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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBE871 with RBS50
I recently bought an Orbi 870 series router RBE871 with one RBE870 satellite. I'm finding that my WiFi coverage does not seem as good as with my old Orbi RBR50 router and RBS50 satellite. If I try to use the RBS50 satellite as a range extender, or even as a second satellite, with the RBE871 router, will that work?
15 Replies
Alas, no. Netgear designed the Orbi products with limited compatibility. This web page shows which satellites are compatible with the RBE871 router:
https://kb.netgear.com/000065169/Which-Orbi-routers-and-satellites-are-compatible
i.e. the only compatible satellite is the RBE870.
CrimpOn is correct. Its not compatible.
but the RBE870 should have better coverage than the RBR50 series. I've used both systems and the BE system has more coverage. I'd be investigating why yours doesn't. Whether its a satellite issue, a placement issue, or what. Some more details about your home coverage, how you're testing coverage, and any other details can help
Thanks for the replies about the compatibility issue. I'll have to look elsewhere for a solution. As to the placement of the devices, the new satellite is in the same place as the old one, behind the corner of a 65-inch TV in the living room. The new router is in the same office/bedroom as the old one, but about 2 feet lower than the old one because of furniture rearrangement. The main problem I'm having is with security cameras operating at 2.4GHz. They were fine with the old Orbi's, but keep dropping out now. Our house is not that big, and the cameras are less than thirty feet from the router or satellite, and only going through one wall. Using WiFi Explorer on my MacBook, I can see that my neighbors are using channels 1 and 11, and occasionally 6 shows up. I've tried channels 3, 4, 6, and 10, with no big difference. I use the wired ports on the Orbi's whenever possible, but the cameras have to be wireless. What else can I check?
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router 📡 and satellite(s)🛰️? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR 📡 and RBS 🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite 🛰
https://www.netgear.com/hub/wifi/mesh/orbi-satellites/
Does this happen with the RBS turned OFF?
I would not place the RBS behind a TV. TVs can be a cause of some interferences and noise.
Set manual channel 6.
Try the cameras in the RBRs IoT network.
As to the placement of the devices, the new satellite is in the same place as the old one, behind the corner of a 65-inch TV in the living room. The new router is in the same office/bedroom as the old one, but about 2 feet lower than the old one because of furniture rearrangement. The main problem I'm having is with security cameras operating at 2.4GHz. They were fine with the old Orbi's, but keep dropping out now. Our house is not that big, and the cameras are less than thirty feet from the router or satellite, and only going through one wall. Using WiFi Explorer on my MacBook, I can see that my neighbors are using channels 1 and 11, and occasionally 6 shows up. I've tried channels 3, 4, 6, and 10, with no big difference. I use the wired ports on the Orbi's whenever possible, but the cameras have to be wireless. What else can I check?
My question relates to the RBE871 and RBE870, not RBR/RBS. Firmware version V10.5.20.4_1.3.5. I don't really have a choice as to router or satellite placement. Again, the old satellite worked OK in the same location.
The house is about 1000 sguare feet. Why would the cable modem affect the separate WiFi router?
I can turn off the satellite to see if it helps with the WiFi issue, but that presents another problem. I want to use the Ethernet ports on the satellite, and don't have a good alternative if I lose those. I appreciate the advice. I'll report back after disabling the RBS.
myoufo if it works with one router (and I bet your 2.4GHz devices will be fine getting signal from the router), and assuming now your 870 and 871 have a WiFi backhaul not Ethernet, you could buy a wifi bridge adapter, which communicates to the network via wifi like your 870 does now - but it would not broadcast anything to confuse devices. BrosTrend and IOGEAR are two companies that have $60 adapters, with one ethernet port output. Then get a Netgear or another brand of 5-8 port gigabit ethernet switch, plug it into the adapter and then your devices can plug into it. They are $15-$20.
(Note the IOGEAR I linked to on Amazon is on sale for limited time at $35!)
Yes. Put in a wireless bridge at the remote location, connect up one LAN switch behind the wireless bridge adapter and then connect some devices to that LAN switch. Should work good.
Is there any way to turn off the SSID broadcast from the satellite while leaving the WiFi backhaul active? I don't see anything obvious in the router setting.
Orbi MESH systems don't have that ability.
Curses, foiled again. Thanks.
Put in a wireless bridge at the remote location, connect up one LAN switch behind the wireless bridge adapter and then connect some devices to that LAN switch. Should work good.
