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Forum Discussion
RebelDad
Apr 08, 2020Star
Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers?
Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers? Thanks.
- Apr 08, 2020
Actually I tried it but couldn't get it to work. I should have stated that originally.
I came scross a great deal at a large national electronics retailer and got the entire 4 piece system (RBK14-100NAS) for $100
I figured since it was an Orbi, I could use the 3 satelites with my existing system but I couldn't get it to pair.
CrimpOn
Apr 08, 2020Guru - Experienced User
RebelDad wrote:Are RBK14 Satelites compatible with older RBR50 Routers?
That is a GREAT question. On Amazon, one RBS10 retails for $80US, and the next least expensive retail for $150 or $180. The 5G radio on this unit appears to be shared between users and "backhaul", so it is not going to have the same maximum theoretical throughput as the more expensive units. And, it has no ethernet ports, either for backhaul or user devices. Honestly, my first thought is, "why not?"
$80 is over my threshold for buying things "just to have fun with", so I eagerly await a report from anyone who has tried to connect one to an existing Orbi router.
- FURRYe38Apr 08, 2020Guru - Experienced User
The 1 series is only a two radio system, 866 on 5Ghz and 400Mpbs on 2.4Ghz. While the 5 series is a 3 radio system. 2 radios for user front haul traffic and 1 non user 5Ghz radio for backhaul traffic.
If the backhaul on the 1 series is a shared channel on 5Ghz, this may cause some performance issues seen on the 50 series systems 5Ghz user fronthaul. The 1 series probably won't be connected to the dedicated 5Ghz backhaul on the 50 series...Just thinking here.
- RebelDadApr 08, 2020Star
Actually I tried it but couldn't get it to work. I should have stated that originally.
I came scross a great deal at a large national electronics retailer and got the entire 4 piece system (RBK14-100NAS) for $100
I figured since it was an Orbi, I could use the 3 satelites with my existing system but I couldn't get it to pair.
- FURRYe38Apr 08, 2020Guru - Experienced User
Thanks for letting us know it doesn't work. Now we know.
- RebelDadApr 08, 2020Star
Well it didn't work for me but I'm hardly a network engineer. I used the Orbi app several times using the "Add a Satelite" option but no luck.
- CrimpOnApr 08, 2020Guru - Experienced User
RebelDad wrote:Actually I tried it but couldn't get it to work. I should have stated that originally.
Did you try the steps on page 127 of the User Manual:
http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK12/RBK12_13_14_UM_EN.pdf
On my Orbi, there is a selection on the web interface Home Page called "Add a Satellite". Perhaps that method might work?
- RebelDadApr 08, 2020Star
Thanks. Yes I tried doing that through the app but no luck. Figured I'd ask to see if someone with better tech skills than me could make it work.
I'm guessing the lack of radios is the reason why not.