NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

GTG's avatar
GTG
Guide
Nov 12, 2017
Status:
New Idea

Using another Orbi Router as a Satellite

Hello,

 

       Few things i know others have brought up but I will also.

 

1. Add Orbi Routers the ability to also connect as a satellite.  For example many of us because both on the home and business version needed extra satellites but they were not available yet so we purchased extra sets with routers.  The routers are doing nothing but stored, total waste of money. Yes we can make them AP but need to be hardwired, this was purchased for a wireless solution, not wired solution.  If the next firmware can upgrade the routers to also go into satellite mode would be great or give us a firmware to upload to turn the routers into a satellite. We already spent to the money think it would be the right thing to do. Since both router and satellite are the same hardware. 

 

2. Because of the limit satellites for the orbi pro  it would be nice if the satellites from the orbi home were compatible. 

 

I think this has been the greatest stress and also the limit on how many satellites a router can support.  This is a great platform but great limitations for my business I have Orbi Router 2 satellites and have the 2 ex8000 6xs connected to cover our warehouse and office and have 2 extra routers i cant do anything with other than hard wire. Still have dead space but at the point as a business  i really dont want to waste more money just to buy combo orbi pros because of this limitation. I think if this can be worked up this will switch alot of business to use this great product.   Also since both Nighthawk 6xs and 4xs are the same hardware as orbi can future firmware allow them to show up satellites? 

 

Thank you

GTG 

24 Comments

  • Although, this would be a great user feature, it wouldn't make sense for Netgear.  Would they sell more?  Probably not?  We all have willingly spent more money and bought brand new sets to expand our wi fi systems, only to find out the router is unusable as a satellite and are willing to store and sit on it due to the lack of satellite availability.  It's all about the money! 

  • In India, we don't get additional satellites to purchase so this is a very much required feature. Please consider. 

  • Hello Everyone,

     

        Just wanted to update, so far the 3 orbi systems I have setup (1 router (orginial setup at home) , 1 router combo (moms house ) and 1 pro (office))  I have been able to pair up to 12 satellites. Still upset about the extra routers i have, And also still have night hawk 6xs and 4xs which is the same hardware. You can sync them same as a satillite but shows up as an extender. I tired to flash the routers to satellite but stops almost at the end. And also tried on the Night hawk same. I have so many extra routers. I would like if Netgear made a firmware update that our satillites can work on both Home and Pro verison that would be awsome. Also I think would be good if in the orbi login page were you can update your satillites if the Night hawks 6xs and 4xs can also be managed from there and push updated firmware. 

     

    So far its a good system.  Just seems that Its stuck. 

    I did have a plan on installing it at one of properties we manage (small apartment complex) 12 units. Because of the success of linking 12 satillites I think we can do it. Only thing is I dont plan on spending the money to keep buying combos because they are cheaper than buying individual ones. So with that I think the Pro verson is out of the question. The Home one might be do able but I dont think the wall plug ones would be any good as they dont have any ethernet port so will limit any expandablity. I was thinking if putting 1 Satillite in each unit. Since we have a mixture of hardare they would need least 1 ethernet port. 

     

    I think the pro verson firmware is better and think that if netgear made a firware opition that the home ones we can upgrade to would be great. The hardware are idenitical as is Night Hawk

    6XS (which also supports Mesh). I just dont think the firmware of the Home version is robust enough for an apartment complex. 

     

    anyone have any ideas?