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Forum Discussion
Connecting old RBS40 to SXK80
Hi, all,
I have just setup SXK80 and its satellite, actually I used RBS40 before, can I connect RBS 40 to the satellite of SXK80 as repeater? If can, appreciate for advice about details setup process. Thanks a lot!
I have just setup SXK80 and its satellite, actually I used RBS40 before, can I connect RBS 40 to the satellite of SXK80 as repeater? If can, appreciate for advice about details setup process. Thanks a lot!
6 Replies
RBS AC satellites are not compatible with Orbi AX or Orbi AX Pro systems.
patricktong wrote:
can I connect RBS 40 to the satellite of SXK80 as repeater?As FURRYe38 pointed out, satellites from one 'generation' of Orbi will not function as satellites with other models:
- The original Orbi satellites, including the RBS40 cannot connect to the AX product line as satellites.
- The newer AX satellites cannot connect to the original Orbi routers as satellites.
However, if the network previously included an RBS40 satellite, then there must have been a router as well, perhaps an RBR40?
In that case it is possible to connect the entire previous system to the new system. There are significant drawbacks:
- The original router must be connected to the new system using an Ethernet cable to the WAN port. The cable can be a significant issue, which is why I purchased a 'mesh' system in the first place.
- Even if the old system is placed in Access Point (AP) mode, which places all devices which connect to it in the same IP subnet as the new system, WiFi devices will not roam seamlessly between the old network and the new network. Even if the old and new WiFi systems have identical SSID/password, devices which are mobile will connect to whichever access point they like best and then will be reluctant to leave it even though an access point from the other system may be a "better fit." There is an networking standard which manages the transfer of WiFi devices from one node of a mesh to other nodes, but it operates only within one WiFi network. "Honey, the WiFi on my tablet is so slow." "Well, dear, did you turn WiFi off and back on again?" Great way to promote marital harmony.
These drawbacks mean that most users elect not to attempt to merge two WiFi systems. They usually either sell the old system or keep it as a spare in case the new system fails. If WiFi expansion is needed for mobile devices, they purchase an actual satellite compatible with the new system. If expansion is needed for static WiFi devices (cameras, speakers, doorbells, garage door openers, pool controllers, etc.) they purchase inexpensive WiFi extenders specifically to connect those devices.
- Thanks a lot for kind advices!
Actually using cable to connect / extend the SXK80 WiFi signal is ok to me, as my plan to use extend the SXK80 signal to an isolated room, so my thought is even the room has different WiFi network is ok to me. I have tried using cable connecting to RBS router or RBS Satellites, but seems cannot transfer data to the SXK 80 satellite. Just see if I need to reset or setup the RBS40 router, and good if you know how to setup it.
Thanks a lot!Just to be clear, the RBS40 cannot be connected directly to the new SXK80 system. Not ever.
What can be done is to connect the RBR40 (router) to the SXK80 system (router or satellite) using an Ethernet cable. The old router can be located wherever a cable can be placed. At that point, the old router will create a WiFi network that can have any SSID you want. It can even have the same WiFi SSID/password as the SXK80 system. But it will be a separate system. Once the old router is connected, then any remaining old satellites can be connected to that old router to extend this new WiFi system.
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