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Want to add a third RBS50 with wifi disabled
Hi, I am not exactly Networking savy so please excuse if I say any jiberish.
I have a couple of devices (usually 2,4ghz only devices) that have issues connecting to the wifi network and am considering the following to work around this:
- Add a RBS50 that would sit physically close to these devices
- Connect the devices to the RBS50 via ethernet
- Disconnect the wifi broadcast of the RBS
Is it a viable solution? The reason for me to disconnect the wifi of this additional satelite is to prevent interference with the existing RBR50 and RBS satelites, which would be relatively close to this new RBS50. Not sure if this would be aproblem but have read that if the units are too close there can be some handoff issues
Many thanks for your input.
Kind regards
9 Replies
You can't disable WiFi on the RBS, they run all the time.
You might troubleshoot the problem first and see if this helps before adding something that may or may not help.
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
IWhat is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-routerWhat 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?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or may not be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).One User Experience/Configuration:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Most-Stable-Orbi-Configuration/m-p/1941087/highlight/true#M97026Thanks. Given that everything else is working very well I would rather spend the money in an additional satelite than mess around with the ORBI settings. My alternative here is to have an electrician drill under the floor to pass a ethernet cable directly from the device to the existing RBR50. This would have its own costs associated so adding a third RBS50 simply to connect these devices via ethernet cable would be a possibility, unless this can create additional issues.
My house is entirely made of brick with concrete floors (three floors). I have the RBR50 in the ground floor, a RBS50 on the first floor and another RBS50 on the second floor. The 30 feet rule does not seem to apply in my home given initially the RBR50 would only have a ambar connection to the first RBS50 satelite. In a straight line these were about 20 feet apart but the "open path through the stairs" (if this makes sense was some 45 feet. I had to move the RBR50 to a place where the signal "open path" is down to around 33 feet (and less than 20 in a straight line) to get a green conection.
If I place the additional satelite where I am thinking, this would place it some 15 feet from the RBR50 and some 18 feet from the first RBS50.
Current Firmware is 2.5.1.16.
I do not know the brand of the Network operator Router/Modem. The ISP brands the modem as their own and it does not have a "brand" anywhere visible. I would add a photo but for some reason I am on a Mac and when I upload a photo it returns an error.
Having brick in the home will effect wifi signal. So yes, it would be recommended to wire connect your RBS for best operation between the RBR and RBS with brick in the mix.
Is there sticker under or in back the modem with any information about the modem?
NGNewbie wrote:I have a couple of devices (usually 2,4ghz only devices) that have issues connecting to the wifi network and am considering the following to work around this:
- Add a RBS50 that would sit physically close to these devices
- Connect the devices to the RBS50 via ethernet
- Disconnect the wifi broadcast of the RBS
Is it a viable solution? The reason for me to disconnect the wifi of this additional satelite is to prevent interference with the existing RBR50 and RBS satelites, which would be relatively close to this new RBS50.
As FURRYe38 pointed out, Orbi does not support turning off WiFi radios. Since you are considering connecting these devices with ethernet instead of 2.4G WiFi, they must be "permanent" devices (do not move). If the proposed location is so close to an existing Orbi satellite that there is a concern over interference, it is surprising that these devices do not connect over 2.4G WiFi.
Would you mind identifying which devices these are? Typical "Internet of Things" (IoT) devices have no ethernet capability. Perhaps someone on the forum has experience with these devices.
A solution I have used is to install a simple WiFi extender (not an Orbi satellite) that connects to the Orbi network and broadcasts a different 2.4G WiFi just for these devices. Since they do not "move", they do not benefit from the Orbi "mesh" feature. For example, a Netgear EX3700 costs a fraction of the price of an Orbi satellite.
Many thanks for the reply! The device is a Neptune Apex Controller (Reef aquarium geek stuff). It does have ethernet port and users have reported issues with routers that automatically manage 2.4 and 5.0 ghz bands. I hoped I would be one of the lucky ones but unfortunately not. I have been instructed to try to setup the unit using a ethenet connection, enter the wifi SSID and Password manually and eventually (do not ask me why) it seems that it solves the initial setup issues that sometimes happen.
However, as things for me typically do not work going the easy route, I am already planning for that contingency :) and looking for alternatives. As I mentioned in my other reply I can have an electritian drilling through the floor and have a permanent Ethernet connection and maybe at some point I will do just that, but for now would rather avoid having works being doen in my living room.
Your extender solution is one I have read a number of times already and I may try it if the rest does not work. So there would be a new 2,4ghz only network in my living room or would that have the same SSID and pass as the ORBI one? If is the same ORBI one will it not create any issues (for instance mobile devices connecting to the extender when they are closer to it and perhaps degrading access speeds?
Kind regards
NGNewbie wrote:Is it a viable solution? The reason for me to disconnect the wifi of this additional satelite is to prevent interference with the existing RBR50 and RBS satelites, which would be relatively close to this new RBS50. Not sure if this would be aproblem but have read that if the units are too close there can be some handoff issues
Many thanks for your input.
Kind regards
If you don't need WIFI because you are too close to another satellite or router, is it possible to run a network cable to the area where you have these wired devices? If so run a cable and get a 5 port Netgear switch to connect your devices to.
Thanks. I may try to go this route in the future but right now would prefer to avoid having external personel in my living room.
But it is definitly something I am considering in the long run, notably for the added stability it provides.
Kind regards
