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Forum Discussion
RBR50 Satellite Not Detected - At All
I have had an RBR50 Router with one Satellite for several years. They have worked flawlessly - but WIFI was spotty out on our patio. So...a month ago, I purchased another RBR50 on ebay to use as a...
Some companies designed their mesh WiFi systems with all devices identical, meaning that any unit could be either the 'router' or a 'satellite'. Netgear's Orbi products are designed where a 'router' can only be a 'router'. It can never be a 'satellite'. Likewise, a 'satellite' can only be a 'satellite'.
Powering up the eBay RBR50 has activated a new WiFi 'router' with the SSID ORBI47. If this unit is connected to the existing RBR50 with an Ethernet cable, it can be used as another WiFi system, or it can be placed into 'Access Point' mode and used to extend the existing network. It will not function as a 'satellite'. i.e. devices will not roam seamlessly between the existing Orbi mesh and the eBay system mesh.
In short: you bought the wrong thing.
RBR50's sell on eBay for less than RBS50's because nobody wants another 'router'. They are all looking for another 'satellite'.
There was a technique 5-6 years ago where someone figured out how to change the internal settings on an RBR50 to change it into an RBS50. That procedure was never sanctioned by Netgear. Internet search might lead to those instructions and you could attempt to do it. I do not know of anyone on the Community Forum who has actually done this.
Sorry.