wireless speed from att fiber router

[TylerW99]

I recently upgraded to ATT fiber internet into my home.  The ATT router also broadcasts wireless, but I prefer to manage everything through Orbi so I have run a cat5 cable directly from the att modem LAN output into my orbi rbk23 router which is about 4 feet away.  When I connect my iphone to the ATT wireless network, I get download speeds of 480-500 Mbps.  But when I connect to the wireless network coming off the Orbi the speed is 250-300 Mbps.  It is connected with 5G and WPA2-PSK security is enabled.  I don't understand why the drop off.....  Is there something in the configuration I'm missing?  Could it be that the LAN output from the ATT Modem (BGW210-700) is significantly slower than the wireless (seems unlikely) ?  Thoughts?  Thanks in advance

[Mstrbig]

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@TylerW99 wrote:

When I connect my iphone to the ATT wireless network, I get download speeds of 480-500 Mbps.  But when I connect to the wireless network coming off the Orbi the speed is 250-300 Mbps.  It is connected with 5G and WPA2-PSK security is enabled.  I don't understand why the drop off.....  Is there something in the configuration I'm missing?  Could it be that the LAN output from the ATT Modem (BGW210-700) is significantly slower than the wireless (seems unlikely) ?  Thoughts?  Thanks in advance

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If you used a cat5 cable change it at least cat5e. You may also be getting interference because of 2 WIFI networks in close poximity.

[TylerW99]

Sorry - that was a typo - it is cat6.  After a little research it seems I either have to put the ATT box in passthrough or my set my Orbi as AP to avoid double NAT.  Not sure the pros/cons of each approach.  I am using the ATT phone service as well, so not sure if that will work in passthrough.  

[FURRYe38]

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.
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
https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Disabled-Features-on-the-Router-when-set-to-AP-Mode

[TylerW99]

Thank you for the reply.  Can you highlite the pro/s cons of the router passthrough approach vs. the Orbi AP approach.  The later seems simpler, but will it be less performant or less secure?  Thank you