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Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
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Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

hbat
Aspirant

Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

ive got the Nighthawk AX8 AX6000, and live in apartment with brick walls. suffering with many dead spots for wifi. If i buy a couple mesh wifi extenders will it work with this router ?
Message 1 of 8

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?


@hbat wrote:
ive got the Nighthawk AX8 AX6000....

Which one? AX6000 is not a reliable guide to model number. Many devices come with an AX tag, but it is essentially a label that Netgear, and other brands, attach to hardware to describe wifi speeds.

 

Look at the label on the device for the model number. Something like RAX80 or RAX120.

 

While many questions about routers are generic and could be answered anywhere, some things need specialist knowledge.

You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware.

 

Depending on the actual model number that's probably here:

Orbi WiFi 6 (AX) and WiFi 6E (AXE) - NETGEAR Communities

In the meantime you could visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.

Check for various troubleshooting tips.

You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

Message 2 of 8
plemans
Guru

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

I usually don't recommend getting more than 1 extender. 

Mesh extenders work great when its just 1. but when there's more than 1, then can end up connecting to each other and not back to the router because nothing is controlling the system like in a full mesh system (like orbi or MK nighthawk). 

It can be made to work if you're router and extenders are all far enough apart the extenders can't "see" each others signal but thats not likely in an apartment. It can also be made to work if you disable the mesh and use individual ssid's. But thats not your goal as well as it puts a bunch more interference in an apartment. 

 

What I'd try doing? 

Centrally locate the router and see how much it covers. You might even be able to move it a little to one side and add a single extender and see if that provides enough coverage. If it doesn't, then I'd be looking at getting a full mesh system versus extenders. If you're trialing, just buy from somewhere with a generous return policy so you could return the extender if a single one doesn't work. 

Message 3 of 8
hbat
Aspirant

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

Hi Plemans and thanks for your response ..

 

I'm now thinking to replace the system with a mesh system like the Netgear AX1800 Orbi Dual-band Mesh WiFi 6 Kit (3 pack)

 

Now im assuming one of those units is the modem/router and the other two are the mesh version of extenders..

 

Do i have to position the router centrally and then the 2 extenders around it ? or can i have the router in one spot and then one extender branching off that router and then the 2nd extender branching off the 1st extender? Or will that not work ?

 

Hope my question makes sense.

 

Harry

Message 4 of 8

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?


@hbat wrote:

 

I'm now thinking to replace the system with a mesh system like the Netgear AX1800 Orbi Dual-band Mesh WiFi 6 Kit (3 pack)

 

Which one? That just describes the wifi technology involved. AX1800 is not a reliable guide to model number. Many devices come with an AX tag, but it is essentially a label that Netgear, and other brands, attach to hardware to describe wifi speeds.

 


Now im assuming one of those units is the modem/router and the other two are the mesh version of extenders..

 

Unlikely. It has to be a Cable Modem Router. The only Orbi I can find that does that is the:

 

Orbi CBR750 – DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem Router with WiFi 6 | NETGEAR

 

Not an AX1800 and mightily expensive.

 

If you mean this it has no modem.

 

Orbi RBK353 - AX1800 WiFi Mesh System | NETGEAR

 

What do you currently use as a modem/gateway?

 

Try plugging your needs into the filters on the product pages:

 

Wireless Routers for Home | NETGEAR

 

and

 

Orbi: Whole Home WiFi System for Better WiFi Everywhere | NETGEAR

 

Then check back here for reports on the things you are considering, but remember that people turn up in this community with problems, not compliments. So look at reviews on Amazon, for example.

 


Do i have to position the router centrally and then the 2 extenders around it ? or can i have the router in one spot and then one extender branching off that router and then the 2nd extender branching off the 1st extender? Or will that not work ?

 

Follow the setup instructions.

 

Message 5 of 8
hbat
Aspirant

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

Sorry dude i suck at explaining myself when it comes to these things.

Here is the model number included: NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 6 AX1800 Mesh System (RBK353)
Model # RBK353-100AUS

So i should explain: i have an NBN modem already provided by Aussiebroadband, so that 3 pack system above, 1 should be a router that plugs into the nbn modem, and the other two mesh extenders .

Do the 2 extenders need to feed off the orbi router only?

Harry
Message 6 of 8

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?


@hbat wrote:

So i should explain: i have an NBN modem already provided by Aussiebroadband, so that 3 pack system above, 1 should be a router that plugs into the nbn modem, and the other two mesh extenders .


That makes sense. Just one possible fly in the ointment, is that NBN modem a plain modem or one of those fancy boxes that also does router stuff? I can't tell from your description. That can complicate matters.

 

We also still don't know what your existing Nighthawk AX8 AX6000 is. But if it is a standard router that plays nicely with your modem, it should be a simple case of replacing that with the RBR350 from the RBK353 bundle.

 



Do the 2 extenders need to feed off the orbi router only?


The Orbi satellites talk to the Orbi router. (You can't use them with a connection to your existing router.) Mostly this is a wifi connection, but where it is possible you can also wire satellites to the router. That's something to think about when you have got the Mesh system up and running.

 

 

Message 7 of 8
hbat
Aspirant

Re: Nighthawk - wifi mesh compatible?

The router is RAX80 model number
The NBN modem is ARRIS CM8200 looks basic to me.

Message 8 of 8
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