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Connecting Orbi Voice sattelite RBS40V to Orbi771 mesh (2 satellite) system
I Have upgraded to a RBE771 mesh setup (updated to v10.5.13.1) I am pleased with the improved wifi speeds.
I have a Netgear RBS40V (Harmon/Kardon Orbi Voice) I would like to continue using.
Netgear support informs me it is not compatible with wifi 7 so it will not be detected by the new setup.
Other than running a second, older modem specifically for this unit, is there a known workaround?
After I posted the above a sattelite model compatibility chart and a similar question related to a 970 popped up somewhat addressing the above question. But the workaround question remains,,,
Cheers
Netgear support was correct........ mostly.
The RBS40V operates in two 'modes'
- Satellite, which is compatible with any of the original WiFi5 Orbi systems, and
- Extender, which can be connected to any WiFi system from any vendor..... including the Orbi 770 system.
(It is really annoying that after 8 years Netgear decided to number the router "1" and the satellites "0" instead of naming them "R" for 'router' and "S" for 'satellite'.)
The difference is that when in Extender mode, the RBS40V is like any WiFi Extender purchased from anybody. Devices can connect to it (wired and WiFi), but mobile devices will not roam seamlessly between the RBS40V and the other units in the 770. Wired devices and WiFi devices that are not mobile will function just fine with the RBS40V connected to a new WiFi7 system. It will still play music (I have Alexa play music from radio stations and my Plex server.) When a person wanders away from the primary WiFi system, a mobile device will not coordinate with the WiFi system to manage a switch to the RBS40V like it would when moving between devices in the primary WiFi system.
Will the irritation of mobile devices needing to turn WiFi off and back on again be too much of an irritation? (It will take 3-5 seconds.)
2 Replies
Netgear support was correct........ mostly.
The RBS40V operates in two 'modes'
- Satellite, which is compatible with any of the original WiFi5 Orbi systems, and
- Extender, which can be connected to any WiFi system from any vendor..... including the Orbi 770 system.
(It is really annoying that after 8 years Netgear decided to number the router "1" and the satellites "0" instead of naming them "R" for 'router' and "S" for 'satellite'.)
The difference is that when in Extender mode, the RBS40V is like any WiFi Extender purchased from anybody. Devices can connect to it (wired and WiFi), but mobile devices will not roam seamlessly between the RBS40V and the other units in the 770. Wired devices and WiFi devices that are not mobile will function just fine with the RBS40V connected to a new WiFi7 system. It will still play music (I have Alexa play music from radio stations and my Plex server.) When a person wanders away from the primary WiFi system, a mobile device will not coordinate with the WiFi system to manage a switch to the RBS40V like it would when moving between devices in the primary WiFi system.
Will the irritation of mobile devices needing to turn WiFi off and back on again be too much of an irritation? (It will take 3-5 seconds.)
