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Just tried an EX8000. Was unable to extended the AX6000 Orbi network
Just tried an EX8000. Was unable to extended the AX6000 Orbi network. Was only able to directly connect to the RBR850 and set up the EX8000 as a WAP. It’s unfortunate it’s unable to extend the Orbi. I guess it’s time buy another satellite.
7 Replies
What did you do to try to get the EX8000 to connect to the Orbi AX system in extender mode?
Ensure the FW on the EX extender was up to date?
What Firmware version is currently loaded on the Orbi system?
- I'm running V4.6.3.16 on the Orbi. I don't think I'm running the latest on the extender because there was issues with flashing a new version last time. Updating it bricked it last time so I had to manually revert to an older version.
Essentially what happens is that the netgear extender GUI reports that it can't connect to the Orbi network.Hmm. Well I presume there maybe a issue as well with Orbi FW. If you could update both Orbi and Extender to most current, may get it to work. Would need to find out why the extender is not updating correctly to it's current version of FW. Be sure your using a Wired PC and web browser for this.
solosys wrote:
Just tried an EX8000. Was unable to extended the AX6000 Orbi network. Was only able to directly connect to the RBR850 and set up the EX8000 as a WAP. It’s unfortunate it’s unable to extend the Orbi. I guess it’s time buy another satellite.
It is not clear to me that the EX8000 is capable of functioning as an Orbi satellite. The EX8000 is inherently a generic WiFi extender. Notice that the Product Data Sheet on page 5 mentions the only requirement as "WiFi router or gateway"
Unlike the RBS50Y and RBS40V which have different firmware versions for Orbi satellite and Extender modes, the EX8000 has only one version of firmware.
When the EX8000 is connected to an Orbi AX system as an extender, it will appear in the Attached Devices list as a device. (because it is not a satellite). Even though it may have the same SSID/password as the primary Orbi system, devices may have trouble roaming between the primary WiFi network and the EX8000.
If the goal is to extend WiFi coverage to devices which remain in one place, the EX8000 appears to be a fine WiFi extender (although a bit on the expensive side).
The EX should connect as a extender and you are correct will not be seen or work as as satellite on the RBRs web page. Just should work as a extender. I've been able to connect a EX7500 and EX7700 to my Orbi AX systems with no issues though FW updates were current at the time I did this.
Just in the past 24 hours I (1) updated my RBK852 firmware to the latest and (2) added my EX7700 as an extender to the system. I had mothballed my EX7700 a year+ ago from my C7800 modem/router because it kept dropping (C7800 did not have mesh capability - another deficiency of my old setup). Let's see if it still drops. My 2-piece RBK852 system was great, but in 1 corner of my 3 story house I was only getting <200mps down / <15mps up (Comcast gigabyte), although most of my house was pushing +600mps down / +40 mps up. Now, with the extra extender, my whole top floor is >400mps down / ~40mps up, because now all equipment shifts to the EX7700 on the 3rd floor. Before adding the EX7700 there were a couple of 3rd floor rooms reaching the 600mps down area, but now they have been negatively impacted.
It seems my EX7700 is synced to the router (vs. the satellite on the middle floor). Would the EX7700 ever get its signal through the satellite?
Update, I now have flipped my satellite to top floor and EX7700 to middle floor. Ultimately what I am left with is a scenario where I can have most of my house at 600mps and a few rooms <200mps (ie, no EX7700) OR have 2/3 or my house at 600mps and 1/3 at 400mps (when equipment synced to EX7700). I'm half-hoping my EX7700 drops a signal like the old days because that will make my decision easier. I guess at this point these are all tough 1st world problems to have?
