Has anyone had experience and played around yet with these two settings to see if they get better speeds and connectivity with either one on/off? This setting option is accessable via the Orbi mobile app > network map > controls > Indoor mode on/off Cheers - Winco

Having now configured two Orbi RBR50 systems - one with 5 satellites (RBS50) and the latest with 6 (5 RBS50 + 1 RBS50Y Outdoor satellite). Regarding the RBS50Y Satellite - I think various strands of this post are correct - its a regulatory issue that limits the external band to 2.4GhZ - when set to outdoor mode it will operate as dual band using 5GHz to connect to the RBR50 Router and project 2.4GHz. I've noticed this actually gives better performance for my configuration as the 5th Satellite is in a Cottage 30 m from the Outdoor Satellite - If the RBS50Y is set in tri-band (Indoor Mode) the cottage satellite locks onto the 5GHz channel and signal reception is poor according to the app -when the RBS50Y is set to out door mode (dual channel) then the cottage picks up the 2.4GHz channel which gives a stronger signal in the app - nor surprising given 2.4GHz will project further than 5GHz. So In Summary - the option is purely driven by the regulatory requirements - But if you want to use the Satellite as a booster to another satellite opt for outdoor mode (dual band). Hope this helps

j1n wrote:Any word on if this was solved or not? This is not an issue - much more it's a question about a configuration option, probably introduced after the User Manual was composed, probably as a part of the certification e.g. for Canada or Europe, where certain 5 GHz channel ranges are not allowed for outdoor usage. Amazing Netgear was uanable to answer this 8-/

One experiment that might be fun to try: On the Orbi debug page (192.168.1.1/debug.htm) check the box for "telnet". Telnet into Orbi (using whatever telnet client you have. I use Putty and have it set to record the entire session.) Set up to capture the output, and type the command: nvram show This will capture A LOT of the variables that affect how Orbi works. Search those results for "Outdoor" and see what the variable name is. (Community member ekhalil has an impressive knowledge of Orbi telnet commands and provided this tip.)

Hi Winco Welcome to NETGEAR Community! - How did you setup the RBS50Y? Is it Orbi Mode or Orbi Extender Mode? - What is the firmware version? - Is it synced to an Orbi router or Non-Orbi router? I setup a RBS50Y (Orbi mode) in our laboratory and was not able to see the options (Indoor or Outdoor mode). The options that are available: (Web UI) Basic > Attached Devices > Click Device Name - IP address , MAC Address, Device Model, Device name - LED On/Off - LED Lightning Brightness - Schedule LED Lightning - Sync (Disabled / Enabled) Using Orbi App: - LED On/Off - Schedule LED Lightning Please describe your setup for us to check further. Regards, Blanca Community Team

Probably doesn't have anything to do with performances, rather how the RBSY works in regards to operating in indoor or outside conditions.

RBS50Y - Outdoor Mode vs Indoor Mode

16 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Jan 29, 2019
Probably doesn't have anything to do with performances, rather how the RBSY works in regards to operating in indoor or outside conditions.
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Jan 29, 2019
Interesting that the User Manual does not mention this setting:

http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBS50Y/RBS50Y_UM_EN.pdf

The product exists to be mounted "outdoors". Hard to imagine what this option could be about. Is it present in the web interface as well as the Orbi mobile app?
- Winco
  Tutor
  Jan 29, 2019
  Yes. It is present in the web interface.
  
  Basic > Attached Devices > Click on The Device Name > Location > Outdoor or Indoor
  
  I'm not surprised the User Manual doesn't mention it. There is a lot Netgear doesn't mention about their products - hence the need for this online community.
  - CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jan 29, 2019
    (I do not have one of these units) Under Attached Devices->Device Name, is this a binary choice (indoor/outdoor) or is it a field that could be entered by the user? (for example, you could type in "Patio", "Barn", "Gazebo", or whatever) My experience with the "Attached Devices" page is a lot of the fields are descriptive that may be of value to the viewer, but have no obvious impact on how the Orbi performs. The "orbi_dev_name" and "orbi_dev_name_ntgr" are fields that get shown on the web page, but as far as I can see they have no bearing on performance. i.e. I can change any of them to whatever I want and the Orbi still "does what it does". The only thing that seems to change is what appears on the Attached Devices page.
    
    Maybe you could set it to "Indoor" for a day and "Outdoor" for a day and see if you notice any difference?
Blanca_O
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Jan 29, 2019
Hi Winco

Welcome to NETGEAR Community!

- How did you setup the RBS50Y? Is it Orbi Mode or Orbi Extender Mode?

- What is the firmware version?

- Is it synced to an Orbi router or Non-Orbi router?

I setup a RBS50Y (Orbi mode) in our laboratory and was not able to see the options (Indoor or Outdoor mode). The options that are available:

(Web UI) Basic > Attached Devices > Click Device Name

- IP address , MAC Address, Device Model, Device name

- LED On/Off

- LED Lightning Brightness

- Schedule LED Lightning

- Sync (Disabled / Enabled)

Using Orbi App:

- LED On/Off

- Schedule LED Lightning

Please describe your setup for us to check further.

Regards,
Blanca
Community Team
- Winco
  Tutor
  Jan 29, 2019
  Hello Bianca,
  
  Answers to your questions in order:
  
  1. Orbi Mode
  
  2. Latest versions V2.2.1.210 and V2.2.1.204
  
  3. Orbi Router + Orbi Satellite + Orbi Outdoor Extender as a Satellite
  
  4. See attached screenshot of the web interface.
  - Blanca_O
    NETGEAR Employee Retired
    Jan 30, 2019
    Hi Winco
    
    Thank you for responding. Let me check this again. I'll get back to you.
    
    Regards,
    Blanca
    Community Team
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Mar 21, 2019
Blanca_O
- j1n
  Apprentice
  Mar 23, 2019
  Any word on if this was solved or not? I have the RBS50Y as well & I’d like to know the outcome of this issue. Thanks, j1n
  - schumaku
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 23, 2019
    j1n wrote:
    Any word on if this was solved or not?
    
    This is not an issue - much more it's a question about a configuration option, probably introduced after the User Manual was composed, probably as a part of the certification e.g. for Canada or Europe, where certain 5 GHz channel ranges are not allowed for outdoor usage. Amazing Netgear was uanable to answer this 8-/
mgil1
Star
Apr 13, 2019

Having now configured two Orbi RBR50 systems - one with 5 satellites (RBS50) and the latest with 6 (5 RBS50 + 1 RBS50Y Outdoor satellite).

Regarding the RBS50Y Satellite - I think various strands of this post are correct - its a regulatory issue that limits the external band to 2.4GhZ - when set to outdoor mode it will operate as dual band using 5GHz to connect to the RBR50 Router and project 2.4GHz.

I've noticed this actually gives better performance for my configuration as the 5th Satellite is in a Cottage 30 m from the Outdoor Satellite - If the RBS50Y is set in tri-band (Indoor Mode) the cottage satellite locks onto the 5GHz channel and signal reception is poor according to the app -when the RBS50Y is set to out door mode (dual channel) then the cottage picks up the 2.4GHz channel which gives a stronger signal in the app - nor surprising given 2.4GHz will project further than 5GHz.

So In Summary - the option is purely driven by the regulatory requirements - But if you want to use the Satellite as a booster to another satellite opt for outdoor mode (dual band).

Hope this helps

Forum Discussion

RBS50Y - Outdoor Mode vs Indoor Mode