Suddenly cannot access one website, but an older router has no problem

[SW_]

If you know the IP address of that particular website, check if you can reach it via its IP address (traceroute, dig, etc,) then try to access the website via its IP address instead of DNS hostname.  This might rule out if Orbi craps out trying to parse URL.

[FURRYe38]

Whats the URL for this site? 

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@Casey_SJ wrote:

It's open to the public.

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[Casey_SJ]

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@SW_ wrote:

If you know the IP address of that particular website, check if you can reach it via its IP address (traceroute, dig, etc,) then try to access the website via its IP address instead of DNS hostname.  This might rule out if Orbi craps out trying to parse URL.

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Attempts to "ping" the site either by IP address or hostname (www.sitename.com) results in:

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0
Request timeout for icmp_seq 1
Request timeout for icmp_seq 2
Request timeout for icmp_seq 3
Request timeout for icmp_seq 4
Request timeout for icmp_seq 5

Because access to this site was problem-free for the past year, I'm puzzled why it would suddenly stop.

It's almost as if some hidden traffic monitor or traffic counter said, "you've sent too much traffic to and from this site so I'm going to shut it off...". 

This is a highly selective restriction in the sense that all other sites are problem-free. Something somewhere selected to shut off this site.

But when I connect my old Securifi Almond+ WiFi router which had been lying in the closet for over a year, there's no problem of any kind. Unfortunately I cannot switch back to the Almond+ because it lacks mesh networking, which is absolutely necessary to cover the property.

[FURRYe38]

You could install the old router, disable it's wifi, configure AP mode on the RBR and use it in that configuration and see if this helps any.

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@Casey_SJ wrote:

It's open to the public.

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[Casey_SJ]

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@FURRYe38 wrote:

You could install the old router, disable it's wifi, configure AP mode on the RBR and use it in that configuration and see if this helps any.

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@Casey_SJ wrote:

It's open to the public.

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Oh that's an Interesting idea...

• Only the RBR would be setup as an Access Point (AP)?
• But the RBS satellite would still act as a mesh point?

[FURRYe38]

Yes.

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

Can you give us the URL for this site? 

[ekhalil]

It depends how good is your old router.

Please remember that in AP Mode the following router features will be disabled in Orbi:

• Guest Network
• QoS
• Setup Wizard
• Port Forwarding/Port Triggering
• Remote Management
• UPnP
• IPv6
• Traffic Meter
• Parental Controls
• Block Sites
• Block Services
• VPN service
• VLAN/IPTV setup
• Internet Setup
• WAN Setup
• LAN Setup

[Casey_SJ]

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@ekhalil wrote:

It depends how good is your old router.

Please remember that in AP Mode the following router features will be disabled in Orbi:

• Guest Network
• QoS
• Setup Wizard
• Port Forwarding/Port Triggering
• Remote Management
• UPnP
• IPv6
• Traffic Meter
• Parental Controls
• Block Sites
• Block Services
• VPN service
• VLAN/IPTV setup
• Internet Setup
• WAN Setup
• LAN Setup

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Thank you for pointing this out. Amazon currently expects the new cable modem to arrive on Thursday so if I can use the old router with RBR50 in AP Mode, it can be a satisfactory short-term solution. 

I'm about to go set it up... Will report back shortly.

[SW_]

It could be that the website/upstream router(s) is blacklisting your Orbi from accessing it.  It seems Orbi DNS resolution is still working.  Putting Orbi in AP Mode, i.e., behind another router, should get around blacklisting problem if that's indeed the case.

[ekhalil]

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@SW_ wrote:

It could be that the website/upstream router(s) is blacklisting your Orbi from accessing it.  It seems Orbi DNS resolution is still working.  Putting Orbi in AP Mode, i.e., behind another router, should get around blacklisting problem if that's indeed the case.

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Good point. If that is the case and to get around this let's try to fool the upstream router by giving it another MAC address. Please go to >> ADVANCED >> Setup >> Internet Setup >> and change the Router MAC address to either the second option (use the computer MAC address) or the 3rd option and give it the MAC address of your old router (Securifi Almond+)

Router MAC Address

Use Default Address

Use Computer MAC Address

Use This MAC Address

[Casey_SJ]

Those are great ideas about blacklisting -- and that makes a lot of sense. Will attempt that next, but here's an interim update:

I just did the following:

• Disabled WiFi on the old Securifi Almond+ router.
• Installed the Almond+
• Switched the RBR50 to AP Mode (access point).
• Rebooted the cable modem to establish a link with the Almond+.

Result:

• The target website is FULLY ACCESSIBLE over WiFi through the RBR50 in AP Mode.
• Even though this is temporary, I am overjoyed to see this! Wow.

I can certainly change the RBR50's MAC address next.

[Casey_SJ · Accepted solution]

UPDATE #2:

• I removed the Securifi Almond+.
• Configured the RBR50 back to Router Mode.
• Changed the MAC address of RBR50 to that of en0 from a computer I own.
• Rebooted the RBR50.
• Rebooted the Cable Modem (this is necessary).

Result:

• Problem Solved. 
• So it seems the previous MAC address has been blacklisted somewhere along the route.
• Will contact the site administrator to see if there's anything they can do.

Thank you very much to everyone for your wonderful support. It's sincerely appreciated! 🙂

[FURRYe38]

GLad you got it working. Be sure to do a backup configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time when a reset is needed. 

Enjoy.