My Experience with Orbi Axe11000 (Model RBRE960) and ATT Gateway Pace 5268.

[SadOrbiUser]

I have a ATT 900+ up/900+ down Fiber Plan with ATT (Model 5268AC). I have a 3 story townhome and getting wifi from the basement of the townhome was just not viable for my family. Long ago we had a old Orbi system AC2200. The 1 Router 2 Satellite System really helped our situation at the time and has gotten us by for a long time. Recently however, I decided to try to join the modern era of router systems with the Orbi AXE11000 (Model RBRE960). This machine boasted a lot of great specs and I was really excited to try it when i bought it. (Side note the firmware is whatever was default on the system due to it not being able to connect to the internet, explained later)

While trying to set up my new fancy system, I ran into an issues almost immediately. My new Orbi was not receiving any traffic from the ATT Gateway. Oh no! I hop on my computer and immediately check my router settings to see if the ATT Gateway can see the Orbi. Unfortunately that was a no go. The ATT Gateway could not see anything connected when plugged into the Orbi. I switched cables, flipped cables, and got even more cables, Even still to no avail. I then call ATT Technical Support thinking that there was something i was missing throughout this adventure and after 3 Hours of a phone call, nothing. We changed the Wifi settings to turn off 2.4 and 5 Ghz. We tried to change the IP/Subnet Mask of the ATT Gateway and nothing. We tried to change the Orbi settings into AP mode per other forums and discursions and nothing. We Factory Reset everything about 4 times. We tried everything in the book and still nothing. Out of the whole experience there were two interesting points that came up. 

The first thing that was interesting is that my ATT Gateway was setup differently than the Technician expected. From my Fiber Box on the exterior of my building to my ATT Gateway there are TWO Ethernet connections. One that goes into the ONT (per usual) but then ANOTHER Ethernet connection into one of the existing ethernet ports on the ATT Gateway. Where does this go? I have no clue i don't do networking and this was definitely on the limits of my ability already. However, The fact remains that it is there. When looking at the DMZ settings on the Router that extra ethernet connection is called "ATT_Motorola_AP_0AA98B".  Again don't know what it does so on to the next point. The other point was maybe my Orbi Axe11000 had a dead WAN port to begin with. Its a possibility.

I call Netgear and get in contact with an Orbi Technical Support Agent. We go through the usual diagnosing first. Factory Reset everything again and try the same settings. Round two! Unfortunately, Nothing again. We go through the same hoops and last time and I have stumped another technician! He also starts to suggest that the WAN port may already be dead. Well two technicians both think the WAN port, so I guess its back to Bestbuy for a replacement! I go through the hassle of getting a new AXE11000 Orbi. 

Back home, I set up the new AXE11000 Orbi, Set up all the satellites, and get ready for the final reveal! I plug it all in annnddd nothing. My ATT Gateway still cant see the Orbi system. At this point i was so tired of the process and i didn't bother to call back the technicians. I went back into the Router settings to see maybe if i poke around the settings I can find something and theres nothing. I check all the settings i checked before and it seems like everything that happened last time is happening again.

In my conclusion, I dont think the ATT Gateway (Model 5268AC) can handle the Orbi. I dont know what could possibly be the issue at this point. I set up my old Orbi AC2200 and it work immediately (Shocker). Im back on my old setup and very disappointed. Im open to suggestions however im returning the AXE11000 tomorrow so if nothing comes of this post then i hope i can get my money back for the Orbi at least. $1500 is no joke for what I've received so far and I'm out $350 in Bestbuy "Protection Plans". 

Have a great day guys 

-Dominic

PS. if im missing any info let me know. Ill try to remember to check on this post. 

-------Specs (one last time)

ATT Gateway Model 5268AC

Fiber 900 Up/Down Fiber Plan

Orbi AXE11000 (Model RBRE960)

Extra Box "ATT_Motorola_AP_0AA98B"

[FURRYe38]

What Firmware version is currently loaded?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended. Swap lan cables for trying this out if neede. The RBR should get an IP address from the gateway on the RBRS web page under Advanced Tab/Internet Section. 

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly. Not sure if this can be done on ATT gateways. 
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode. Contact the ISP for help and information regarding the ISP gateways DMZ and how to configure and use it. 
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop

For settng up AP mode, try using a static IP address on the RBR thats outside of the ISP gateways IP address pool range. I use 192.168.#.96 on mine when in AP mode. 192 maybe different that what your ISP gateway is using so you'll need to adjust for that. 

Try a factory reset on the RBR and setup from scratch usng a wired PC and web browser connected to the RBR. Leave the RBS OFF. 

[SadOrbiUser]

Firmware was "V6.0.3.68" Default out of box because no internet to update firmware.

Out of the box there was a Cat6 cable included so i use both provided Cat 6 cables when connected the Orbi Systems. When checked for the IP coming from the ATT Gateway there was none! It was very bizarre for my and the ATT Technician and Orbi Technician. When i tried ot put it into AP Mode did nothing but actually kind of brick me out of the Orbi. It prevented me from connecting back to the Orbi after AP mode is activated.

You are correct Double Nat is not the greatest but in my case necessary. However, I did go through all the Router settings with a ATT Technical Support Agent. We went through everything you have suggested and it yielded nothing. The issue isn't that the ATT Router isn't allowing a connect, Its that the Router doesn't SEE the connection. Its as if its wasn't even there, like a blank plug. My thinking is that the ATT Gateway wasn't designed for this type of Router connect and just cant handle it. I just cant think why an Older AC2200 would work but a new AXE11000 would not.

[FURRYe38]

I presume you are using the 10Gb yellow WAN port to connect to the modem right? 

Curious do you happen to have a GB LAN switch by chance? Wondering if you put the lan switch in between the modem and RBR, if the RBR would connect then in router mode. 

Possible that the connection between the gateway and RBR isn't working or being handled correctly between them or the RBR is just faulty. Might try the RBR at a different location like a friend, neighbor or family member to see if the problem follows. Or Return this one and get another to check this. 

[CrimpOn]

Was the new 960 router connected to the same Ethernet port as the previous Orbi router?

At any point, was the AT&T 5268 Gateway reset/rebooted?

What happened if that extra Ethernet cable is unplugged? (It appears to be going to a Motorola WiFi Access Point.)

[SadOrbiUser]

Yes 10 GB Yellow Wan Port on the back of the Orbi.

I did think of that and was very tempted to try it however it felt like jumping through all those hoops just to get the orbi working was worth my time and money. Again i was very tempted to do that however

I also did think about doing the ATT Fiber Bypass Trick. Using a Dummy Switch with the Mac Address of the ATT Gateway, So that the Fiber Connection sees that the "Gateway" is connected and then the actual gateway would use the key and verify the connection. Therefore removing the need of having the gateway in the system at all (Aside from needing the key). There by making the orbi the main router with a authorized connection. Again however it really feels like alot of hoops to jump through just to get this to work.

Alas it honestly seems like a Hardware limitation of the ATT Gateway. Who knows to be honest. The whole process so far has been very tiring with all the back and forth troubleshooting.

I would try to use the Orbi at a different location but again it feel very not worth my time if i cant get it to connect with my own Router.

[SadOrbiUser]

Yes it was using the same Ethernet port as the last Orbi. However i did change it to each other ports on the back, Tried different cords, and flipped cords but nothing changed.

The 5268AC was rebooted multiple times. Factory Reset multiple times. Same with the Orbi. Just doesn't seem like there's a setting I'm missing so far that would help.

I have not tried to unplug the extra connection just because it goes directly to my Fiber connection. I assume it helps with the Authenticating. I was half tempted to plug in the extra plug into the Orbi but decided against it in case something were to happen (Getting Bricked out, etc).

[FURRYe38]

If you have the other older Orbi, something you can try as a quick test, put the other RBR online. Make sure it connects. Then connect the 9 series RBR to the other RBR. I would change the 9 series RBRs IP address to something different if the older RBR uses 192.168.1.1. Try using 192.168.96.1 on the 9 series RBR. Connect it to the LAN port on the older RBR. Check the 9 series web page to see if it connected or got an IP address from the older RBR. If it does, then I would presume there is a problem between the ISP modem and the 9 series RBR.

[SadOrbiUser]

Decided to take it out of the box again to try this because i honestly thought about this before and wasn't sure if it would work. Can you guess what? THE AXE11000 HAS INTERNET WHEN CONNECTED TO THE OLD AC2200. Seems like it probably is the connection to the Pace 5268AC. In my opinion this is very bizarre and a weird limitation of the Pace 5268.

[FURRYe38]

Wondering if the PACE doesn't like the 10Gb speed port on the RBRE and it's not handling or handshaking the connection. The modem uses a 1Gb port and the RBRE can conenct down to that rate since it connects to the older RBR. 

Might ask the ISP if there is any upgrade for the ISP gateway or if that can be removed and could you go from there ONT directly to the RBRE. Otherwise, you can install a 1Gb LAN switch in between the gateway and the RBRE if you want the 9 series to work. 

[CrimpOn]

Like you, I find it incomprehensible that the Pact 5268 does not connect to the Orbi.  The only obvious difference I see is that the Orbi has an auto-sensing 10/100/1000/2.5G/5G/10G Ethernet port.  The Pace seems to have been designed before 2017, when speeds above 1G were not common (if available at all).

It is probably too late (Orbi 'back in the box') but it would be interesting to know what the two devices say about the ports that are being connected.

• The Orbi Advanced Tab home page has a blue box "Show Statistics" which displays the speed that the Orbi believes is being used.
• There might be a similar table on the Pace showing the connection to each port.

It is indeed possible to connect the Orbi to the Pace through a gigabit switch (I do it myself so that I can snoop on the conversation between Spectrum and the Orbi router.  Neither the Spectrum modem nor the Orbi router are aware that the switch is there.)  If a switch was inserted there and, "Voila.  Internet!", that would be interesting.)  I'm using a Netgear GS108Ev3 because I want the VLAN and port mirroring capability that is not found in "dumb" switches.  $40 and extra time to procure a switch may be more trouble than it is worth.

[SadOrbiUser]

I'll debate getting a switch for the Orbi for that connection. In the mean time i'm gonna talk with my ISP about upgrading my Gateway to a Internet Only Gateway. Apparently there is a Model BGW210 that people have had more success with, so may give that one a try. I may return the Orbi for a refund while I try to get an upgraded box from my ISP.

 Seems like my only option at this point. Thank you for all that suggestions tho!

[SadOrbiUser]

That is a interesting thought. Maybe the Pace 5268 Wasn't designed for the 10 GB Port and there for it does not recognize it? 

When looking on my Router Settings it says it is giving my AC2200 1GBPS Up. When doing a speed test my AC2200 says its outputting 880 Up and 900 Down so it seems like its operating as it should. I checked the AC2200 Statistics and it says the WAN port is getting 1000M/Full. So if i had to guess if the AC2200 is only getting 1000M/Full then the AXE11000 would get about the same.

And yeah you have a setup similar to what i was thinking about doing. I do feel also that it is alot more trouble than its worth when i could potentially get a new Gateway with better capabilities.

[FURRYe38]

Might ask the ISP if there is a upgrade option for the PACE. I think that model has been around for a while now. Or if you can avoid using it all together.