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mtbor's avatar
mtbor
Guide
Sep 19, 2023

RBK752 Satellite in access point mode.

I recently put my orbi system behind my pfsense router for better QoS and bufferbloat mitigation. The orbi system hates not being in charge and seems to lack flexibility in it's configuration. In order to get it to play nice and accept DHCP leases from the pfsense router, I had to put it in access point mode. When I put it in access point mode, the satellite loses its connection and will not reconnect. It seems as though if the orbi router cannot hand a DHCP lease to the satellite itself, it's not getting a DHCP lease, and it's not connecting.

Sure would be nice if the orbi system had a robust featureset, such as a DHCP forwarding mode.

10 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 19, 2023

    There is almost certainly a problem, but it is not DHCP handling.

     

    • The Orbi router always accepts a DHCP lease from an upstream router (ISP, pfSense, whatever).
      When in router mode, the Orbi router assigns the IP it gained from DHCP to the WAN port and then creates a LAN IP subnet that does not conflict with the IP that it received.  It then uses DHCP to assign IPs to devices on the LAN subnet.  Devices on the LAN are 'hidden' behind Network Address Translation (NAT) and cannot be addressed directly from upstream.
    • When in Access Point (AP) mode, the router simply passed DHCP requests and assignments through.  It makes a DHCP request to get an IP for itself which is assigned to the WAN port and its own LAN port.  It is up to every device on the LAN to make DHCP requests and whatever assignments are made by the upstream router are returned through the Orbi to the devices.

    How is the satellite connected to the Orbi router? (WiFi backhaul or 'wired'?)

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Sep 19, 2023

      I would agree as well, there is problem in DHCP. Most likely on the host router. I don't have this particular brand of router however have tested NG routers, CAX80, R and RAX series and with my Orbi systems in AP mode, all RBS get connected and get a DHCP IP address from the host router. There is not DCHP forwarding needed on Orbi systems in AP mode. 

       

      I also prefer to use a static IP address on the RBR while in AP mode that is outside of the host routers default DHCP IP address pool. So when i have my 750 series online, the RBR is set for 192.168.1.75. My one RBS750, wired or wireless gets connected with a Dynamic IP address from the host router that's being used at the time. 

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Sep 19, 2023
        mtbor wrote:
        I'm using wireless backhaul.

        Thanks.  We see all sorts of posts where users have connected both router and satellites to the same switch.

         

        Since satellites are easy to move around, can you try:

        • Deleting the satellite from the Attached Devices display.
          (If it is truly not connected, then an option should appear to Delete it.
        • Temporarily relocate the satellite to the same room as the router.
        • On the Orbi web interface, main menu, select Add Orbi Satellite and follow the directions.
        • If the satellite connects, then try moving it to the desired location.

        Although not strictly required, many users prefer to reserve a specific IP address for the router and satellites in the primary router DHCP tables.

        https://forums.serverbuilds.net/t/guide-static-ip-addresses-in-pfsense-static-dhcp/5779