Help with Mesh Network

I recently replaced an EERO Pro 6 mesh network with a new Netgear Orbi 840.

I have quite a few IoT devices that I would like to keep separate from my main network.

My question is can I add the EERO, running in bridge mode, behind my Orbi and have all household devices (smart lights, smart switches, exercise equipment, etc) connected to it? Basically I am trying to run two mesh networks at the same time, with one running behind the other.

I have a 16 port Netgear managed switch and an 8 port switch, both connected via ethernet to the Orbi satellites, but not sure exactly how to configure the managed switch to potentially isolate the EERO.

Running in the above configuration, all the IoT devices appear in my Orbi app as connected devices, so somehow, even thought they are all wirelessly connected to the EERO, they still how as connected to the Orbi.

Does this make any sense?

 

Dumb question: are passwords to both networks identical?

 

yes

 

It's no wonder they're showing up connected to both then. Set a different password to the Orbi then make sure none of your devices that you want connected to the other network are using that password.

 

I wondered about that. I just didn't want to have to change 30+ passwords on all my devices...

I wondered if it was because the ORBI sees the EERO as a device that has 30+ items connected to it and just passes all the information through to the ORBI admin page.

 

Your IP modem has both connected to it I presume...that alone makes me think they're connected via that factor alone. If you had two different IP modems with one running each network separately, I'd venture to say your desired differentiation would be achieved.

 

There are smarter ppl than me when it comes to IT-related things in here so I'm sure they'll confirm or deny what I'm saying.

 

Agree, and I asked my ISP about connecting them via a switch, both running as a modem and they said that would cause issues with both trying to pull down an IP address.

 

Most new routers allow you to run a separate guest network from the same device. A protected environment, and an open environment.

 

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Why not join your IOT stuff to the guest network? It is sandboxed from your primary network automatically, but still allows internet connection.

 

I believe he'd still have to change the passwords on all the devices in order to switch them to a guest network

 

I'm rocking the TP Link Deco x90 mesh system and their latest update provided an IoT channel as well as the traditional Guest and Primary. Only runs at 2.4ghz but was a pleasant surprise since I previously had to setup the IoT devices with a parental rule that only gave them 2 services so they could function. Better than nothing, but I'll take the dedicated channel with unique SSID and password.

Might be worth confirming there isn't an update available for yours that will offer something similar.

 

True

This is a great suggestion and one I thought of, however the Orbi mesh network "supports up to 75 devices". I currently have over 60 devices and I didn't want to push the limits and start causing QOS issues with important devices like laptops, printers, etc.

 

To clarify, the password to both networks are the same, however the network names are different.

 

The network names are irrelevant.