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Forum Discussion
RBK13 assignment of devices to main router and satellites
I just purchased and installed my new Orbi RBK13, "whole home" WiFi System. The setup was easy but I don't like it that i cannot control which devices connect to the router and its two satellites. ...
Alas, no. There is no method to force device to connect to a particular access point. There are industry standard protocols about how devices detect nearby access points and decide which they will use. Orbi follows the standards. The important question is, "Are the devices functioning correctly?" If so, there is actually no reason for concern. Things like phones, tablets, and laptops may "move" becauses their network software is written with movement in mind. Devices designed to remain in one place almost never change access points once they have attached to one.
I am not (personally) aware of any mesh router systems which feature this ability, certainly not easily.
My personal laptop stays in my office, 95% of the time. It hasn't moved today, yet it dropped from the satellite, 8 feet away in clear sight, and hopped onto the main router upstairs and far away. This defeats the purpose of having bought the mesh network. Most of my devices were connected to the satellites downstairs, but now there are a few connected to the furthest away device. It is a matter of performance and having the satellites were providing me great performance while they were connected.
Do you use the Orbi web interface or the Orbi "app" to administer the Orbi. The "app" will show the "Link Rate" between the device and Orbi unit.
I understand the concern. How has performance changed?
- The link rate shown by the app doesn’t mean anything other than relative rates when comparing devices. I have six devices, all of which I use the same speed test app to run speed test from same server. The speeds reported fall in line with what I expect from my cable / internet provider. My issue is that I don’t know why my old laptop dropped from one of my satellites to the main router. When it was connected to satellite, my issue was solved —- connection to newly placed router satellite. Now, the laptop is connected to main router far away, and with same issue as when I only had original cable company router upstairs and far away. I bought the Orbi Mesh System, thinking that satellite would be connection point for devices nearest it but that isn’t the case.