RBR40 Mini Router - Ethernet Backhaul confusion

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cjaubert wrote:

I have a brain cramp. I've read through these forums for awhile, and can't seem to find the precise question I have. So, here goes:

 

Background: I have an RBR40 router, two RBS40 satellites, and one RBW30 satellite. All the latest firmware is there. (See attached screenshot.) The RBR40 is my only router, and is connected to the Internet by an Ethernet cable to its WAN port. Then, one of the RBR40's Ethernet LAN ports goes to a Netgear wired switch that then feeds several in-the-wall Ethernet ports throughout the house. The three satellites are then connected to the network simply by WiFi - there is no hard-wired connection for either of the three satellites. Various devices are then plugged into various Ethernet ports throughout the house, and several devices are also connected to the network wirelessly to the Orbi WiFi. None of the satellites have any Ethernet cords plugged into them - they are just on A/C power, and, I assume, "on the network" solely by their WiFi connections to the router. For the most part, I'm happy with the setup and speed.

 

I've used Orbi suport Article ID: 000051205, titled "What is Ethernet backhaul and how do I set it up on my Orbi WiFi System?" as my template. Neither of the three setups is mine, because I do not have another router. In short, my setup is from the Orbi router's yellow WAN port, to a switch, to then each of the Orbi satellites joins by WiFi. The closest diagram is the third, but that is NOT it.

 

Okay, here are my specific questions:  

 

 

Question 1: Am I using the Ethernet backhaul properly, or even at all? In the connection I'm using, what is the use of the LAN ports in the satellites? Do devices plugged into those LAN ports just join the network by the satellite's WiFi connection (i.e., at less than an ideal speed)?

 

Question 2: It seems to me that I would have a better network if I connected the two RBS40 Satellites to the network by Ethernet connections to the main switch (i.e., instead of by WiFi). Am I right that that connection would be better/faster?

 

Question 3: Is what I'm using now an Access Point connection, OR, default mode? If I go with each satellite (except the RBW30) hard wired to the router and switch (as in Question 2 above), does that allow me to use the other LAN ports in the RBR40 and RBS40 for Ethernet connections? 

 

I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense - as I said before, I'm having a brain cramp and can't seem to keep this all straight in my head. Thanks!

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1. Wired backhaul simply describes the configuration where one satellite is connects to the RBR via ethernet. This isn't the case for any of your RBS, so you're running a wireless backhaul only. For that the Orbi systems keeps hold of some 5GHz WiFi-channles, that it will not let you use.

2. Wired backhaul provides two important enhancements: better latency and higher "range". I'd always prefer a wired backhaul, where available.

3. AP-Mode only references the Orbi main device's mode of operation. In your case its your RBR, which is obviously running in router mode. In AP-mode some features, e.g. the Circles App are not available, since the RBR acts like an access point, rather as a router. The question is, what does the RBR's WAN port actually connect to? Does it connect to a modem or another router?