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Forum Discussion
Orbi Satellite Backhaul Connectivity Enhancement Using AC2200s
I've just installed an Orbi RBK854 system, and find it impossible to situate the satellites such that the backhaul connection is in the correct order. I haven't tried "daisy chaining," since that feature seems to be very buggy--according this forum. But it would make sense to have the satillites chained from the closest to the AX6000 router, the first to satillite closest, then from that satillite to closest one to it, etc., to the third, furthest away. Logically, the system's backhaul connections would benefit from stronger transmission from the closest satillite. And taking speed tests from each satillite seems to prove that out. Currently, the speeds are all over the place.
Also, in practice, they don't configure.themselves within the mesh network that way automatically. Some completely miss the fact that the closest satillite is in line-of-sight, instead connecting way back to the RBR850 router, downstairs, or another more distant satellite in another room.
When all the satillites are connected and functional, the connection status--perhaps because the satillite connections behave as described--are labeled "good." I have a Nighthawk CM2000, and a 1200 Mbps service. When tested, download speed from the RBR850 is around 700 Mbps. I'm getting about half that when testing by the satillites--at least, those connecting directly with the RBR850..
What tools do I have to control such a configuration with the Orbi system? Would adding one or more of the AC2200 Mesh Extenders within the house improve their backhaul connectivity speed. And is there a means of specifying the arrangement/configuration of connections between nodes (satililites)?
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
6 Replies
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 📡
Placement and Distances are key here. RBS too close to the RBR or each other will cause problems.Daisy Chain is automatically configured.
To get Daisy Chain to work right, it all about the power ON sequence and distances. With everything OFF, the RBR would be turned ON first, then the 1st RBS closest to the RBR the the placement line would be turned ON next and wait for it to come to ready. Then the 2nd RBS thats out in the line from the 1st RBS would be turned ON and wait for ready. This RBS should connect to the 1st RBS. Then the 3rd RBS would be turned ON thats out in the line from the 2nd RBS. The 3rd RBS should connect to the 2nd RBS. And so on.
Netgear has set up a community forum specifically for the Orbi AX (WiFi 6) products:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/bd-p/en-home-orbi-ax
Please use this link to the main forum product list to review and choose where to make your posts.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/NETGEAR-Forum/ct-p/en-netgear
Thank youWhat Firmware version is currently loaded?
--Version 4.6.3.16. I've run the fireware updater on all the satillites and the router/access point.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
--3800 sq.ft.
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.The walls are wood studs and sheetrock. There's about 20 feet between the RBR850 and the first satillite. However, the router is downstairs, and the satillite is upstairs. So, there are hinderences--primarily constructed of wood, etc. It connects with the RBR850 easily, with a status of "good."
I'm am in the process of powering the satilites up, as described. Kind of sucks when the power goes out (I'm in an area where there are frequent blackouts), and when restored, they all power up willy-nilly.
One promise this automated connectivity (without any user controls to configure) doesn't seem to deliver on, is the functionality that satillites will connect themselves to the strongest backhaul signal is apparently no true. The third satillite, for example, can be line-of-sight with the second, and it will ignore it, and connect with a distant satillite, or the Orbi router downstairs. And, consequently, the connection will be weak ("poor").
I'd say that leaving out any such node-to-node configuration facilities from this mesh system is an ommission. Is adding this functionality in an update to the orbilogin.com on-line app, or the orbi app something that's being considered?
Thanks!
tonosity wrote:
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
--Version 4.6.3.16. I've run the fireware updater on all the satillites and the router/access point.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
--3800 sq.ft.
What is the distance between the router and 📡 satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS📡 to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.The walls are wood studs and sheetrock. There's about 20 feet between the RBR850 and the first satillite. However, the router is downstairs, and the satillite is upstairs. So, there are hinderences--primarily constructed of wood, etc. It connects with the RBR850 easily, with a status of "good." 20 feet may still be a bit too close. Can you try the RBS out at 30 feet?
I'm am in the process of powering the satilites up, as described. Kind of sucks when the power goes out (I'm in an area where there are frequent blackouts), and when restored, they all power up willy-nilly. Placement and distances is key here...Also try turning down the power output of the RBRs wifi radios from 100% to 50% and see if this changes anything. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
One promise this automated connectivity (without any user controls to configure) doesn't seem to deliver on, is the functionality that satillites will connect themselves to the strongest backhaul signal is apparently no true. The third satillite, for example, can be line-of-sight with the second, and it will ignore it, and connect with a distant satillite, or the Orbi router downstairs. And, consequently, the connection will be weak ("poor").
Powering ON of the RBS for daisy chain configuration is important. I presume that when full power goes off then back on for all units, there could be some bad re-connection behaviors in this configuration. Would be something NG could look into.
I'd say that leaving out any such node-to-node configuration facilities from this mesh system is an ommission. Is adding this functionality in an update to the orbilogin.com on-line app, or the orbi app something that's being considered?
tonosity wrote:
I haven't tried "daisy chaining," since that feature seems to be very buggy--according this forum.
Alas, Daisy Chain is not something the user can control. The original (2016) Orbi had an Advanced Wireless Setting to enable or disable Daisy Chain. With the AX model, Netgear removed that option. The Orbi system decides how satellites connect, either to the router or to another satellite. Netgear's advice on Orbi configuration is that a Daisy Chain should consist of no more than two satellites. i.e. router->satellite1->satellite2. See: https://kb.netgear.com/000062035/How-many-satellites-can-you-add-to-an-Orbi-WiFi-System
It is not clear (to me) how long a Daisy Chain can be. The Netgear references I find never describe more than two:
https://blog.netgear.com/blog/daisy-chain/
tonosity wrote:
What tools do I have to control such a configuration with the Orbi system? Would adding one or more of the AC2200 Mesh Extenders within the house improve their backhaul connectivity speed. And is there a means of specifying the arrangement/configuration of connections between nodes (satililites)?
There are no user tools to control how the Orbi creates the backhaul links. What is possible is to use ethernet cable to connect a satellite back to the router (or another satellite).
You'd have to provide a part number for the AC2200 Mesh Extender to learn how it could (or could not) fit into the WiFi network. In general the only backhaul links are (a) directly with WiFi, or (b) using an ethernet cable.
