I recently put my orbi system behind my pfsense router for better QoS and bufferbloat mitigation. The orbi system hates not being in charge and seems to lack flexibility in it's configuration. In order to get it to play nice and accept DHCP leases from the pfsense router, I had to put it in access point mode. When I put it in access point mode, the satellite loses its connection and will not reconnect. It seems as though if the orbi router cannot hand a DHCP lease to the satellite itself, it's not getting a DHCP lease, and it's not connecting.
Sure would be nice if the orbi system had a robust featureset, such as a DHCP forwarding mode.
There is almost certainly a problem, but it is not DHCP handling.
The Orbi router always accepts a DHCP lease from an upstream router (ISP, pfSense, whatever). When in router mode, the Orbi router assigns the IP it gained from DHCP to the WAN port and then creates a LAN IP subnet that does not conflict with the IP that it received. It then uses DHCP to assign IPs to devices on the LAN subnet. Devices on the LAN are 'hidden' behind Network Address Translation (NAT) and cannot be addressed directly from upstream.
When in Access Point (AP) mode, the router simply passed DHCP requests and assignments through. It makes a DHCP request to get an IP for itself which is assigned to the WAN port and its own LAN port. It is up to every device on the LAN to make DHCP requests and whatever assignments are made by the upstream router are returned through the Orbi to the devices.
How is the satellite connected to the Orbi router? (WiFi backhaul or 'wired'?)
I would agree as well, there is problem in DHCP. Most likely on the host router. I don't have this particular brand of router however have tested NG routers, CAX80, R and RAX series and with my Orbi systems in AP mode, all RBS get connected and get a DHCP IP address from the host router. There is not DCHP forwarding needed on Orbi systems in AP mode.
I also prefer to use a static IP address on the RBR while in AP mode that is outside of the host routers default DHCP IP address pool. So when i have my 750 series online, the RBR is set for 192.168.1.75. My one RBS750, wired or wireless gets connected with a Dynamic IP address from the host router that's being used at the time.
I will give this a try when I get home. The satellite is currently sitting 5 feet from the router and was connected before putting it into access point mode. I've reset the orbi twice and got the satellite connected, only to have it drop out when put into access point mode.
Wondering if something on your host router is blocking RBS traffic.
How are you configuring the RBR for AP mode? Dynamic or Static? I recommend a static IP address configuration on the RBR that's out side of the host routers default IP address pool range. So when i have my 750 series online, the RBR is set for 192.168.1.75. My one RBS750, wired or wireless gets connected with a Dynamic IP address from the host router that's being used at the time.
While is same room with the RBR and RBS, 10-15 feet would be recommended distance between them.
This is probably my fault. Most advanced routing devices don't specifically require the use of the internet port on the router, it seems ORBI does. I set both the router and satellite as static in the pfsense DHCP table. I didn't seem to get a change, so I then plugged the cable into the internet port and hit sync on both devices...
The Orbi router lit up magenta thinking it has no internet connection, yet the internet is fine. The satellite lit up blue indicating a good link.
The router is no longer accessible via web interface or through the Orbi app.
I remain disappointed overall in the lack of flexibility, but I am happy the system is functioning.
Hopefully this set up doesn't negatively impact devices on the network from communicating with one another.
Something on your host router is blocking something then. When the RBR is in AP mode, it's web page will be accessible from the IP address you set up for a static IP address or the one given to the RBR if you set Dynamic mode on the RBR. Been like this since the begining and I've never had any problems accessing the RBRs web page using a web browser or Orbi app in AP mode.
Ok. Kewl. Yes, thats the only port you need between the host router and the RBR in AP mode. All the other LAN ports can be used for other ethernet connected devices along with a ethernet connected RBS.
