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Chuck_M's avatar
Chuck_M
Mentor
Dec 04, 2024

Orbi 971 and pfSense

My Orbi 970 is set to AP mode behind a pfSense network appliance.  All has been working extremely well until two days ago when all wireless services stopped and a magenta light showed up on Orbi.

 

By process of elimination, I found the pfSense firewall was interfering with Orbi functions (even though nothing was changed over previous weeks configuration).

 

I believe the answer may be blocked ICMP (pings) created by Orbi.

 

I have the following questions:

 

1. Are the IMCP Pings to be unblocked by pfSense on the LAN or WAN or Both?

2.  When using Orbi as an AP, what port on the back of the Orbi is best suited?   (I have three options, the yellow 10G port, the Gray 10G Port or the four LAN ports?)

3.  Are there any other best-practices (rulesets or otherwise) for pfSense when using Orbi as an AP?

 

Thanks in advance!

1 Reply

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  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru
    Dec 04, 2024
    Chuck_M wrote:

    My Orbi 970 is set to AP mode behind a pfSense network appliance.  All has been working extremely well until two days ago when all wireless services stopped and a magenta light showed up on Orbi.

     

    By process of elimination, I found the pfSense firewall was interfering with Orbi functions (even though nothing was changed over previous weeks configuration).

     

    I believe the answer may be blocked ICMP (pings) created by Orbi.

     

    I have the following questions:

     

    1. Are the IMCP Pings to be unblocked by pfSense on the LAN or WAN or Both? Most likely the WAN since the WAN port is required for connection when in both router and AP mode. 

    2.  When using Orbi as an AP, what port on the back of the Orbi is best suited?   (I have three options, the yellow 10G port, the Gray 10G Port or the four LAN ports?) ALWAYS WAN port. Router or AP mode. Most of the LED behaviors and other system operations are designed for this connection. 

    3.  Are there any other best-practices (rulesets or otherwise) for pfSense when using Orbi as an AP?

    Something you might ask pfSense about since there product seems to be having interaction issues with a MESH system connected to it.