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Forum Discussion
Unable to Use Guest Wifi in AP Mode and a Switched Wired Backhaul
Hi, Summary: Need a solution to run a Guest Network on a Orbi 970 Wifi 7 system in AP mode with a switched and wired backhaul I have a Firewalla Gold Pro router feeding internet into a Netgea...
Unfortunately, using a Netgear GS105 in between the RBE971 and the RBE970 did not work. However, the problem was clearly different than before.
At first everything worked for at least 4 hours with a device connected to the Guest WiFi from one of the satellites. Full internet, zero problems, as fast I can expect with that switch in there. I even ordered a Netgear SX508M thinking my problem was solved.
But four hours into it the Guest Network lost internet and the RBE971 was suddenly logged as to having abnormally high network activity (reported to my attention by the Firewalla router). And the guest network stopped working. And the main WiFi experienced a slow down as well with difficulty reaching the net.
What happened at that time? Another device started using the Guest Network on the other satellite at the other end of the house. And things came crumbling down.
When I removed the switch everything started working again, with the satellites directly connected into the Orbi, one on 10Gbps port, the other on a 2.5Gpbs port as before. Put back the switch in and the problem can be made to reoccur. Remove it and it goes away. Simple.
I'll repeat the experiment with the Netgear SX508M since it is on its way, but I'm not holding high hopes in light of the above. I'll post the outcome when I try it out.
Thanks for the advice, this definitely got further than before, and I appreciate any other insight.
[But why can't they offer a proper option for a standard VLAN tag instead remains a mystery to me. A standard and tailormade L2 solution for all of AP mode, Guest Networks and Unmanaged Switches. The Qualcomm system they use shouldn't even blink on this VLAN stuff.]
Make sure the Firewall appliance device isn't interfering with the Guest Network or causing problems. Others have posted similar issues having a firewall appliance device connected in front of the Orbi system and seems to cause some problems, with RBS not connecting properly or causing odd issues down stream from connected devices. Possible maybe too much firewalling happening that may cause issues. To check this a bit more, you should remove the firewall device temporarily and test with a standard router in it's place to see if the problem continues and compare notes and experiences.
I ran guest network for a few days a while back, as I normally don't use GN and was able to get services fine. No interruptions.
These are home class systems designed to be simple for the most part and to connect over most common home class networks. Most home networks don't have VLAN and such so these systems are designed for these home environments. What happens upstream from the WAN port on the Orbi system, ya should work for the most part and does. Just easier with un managed switches which do work and more commonly used in the home.
I guess maybe time to put my 970 series back online and help check this.
I've pretty much turned off filters on the router/firewall, but I do still get logging/reporting.
I'll triple check it once I get near it again, which is at least half a day away. But given how RBE971 does Guest Network, I'm not sure the how the router/firewall would classify it as Guest traffic. I did not do any setup to identify it as such at the router and won't until thing I get the basics going.
OK, this is confirmed. I put my 970 series online today behind a CAX30 gateway. Turned OFF the CAX30 wifi radios.
Static IP address on the RBR for 192.168.0.97 thats outside of the CAX30s default DHCP IP address pool.
Using same wifi config as what I have always used on any of my main WLANs.
RBR connected to CAX30 fine.
Connected my XS505M to the 10Gb LAN port behind the RBR.Turned ON the RBS and let it wirelessly sync and did successfully.
After RBS was synced, I ethernet connected the RBS using it's 10Gb port in back from the 10b port:GS110MX. GS is daisy chained downstream from the XS505M.
Giving a bit more time for settling in. All devices working ok.
I had someone check there new Galaxy Tab 9+ pad and connected it to the Guest Network. Pad said it was connected however had no internet. Even with Mac Address randomizer disabled.
So I picked up my Iphone 12 pro max and my Galaxy Tab 7 FE and went back to the back bed room where the RBS was located.
Connecting both to the guest network:
iPhone connected however opening youtube said was no internet service.
Galaxy Tab 7 said there was a connection but no internet, should it still connect?
I changed both devices over the main WLAN SSID name and then both got internet access.
So something is broke on this version of FW.
I'll get this over to NG for review and bug fix.
First order: thank you for going through that entire exercise, I'm quite grateful.
I've rechecked my firewall settings and they indeed in a fully permissive mode at this time. But this is moot at this stage of the conversation.
I did receive an Netgear XS508M yesterday and spent a number of hours testing the configuration. Not surprisingly I got the the same results you did with the XS505M, it is pretty much the same switch. I was not able to connect to the Guest network from a satellite.
My goal was for a fanless switch but the fan on the XS508M is better behaved than I expected.If a bug is indeed filed, is it possible for an end user like myself to track its progress ?
Thanks.
Ok, thanks for the info.
Got word yesterday NG acknowledged the bug I reported to them and will check back with us if any more info is needed. They need to reproduce in there labs and by what we both have seen, shouldn't be to hard to reproduce there so they can see what's happening. Hopefully and get fixed for next FW update.