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Forum Discussion
RBS50 vs RBK50
For a second satellite should I use RBK50 or RBS50? What is the difference?
I have a 3000sqft house and a 2xRBK50 system with wired backhaul that is unable to cover the house. I wish to add a second satellite and am confused by the RBK50 vs RBS50 designations with little difference in specs. I expect to set up the second satellite also with a wired backhaul.
9 Replies
"R" means "router". "S" means "Satellite". If you want to add another satellite, it MUST be the RBS50 ("S" for "Satellite").
CrimpOn wrote:
"R" means "router". "S" means "Satellite". If you want to add another satellite, it MUST be the RBS50 ("S" for "Satellite").
Thanks CrimpOn,That makes sense. The fact that Netgear sells RBK50's in a package of two with one that can be a satellite was confusing. One would assume you just get another of the same.
Thanks for clearing this up.
Sorry, I typed before thinking. The ORBI RBK50 kit includes one RBR50 (router) and one RBS50 (satellite). R for router. S for satellite. The design is for one router and one OR MORE satellites. Never two routers. If you want to keep your existing router, but want additional WiFi coverage, you need to purchase another satellite. AND.... you need to be aware of the complications inherent in your design. i.e. having one router connected to another router is redundant and often leads to unwanted behavior. If each router is attempting to assign DHCP addresses, for example, they have to be in different IP ranges. Most users who want to keep their existing router do two things: (1) they turn off the WiFi in their existing router. (2) they put the ORBI in access point mode. Their existing router does all the DHCP assignments and the ORBI handles all the WiFi.
If you read the forum, there seem to be a lot of people who sincerely believe that the ORBI does not function well as a router and the ONLY way to get things to work is to use it as an AP. Others, such as myself, use it as their only router and have no problems.
Sorry if I wandered off topic. I fixated on your specific question (RBR vs. RBS). I have only one satellite and have nothing to offer about having more than one.
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
I use 1 base router at one end of my home or wireless.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch if one is in the configuration.
gdavis wrote:
For a second satellite should I use RBK50 or RBS50? What is the difference?
I have a 3000sqft house and a 2xRBK50 system with wired backhaul that is unable to cover the house. I wish to add a second satellite and am confused by the RBK50 vs RBS50 designations with little difference in specs. I expect to set up the second satellite also with a wired backhaul.
Hi FURRYe38,
Should the distance matter for a wired backhaul? It is about 40feet. Each device is an RBK50. The distance from my iPhone to satellite is about 25ft but the materials could impact the transmission.
Channels are on auto... looks like I am operating on channel 9. I'll give manual a shot on channel 1 which seems to be open. There look to be two other neighbors and three devices (HP-Printer and Button) and two un-identified.
My switch is Netgear JGS524 v2 (ProSafe 24 Port Gigabit)
Thanks for taking an interest!
Yes, distance is still a factor. 40 feet your fine.
Main channels to use are 1, 6 and 11...
Just checking switch. Orbi doesn't like managed switches with IGMP protocols...
