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Orbi mesh network question
It appears Netgear and Linksys and maybe others can't seem to explain the mesh network that well. And it seems Netgear has no pre-sales tech support, so here I am. I guess most people don't have wir...
GTGeek88 wrote:So what I'm looking for is a system where each node of the wireless system plugs into the wired network and gives you a seamless and fast wireless network. Is this possible with the Orbi system or any other mesh system?
All models of Orbi which include ethernet ports can be connected over ethernet. (This leave out the least expensive, newest model RBR10 series, becauses the satellites have no ethernet port.
The KEY to this is that the satellites need to be connected to the Orbi router LAN ports. There have been some active discussions about pitfalls when "smart" or "green" ethernet switches are used between the router and satellite.
But, yes. This is exactly how people lucky enough to have ethernet wiring typically run their Orbi systems.
Thanks, Furrye38. I had seen backhaul mentioned earlier in the day while doing some research. I need to understand what that means exactly. The "back" part seems to me to imply one-way communication. What I'd like to see - what I think would give you the best response - would be this scenario:
My computer is linked wirelessly to one of the units, which is plugged into my wired network. I request a web page and that request goes wirelessly to the closest Orbi unit, then over the wired network, eventually making its way to whatever server I was hitting. Then on the way back, it goes to that same Orbi unit via the wired connection and then to my computer via wireless. In other words, as little travel as possible over wireless and then only via the closest Orbi unit (no, "closeness" doesn't necessarily relate to the strongest signal, but this is just an example) so that you get the best wireless performance.
So "backhaul" just seem to imply to me that it's a one-way thing. You know, "it's going out and it's coming back" . . . is the path the same there, like above, or does going out take one path and the trip back take another path. I don't know enough about this term, yet, but if history is the guide, it's about jargons and cool-sounding words and not always about accuracy or something that's easier to understand. The IT industry has a long history of that. But I digress.
In Orbi terminology "front" means the connection between Orbi units and user devices. "back" means the connection between Orbi units. Traffic goes both ways, no matter whether the "backhaul" link is WiFi or ethernet.
Well, yeah, but backhaul is used by other manufacturers, too. Not sure if they operate with the same definition. Anyway, I guess my question now is about this issue you mentioned about connecting them through a switch. That's really the only feasible way to connect them when we're talking about the wired option. The link that Furrye38 provided shows them connected via a switch. But you mention "discussions about pitfalls when 'smart' or 'green' ethernet switches are used between the router and satellite." My Netgear GS116 switch is unmanaged, so maybe that won't cause these pitfalls. But, seriously, if you have some links or some suggestion about search terms to turn up those discussions, please let me know. Thanks again for your responses.
There is an open topic regarding "which switches work" (don't recall the exact post title)
I have no wiring, so I have not paid a lot of attention to the discussion. Several forum participates report using switches successfully.
GTGeek88, I have a GS116v1 switch between my RBR50 and RBS50 and it works. Newer versions of the GS116v2 have green power-saving features (802.3az spec). Check the version of your GS116 switch. If it is v1, then you are good, but if it is v2 then it supports 802.3az and will not work between the router and satellite. Netgear currently does not appear to sell any switches that do not have 802.3az on them.
Well, hell. That switch is pretty old and I thought for sure it'd be v1, but when I got it off the wall and looked at the underside (now I have a picture of it), it's v2. :smileysad:
Maybe I'll have to find a switch that doesn't do that, but now this is getting quite expensive.
NG support site shows the GS116 as a smart managed switch. Not un-managed.
I would look into this and if your is actually managed, then all IGMP protocols need to be disabled. If any Green ethernet featuers are selectable as well, disable this if possible.
GTGeek88 wrote:Well, yeah, but backhaul is used by other manufacturers, too. Not sure if they operate with the same definition. Anyway, I guess my question now is about this issue you mentioned about connecting them through a switch. That's really the only feasible way to connect them when we're talking about the wired option. The link that Furrye38 provided shows them connected via a switch. But you mention "discussions about pitfalls when 'smart' or 'green' ethernet switches are used between the router and satellite." My Netgear GS116 switch is unmanaged, so maybe that won't cause these pitfalls. But, seriously, if you have some links or some suggestion about search terms to turn up those discussions, please let me know. Thanks again for your responses.
