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Forum Discussion
Orbi router & satellite (RBK50) plus nighthawk X8 plus nighthawk extender ac1900
Good morning all-
I’m currently using an orbi RBK50 system. The base station is in my office (upstairs), and the satellite is also upstairs in our game room. I have a PS4 and a few other devices wired to the satellite.
I’ve noticed that I’m getting a fairly weak signal in parts of the main level with this configuration. Yet, I’m hesitant to move the satellite downstairs, because having it hard wired to the PS4 gives me faster speeds for online gaming.
The house is about 3,500 square feet, and the main level is pretty open. The square footage is pretty even on both floors.
Obviously I could buy another orbi satellite for downstairs, but I’ve already got a nighthawk X8 router that’s not being used, as well as a netgear ac1900 range extender (and a few other older routers laying around).
I love the orbi’s ability to have one SSID for everything.
My question is this- is there a way to use the nighthawk X8 router (& possibly the range extender also and/or the older routers) to create a better wireless structure downstairs? I’d really like to be able to hard wire some devices that are connected to the main level TV. And I’d really like to keep the PS4 upstairs hard-wired.
I’ve got a 1 GB connection, and it does pull a signal close to that from the connection point in the office. Also, running Ethernet cables throughout the house isn’t an option- because we’re renting.
Thanks in advance for any advice on how to better use my older equipment.
A second question. I’ve got a smartthings system linked in to the main orbi router, and when I’m done building it out, I’ll have 75+ zigbee & Z-wave devices linked in to it.
Is there any advantage to setting up a separate SSID exclusively for that system? And, with my listed equipment, is there a way to set everything up to utilize my space better? If that would require a separate SSID, that would be fine if I’m isolating the smartthings system. I’m using the smartthings nvidia shield dongle for my ST hub. It’s hard wired into the orbi base station currently.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice. And please keep in mind that while I like technology, I don’t have a ton of time to dig into the technical aspects. I just want to know how to hook everything up properly so it’s wife approved ;).
I’m currently using an orbi RBK50 system. The base station is in my office (upstairs), and the satellite is also upstairs in our game room. I have a PS4 and a few other devices wired to the satellite.
I’ve noticed that I’m getting a fairly weak signal in parts of the main level with this configuration. Yet, I’m hesitant to move the satellite downstairs, because having it hard wired to the PS4 gives me faster speeds for online gaming.
The house is about 3,500 square feet, and the main level is pretty open. The square footage is pretty even on both floors.
Obviously I could buy another orbi satellite for downstairs, but I’ve already got a nighthawk X8 router that’s not being used, as well as a netgear ac1900 range extender (and a few other older routers laying around).
I love the orbi’s ability to have one SSID for everything.
My question is this- is there a way to use the nighthawk X8 router (& possibly the range extender also and/or the older routers) to create a better wireless structure downstairs? I’d really like to be able to hard wire some devices that are connected to the main level TV. And I’d really like to keep the PS4 upstairs hard-wired.
I’ve got a 1 GB connection, and it does pull a signal close to that from the connection point in the office. Also, running Ethernet cables throughout the house isn’t an option- because we’re renting.
Thanks in advance for any advice on how to better use my older equipment.
A second question. I’ve got a smartthings system linked in to the main orbi router, and when I’m done building it out, I’ll have 75+ zigbee & Z-wave devices linked in to it.
Is there any advantage to setting up a separate SSID exclusively for that system? And, with my listed equipment, is there a way to set everything up to utilize my space better? If that would require a separate SSID, that would be fine if I’m isolating the smartthings system. I’m using the smartthings nvidia shield dongle for my ST hub. It’s hard wired into the orbi base station currently.
Thanks in advance for any and all advice. And please keep in mind that while I like technology, I don’t have a ton of time to dig into the technical aspects. I just want to know how to hook everything up properly so it’s wife approved ;).
22 Replies
What Firmware is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
I believe the R series routers only support Router/AP/Wireless Bridge mode. They don't repeat or extend wifi.
You might benefit by using the R series router as a 2ndary wired AP to the Orbi and off load some non essential or non managed very often devices on to the AP.
- I’ll have to check the additional details later tonight. I’m a few hours away from home right now.
I do know that the modem is the one that spectrum supplies with the gig internet package. I have a fully capable netgear docsis 3.0 (maybe even 3.1) modem, but for some reason they haven’t cleared it for their service (other providers that offer gig service allow that modem).
And the base and the satellite (both upstairs) are Around 25-30 feet away from one another. I could move the satellite unit farther away from the base unit, and maybe get the distance up to around 40 feet. That would require a bunch of cables running back to the entertainment center, but I’ve got enough of them to do it.
I’ve noticed that the connected devices downstairs sometimes drop out with my current configuration.
I could always just get another satellite unit for the orbi, but I’d really like to put the nighthawk router and possibly even the extender to use.
Would it be better to simply sell the nighthawk and extender, and use that cash for another orbi satellite unit? Thinking that may be easier.
Also, is there a way to use some of the older routers as access points? I’ll have to get the model #’s for those also, but it would be nice to use them to hard wire things in different parts of the main level.
Thanks for the quick response. I’ll post the model numbers and firmware later tonight when I’m home.Have you tried setting up the old Router in "Bridge" mode to the main Orbi router?
The old Router has better WiFi HW and range than typical WiFi devices. Bridge mode will enable all your devices to have wire connection to the old Router, i.e. my poor man Satellite. You can try to place the old Router at the current Satellite location and see if you get the same performance. If yes, then move the Satellite downstairs. Otherwise, put the old Router downstairs if that yields better performance. Good luck!
Swiedeback wrote:
A second question. I’ve got a smartthings system linked in to the main orbi router, and when I’m done building it out, I’ll have 75+ zigbee & Z-wave devices linked in to it.
Is there any advantage to setting up a separate SSID exclusively for that system?So there is some kind of controller for these IoT - where none does connect direct to WiFi. Shouldn't a controller for tis automation system be connected by Ethernet? And then, don't you expect being able to reach that contoller from other systems on your (W)LAN?
- The smartthings hub (via a dongle that links to an nvidia shield) is directly wired to the Ethernet. In short, it goes ST dongle —-> nvidia shield —-> Ethernet wired to orbi base unit. I’ve got a switch for other stuff, but I believe that one is Ethernet wired directly into the orbi base unit.
I believe ST talks independently to the individual IOT devices from the Wi-Fi (via either zigbee or z-wave).
I just didn’t know if there was any advantage to putting the Smartthings system on its own SSID. Right now with the two orbi units I’ve got a single combined SSID. I don’t think that the ST setup draws enough bandwidth to mess with the other devices on the combined orbi SSID, but I thought I’d ask if anyone has more experience with that in this area.The advantage with a single SSID is simplicity. Multiple SSIDs still share the same chan/band and will only hurt performance, which you will not notice it in normal use, but only when your wireless game/gig starts acting up. If you can offload them to a separate AP, that would be best.
schumaku wrote:
Swiedeback wrote:
A second question. I’ve got a smartthings system linked in to the main orbi router, and when I’m done building it out, I’ll have 75+ zigbee & Z-wave devices linked in to it.
Is there any advantage to setting up a separate SSID exclusively for that system?So there is some kind of controller for these IoT - where none does connect direct to WiFi. Shouldn't a controller for tis automation system be connected by Ethernet? And then, don't you expect being able to reach that contoller from other systems on your (W)LAN?
Zigbee and Zwave devices are not enumerated by a router.... they are controlled instead by a single hub -- which may or may not be connected to your IP based network, so you could have one or a thousand Zwave devices and they would react the same.
As an example, my zwave devices are controlled by an alarm system and have no physical connection to the router. Zwave devices do not ride on an 802.11 network, they form their own mesh network on a different frequency.
In your case, you may have a zwave controller connected to your router, but it is just a single device no matter how many locks, lights and sensors you may have.
FYI about Bridge mode on the R series, this is ONLY for a wireless connection between the R router in bridge mode to the Orbi. Bridge mode does NOT provide a wireless single to other client wireless devices. Devices that can be connected to the R router in bridge mode would be only LAN cable RJ45 supporting devices.
I presume there is some noise levels being that close though. Well, glad it works for you.
How big is your home?
It is about 3500sqft.
Yes, there will always be wireless noise around, which could be from neighbors, school, or business complexes. My neighbors are 6ft away with me sandwiched in between them. Yours might vary depending on the density at your city/location.
It's better to play around and try different setups until one that works best. The worst case scenario is that you will end up with where you've started. When I do have more disposable incomes, I can simply swap it out with a new Satellite. :-)
Kewl. Mines 5000sq ft. No issues with just a Orbi system in place. Currently testing a RBR 50. Need to add the RBS50 tonight and see. Just got to get the RBS updated some how. :smileyfrustrated:
