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Will Orbi 6 work better through walls than Orbi 5?
I currently have an Orbi 5 (RBR50). It works fine in my home, but there is a smaller building separate from my house that needs internet as well. Internet there is spotty. It's never been superb, and...
Oh, dear. 2m is "so close" and just screams out for an Ethernet cable between the buildings.
It was a smart move to try PowerLine. As you found out, however, there are serious limitations in that technology.
Would you happen by chance to have cable TV coax that is placed in both buildings? I have used MoCA units with great success.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_over_Coax_Alliance
It was also correct to purchase another satellite. Once you get a network connection from the primary building to the separate structure, having a "real satellite" inside the building will make a dramatic improvement in WiFi.
I would first try moving the satellite to be as close to the primary building as possible.
Some people are fortunate to have windows that face each other.
Those point to point wireless bridges are probably overkill for this situation, being rated for serious distance, which is ironically what sometimes allows them to be mounted indoors. The models that use Power over Ethernet (PoE) solve two problems: (1) getting power to an outside unit (because PoE is "low voltage" and can be run straight through an exterior wall without violating building codes, and (2) gets the network connection through the wall that has been blocking WiFi. In the US, Amazon offers a variety of models at ever price range. New Zealand may not have as many choices.
Why not try using a simple point to point system to connect the 2 buildings?
What do you mean by a point-to-point system exactly? I'm no network expert, though should be able to understand what I read (I'm a developer so do have some IT understanding, just not a lot of hardware knowledge). I can't connect the two building by any new cables because that would require removing tiles, which would not make my SO happy 🙂
Exterior walls do a great job of blocking wifi as they tend to be made from materials that are great at it.
Like *tiles*, metal, foil lined insulation, etc.
A point to point system is just like it sounds, a system that has a master and a satellite that are basically designed to act as a wifi bridge between 2 points. Usually its for more distance as its very directional as its designed for longer distances.
You don't have far to go but you have 2 exterior walls to get through (garage and the home).
Might not be the best option for you.
With the close range, running the cable is the best option but the tiles cause issues.
I don't really have a good answer for you.
You're a bit limited as if a AC system doesn't penetrate, the AX system probably won't as well.
so you're reduced in your options.
Ok, but then that's good to know. Saves me the big investment of the Orbi 6. I guess I could investigate the point-to-point system and see if I can test the wall penetration at a reasonable price. Any recommendations? Or good online guides to choose a point-to-point system?