NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

AKLGUY's avatar
AKLGUY
Apprentice
Jun 30, 2018
Solved

Wireless Backhaul or Ethernet

Hi team.  I am running RBK50 on v2.1.4.16 in Router Mode. No issues. The only problem I had in the beginning was when I tried to have an Ethernet Backhaul. I plugged the Satelitte in to a Switch ...
Features
  • st_shaw's avatar
    st_shaw
    Jun 30, 2018

    If your setup works, leave it.

     

    The wireless backhaul throughput will always be less than Ethernet.

    1. Wireless throughput is, at best, 50%-60% of the link rate, due to protocol overhead.  So, divide the 1700 Mbps by at least one half.

    2. In practice you will not get a 1700 Mbps link rate, because you will have walls between router and satellite.  I've measured no more than 575 Mbps throughput across my Orbi backhaul.

    3. Ethernet throughput is always ~940 Mbps.

    4. Wireless is a shared medium.  If you have more than one satellite, they must share the backhaul throughput. With Ethernet, each satellite gets a dedicated 940 Mbps back to the router.

    5. Ethernet has lower latency and is more stable over time. Wireless is subject to interference that you cannot control.

FURRYe38's avatar
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 30, 2018

Whats the Mfr and model# of this swtich? Managed or Non Managed? 

AKLGUY wrote:

Hi team. 

I am running RBK50 on v2.1.4.16 in Router Mode.

No issues. The only problem I had in the beginning was when I tried to have an Ethernet Backhaul. I plugged the Satelitte in to a Switch that is in the Office the other end of the house (Fibre and Coms cupboard is in the centre of the house, Orbi Router is there) other WIFI access points I had in the Comms area the WIFI was some patchy down near the office that is why I thought I would go for a MESH system (rather than multiple APs).

 

Once I got the Ethernet Backhaul sorted by having the LAN cable between the comms room and the office  into Orbi Satelitte then my switch to one o the spare ports and I have had no drop offs, Never needed to reboot either the Orbi Router or Satelitte and it has been stable for over 2 weeks now. (It was stable before with the WIFI backhaul)

 

Just one question it does seem that the Orbi Satelittle has a Decent Wireless Connection back to the Router, Connecting at 1700Mbps. Is the Ethernet (Gbps) Actually slower? And better to stay with the WIFI Backhaul and drop the LAN link between the 2 rooms? Or since the number of devices run from the office the ethernet backhaul is better (2x NAS, 1x Printer, 1x iMac, Then another bedroom next door for Apple TV and PS4)

 

Could always go back to LAN direct to the switch and just have the Satelitte as standalone with Wifi backhaul

 

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      Jun 30, 2018

      OK, you'll be find. I put that satellite down behind where your two 8 port switches are on my system. Working well for me on un-managed switches. Just making sure what you had. Been issues with Orbi and Managed switches. You'll be good.