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Hsien's avatar
Hsien
Aspirant
Mar 10, 2024

Orbi 963 & 853

I bought an Orbi 963 and I would like to connect the router through the ports on the back with another router (Orbi 853 I already have) to put the latter in the garden area and extend the mesh connectivity to the entire external area.
Considering the internet provider's router (direct fiber to the home), they would be 3 cascade routers, of which the provider's router is connected to the yellow socket of the 960 router (of its 2 satellites, one will be connected via Wi-Fi and the other via an Ethernet cable connected with the first, because it is in an underground garage).
The 853 router would be connected via Ethernet (Cat 7 cable of about 40 meters) to the 963 router (in practice it would act as a satellite) and would give Wi-Fi signal to the its other two satellites via Wi-Fi.
It's possible?

2 Replies

  • Hsien's avatar
    Hsien
    Aspirant
    Mar 10, 2024

    Did you connect an 850 satellite or router? Is it possible to connect an 850 router to a principal 960 router and use the whole system with the same mesh?

    thanks

  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru - Experienced User
    Mar 10, 2024

    Yes, it is possible to connect WAN (yellow) port of the existing RBR850 router to the new RBRE960 router with an Ethernet cable. This will create a separate WiFi network.  Some things to consider:

     

    • If the RBR850 is in the default "router" mode, this will create a new IP subnet which will make it complicated to have devices on the new network communicate effectively with devices on the 960's local network.  Most users would switch the RBR850 to Access Point (AP) mode so that all devices will be in the LAN created by the 960.
    • Even if the 850 network has exactly the same WiFi credentials (SSID/password) as the 960 network, they remain separate WiFi networks.  WiFi devices will not roam seamlessly between the 960 and 850 WiFi networks.  If a mobile device (phone, tablet, laptop) leaves the house, the WiFi signal will get weaker and weaker. The device may switch from a 5G connection to a 2.4G connection.  If the connection to the 960 network gets so weak  that the device decides to drop it, then the device will notice the new network (with the same credentials, wow!) and connect to it.  Or, maybe the user will notice, "Damn. The WiFi is so slow. Oh, yes. I need to go into Network settings, turn off WiFi, and turn it back on again.  All better now."  And the same thing will happen going back into the building.
    • Devices that do not move will work just fine. (speakers, irrigation controllers, cameras, etc.)

    A far more convenient (but more expensive) solution is to add more 960 satellites and repurpose the 850 system (sell it on eBay, give it away, etc.)