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Hi, could use some help. The cable/internet connection comes into the house in a metal box in the closet. That is where the cable modem is and currently where I have my RBR50 main router but the signal from the main router is not strong coming from a metal box. . I find the router to be more reliable than the satellites so I want to move it downstairs so that most devices connect it it. I have too many issues with the satellites.
So, I will out my old Airport in the network closet and turn off any Wifi just to let it do routing/DHCP/DNS and then I will set up the Orbi as an AP only (connected back to Airport router using CAT-6 as house is hard wired in all rooms).
What order do I do this in? Should I change the Orbi to AP first, save a fixed IP address and then turn it off and configure the Airport? Or can I configure the Airport first and then plug in the Orbi? I am nervous that I won’t know the address to reach the Orbi and that if it is still in router mode, it might not work right. I once turned on router mode on a different AP (airport express) and it caused a ton of problems.
> Do you agree with me that using the Airport in Wireless mode might > just cause more interference? [...]
It might. Many things are possible. If you don't need it, then I'd leave it off.
> [...] I already find that using both satellites in my 2500 sq foot > home is too much so I keep one offline.
Sounds to me as if more wireless wouldn't help.
Wireless range/coverage/interference all depends on details like wall/floor construction (metal boxes, ...), and I know nothing about yours. Running the experiment should yield more reliable information than any advice you'll get here (especially from me).
Connect and configure the "my old Airport" for proper router operation. Without wireless, if that's your preference (but that could be arranged later).
Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look for Documentation. Get the User Manual (at least). Read. Look for "Use the router as a WiFi access point".
You should be able to connect a computer to the isolated RBR50, and configure it as a WAP before connecting it to the main router. It's also possible that if you first connect the RBR50 to the main router, it will look around, notice its situation, spot the opportunity, and ask if you want it to be configured as a WAP.
Either way, after you specify "AP Mode", and connect the RBR50-as-WAP (according to the User Manual instructions), it should, by default ("Get dynamically from existing router"), get its new/different LAN IP address from the (DHCP server in the) main router. Initially, you'd need to ask the main router about that address.
Once you see the details, you could arrange an IP address reservation for it on the main router, so that it will always get the same (memorable) LAN IP address. I might need to read up on your version of Airport to see how that'd be done, but I assume that it'd be easy enough.
Other variations are possible (like, say, "Enable fixed IP settings on this device (not recommended)"), but using the default (DCHP) method can make it easier to avoid errors.
Do you agree with me that using the Airport in Wireless mode might just cause more interference? I have the RBR50 router and 2 satellites and don’t want to oversaturate the airwaves. I already find that using both satellites in my 2500 sq foot home is too much so I keep one offline.
> Do you agree with me that using the Airport in Wireless mode might > just cause more interference? [...]
It might. Many things are possible. If you don't need it, then I'd leave it off.
> [...] I already find that using both satellites in my 2500 sq foot > home is too much so I keep one offline.
Sounds to me as if more wireless wouldn't help.
Wireless range/coverage/interference all depends on details like wall/floor construction (metal boxes, ...), and I know nothing about yours. Running the experiment should yield more reliable information than any advice you'll get here (especially from me).
