Outdoor coverage with Orbi RBS760

Question

I've just installed an Orbi RBS760 system in my house with 4 satellites.

I want to get wifi in my back garden but am not sure what product to add. It looks like the WAX610Y is Netgear's only outdoor product. However, I have gotten some advice that it may not be a good idea to add an extender to the Mesh system. It may not work well.

Appreciate any advice on this. Thanks, Anthony

FURRYe38 · Answer

Not sure where you got that info from.
Only item that the WAX won't do will be integrated into the Orbi UI system is all. Otherwise, will work fine as a outdoor extender.&nbsp;

CrimpOn · Answer

Until about 2015, WiFi Extenders were routinely used to extend WiFi coverage over a wider area.&nbsp; The main drawback to extenders was that WiFi devices did not roam seamlessly between units. Users would find that performance suffered as a mobile device stayed connected to a WiFi access point that was farther away than a nearby unit.&nbsp; People had to realize, "oh, crap" I need to restart the WiFi on my tablet (phone, laptop, etc.)&nbsp; Mesh systems were created by Google, Netgear, TP-Link, etc. to address this problem.&nbsp; The result: seamless roaming.
&nbsp;
So, if the goal is to provide WiFi to devices which remain in fixed locations, WiFi extenders (from any vendor) are fine.
&nbsp;
One potential solution is to locate indoor satellites next to outside walls (or even in windows which do not have metallic film) so that half of their signal "goes outside". With four existing satellites, there may be significant outdoor coverage already (depending on the construction of exterior walls).&nbsp; The problems with locating indoor satellites outside include (a) getting electrical power to them, (b) sheltering them from weather and extreme temperatures, and (c) getting the WiFi connection to them.&nbsp; Outdoor rated WiFi extenders address these issues mostly by using Power over Ethernet (PoE) to provide both the power and signal.&nbsp; Low voltage Ethernet cable is relatively easy to pass through exterior walls.
&nbsp;
No one knows why Netgear did not produce a WiFi6 version of the RBS50Y outdoor rated satellite.&nbsp; (Perhaps they didn't sell enough to justify the cost?)&nbsp; There is no obvious&nbsp; benefit from purchasing an outdoor rated WiFi extender from Netgear.

APD · Answer

Thank you for the advice.&nbsp; It was really helpful.&nbsp; Previously, I had no wifi signal more than 15 feet into the garden. I have now positioned one of the satellites to the back of the house, on an upstairs bedroom window ledge (inside).&nbsp; It is wirelessly connected.&nbsp; It has improved the signal in the garden but just "okay".&nbsp; The router is downstairs at the front of the house (can't move it) and the other 3 satellites are hard wired.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1 satellite is in the attic (hard wired)1 satellite in a cupboard below the television (hard wired)1 satellite in the kitchen suspended ceiling (hard wired)&nbsp;Bit of a theme.&nbsp; All the satellites are "covered" or "enclosed" in some way.&nbsp; Would that have a significanlty negative impact?&nbsp;Thanks again,&nbsp;APD

APD · Answer

3 satellites are hard wired to the router - 1 downstairs in kitchen suspended ceiling, 1 downstairs in a TV cupboard and 1 in the attic.&nbsp; The 4th is now connected wirelessly and on a bedroom window at the back of the house pointing to the garden.&nbsp; It has definitely improved the wifi in the garden but it's just okay.&nbsp; We have a need to get a wifi signal to the back of the garden - approximately 60 feet from the back of the house.&nbsp; Is that distance unrealistic without an extender?&nbsp;Thanks, APD

CrimpOn · Answer

The more material a WiFi signal must pass through, the more the signal is reduced.&nbsp; It's physics.&nbsp; Orbi units are clearly designed to "blend in" typical environments. (no ugly antennas sticking in all directions).&nbsp; Guessing that the attic is occupied?
&nbsp;
There is a difference between signal strength and performance.
&nbsp;

Signal strength is affected by the distance/materials for the connection between satellite and user device.&nbsp; In open air, 60 ft. might be "ok".&nbsp; (Can you temporarily open the window and see what difference it makes?)
Performance involves how the internet connection gets from the router to the satellite.&nbsp; Does the WiFi connection to that satellite in the window link it with the router, or with one of the wired satellites?

This is also affected by what user devices out at the end of the garden will be doing.&nbsp; Getting alerted to email and processing messages or surfing the web, for example, doesn't require much bandwidth.&nbsp; Even streaming a 4K video (for "movie night in the garden" requires only 25Mbps. A 2.4G connection might be perfectly acceptable.

Forum Discussion

Outdoor coverage with Orbi RBS760

7 Replies

Related Content

Outdoor WiFi extender

Orbi RBS760

RBS760 and RBR50

Compatibility RBS760

RBR760 and RBS760 unstable satellite connection

NETGEAR Academy

ProSupport for Business