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Forum Discussion
Solved
Extending an Orbi 970 system
I just upgraded to the Orbi 970 system. In the past I was able to use older satellites to extend my wifi to a pair of distant bedrooms with a wired backhaul, when going from 750->860->960. Now my 860...
So it's official, you can't extend an Orbi 970 network with anything but a 970 satellite. I tried the 'mesh range extender' it was a no-go. I tried my old 960 router as a AP, and that didn't work either.
The 970 Satellite was up and working in 20 minutes.
Feels like Netgear makes it difficult on purpose. Notice you can't just buy the 970 router, by itself. They want you to go all in with the latest, most expensive.
I considered jumping off the Orbi train this time around, and probably will next time. I'm still within the return window, but once it's in and working, it's hard to start over.
But I'm not an entirely happy customer. Next firmware version should really bring better compatibility, if they want to retain customers.
Yes, connected through the WAN port as I had specified in the browser when setting it up. I tried the other ports to double check. Stays magenta.
So it's official, you can't extend an Orbi 970 network with anything but a 970 satellite. I tried the 'mesh range extender' it was a no-go. I tried my old 960 router as a AP, and that didn't work either.
The 970 Satellite was up and working in 20 minutes.
Feels like Netgear makes it difficult on purpose. Notice you can't just buy the 970 router, by itself. They want you to go all in with the latest, most expensive.
I considered jumping off the Orbi train this time around, and probably will next time. I'm still within the return window, but once it's in and working, it's hard to start over.
But I'm not an entirely happy customer. Next firmware version should really bring better compatibility, if they want to retain customers.
Take in to account that Orbi 970 series has new tech and also deploys mixed mode WPA2 and WPA3 which there has been a long standing problem with older wifi devices that even though they never developed for WPA3 support, have problems connecting to wifi signals what have WPA3 on the signal though WPA2 is present. I have a few NG routers that won't work in wireless bridge mode if WPA3 is present. New tech means less compatibility as well and new specs for WiFi 7 may not allow for this. There comes a time when tech just has to progress forward and yes, leave old tech behind. Something you'll have to figure out and we all have to deal with. I presume this will be with all mfrs having to deal with new tech.
