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bry1202's avatar
bry1202
Aspirant
Jan 23, 2021

Orbi RBR50 > RBS50 > Ethernet Switch

Hello,

 

I have a 2 node RBR50 > RBS50 satelite mesh network setup in the house.  Going to be adding ethernet to bedrooms this week and ethernet backhaul to RBS50.  I have been searching through this forum and see all sorts of conflicting reports regarding external switches and EEE (Green / 802.3AZ) which literally EVERY switch I can find on Amazon has.  I am planning to use a TP-Link https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/16-port-switch/tl-sg116/ switch off the RBR50 to extend the wired network to the bedrooms.  It seems people on these forums have issues when connecting the RBS50 to a switch off the RBR50 when that switch has EEE.  The problem is every switch I find in my price range (less than $75) comes with this setting on and cannot be disabled.  Would it work if I connected the RBS50 directly to the RBR50 then connected the switch with EEE to the RBR50 LAN port as well and then connected all bedrooms to this switch or will the clients off the switch have issues?

 

Can someone reccomend a switch that will work either way?

ISP > RBR50 > Switch > RBS50 (all wired clients including RBS50 connected to switch)

ISP > RBR50 > Switch and RBS50 (all wired clients connected to switch and RBS50 connected to RBR50 directly)

 

Should I scrap the Orbi all together and look at some other mesh or router + AP setup?

 

Thanks again :)

11 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jan 23, 2021

    My vote is for option #2.  Connect the switch and the satellite directly to the Orbi router (leaving one ethernet port open).

    Connect "everything else" to the switch.

    I have a TP-Link switch connected to my Orbi router and everything else in my "comfy nest" connects to the switch. (Even my Powerline link that connects my Tivo's to the internet.)

  • GMoGoody8's avatar
    GMoGoody8
    Luminary
    Jan 23, 2021
    I was following a bunch of threads on here too over the summer and saw the same reports when I planning my new home.

    I just moved last week and can confirm Ethernet Backhaul will work with Green Ethernet(802.3AZ) with the newer FWs.

    Here is my setup.

    Modem—> RBR50–>home run cat 6 to patch panel—> Netgear GS108 unmanaged switch —> home run cat 6 to RBS50 —> Netgear GS 108 in entertainment center.