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Mesh system generic question
I currently have an Arris 7580 AC router that has served my purposes until now. I recently added a Simplisafe doorbell with camera, which I could not get to connect to my router. The problem is the doorbell is about 85' from the router and mounted on a stuccco-faced pony wall (so that's two walls). In addition, a straight-line radio signal must go through a corner of the garage and the front of the house, adding three more stuccco-faced walls, and then three interior walls (one of them almost parallel to the signal).
I tried a Netgear 1200 extender, first placing it next to a window almost 50' from the router, where it would connect with the router, but not the camera. Then I placed it in the garage about 3' from the camera, where it worked for a little while, but then disconnected from the router. So, I returned it.
Now I'm considering a mesh system but am wondering, Can the access points daisy-chain or does each one have to be able to connect to the router?
(As an aside, I can't move the router very far and a computer consultant casually mentioned that I should hard-wire the connection. However, as the door bell has no Ethernet port I'd have to find an extender that has one to connect to the router, which I haven't seen so far, and, as I live in a townhouse, any wire would have to go over the roof.)
Plus, almost every mesh WiFi system acts the same way (Google, Deco, Velop, etc.)
5 Replies
Yes, Orbi supports Daisy Chaining of the RBS from the RBR which is the main router. RBS are the main extenders which can piggy back of each other when Daisy Chain is enabled.
As FURRYe38 said, Netgear's Orbi satellites can connect directly to the router, and can also "Daisy Chain" off another satellite. A top of the line three unit RBK53 Orbi package will set you back $400 plus tax. The RBK23 would be $270 plus tax. Dumping the Arris in favor of a mesh system is not cheap.
As you have found, for a WiFi "extender" to function, it has to be close enough to the router to get a good signal. The same is true for Orbi satellites. Another solution is to make use of existing coax or electrical wiring to create a wired network. If there is coax throughout the townhouse, a pair of MoCHA adapters can create a network allowing you to place a WiFi access point wherever there is coax. Likewise, Powerline adapters can allow you to place a WiFi access point wherever there is electricity.
What a frustrating situation. I, also, have Simplisafe, but my doorbell points "sideways" at the front door. No video of people walking up to the door for me!
Plus, almost every mesh WiFi system acts the same way (Google, Deco, Velop, etc.)
