup then shoudn't need any user invervention. Then of course, if you want something all in one, the a gateway modem system could work for you.

Thank you for your response. This makes sense to me. One thing I was thinking of, which I could accomplish with a different cablemodem, is to have a cablemodem router that also provided VPN which I could *always* get to (ie: in the case that the internal unit failed or was offline, etc).

What mfr and model# cable modem do you have now?

I should have mentioned, I have a Netgear CM1000 now. It does not have a router or VPN on it, I know I could buy a different model to get those features.

Cm1000 is a good modem. Most modems won't have VPN unless you get a gateway modem. CM series are modems only. C series or CBR series are modems with built in routers and wifi. Your Orbi should do some of this...or you can use pass thru VPNs on your devices...

Replace Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Router with Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Cablemodem Router?

7 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru
Dec 29, 2020
One thing to consider, for cable ISPs, it's up to ISPs to push FW updates to users owned modems. So some ISPs may have policies where they don't push FW to user owned modems. So having a gateway modem with built wifi and router could become problematic if you can't get FW updates from the ISP. So to help with this, it's recommended for those ISPs that do not push FW to user owned modems or gateways, is to get a modem only unit which works for the ISP or rent the ISPs modem, then install a external wifi router which you the user have more control over, like your Orbi RBK system.

If you already have the Orbi AX system and a ISP modem, then you should think about keeping it and using it. Once it's setup then shoudn't need any user invervention.

Then of course, if you want something all in one, the a gateway modem system could work for you.
- gumpgump
  Guide
  Dec 29, 2020
  Thank you for your response.
  
  This makes sense to me. One thing I was thinking of, which I could accomplish with a different cablemodem, is to have a cablemodem router that also provided VPN which I could *always* get to (ie: in the case that the internal unit failed or was offline, etc).
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Dec 29, 2020
    What mfr and model# cable modem do you have now?

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Replace Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Router with Netgear Orbi WIFI 6 Cablemodem Router?