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Forum Discussion
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 consi...
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