I need to install a new Orbi RBKE963 in place of a RBK50. Problem is when I disconnect RBK50 I have no cell phone service. How best to switch from the old RBK50 to the new RBKE963.
What is the brand and model# of the ISP modem or ONT that the RBR will be connecting too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.
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 🛰
When setting up the new system, you can use same SSID name and password for the new system as you had been using on the old system.
I need to install a new Orbi RBKE963 in place of a RBK50. Problem is when I disconnect RBK50 I have no cell phone service. How best to switch from the old RBK50 to the new RBKE963.
Orbi WiFi routers do not provide cell phone signals. Could it be that because of poor cell coverage in your area, your cell phone has been set up for WiFi Calling? (This is a feature of many modern cell phones.) If so, then I would assume that if the RBKE963 is configured with exactly the same WiFi credentials as the RBK50 system (SSID/password), then the call phone WiFi calling feature will continue to function with the new WiFi system.
Re: best procedure to upgrade from RBK50 to RBKE963
Understood. I know that Orbis are not cell transmitter or receivers. And yes, the signal in this area is extremely poor unless connected via Wi-Fi. And therein lies the challenge: how to configure the new RBKE963 without its being connected to the internet if the old RBK50 is either hooked up or worse if I disconnect the old RBK50 thereby losing cell connectivity via Wi-Fi.
Can't believe I am the only one to run into this problem.
Re: best procedure to upgrade from RBK50 to RBKE963
Thanks for the suggestion but therein lies the challenge. Are you saying that the answer lies in disconnecting the old RBK50 and hardwiring my laptop to the modem and then use the app to configure the new RBKE963. Are you then saying I should power down everything, connect the modem to the new RBKE963 and then add my satellites.
If so, then the challenge would be to reconfigure all the items attached to the Wi-Fi (i.e., Firesticks, Generator, etc.) ... a pain, but not impossible.
Was hoping I could carry the settings over from the old Orbi to the new. Thanks again.
Re: best procedure to upgrade from RBK50 to RBKE963
Every time I replace my WiFi router, I configure the new system with exactly the same WiFi credentials as the existing one (SSID/password) - even the administrative password!
The trick is that the new Orbi router does not have to be connected to the internet to be configured. Just power up the router and connect something to it that has a large enough screen for a web browser to be useful (desktop, laptop, tablet, Chromebook, etc.)
Make all the configuration changes that you want and then at the very end, change the WiFi name and password to match the existing system.
Move the Ethernet cable from the existing router WAN port to the new system WAN port and power off the old system. (some ISPs require that the modem is also rebooted).
Every WiFi device in the house will connect to the new system automatically.
It is annoying that Netgear does not provide a method to copy the configuration from one system and install it on another. In my case, it takes well over an hour to enter all the minutia that I have chosen to configure on my WiFi system. (and I make LOTS of typos along the way!)
