I have the orbi rbk 853. The connectivity is patchy. When I can’t connect to the internet, I’ve found that I run the speed test in the orbi app and it seems to fix the issue. I also noticed that on the network app, the main orbi router turns purple. I run the speed test and it goes green. Just seems weird to have to run the test to bring back connectivity. My ISP is plusnet (I’m based in UK) and I use their router which is connected to my orbi system via an Ethernet cable. I still has the WiFi signal on from the plusnet router as I have the orbi systems in other parts of the house. Thanks.
I still has the WiFi signal on from the plusnet router as I have the orbi systems in other parts of the house.
What is the PlusNet router?
If both the Orbi and the PlusNet devices are configured to operate as routers then you have two routers in the network.
Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, you can end up with local address problems. Among other things, the other router can misdirect addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
Unless you have specific reasons for using two routers – to create two separate networks for example – it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit.
The plusnet router (modem) is the router supplied by my ISP (plusnet. It’s a uk based broadband supplier). I’ve just switched off the WiFi on the plusnet router and have my orbi linked to the back of the modem via Ethernet cable. This orbi unit now acts as the router. The internet is still up and down, but will monitor to see what impact it has. I have found the main orbi unit has gone purple a few times which is weird as it’s directly plugged into modem. Any further ideas?? Thanks v much.
@JAnderson008 wrote: The plusnet router (modem) is the router supplied by my ISP (plusnet. It’s a uk based broadband supplier).
Plusnet is a subsidiary of BT. It probably has a variant of BT's hopeless modem/router which does not have a "modem only" option.
@JAnderson008 wrote: I’ve just switched off the WiFi on the plusnet router and have my orbi linked to the back of the modem via Ethernet cable.
That does not disable the router bit of the PlusNet modem/router. It just turns off the wifi.
@JAnderson008 wrote: I have found the main orbi unit has gone purple a few times which is weird as it’s directly plugged into modem. Any further ideas??
You still have two routers on your network.
I'm on BT. I have my own DSL modem. (Netgear DM200.) It feeds into a router (Netgear R7800) whch is the front end for an Orbi system operating in AP mode. Works fine.
Unless you need the fancy control features of the Orbi, stuff like Circle, and really want the superior wifi of the Orbi, then using it in AP mode is a good option.
