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Forum Discussion
I have a router with one satellite (RBS50V2) and I wish to extend with additional satellites.
I have a router with one satellite (RBS50V2) and I wish to extend with additional satellites. I bought a used set online that comes with one router and two satellites (RBS50). Can these be combined? I tried just adding the two satellites (RBS50) to the existing setup but it couldn't find them. I'm wondering if I need to use the RBS50 router instead of the RBS50V2. Can anyone advise?
8 Replies
Yes, more satellites can be added.
No, it is not necessary to use the original RBR50 router. The only significant difference is that the "v2" router has no USB port. Apparently Netgear had "plans" for the USB port that were abandoned. (Just like there was probably a reason to include Bluetooth, which also never materialized.)
It is customary to do a Factory Reset on the additional satellites before attempting to use the "Add Orbi Satellite" feature.
One obstacle that has plagued users wanting to add the newer AX satellites to their system has been when the satellites are loaded with different firmware than the router. What firmware is currently loaded on the existing (working) router and satellites?
Thanks so much for the reply. I just logged in and I see Router Firmware Version V2.7.4.24. Is that what you're looking for? When I'm trying to add one of the satellites, it's giving me a magenta light instead of solid white.
Hello denise321,
Welcome to the NETGEAR Community!
I understand that you wish to add additional satellites to your Orbi Mesh network to expand your network.
Please visit the knowledge based article below for to view our Orbi Compatibility Table:
https://kb.netgear.com/000065169/Which-Orbi-routers-and-satellites-are-compatible
Best,
Kevin
Community Team
Thanks for replying. I checked the chart and unfortunately I only see one model and not both. Maybe because they're both RBS50 (one is RBS50 and one is RBS50V2).
Yes, they are interchangeable.
Thanks for the reminder that you have two "sets" (router and satellites). That makes it much easier to determine the firmware release.
Since an Orbi system will function without an internet connection, you can do this:
- Plug in the new purchase.
- Connect to it with either an Ethernet connection or using the WiFi credentials printed on the product label (bottom of the case).
- Open a web browser to http://orbilogin.net or to http://192.168.1.1
- Pay no attention to any warnings about the connection being "insecure" and select an option on the web browser to "proceed to this address anyway."
- The firmware release appears in the upper right portion of the screen.
- Power up the two newly purchased satellites and see if they connect automatically to the new router.
- If they do not appear in the Attached Devices screen in 5 minutes, select the Home Page menu item, "Add Orbi Satellite" and go through the process to add each satellite.
- In a few minutes, the Attached Devices screen will show the two new satellites with their IP address.
- Connect to each satellite with a web browser and record the firmware release on each.
My guess is that the existing system shows firmware v2.7.4.24 on the router and satellites and the newly purchased system shows a different version.
