instead of letting the main router do it? I am trying to optimize the placement of my satelite. I also noticed that it will maintain a weaker 5ghz signal to devices than siwtching to 2ghz to maintain stronger signal.

bottomsup wrote:instead of letting the main router do it? I am trying to optimize the placement of my satelite. I also noticed that it will maintain a weaker 5ghz signal to devices than siwtching to 2ghz to maintain stronger signal.how far apart are they? 30ft is recommended between router/satellite.They don't auto switch as soon as they detect they're closer to router versus satellite. It takes other things into consideration such as signal strength (good/band/good enough), bandwidth needs, devices on that router/satellite.Also, 2.4ghz might have a much stronger signal but its much lower throughput. 2.4ghz has better penetration skills and broadcasts further but is much slower. So even though the 5ghz might be weaker, it doesn't mean its slower.

They were 25ft. I just moved it a bit further and into a different room. Probably 32ft now. I can give this a try. BTW i enabled fast switching in the advanced options

30 feet 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-routerbottomsup wrote:They were 25ft. I just moved it a bit further and into a different room. Probably 32ft now. I can give this a try. BTW i enabled fast switching in the advanced options

I experience this same issue with IoT devices (IP Cameras, smart garage door openers, smart plugs, etc). Whenever the router reboots, its WiFi is turned on before the Satellites WiFi. This race condition will cause IoT devices to connect to the first signal they see rather than waiting to see if a stronger signal is available from a closer satellite. The only workaround so far is to power-cycle the IoT device to get it to search for a new WiFi signal. Unfortunately it is not at all convenient, especially when I need a ladder to unplug a security camera or smart garage door opener. IoT devices do not keep searching for the best WiFi signal like smart phones and tablets do (devices expected to roam). Suggestions to reduce power on the 2.4GHz frequency really doesn't work unless I could reduce the power on the router but not on the satellites. Adjusting the power level affects the router and all satellites. Implicit Beamforming nor Fast Roaming affect the race condition of IoT devices binding to the router before any satellites (provided the routers signal is strong enough). This race condition is due to the radio being turned on for the router before the satellites, thus clients bind to the first strong-enough radio signal they see rather than to a closer satellite.

this could be the reason. THe two devices I expect to see connected to the satalite are my B-hyve irrifation control (IOT) and my car which I suppose might be an IOT device. It does pick up my ring doorbell but that might be becuase the main router can't reach it.

Why does the router connect to devices much further than than the satellite

12 Replies

plemans
Guru
May 03, 2020
bottomsup wrote:
instead of letting the main router do it?

I am trying to optimize the placement of my satelite.

I also noticed that it will maintain a weaker 5ghz signal to devices than siwtching to 2ghz to maintain stronger signal.
how far apart are they? 30ft is recommended between router/satellite.
They don't auto switch as soon as they detect they're closer to router versus satellite. It takes other things into consideration such as signal strength (good/band/good enough), bandwidth needs, devices on that router/satellite.
Also, 2.4ghz might have a much stronger signal but its much lower throughput. 2.4ghz has better penetration skills and broadcasts further but is much slower. So even though the 5ghz might be weaker, it doesn't mean its slower.
- bottomsup
  Guide
  May 03, 2020
  They were 25ft. I just moved it a bit further and into a different room. Probably 32ft now. I can give this a try. BTW i enabled fast switching in the advanced options
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    May 04, 2020
    30 feet 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-router
    bottomsup wrote:
    They were 25ft. I just moved it a bit further and into a different room. Probably 32ft now. I can give this a try. BTW i enabled fast switching in the advanced options
FURRYe38
Guru
May 05, 2020
Be aware its up to the connecting devices to pick and choose where they connect to, based on signal, noise and envrionment and there design.

You can help some of this by lowering the power output of the RBR to help some with this. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
bottomsup wrote:
instead of letting the main router do it?

I am trying to optimize the placement of my satelite.

I also noticed that it will maintain a weaker 5ghz signal to devices than siwtching to 2ghz to maintain stronger signal.
- bottomsup
  Guide
  May 05, 2020
  I guess as long as they are connected it doesn't really matter. I just don't see my satelight doing any of the work and want to give it some love :-)
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    May 05, 2020
    Try the power settings on the RBR at some point. You can always put them back if you need to.
    Again, it's up to client devices to pick what source they connect too. :smileywink:

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Why does the router connect to devices much further than than the satellite