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Forum Discussion
Why does the router connect to devices much further than than the satellite
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 ...
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-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
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.
