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A whole home wifi system on one 2.4ghz channel???
I've just set-up my Orbi RBK23 system. Having done an RF survey of the house and garden I determined the best 2.4Ghz channels for each device. Based on the survey I went to assign cetrain devices ...
- For anyone finding this thread with the same issue I think I've resolved it for the 2.4Ghz band. I haven't yet tried for 5Ghz.
Most of the replies have been less than helpful so I hope this will work for people finding this thread.
Note: I'm using the system in access point mode so can't confirm this works when using the Orbi as a router.
1) Setup Orbi system. All devices will be on the same WiFi channel, in my case ch1.
2) Change the router 2.4Ghz channel to ch6. The satellites will remain on the original channel.
3) Hard reset one of the satellites and set it up as if it were a new addition to the network. It should connect and use ch6, which the router is using.
4) Change the wifi channel number of the router to ch11. You will then have each device on a separate channel.
It's unbelievably weird that Netgear doesn't provide settings to make this process simple but I guess Orbi is targeted at people with limited radio frequency and WiFi knowledge.
Next will come experiments with the 5Ghz settings.
I can't find an option to change the 2.4Ghz channel number of the Satellittes, unless I've missed it somewhere? (Using the RBK23)
The 5Ghz channels also appear to be set to the same value. I guess this is less of a problem as 5Ghz signals won't penetrate through the building as far, but it doesn't seem ideal.
If I could manually set channel numbers I could improve my own and my neighbours wifi. Seems like a basic functional requirement of a home wifi system.
I still don't understand why I'm seeing my SSID spreading across 6 channels in the band, isn't 4 channels the norm?
Channels are only set on the RBR using a web browser. The RBS follow and will use the same channel as what is set on the RBR. This is how they work. You cant' change any channels on the RBS. Basic function of changing channels has been around since wifi routers first came out. Still present.
CanyonMonkey wrote:I can't find an option to change the 2.4Ghz channel number of the Satellittes, unless I've missed it somewhere? (Using the RBK23)
The 5Ghz channels also appear to be set to the same value. I guess this is less of a problem as 5Ghz signals won't penetrate through the building as far, but it doesn't seem ideal.
If I could manually set channel numbers I could improve my own and my neighbours wifi. Seems like a basic functional requirement of a home wifi system.
I still don't understand why I'm seeing my SSID spreading across 6 channels in the band, isn't 4 channels the norm?
Wow... You tell me that changing the wifi channel of a router is a basic function that's been available forever but then tell me the satellites can't change their channel?? Why? Unless I get a proper, considered, intelligent response from some who sounds like they understand radio frequency interactions and interference I'm going to have to consider returning system.
There appear to be several concepts being discussed at one time:
- Whether it is better to allow the Orbi to select which channels to use ("Auto"), or better to manually select a channel.
There is a spirited debate on the merits of each position, with some strong opinions.
There is no debate about whether the user can force a WiFi router to use a specific WiFi channel. They can. - Whether the Orbi router and satellites will all be on the same channel, regardless of how the channel is selected.
And the answer to this is, "Yes. The router and satellites will broadcast on the same channel. All of them."
There is no method to force a satellite to use a specific WiFi channel. The router sets the channel and every satellite also uses it.
I would be fascinated to learn of any WiFi mesh system which does either of these things:
- Have some access points broacast an SSID on one WiFi channel and others broadcast the same SSID on different channels.
- Have the same SSID being broadcast on more than one channel by the same access point.
I do not think this situation is unique to Netgear Orbi, or Netgear in general.
- Whether it is better to allow the Orbi to select which channels to use ("Auto"), or better to manually select a channel.
