RBS20 Setup for HomePod Smart Home (Lutron Lights, Smart Locks, etc.)

[TroyKehoe]

Greetings, I hope someone can help....  I am trying to make my home smarter and it is making me dumber.  So the thought is, hook the Orbi RBR20 plus a satellite up to the Arris DG1670A Router and essentially extend the network range throughout the home.  Simple concept, right?  I have a HomePod that I would like to use with HomeKit that will control Lutron Caseta Lights, smart locks, etc.  I added the Orbi and a satellite and it created a separate wifi network that I renamed.  THE PROBLEM - The Lutron Bridge specifically says it must be plugged into the router (not the Orbi) but the HomePod is setup too far away from the router to get a solid consistent signal, so if I connect the HomePod to the Orbi WiFi, I can control the door locks but I cant control the lights because they are on a different network.  So, I thought I might be able to switch to AP Mode.  So, I did it, and the renamed Orbi Network is still showing, but has no internet so I cant even access the orbilogin.net page to change it back.  So, I have two questions:

1. Can I get this to work so that everything is on a single network (wifi login) so the smart home can work?  If so, how?  (Please use non-IT Network Expert terminology)

2.  How do I get access back to the admin page?

Thank you in advance!

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What Firmware version is currently loaded?

Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?

If your ISP modem already has a built in router, This would be a double NAT 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.
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.
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 

I recommend trying option #3. The articles will help you get the Orbi setup for AP mode. 

You can use the same SSID name and PW as you had used on the modem/router if you want to use this. Helps in devices connecting and migrating to Orbi. 

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What Firmware version is currently loaded?

Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?

If your ISP modem already has a built in router, This would be a double NAT 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.
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.
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 

I recommend trying option #3. The articles will help you get the Orbi setup for AP mode. 

You can use the same SSID name and PW as you had used on the modem/router if you want to use this. Helps in devices connecting and migrating to Orbi. 

[TroyKehoe]

Thank you!  Thank you!  I used option 3 and it seems to be working.  FYI, before getting your response, I switched to AP Mode and it took awhile, but internet finally got restored and everything was working OK.  But, I did not disable the wifi radios (the router had a 2.4 GHz and a 5GHz radio.)  Once I got your reply, I found out how to disable the wifi radios and did that.  The only thing I did not do is change the SSID and PW back to the original.  It still has the same name I gave it when originally setting up the Orbi.  You mentioned it helps migrate items to Orbi, do you think I should change the name back?

Thanks again!  It is great to see the community helping each other.

[FURRYe38]

If you change the SSID name, then you'll have to ensure your devices connect to the new SSID name. 

Glad it's working. 

Enjoy.