Orbi RBK 753 backhaul setup issue

[adiemus5]

Hi guys, network noob here so appreciate your input. I got my RBK 753 last weekend and setup running now, some how the web UI always shows that my Satellite unit is under wireless connection, I have my Ethernet port at each room wired through a switch like below sketch, then pluged in the cable to all RBS units, did I miss anything? I checked my port with my old router, all functioning with internet signal and the firmware seems to be up to date on my RBR and RBSs. And my ISP is fiber so I got a cable into my internet junction box in the closet without a modem in the system, I pluged in this cable into my TP Link switch.

Interestingly to find out that under the Show Statistics window, I do see WLAN Backhaul with Tx and Rx data, does that mean the Backhaul is working? 

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

Yes, the NAS can be connected to a port on the satellite.  Ethernet backhaul is generally much faster than WiFi backhaul. I doubt you will notice any difference in speed.

[FURRYe38]

What is the model# of the switch? 

Try testing 1 RBS in same room as the RBR with the RBS ethernet connected directly to the back of the RBR. With out the switch in between. Does the status change to wired? 

Be sure your CAT LAN cables are of good quality. CAT6 is recommended. 

https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy... 📡
NG GS-105/108v4 and GS308v3, D-Link DGS-105/108 and HP ProCurve 1400/1800 series switches work for Orbi systems.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Current-list-of-Ethernet-switches-that-work-with-Orbi-RBR50/m-...

[adiemus5]

Good suggestion, let me try that to exclude the possible issue with the switch (TP-Link TL-SG105). All my cables are Cat 7.

[CrimpOn]

Orbi systems are designed to detect ethernet backhaul on the LAN ports, not the WAN port.

Since the router WAN port is connected to the switch and the LAN ports are not, then the router will not detect ethernet backhaul and will remain in WiFi backhaul mode (which appears to be working fine).

If there are two ethernet cables connecting the location of the switch and the location of the router, then one can be used for the WAN connection and one for a LAN connection.  The ISP feed should not go though the switch to the WAN port.

There is an interesting discussion of this situation in this post:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Disabling-automatic-subnet-reconfig/m-p/2031354#M110164 

His 'issue' that started the post was resolved toward the end.  The interesting part is how he used VLAN's to carry both WAN and LAN traffic over one ethernet cable.

[adiemus5]

@CrimpOn Thank you for the dead on explaination, I just moved my RBR to the closet wired per your suggestion, now the RBS is showing up as wired on the web UI, which is good, I can rerrange my RBS locations around the house to better spread the signal. 

Now my concern is that if I have the RBS backhauled through cable, can I plug in my NAS to the other Ethernet port at the back of RBS? I can plug in and test but theoretically will this reduce the speed of transfering comparing cable my NAS to the main RBR?....asking cause I cannot move my NAS to the closet too, lol

[CrimpOn · Accepted solution]

Yes, the NAS can be connected to a port on the satellite.  Ethernet backhaul is generally much faster than WiFi backhaul. I doubt you will notice any difference in speed.