RBRE960 local routing between devices stopped working

[ErnieE5]

ROUTER INFORMATION

Hardware Version	RBRE960
Firmware Version	V7.2.6.31_5.0.24
GUI Language Version	V3.0.3.10_2.1.30.3
Operation Mode	Router

WIRELESS SETTINGS (GENERAL)

Region	North America
2.4 GHz Channel	Auto ( 9(P)+5(S) )
2.4 GHz Wireless mode:	Up to 1147 Mbps
5 GHz Channel	36 + 40(P) + 44 + 48
5 GHz Wireless mode:	Up to 2402 Mbps
6 GHz Channel	97 + 101(P) + 105 + 109 + 113 + 117 + 121 + 125
6 GHz Wireless mode:	Up to 4804 Mbps
5G-2 Channel	149 + 153 + 157(P) + 161
5G-2 Mode:	Up to 2402 Mbps

Most devices are able to access the internet, but I am unable to see machines on the LOCAL network.  This has been working between wired and WiFi devices.  Over the weekend it just stopped.  I have rebooted the Orbi, connected the wired computers directly to the Orbi and STILL am unable to get the computers to connect LOCAL to LOCAL via the Orbi router.  

ping results in "Destination host unreachable" when both computers are directly connected to the router (no switches).

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

As long as you don't reset the devices, they will re-connect to the same SSID name and PW. 

Been using same SSID name and PW for years across many different routers. All my devices connect when I either FR or put a different router online using same SSID name and PW. 

After new FW is upgraded, can induce some odd issues. Newer code can cause older code or configurations to not work correctly, thus a FR is needed to clear out older or bad code or configurations that may not work right after new FW is applied. Seen this many times after new FW is released. 

Yes, default all NG routers use 192.168.1.x which can be changed to something else. Glad this wasn't the problem. 

Glad you got it working. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡

[FURRYe38]

Has a power off for 1 minute then back ON with the ISP modem and Orbi system been performed since last update?
Be sure to restart your network in this sequence:
Turn off and unplug modem.
Turn off router and computers.
Plug in and turn on modem. Wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on the router and wait 2 minutes for it to connect.
Turn on computers and rest of network.

[ErnieE5]

The GENERAL action plan you suggested was the FIRST thing I tried.  I HAVE ZERO ISSUES accessing the INTERNET, but I DID attempt the reset of the modem "just in case" (In the order you suggested). I am writing this on one of the computers I have been attempting to get communicating with OTHER machines on the local network.  Trying to "just" bring up two computers on the network is next to impossible because of all the "smart" devices that use the network. (Sonos, Lights, Garage, Oven, Washing Machine, Thermostat, plugs, TV, and others)

EVERY system/computer that I have connected to the Orbi (wired, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz,  6GHz - only) has obtained a DHCP address FROM the router AND has been able to access the internet.  

What FAILS is machine to machine communications ON THE LOCAL network.  (This WAS working up until this weekend and it started failing.)  The simplest form of this is attempting to have two desktop computers (with ICMP enabled) trying to ping each other.

If I ping the Orbi (10.5.5.1 ) it responds.

If I ping ANY OTHER DEVICE on the network I get "Destination  host unreachable"

In the case above it is a Desktop trying to ping a linux server

The same happens when I try with the Desktop connected via a wire. (No screen shots)

I am at a loss to understand WHY this started failing "spontaneously."   Up until this weekend I haven't had any issues connecting LOCAL machines via the Orbi.  I normally use ssh to connect to the linux machine dozens of times a day...

The linux box ALSO has "Samba" and database ports open, BUT the connection issue is well before this.

This shows the IP address (static via DHCP) given to the linux box and the local open ports:

This shows some various tests from the linux box:

[FURRYe38]

Is any Access Controls, Armor or SPC enabled on the RBR? 

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

[ErnieE5]

I can't find (would have never enabled) SPC (assuming it is Parental Controls).

It is a fiber modem from "Spectrum"
SONUV1S, but in the PAST when the MODEM/internet has been down LOCAL traffic has still worked.

[FURRYe38]

SPC and Armor would be enabled on the Orbi app. 

Not sure if your custom DHCP pool string would be causing this...

Have you tried a factory reset and setup from scratch and this time, try using the default router IP address pool of 192.168.1.100 thru .1.200? 

I don't see any router abilities on the ONT unit. 

[ErnieE5]

I never bothered with the App.

If a factory reset IS the answer the Orbi will go in the trash and Netgear will likely lose me as a customer.  Resetting the 80+ devices on my network is not a small chore and would take DAYS if not weeks. Just pulling all the "smart" switches out of the wall (over 40 of them) will be a massive PITA and NOT something I would do "just to test a theory."

Trying to trouble shoot this has already burned over a day. 

ONE of the reasons I purchased the Orbi was to get away from 192.168... The OTHER is that the Spectrum provided router was "lacking" in stability and "features."   The Spectrum provided router couldn't handle traffic well between 5GHz and 2.4GHz and made Sonos VERY unreliable between the App and the devices.  Until this weekend the Orbi HAD BEEN exceptionally reliable.   





   

[FURRYe38]

So when a factory reset is done, this is only done on the RBR and RBS. No other devices need to be reset. And as long as you re-setup using the same SSID name and passwords for the wifi, your devices will auto re-connect once the configuration is applied.

[CrimpOn]

---

@ErnieE5 wrote:

If a factory reset IS the answer the Orbi will go in the trash and Netgear will likely lose me as a customer.  Resetting the 80+ devices on my network is not a small chore and would take DAYS if not weeks.

---

A Factory Reset does not affect user devices.  Use exactly the same WiFi credentials and devices will reconnect automatically.

[ErnieE5]

Thanks.  I wasn't certain if it stashed a GUID or other.

[ErnieE5]

I AM annoyed that a reset DID work AND that you and CrimpOn were correct.  I hesitated to try that action because of prior experience with WiFi from two decades ago.  (Yeah, my "knowledge" was out of date!)

What I am MOST curious about NOW is WHY/how it (the router) got into this condition.  It wasn't the 10.5.5.x private network.  At THIS time, the SSID/PW and 10.5.5.x are the only changes I made.  (It DID come up with 192.168.x.x, but for "various reasons" such as "hard coded IP addresses" this isn't optimal for my config.)

Thanks for your help!

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

As long as you don't reset the devices, they will re-connect to the same SSID name and PW. 

Been using same SSID name and PW for years across many different routers. All my devices connect when I either FR or put a different router online using same SSID name and PW. 

After new FW is upgraded, can induce some odd issues. Newer code can cause older code or configurations to not work correctly, thus a FR is needed to clear out older or bad code or configurations that may not work right after new FW is applied. Seen this many times after new FW is released. 

Yes, default all NG routers use 192.168.1.x which can be changed to something else. Glad this wasn't the problem. 

Glad you got it working. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡

[CrimpOn]

---

@ErnieE5 wrote:

What I am MOST curious about NOW is WHY/how it (the router) got into this condition.

---

I agree. This is most distressing and simply should not happen.

One tip: If significant configuration entries have been made, there is a "quick Factory Reset" method that often can save time:

• Use the Advanced Tab, Administration Menu, Backup Settings to save a copy of the configuration to your computer.
• If it becomes necessary to perform a Factory Reset, go through the configuration steps ignoring most options. i.e.
• Do not 'Register' the router (again)
• Do not reset the WiFi credentials
• Do not enable anything.
• When you (finally) get to a page that offers the option to "Reload a Saved Configuration", select that. Browse to the saved configuration file and upload it.
• The router will reboot and all settings return. (WiFi credentials, admin password, LAN reservations, DHCP pool... everything!)

Whereas it takes me about two hours of painstaking, typo ridden, effort to enter my configuration by hand, this "quick" process can be done in under 10 minutes.

Of course, if this does not solve the problem, then doing it the hard way is the last resort.