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Forum Discussion
TFORREST
Mar 04, 2023Guide
RBR50 Mesh Network inquiry
I have an Orbi Router (RBR50) and 3 Satellites (RBS50) purchased in 2018. All have Router Firmware Version V2.7.4.24 installed and no new firmware versions are available. The RBR50 Router is connec...
- Mar 04, 2023
The definition of "mesh" is indeed ambiguous. Many manufacturers designed their products to be universal. All devices are identical, and thus any of them can be connected to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Netgear designed their products where routers and satellites are different. (This often frustrates customers wanting expansion who purchase a "set" and find that the new router is useful only as a spare because it cannot be turned into a satellite.)
All Netgear Orbi systems are designed this way.
All Orbi systems support a "Daisy Chain" concept which allows a satellite to connect to the router through another satellite.
100ft may be a "bit much". However, satellites are portable and easily relocated. Before abandoning the existing equipment, it would be worth experimenting with different satellite locations to see which work better.
p.s. The RBR50 User Manual is here: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf
TFORREST
Mar 04, 2023Guide
Ouch.
I interpret that to mean that I need to upgrade to a newer Orbi.
My understanding is that a mesh network defined is that internet comes into any of the routers or satellites and is pushed to the remaining nodes.
Since I haven't been in the market for one in almost 5 years, do all current Orbi models have a mesh network capability?
Thanks.
TFORREST
Mar 04, 2023Guide
Sorry, forgot to include the other option of swapping the router and one of the satellites.
The condo is about 100 feet long with many walls. The router is currently about midway between the two ends.
Will the satellite moved to the utility room 1/2 way across the condo talk to the satellite in the bedroom farthest away from the router since it will most likely be out of the router's range?
- CrimpOnMar 04, 2023Guru - Experienced User
The definition of "mesh" is indeed ambiguous. Many manufacturers designed their products to be universal. All devices are identical, and thus any of them can be connected to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Netgear designed their products where routers and satellites are different. (This often frustrates customers wanting expansion who purchase a "set" and find that the new router is useful only as a spare because it cannot be turned into a satellite.)
All Netgear Orbi systems are designed this way.
All Orbi systems support a "Daisy Chain" concept which allows a satellite to connect to the router through another satellite.
100ft may be a "bit much". However, satellites are portable and easily relocated. Before abandoning the existing equipment, it would be worth experimenting with different satellite locations to see which work better.
p.s. The RBR50 User Manual is here: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf
- michaelkenwardMar 05, 2023Guru - Experienced User
CrimpOn wrote:
100ft may be a "bit much".
In this case, that may not be a serious problem.
TFORREST said earlier :
The condo is about 100 feet long with many walls. The router is currently about midway between the two ends.
In other words, we are talking about 50 feet from router to extremities.
With satellites carefully positioned, that could put no WiFi client no more than 25 feet from a satellite. Not a giant leap for many Mesh systems. But "many walls" may be more an issue.
- TFORRESTMar 05, 2023Guide
Thanks again. I may have exaggerated the distance of the condo. The router that is roughly in the center of the condo has good connectivity with the existing satellites, whatever the distance is between them (probably no more than 30 feet). Thank you for reminding me of the term "daisy chain"...I could not recall it when I made my post. I appreciate the recommendation to keep my product, so I will experiment as you suggest and hopefully the daisy chain will work from one end of the condo to the other.