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Forum Discussion
Extending My Orbi RBK50 with Unify Access Point
Hi All,
I have had my RMK50 (Router + Satelite) for the past 2 years and they work ok. They are connected with an ethernet backhaul.
I have 5 Ring Floodlight Cameras on the outside walls of the house, a Ring Doorbell pro, 1 Ring mini cam, 2 Nest Cameras, and many other WIFI devices (~30 in total). I am having issues with my Ring cameras connecting and so I I decided to extend my network with a Unify AP-LR since I read those are very reliable and its much cheaper than the extra satelite (RBS50).
Has anyone done a similar setup and can recomment ways to configure so they do not interfere with eachother? I have the PoE injector feeding the Unify AP. I configured the Orbi 2Gh on Channel 11 and the Unify on Channel 6 to avoid overlap.
I would not expect the Orbi system to recognize the AP as a satelite, but when I connect to the Unify portal, I noticed some device connect to it but do not get an IP address assigned and hence have no internet.
On the Orbi app/portal, I see the AP as a wired device and the devices connected to its wifi show as connected to the Orbi router (which I think its expected since the settup is: Router->unmanaged switch->PoE injector->Unify AP)
With that, any recommedations to configure a non-orbi AP to the Orbi Setup so its reliable and gets IP addresses assigned?
2 Replies
I would set the unify AP to channel 1. Farthest channel from the Orbis channel is recommended.
If you set a static IP address on the AP thats out side of the Orbis default DHCP IP address pool, then the AP will always have an IP address and have internet services thru the RBR. So if you set 192.168.1.100 to .200 for a default IP address pool range on the RBR. Then set a static of 192.168.1. 2 thru .99 or 201 thru 253 on the AP, this would be a valid configuration that should work for you.
Orbi will only recognize Orbi RBS models in this system. Addin a non Orbi AP won't effect anything.
I have connected several WiFi "extenders" to the Orbi. Each is an entirely separate, descrete device. Ubiquiti Access Points are a much more complicated ecosystem, with apparently more advanced features than the Orbi system. My guess is that you are more likely to get an informed response by asking Ubiquiti users than Orbi users.
With all these "outside" WiFi devices needing help, I am puzzled that one access point will make much of a difference. To be effective, it will need to be close to an outside wall, which will improve WiFi coverage to that "outside", but not do anything for the outside of other walls. If the goal is to improve response to only certain Ring devices, my choice would be much less expensive "extenders".
