I purchased the Orbi 770 to extend my comcast wifi which uses an Arris G54 modem/router. Netgear pre-sales chat assured me this would work but said it would require I connect the Orbi via ethernet which I have done.
Unfortunately I am unable to configure the device. The manual says I can use an ethernet cable and browser using "orbilogin.net" or various IP addresses. None of these allow me to access the device.
I know the device is working because it shows up on my phone as a usable network but I want it to extend the existing network where it currently works as a new network.
Please help me understand how I can configure this device. I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you.
I purchased the Orbi 770 to extend my comcast wifi which uses an Arris G54 modem/router. Netgear pre-sales chat assured me this would work but said it would require I connect the Orbi via ethernet which I have done.
Alas, Netgear pre-sales did not understand your question and gave incorrect advice.
Yes, any brand of WiFi system can be connected to an ISP modem/router. Thousands of customers have done exactly this. However, this will not extend the ISP WiFi. It will create a new WiFi network. Even if this new network is configured with exactly the same WiFi credentials as the ISP WiFi (SSID/password), it remains a separate network. Devices will not roam seamlessly between the ISP WiFi and the new WiFi.
What most customers do is (a) disable or turn off the ISP WiFi, and (b) use their own mesh WiFi system to provide coverage for their property.
Because having "two routers" can interfere with specific applications (search the internet for "Double NAT problems"), many customers elect to eliminate one of the routers. The most common solutions are:
Place the ISP router into "bridge" or "passthrough" mode so that their own router becomes the only 'router'. This allows them to take advantage of features in their new system which function only in 'router mode'.
Leave the ISP system as the router and put their new system into 'access point' mode, which gives up those 'router features' but might have other advantages.
No matter what you decide to do, the Orbi router must be connected using an Ethernet cable from the router WAN port to the ISP modem/router. (Pre-sales support was correct about that.)
p.s. Many ISPs have begun bundling their service with Mesh WiFi systems. After a bit of internet searching, I cannot find evidence that the Arris G54 can be part of a mesh system.
Thank you both for the quick replies and helpful info.
Following directions from plemans, I disconnected and powered down the G54 then tried connecting to the Orbi 770 via ethernet and wifi using all options cited in the knowledge base. orbilogin.net orbilogin.com http://192.168.1.1 http://10.0.0.1
None of these connected to the device so as to allow me to configure it as a wifi extender.
It does show up in my wifi menu as an available network and using the password seems to connect. But since the router was off, it was a dead end connection with no internet or option to configure settings. But this suggest the device is working, despite being unable to access its configuration settings.
CrimpOn points out that what I’m trying to do is not possible but raises this question: you’ve stated “having two routers can interfere“. I noticed when shopping for Orbi it comes packaged as a router + satellite. This prompted my pre-sales chat. I told them I already had a router (G54) and only needed a satellite to extend the signal. They said this would work if connected via ethernet. That is what I purchased – only a satellite.
Are you taking this into account when you mention the problem of two routers? Thank you.
Are you taking this into account when you mention the problem of two routers? Thank you.
OMG. That support person is a total moron. No. It had never occurred to me that a Netgear support person would say that a Netgear Orbi satellite could be connected to some other brand of WiFi system and function in any way.
Thanks again, I wanted to select both replies as the solution but the system would not allow it. Clearly I was mislead and will need to return the device. I appreciate you both taking time to help.
