New Orbi Mesh System

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JayWehi33

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#265496 24-Jan-2020 12:37

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to get some clarification on what to do after I've installed the Orbi mesh system through the current Spark router.

I've read that it is a good idea to turn off the WiFi on the Spark router and then switch the Orbi router to AP mode, is this an easy thing to do? I have a fair understanding but just not sure how to tackle it.

Also i was given a piece of paper outlining how to switch to Bridge mode, but this caused the internet to stop functioning so switched it back to the default setting.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all :)

Jiriteach

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#2405784 24-Jan-2020 12:50

Yup - Turn off wifi on the Spark router.

Switch the Orbi router to AP mode. Its easy enough to do this - settings are under advanced.
When you do this - it will ask you for an IP address for the Orbi router. You can set it as DHCP as not worry about it.

Spark router will hold the internet connection and provide DHCP/ip addresses. Wifi will be provided via the Orbi AP's. The satellites will auto sync with the Orbi router.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

JayWehi33

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#2405789 24-Jan-2020 12:52

Cheers mate,

Will give that a try tonight. At the moment things seem to be running alright, will i see better internet speeds or a sturdier connection when i complete this?

Loismustdye

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#2405800 24-Jan-2020 13:18

Your other option is to use the orbi as the router and get rid of the spark one completely, that’s what we did and works brilliantly. There’s a how to for the settings in pbtech’s website.

JayWehi33

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#2405804 24-Jan-2020 13:22

Oh right these are the steps I followed when the Orbi was connected to the spark router, and had problems with the bridge settings.

Are these settings for when the spark router is taken out of the equation and just running the Orbi as the router?

Jiriteach

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#2405810 24-Jan-2020 13:38

Loismustdye: Your other option is to use the orbi as the router and get rid of the spark one completely, that’s what we did and works brilliantly. There’s a how to for the settings in pbtech’s website.

Issue with this approach is that the Orbi's dont give you full gig over PPPoE when used as a router.
If you have a 100mb connection then this would be recommended. If you have a gig connection then no. You will max at ~ 600-700mb. Its a common issue with them.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

sdavisnz

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#2406060 24-Jan-2020 14:02

Jiriteach:
Loismustdye: Your other option is to use the orbi as the router and get rid of the spark one completely, that’s what we did and works brilliantly. There’s a how to for the settings in pbtech’s website.

Issue with this approach is that the Orbi's dont give you full gig over PPPoE when used as a router.
If you have a 100mb connection then this would be recommended. If you have a gig connection then no. You will max at ~ 600-700mb. Its a common issue with them.

Interesting,

I did not know this, is this only with PPPoe?

Voice gives context

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JayWehi33

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#2406064 24-Jan-2020 14:04

I did a speed test when i installed it and it came up to 100Mbps, i think?

Is that bad?

Jiriteach

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#2406065 24-Jan-2020 14:06

sdavisnz:
Jiriteach:

Loismustdye: Your other option is to use the orbi as the router and get rid of the spark one completely, that’s what we did and works brilliantly. There’s a how to for the settings in pbtech’s website.

Issue with this approach is that the Orbi's dont give you full gig over PPPoE when used as a router.
If you have a 100mb connection then this would be recommended. If you have a gig connection then no. You will max at ~ 600-700mb. Its a common issue with them.

Interesting,

I did not know this, is this only with PPPoe?

Yup

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

Jiriteach

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#2406067 24-Jan-2020 14:07

JayWehi33:

I did a speed test when i installed it and it came up to 100Mbps, i think?

Is that bad?

Thats not bad. I assume its the plan you are subscribed to from Spark?

Its 100mb is the plan and you are getting 100mb then switching to completely use the Orbi as a router makes sense. You will get good wifi and performance.
Guide is here - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/NetgearISPSettings#sparkorbi

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

JayWehi33

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#2406102 24-Jan-2020 14:41

Atm we are paying something like $105 a month for the 100Mbps plan for unlimited data

If we were to up that to $120 we could be on the unlimited data max plan that caps at 900Mbps.

Is this a no brainer or is it not nescessary to be up at that high end?

Jiriteach

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#2406131 24-Jan-2020 15:30

JayWehi33:

Atm we are paying something like $105 a month for the 100Mbps plan for unlimited data

If we were to up that to $120 we could be on the unlimited data max plan that caps at 900Mbps.

Is this a no brainer or is it not nescessary to be up at that high end?

Your choice really. Depends on your needs.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

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JayWehi33

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#2406137 24-Jan-2020 15:40

We aren’t excessive users. We do watch a lot of Netflix on two TVs and have about 5 phones/iPads connected at one time. The 200Mbps one appeals.

I think I’ll just start with turning off the WiFi on the Spark router and setting the Orbi to an AP.

Will those settings from PBTech only be applicable if I was to take out the Spark router and move to just the Orbi? Just trying to get my head around it

Jiriteach

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#2406165 24-Jan-2020 17:10

JayWehi33:

Will those settings from PBTech only be applicable if I was to take out the Spark router and move to just the Orbi? Just trying to get my head around it

Yup

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal