Hello All.Could somebody tell me if Orbi RBK 50 AC3000 is automatically switching devices connected at 2.4GHZ network to 5GHZ. I have designated devices which are working only at 2.4GHz and this kind of switching will keep disconnecting them from the network. I know that the router has only 1 SSID and I cant separate both bands which has worried me little.

Koceto wrote:......... Also do you know how much devices I can connect at once on this system because I am planning to build smart home and to use Orbi RBK 50 AC3000 as a Mesh system. If this model is not good for this job which are you going to recommend? Please check this out about number of connections: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/How-many-device-connection-at-one-time-on-orbi-RBK53-plus-2/m-p/1705860/highlight/true#M52261

The discussion would be incomplete without mentioning that many people run into difficulty when connecting a "smart device" (such as the ADAX Neo) to WiFi. A quick look at the ADAX app for Android reveals a pretty dismal "2.2 rating", with complaints about both the initial setup and how the app works to control the heater. One consistent theme is that people find the connection process works better for them using an Apple product than Android, although some mention using an Android tablet that worked. Once the device is connected, they appear to be able to control it from their Android phone, although that's when the complaints about how the app works begin. This is a well-known issue with "smart things." When something has a method of input, such as a keyboard, keypad, touch screen, or even camera, the user can specify the WiFi name and password and put it directly into the device. When the device has no method of input, manufacturers have come up with a variety of schemes to get that information into the device. The most common method appears to be having the device create a simple WiFi host that their smartphone app can connect to and relay the home WiFi name and password. (Some devices use bluetooth or even both bluetooth and WiFi.) The device then disconnects from the smartphone and connects to the home WiFi. Alas, what should be a routine programming task has proved too much for some engineers. Either their apps cannot find that temporary WiFi, or they mistakenly pass invalid credentials. Whatever the case, some people experience no problems at all, and some people report tremendous frustration. And they always blame the WiFi vendor, never the product. ADAX build heaters, not computer equipment. It looks like whoever wrote their app for them did not fully understand the complexity of the problem. So, are you Apple or Android? I would read the app reviews and probably install only one heater before purchasing more. When the product app is faulty, it has problems with any mesh system (Google, Velop, Orbi, etc.). There are techniques that can be used to temporarily shut down or rename the 5G WiFi until after the device is connected (at least on Orbi, we don't use the other mesh networks). Good Luck, and please report back with your success (or frustration).

I have at least twice that many on my RRR50 + 3 satellites.... works flawlessly.

Orbi uses "Band Steering" to try to move capable devices from the 2.4 to the 5 GHz bands. When devices attach to Orbi devices send their capabilities to Orbi so Orbi will know if those devices can or can't be moved between the bands. If your 2.4 GHz devices are being disconnected then this might be because of other reasons: - What type of devices are experiencing disconnections? - Do you notice that devices are being disconnected when roaming between the Orbi nodes? - What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?

As ekhalil pointed out, a device that can only communicate at 2.4G will tell that to the Orbi. the Orbi will never "see a signal" from that device on 5G, and thus will never attempt to "steer" the device to 5G. The Orbi cannot detect that the device "would be better on 5G", so the question is moot. It can't happen. From the question, is it difficult to ascertain whether (a) there are devices which are mysteriously dropping their WiFi connection and you are looking for the cause, or (b) you are about to install a new device that operates only on 2.4G and you are concerned about the vendor admonition, "MUST be connected to 2.4G WiFi". Specifics of the situation is key.

Orbi RBK 50 AC3000 | NETGEAR Communities

21 Replies

ekhalil
Master
Feb 10, 2019
Orbi uses "Band Steering" to try to move capable devices from the 2.4 to the 5 GHz bands. When devices attach to Orbi devices send their capabilities to Orbi so Orbi will know if those devices can or can't be moved between the bands.

If your 2.4 GHz devices are being disconnected then this might be because of other reasons:

- What type of devices are experiencing disconnections?

- Do you notice that devices are being disconnected when roaming between the Orbi nodes?

- What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)?
- CrimpOn
  Guru
  Feb 10, 2019
  As ekhalil pointed out, a device that can only communicate at 2.4G will tell that to the Orbi. the Orbi will never "see a signal" from that device on 5G, and thus will never attempt to "steer" the device to 5G. The Orbi cannot detect that the device "would be better on 5G", so the question is moot. It can't happen.
  
  From the question, is it difficult to ascertain whether (a) there are devices which are mysteriously dropping their WiFi connection and you are looking for the cause, or (b) you are about to install a new device that operates only on 2.4G and you are concerned about the vendor admonition, "MUST be connected to 2.4G WiFi".
  
  Specifics of the situation is key.
  - Koceto
    Aspirant
    Feb 10, 2019
    Thanks for the answer CrimpOn. You are correct. I am planning to get Orbi and I was worried about my Electrical Heaters Adax which are only working on 2.4 GHz. So I can go ahead and take Orbi system and know that Orbi will never try to switch them on 5 GHz. Just precautions. Also do you know how much devices I can connect at once on this system because I am planning to build smart home and to use Orbi RBK 50 AC3000 as a Mesh system. If this model is not good for this job which are you going to recommend?
FURRYe38
Guru
Feb 10, 2019
Conditions of WiFi also include environment and other neghboring WiFi stations. Congestion conditions will be more problematic when having lots of other wifi neighbors near by like in condo or apartment dewellings.

Configuring manual channels vs auto can help this.

Also lowering the power output levels from the Orbi can help this aswell.

Koceto wrote:
Hello All.
Could somebody tell me if Orbi RBK 50 AC3000 is automatically switching devices connected at 2.4GHZ network to 5GHZ. I have designated devices which are working only at 2.4GHz and this kind of switching will keep disconnecting them from the network. I know that the router has only 1 SSID and I cant separate both bands which has worried me little.
FURRYe38
Guru
Feb 11, 2019
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? This will ba a factor to consider when setting up a Orbi system. You may need more than just 1 satellite.
Distance between the router and satellite(s) is key as well. 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
- Koceto
  Aspirant
  Feb 11, 2019
  Hi,
  
  My flat is around 1800sq ft and I have 4 rooms all in 1 line. So I am planning the router to be in the room at the edge and then the satellite in the middle room . Distance in between will not be more than 15-20 feet. Walls are also regular bricks and not anything special. That's why I think that 1 Router RBR 50 and one satellite will do the job.
- Koceto
  Aspirant
  Feb 11, 2019
  Hi,
  My flat is around 1800sq feet and I have 4 rooms in total aligned some how in a line. I am planning to place the RBR 50 in one of the rooms at the end and then the satellite in the middle room no more than 15-20 feet away. That's why I think that this configuration will work. Walls are just regular bricks and nothing special.
  - Chuck_M
    Mentor
    Feb 11, 2019
    The RBK50 kit... which includes 1 RBR50 router and 1 RBS50 satellite will work perfectly for your scenario. It is precisely the same I originally installed.
    
    I have since added two additional satellites to reach some distant parts of the property.
    
    Two of my RBS50's are hardwired via ethernet cable back to the RBR50. The third satellite uses wireless backhaul.
    
    I do have a netgear switch in there somewhere to give me additional wired devices.
    
    I have at any moment well over 50 devices active.
    
    This includes
    
    A very large sonos constellation -- including
    
    .Play 1s (about 10)
    
    .Play 3s (4)
    
    .Play Bar
    
    .Sonos Boost
    
    .Sonos Amp
    
    Nest doorbell
    
    Nest smoke detector
    
    Nest thermostat
    
    Hue lights
    
    About 7 Samsung TVs
    
    4 x computers
    
    1 x Pentair Pool controller
    
    Roomba
    
    1 WD Mycloud Mirror NAS
    
    Bluerays (multiple)
    
    Petcube
    
    Samsung security system w/16 cameras
    
    Alarm system
    
    Rachio irrigation system
    
    Chamberlain garage door openers
    
    Ipads (my wife!)
    
    Iphone (my wife!)
    
    Androids
    
    Alexa Show
    
    Alexa Dots (5 or more)
    
    Alexa Echos
    
    Works like a champ at max speed.

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Orbi RBK 50 AC3000