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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBK50: Do the router and satellites have the same hardware?
I've opened up my Orbi RBR50 router and two Orbi RBS50 satellites, and I can't tell a single difference between them in terms of their hardware. I've searched this question on a number of forums and...
This is a long-standing discussion. Yes, the RBR50 and RBS50 have identical hardware. There is a hack on the internet which turns a 'router' into a 'satellite'. eBay often advertises RBS50 satellites that are described as having been 'converted' from routers into satellites.
In the past 6-7 years, no one has posted a similar hack for any other model. If you have a spare RBR50 and want to convert it into an RBS50, that hack may work for you. There is little "down side"
- A used RBR50 no longer has any warranty.
- It's not doing you any good right now, so "what the heck".
Since the original model, Netgear does appear to have constructed the router and satellites to be physically different.
Good Luck!