I use a RBR 850 in access point mode, as well as 2x RBS 850 which are connected to the RBR 850 by cable via a 24 port switch.
Problem: The RBS 850 are not visible as satellites in the RBR 850 web interface.
In the IOS app only one of the two satellites is currently displayed as connected, the other one has a magenta status (not connected). This morning both were shown as connected after I disconnected the network cable from both RBS and then reconnected them.
In the web interfaces of both RBS I see connected devices.
Now I am unsure if everything is working as it should, the behavior confuses me a bit.
This issue has come up before. Orbi routers expect to find satellites connected to the LAN ports, not the WAN port.
Installing Ethernet cable is not a trivial process. While the cost of the physical cable is modest, installation can be complicated and expensive (if it can be done at all without ripping open walls and floors).
One user found a creative way to run both the WAN and LAN traffic over a single cable by using two managed switches and VLAN:
He originally posted in the forum over an issue that happened when the firmware on his smart switch was updated. Once that issue was resolved. He used Netgear GS108v3 (the v3 is important) which are retailing on Amazon for $40. A pair of switches thus could easily be less than the cost of hiring an installer to run cable. And, if the existing 24-port switch supports VLAN, then only one additional switch would be required.
Access mode complicates the situation (a bit) because actual network operation may be fine and the only problem is that the status of satellites and information about which devices are connected to each unit is the only problem. If that information matters enough to take action (spend money), either (a) another cable or (b) at least one more switch is the solution.
