I'm having this exact issue, and it's driving me insane. Just picked up a RBK963. Everything working great, but I need to put the router into AP mode. So I did that, and all was well (as long as I use the WAN port or I get a bright magenta light). Problem is that both of my satellites (wired) disappear from the Orbi app, so I have no idea what's connected to which of them via WiFi. I honestly thought I'd be done with this mess when I upgraded from the RBK53, but... nope. Is there any way around this? Seems like such a simple setup that it boggles my mind it's so tricky to get working. My Fiber ONT -> Edgerouter ER-4 -> Orbis in AP mode.

You are SO LUCKY. (two Ethernet cables from the patch panel to each room.) The correct connection sequence is: Fiber ONT to Edgerouter. (if they are co-located, then no patch panel) Edgerouter to Orbi WAN port using one Ethernet cable. Orbi LAN port using the other Ethernet cable back to 16 port switch. Connect everything else to the 16 port switch. The key is that the link between Edgerouter and Orbi WAN port must not go through the switch.

With two Ethernet cables from the patch panel to each room, the key is to use both cables for the Orbi router. ISP ONT -> Edgerouter-> bypass switch to patch panel->connect to Orbi WAN port over cable 1 Orbi router LAN port->cable 2 to patch panel -> to switch. Everything else in the house, connect to the switch. The only pathway from satellites to Orbi is through the switch to the LAN port. They cannot sneak around to the Orbi WAN port because the only device connected to the Edgerouter is the Orbi WAN port. I want to be very clear that the problem being solved is that wired satellites do not appear in Attached Devices when the Orbi is in AP mode. Wiring the network in this manner solves that problem. A person could say, "I want the most efficient, highest performing network. I don't want every data packet going through the Orbi router when it could go straight from a device to an Edgerouter port, or through the switch directly to the Edgerouter." What I am saying is that is a different goal. Everything will work except the Orbi satellites will not appear. It's a choice.

WilliamGr wrote: My Fiber ONT -> Edgerouter ER-4 -> Orbis in AP mode. How are the Orbi units connected? For example, if the Orbi router WAN port is connected to the Edgerouter, and the Orbi satellites are connected to the Orbi router over WiFi or using the Orbi router LAN ports, then it should work correctly. On the other hand, if all of the Orbi units are connected directly to the Edgerouter, the satellites will 'disappear'. Is there perhaps another switch in the network?

Thanks so much for the reply!My main Orbi is connected via the WAN port (LAN port just gives me permanent magenta and no internet) to an unmanaged 5-port switch which connects to the gigabit jack in the wall. That then goes upstairs to another unmanaged switch in my panel (bedroom closet), and that switch connects into my Edgerouter 4 (which has my fiber config). So basically it’s the fiber ONT which connects to the panel, which then connects to the Edgerouter ER-4 which connects to the 16 port unmanaged switch, and then all the rooms are connected from that switch.The other Orbis are connected the same way. In rooms connected to a small unmanaged switch (5 ports I believe) and then back to that panel in my closet.Hopefully that makes sense.PS There are double runs of Ethernet to each room from the panel. I’ve only wired up one end in each room but I can do two. Just an fyi…

Thank you for the reply. Will that give me wired backhaul with all Orbi satellites and visible in the app etc?

Wired satellite not showing up on Attached Devices

20 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru
Feb 08, 2024
WilliamGr wrote:

My Fiber ONT -> Edgerouter ER-4 -> Orbis in AP mode.

How are the Orbi units connected?

For example, if the Orbi router WAN port is connected to the Edgerouter, and the Orbi satellites are connected to the Orbi router over WiFi or using the Orbi router LAN ports, then it should work correctly.

On the other hand, if all of the Orbi units are connected directly to the Edgerouter, the satellites will 'disappear'.

Is there perhaps another switch in the network?
- WilliamGr
  Guide
  Feb 08, 2024
  Thanks so much for the reply!
  
  My main Orbi is connected via the WAN port (LAN port just gives me permanent magenta and no internet) to an unmanaged 5-port switch which connects to the gigabit jack in the wall. That then goes upstairs to another unmanaged switch in my panel (bedroom closet), and that switch connects into my Edgerouter 4 (which has my fiber config). So basically it’s the fiber ONT which connects to the panel, which then connects to the Edgerouter ER-4 which connects to the 16 port unmanaged switch, and then all the rooms are connected from that switch.
  
  The other Orbis are connected the same way. In rooms connected to a small unmanaged switch (5 ports I believe) and then back to that panel in my closet.
  
  Hopefully that makes sense.
  
  PS There are double runs of Ethernet to each room from the panel. I’ve only wired up one end in each room but I can do two. Just an fyi…
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Feb 08, 2024
    You are SO LUCKY. (two Ethernet cables from the patch panel to each room.)
    
    The correct connection sequence is:
    
    Fiber ONT to Edgerouter. (if they are co-located, then no patch panel)
    
    Edgerouter to Orbi WAN port using one Ethernet cable.
    
    Orbi LAN port using the other Ethernet cable back to 16 port switch.
    
    Connect everything else to the 16 port switch.
    
    The key is that the link between Edgerouter and Orbi WAN port must not go through the switch.

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Wired satellite not showing up on Attached Devices