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Spiff,
One thing to consider with a mesh system is configuration. We have an Orbi setup at my home. However, it is in bridge mode. We have FIOS and use the FIOS modem-router for routing and the Orbi for wifi. If your mesh system is configured in a similar manner, then you'll have to find a replacement that offers the same features. The last Google Mesh system I worked with did not offer bridge-mode as an option. The person had to return it in favor of a different system. Ended up with an Orbi since that was the best available at the time. There are many more options these days.
Robert
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Robert,
Tell me more about this bridge mode? I have ATT fiber with the modem set up. The modem does have wireless as well. I was wondering if that was interfering? The ATT wireless is rock solid with no drops, but it does not reach the far corners of the house. Not entirely certain how to turn it off, or if I should.
The way I have it set up now:
ATT modem. Sits and does it's thing. Has 4 ports Ethernet on the back. One is used for Uvers signal. One is used for ADT wireless. One is used to connect to Orbi
Orbi Mesh: Gets it's signal from ATT Modem and creates it's own wireless system with its own name and passoword. It worked flawlessly for the RBK50 system. Until it didn't. The base station was fried and would not even power on. I set up the new system (RBK852) the same way. Does not work well at all.
Should I try to do it differently? By the way, setting up the new system sucked. Wouldn't be recognized by the iPhone app for the longest time, and fought with it every step of the way to get it set up. Maybe it is a lemon? Can't return it as it's out of return window. Maybe I should try to get it replaced by Netgear?
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“ ATT fiber with the modem set up. The modem does have wireless as well. “
What model?
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FYI: Having two WiFi access points right next to each other can totally mess up your WiFi.
It may not be the source of your problem, but it eliminates a variable: Kill the AT&T's radios.
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Spiff,
Mesh systems are basically wireless routers. Connecting one to to another wireless router will create a double-nat situation, which can cause problems.
Switching a router to "bridge" mode turns off its routing features and it becomes a wireless access point that creates big honkin' wireless network. That way, it prevents a double-nat situation when used with another router (of any type).
In your situation, you'd run the ethernet cable between the modem-wireless router (provided by your ISP) and the router (in bridge mode). Instead of using the wireless network from the ISP provided router, you use the network created by the mesh system. It may have a different network name but it is still a part of the same network because the routers are connected together.
Robert
