NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Attaching 2.4mhz Smart Wifi downlights
I have the following setup:
RBR50
2 x RBS 50 satellites
RBK40 both router and wall plug used as satellites to RBR50
The system works perfectly giving me great coverage in a detached garage some 30 metres away from the main house
I'm building a unit above the garage and I would like to install some 'smart' wifi downlights which I will be able to turn on and off using a google home hub.
The downlights only work on 2.4mhz. Am I able to use my setup which is also 5mhz to control the lights? If so, how do I do it so I dont lose any funcationaltiy that I already have? I have little technical knowledge about how it all works and would appreciate anyone who could provide some advice. Thank you.
7 Replies
That should read GHz and not Mhz. sorry.
My guess that this will depend on the lights and whatever you use to control them. You don't say what make they are, so it is anybody's guess.
Your lights will connect to the router at 2.4 GHz. If the control connects at 5 GHz it should not worry about the frequency.
I agree with michaelkenward . Once a "smart thing" is connected to WiFi, there is (usually) no direct connection between the "thing" and whatever smartphone/tablet is being used to control it. The thing opens a connection to a cloud service and the smartphone app also opens a connection to the cloud service. Remember: the app can be used to control the thing from anywhere, even when the smartphone is not connected to your WiFi.
The frustration for some users comes during the initial setup. I have had 100% success using a Sony phone which is connected to Orbi at 5G to activate 4 brands of smart plugs which connect only at 2.4G. However, some users report that their app flounders when the phone is connected at 5G and the device is only capable of 2.4G. The engineers (of that device) did not anticipate a modern WiFi mesh system (from any brand) and did programming that fails.
How about browsing the lighting manufacturer FAQ or user forum before purchasing. Look for "Orbi" or "Mesh".
Thank you for your replies.
CrimpOn, the issue as you point out in the second half of your reply is related to the inital setup. How do I ensure that it can connect to 2.4ghz rather than try to connect to 5ghz which it wont be able to do?
