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Forum Discussion
EchostormFury
Sep 21, 2019Apprentice
Orbi Wifi 6 (RBK852) Satellite Compatibility with RBK50, Built-In Circle Plus Support?
Do we know if the new Orbi Wifi 6 (RBK852) routers will be backward compatible with RBK50 AC3000 satellites? As the default bundle only includes 1 satellite, can I still use my 2 RBK50's still (albe...
CrimpOn
Sep 21, 2019Guru - Experienced User
We all have tons of questions that are not answered by the web site hype or the Data Sheet. When the product actually ships (Oct 28?) and the User Manual becomes available, there will be a flood of information. I, for example, am not enthusiastic about the emphasis on using the "app", Alexa, and Google to manage the device. If the trusty old web interface is gone, a lot of the things we do now will be gone with it.
The whole point of WiFi6 is to support 802.11AX, which requires different radio chips. Existing Orbi's cannot physically support AX, and never will. Absolutely nothing in an of the available information talks about working with older Orbi's. My guess is, "not happening."
In my case, of course, I have zero devices which support 802.11AX, and my internet is a puny 100mb. There is little, if anything, to be gained by investing in the first shipment of this new box.
EchostormFury
Sep 21, 2019Apprentice
Yeah, despite the item being able to be preordered, this is really vague and no tech sheets, manuals parental control filtering is even listed as a feature on the official websites. You are right nothing talks about backward compatibility - though technically this can be possible by having backward compatibility to the RBK50 backhaul over 802.11ac. I'm just interested bcause I have too many devices and any little improvement in expanding my backhaul between my upstairs and downstairs will help prevent those occasional disconnects between the satellite and the router, so here's hoping 802.11ax improves that a bit, otherwise I'd have to consider running ethernet for a backhaul.
- CrimpOnSep 21, 2019Guru - Experienced User
Too many devices? Oh, my. We have users with over 100 devices plugged into an Orbi and they seem satisfied with performance.
Are a lot of your devices streaming video?
- EchostormFurySep 21, 2019Apprentice
Lot of gaming with background downloading and streaming, so yes, lots of bandwidth being used, but all these PC's are on ethernet, it's just mainly the satellite to router backhaul that is the issue. Too much traffic and sometimes the satellite will crash, all devices connected to the satellite lose internet connectivity for a few seconds, and Orbi has to reset the connection it seems.