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Feature Request: Orbi Satellite Ethernet Backhaul
As good as Orbi looks on paper I don't understand Y you would cut yourself so short and not support Eithernet backhaul for the satellites, I have 5 locations needing a system like this but without su...
Let me acknowledge that our customer base has been clamoring for this feature for a while, and we are trying to be responsive to their needs. To provide context on why it's taking a while to get it out, during the first quarter, the Orbi Engineering team was focused on bringing out the two new products (RBK30 & RBK40) to market. Now that it's accomplished, we're actively working on bringing this feature and a couple of other interesting, market-requested features to you.
Orbi Product Team
I would be interested in the Orbi but not without the ethernet backhaul.
My use case justifies using both: Most of my house is already wired. It is currently networked using individual APs each broadcasting the same SSID but on different channels not to interfere with one another (aka "roaming network")
My use case is this: For those locations with ethernet, I want to use ethernet as a backhaul just to minimise latency and maximize the wireless backhaul bandwidth for the satellites which will be using it. My purpose is to maximise speed not just for internet access but for streaming within my home network.
Say you have one unit with 3 satelites, Having all 3 on the backhaul will strangle the bandwidth of the one unit connected through wire if all 3 are streaming. If one unit is wired, that bandwidth is freed and that unit can send data straight to my NAS for example without the data going through the wired unit leaving wireless and wired bandwidth for the other 2 satelites connected wirelessly. These units will be used as bridge and repeaters.
I could use multiple APs to also create bridged networks and repeaters but the advantage of having it all under the orbi system would be band steering.
So in conclusion, the lack of this feature is the single reason why I am not buying it...
If you already have most of your house wired, and you use individual APs with one SSID and separate channels, then you already have an optimal setup, and have no need for Orbi. If your issue is that you want to manage everything under one interface, then buy a couple Ubiquiti APs and a Cloud Key to run the Unifi controller. With wires already in place, this will be a better setup than Orbi, even if Orbi added wired backhaul. I have both Orbi and Ubiquiti systems at two separate sites, so I am thoroughly familiar with both platforms.
100% agree orbi is not designed for those with structured cabling in place , its for those that dont have it or cant have it for various and many reasons
nothing and i repeat nothing is better than wires and ap's
I am not arguing the fact that wires are better. You guys don't seem to want to look at this use case where I want to use wires when wires are available but they don't always are. So the benefit of the wired backhaul is to be able to use both as needed. I would have some on wireless as the orbi has been orginally designed for, and some on wired. Yes, there are cheaper solutions for wired, but they don't address my wireless case. So I want to have an efficient way to cover both...
You both don't have to be so thick about it. It may not apply to you but others do see a benefit from it. Many other mesh offerings have this option by the way.
rafale7 wrote:I am not arguing the fact that wires are better. You guys don't seem to want to look at this use case where I want to use wires when wires are available but they don't always are. So the benefit of the wired backhaul is to be able to use both as needed. I would have some on wireless as the orbi has been orginally designed for, and some on wired. Yes, there are cheaper solutions for wired, but they don't address my wireless case. So I want to have an efficient way to cover both...
You both don't have to be so thick about it. It may not apply to you but others do see a benefit from it. Many other mesh offerings have this option by the way.
I am not being thick about it. I understand the multple technical reasons why Orbi is not the best choice for someone who doesn't own Orbi yet and who already has Ethernet wiring throughout their home. I'm simply stating facts based on product capabilities. You don't have the same knowledge as I do, so you don't understand my point, and you think I'm being thick.
The limitations of Orbi include, but are not limited to: 1) Orbi forces you to use the same WiFi channel for all units. 2) Orbi does not allow fine control of the power for each unit, only 100/75/50/25%. 3) If you do adjust the power, each Orbi unit must use the same power value. 4) Orbi provides no report on the connection speeds and signal strength of connected devices, making it hard to configure the system for optimal operation.
I will also point out that the Ubiquiti APs allow one wired AP to provide a wireless backhaul for up to four additional APs. This is similar to the idea behind Orbi and seems to be the exact use case you are referring to. More info here: https://help.ubnt.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002262328-UniFi-Feature-Guide-Wireless-Uplink
Don't misunderstand me. I have nothing against adding Ethernet backhaul to Orbi. It just doesn't change the fact that there are better solutions if you already have wiring throughout your house.
