Devices not connecting to satellites?

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Jeezy wrote:

Thank you for your reply.

 

It definitely does not connect to a satellite.  I am currently sitting right next to a satellite for the last 30 mins and it is still connected to the main router.  The only device i can see connected to the satellite is my pc which is connect with an ethernet cable.

 

I have a satellite upstairs to right next to my bedroom and my tv is connected to the router downstairs, not to the satellite. i have tried disconnecting my wifi from my device and reconnecting but no luck. 

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(The best thing about the community forum is the opportunity to learn things. Thanks for this adventure!)

It was time for more exercise, so I repeated the experiment. Along the way, I learned things.

First. The Orbi 'app' is a huge disappointment.

Opened the Orbi app and saw that my Samsung tablet was connected to the Guest WiFi network, which does not display the Orbi unit a device is using.  So, I went into Settings and changed to the primary WiFi network at 2:24. Sat staring at the Orbi app. 2:25, 2:26, 2:27. Still on the guest WiFi.  Opened the Orbi web administration Attached Devices.  at 2:27 it showed the tablet on the primary WiFi connected to the router (which sits five feet away).  2:28. 2:29, 2:30, 2:31, 2:32, 2:35.... Orbi app still has tablet connected to guest WiFi.

So, web interface (on the tablet) shows the tablet on primary WiFi. Orbi app shows it on guest.

At 2:34 walked downstairs to sit by the RBS50 satellite. At 2:36 the web Attached Devices changed to Orbi Satellite.  Orbi app still plugging away on the guest WiFi.

As I walked around, the tablet switched to an Orbi Voice in the garage. Even though I have returned upstairs to sit by the router, the tablet remains connected to the Orbi Voice. The Samsung WiFi settings is kind of cool. It displays all 8 access points that are broadcasting the primary SSID (one router, three satellites, 2.4G and 5G on each = 😎 Had not noticed that feature before!

I am not a good example, because I have a router and three satellites in less than 2,400 sq. ft. and they are all set to 100% Transmit Power.  (On my "To Do List" is to reduce the Transmit Power to 25% and create a new Heat Map of the house.  Someday....)

There is not a huge incentive for mobile devices to change access points.

Conclusion:  I was entirely wrong to suggest using the Orbi app for anything.  The only way to observe devices changing Orbi units is to either (a) have a device like the Samsung tablet that will show which AP it is using, or (b) use the Orbi web interface Attached Devices and "Refresh" the display about once a minute.  I am convinced that (at least one of) my mobile devices does change access points.