You may have seen a setting called “bridge mode” when changing your router’s SSID or turning on WPA2 encryption for more security. Routers have a setting called “bridge mode,” which is turned off by default. You can turn on bridge mode, though, by going to the dashboard of the router. That doesn’t mean you should go ahead and turn on the setting right away. Let’s talk about the orbi bridge mode, its pros, and how it could be useful.
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You may have seen a setting called “bridge mode” when changing your router’s SSID or turning on WPA2 encryption for more security. Routers have a setting called “bridge mode,” which is turned off by default. You can turn on bridge mode, though, by going to the dashboard of the router. That doesn’t mean you should go ahead and turn on the setting right away. Let’s talk about the orbi bridge mode, its pros, and how it could be useful.
How Does Bridge Mode Work On A Router
Bridge mode is a feature of networking that lets two routers work together without any problems. Once Orbi bridge mode is turned on on the router, the extended router creates a mesh network.
From far away, it’s easy to connect to the network. But it doesn’t do Network Access Translation (NAT) processes anymore. This lets the router work well without causing an IP Address conflict.
Your Wi-Fi range can be increased by connecting a router to the modem/router your ISP gives you. But each router has its own IP address, which can make it hard for your devices to talk to each other. Double NAT is the name for this kind of situation.
Take a look at an example. Say you want to print a picture wirelessly from your phone. If you use a router as an extender, your smartphone could be connected to the extender while your printer is connected to the modem/router your ISP gives you.
In this case, both networks are private, so your phone won’t be able to talk to your printer to print the picture. This problem is solved by NetGear orbi bridge mode, which lets multiple routers share the same Wi-Fi network.
How To Setup Orbi In Bridge Mode
Here’s how to set up a NETGEAR router to work in bridge mode:
Before you start the process of bridging, write down the WiFi settings of the main router that this secondary router will connect to. Have a written record of the SSID, WiFi security mode, and working frequency (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
Open a web browser on the device connected to the router’s network that will run in bridge mode.
Press Enter after typing orbilogin.com
Enter the router’s username and password on the login screen.
Check the box next to Enable Bridge Mode.
Press the link that states Configure Bridge Mode Wireless Settings.
Enter the other router’s settings (wireless frequency, SSID, WiFi security mode, and WiFi password)
Press the “Apply” button.
Your settings are saved. The router will turn on bridge mode and restart.
Your network router must have WiFi security turned on for you to have the most privacy and security online. This ensures that any device connecting to the WiFi network is protected by encryption, which keeps your online activities private.
Why Would You Use Bridge Mode?
You might have problems if you don’t use bridge mode when connecting a router with NAT to a modem with built-in NAT. Also, NetGear orbi in bridge mode is helpful because:
Increasing your Wi-Fi range and making it easier for devices to talk to each other
Getting rid of IP address conflicts and trouble connecting
Bridge Mode Advantages
If you want to extend the range of your WiFi, bridge mode is a great way to do it. Even though it’s not just for businesses, most large offices and commercial spaces that can’t get by with a single router use it.
When you are close to the WiFi router that your ISP gives you, you will get a good signal. But as you move away from the WiFi network, you lose signals until the device can no longer connect to it. Bridge mode is a good way to solve this problem because it “bridges” the connection to the network farther away and increases the range.
If you connect multiple routers to a single modem/router from your ISP, devices connected to the routers won’t be able to talk to each other. Bridge mode lets you connect a lot of devices, make the WiFi bigger, speed it up, and make it more reliable.
Disadvantages of Using Bridge Mode
The main problem with bridge mode is that it limits some of the things that a router can do. Some helpful features, like parental controls, and a few other things, may be turned off when you use bridge mode.
You can get around this by connecting your primary modem/router from your ISP instead of the connected router. But it might not be possible because some routers from ISPs don’t have this option. If that’s the case, you should turn on bridge mode on the second router and connect all your devices there instead.
When To Use Bridge Mode?
- Bridge mode should be used if:
- Your network is getting a second router.
- Your network is getting a mesh Wi-Fi system.
- You want to stay away from NAT clashes.
Orbi Bridge Mode in Few Words
You don’t necessarily have to enable bridge mode in all instances. If your WiFi at home or work works well, has good range, and doesn’t slow down when you move farther away, there’s no reason to use bridge mode.
When you move farther away from your router and need more WiFi coverage, Orbi bridge mode works best. Also, it makes sure that devices on the private network can talk to each other without slowing down.
