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woodsy-up's avatar
woodsy-up
Aspirant
Nov 04, 2022

RBK50 and Smart Home Devices not seeing each other on the "same" network

Installing an RBK50 and 1 satellite has created problems with my smart home devices.  I have about a dozen various smart light switches, smart AC outlets (for lamps), and sensors, in a Homekit environment.  Some of these devices connect to the satellite, and some connect to the base router.  I think this is causing certain linked automations to stop working.

 

For example, I have an automation:   if basement door sensor opens, then it triggers an upstairs lamp and plays a audio clip on the kitchen HomePod.  This no longer works, and I suspect it's because these three devices are not on the same traditional network.

 

I suspect the way Orbi handles (or abstracts) the two network bands under a single "network" is causing issues.  Is this true?  I'm just trying to validate my suspicion before trying to do anything about it (up to and including returning the Orbi and buying something that broadcasts two distinct network bands).

3 Replies

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Nov 04, 2022

    Not likely.  The Orbi system creates one LAN and devices communicate with each other no matter how they are connected (Ethernet, 2.4G WiFi, 5G WiFi).  Network broadcasts and multicasts go to every device on the network.

    Is the rest of HomeKit working as expected, or are lots of things failing to function?

    • woodsy-up's avatar
      woodsy-up
      Aspirant
      Nov 04, 2022

      Thanks for the speedy reply!  After installing Orbi, there are other new problems that appeared:

       

      Example 2:  My HVAC (mini-split ductless) is not smart, but it is controlled via infrared remote.  I have a Sensibo, which is a WiFi device that receives commands from my iPhone app and then pushes that command to the HVAC via its IR. So, in order to command the HVAC using voice and my HomePod, I use Siri Shortcuts: I will say a command to HomePod, it will then talk to my iPhone, and then actuate the Sensibo app on the iPhone, which then goes to the cloud and triggers the Sensibo device.  

      The problem is, if my iPhone is connected to the upstairs RBR50 and the HomePod is connected to the main floor Satellite, HomePod will say it can't find my iPhone.

       

      This problem occurred occasionally with my previous Nighthawk router, when my iPhone was on the 2.4Ghz network and the HomePod was on the 5GHz network.  So I suspect something similar is going wrong with the Orbi as well.  Hope that makes sense.

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Nov 04, 2022

        (I'm hoping that someone who understands Home Kit will jump in as I have no experience.  We Android bigots remain blissfully ignorant of all things Apple.)

         

        woodsy-up wrote:

        The problem is, if my iPhone is connected to the upstairs RBR50 and the HomePod is connected to the main floor Satellite, HomePod will say it can't find my iPhone.

        But when the iPhone is on the main floor, then HomePod IS able to find it?

         

        Just a brief question: how are the router and satellite connected? (WiFi or Ethernet?)