Connecting ETHERNET cable to ORBI RBS50 Satellite (RBR50 router)
I apologize if this belongs in a different forum. This looked like the right place to ask.
I have an ORBI RBR50 router and RBS Satellite. The satellite is located right outside my home office, and I get a really strong wifi connection.
With all of the devices now actively connected since we are sheltering in place (3 laptops + 2 chromebooks actively on during the day, 3 mobile phones passively downloading emails, and 3 Alexa devices that also are passively connected), I am constantly losing connection to my VPN (at work) server. The VOIP that my work laptop uses for phone calls has also been terrible. I have figured out it is my connection (and not the work network), as we are having similar issues with our chromebooks (kids' school) and mobile devices. Before all of this, the connection was pretty much perfect. My laptop is a windows laptop.
Two questions:
1. If I connect my laptop directly via the ethernet cable to the satellite, will this improve my connection?
2. Will adding another satellite possibly alleviate the issue?
Not sure if either of the two options above will make a difference, but something needs to change...
For reference, we upgraded our network connection via the cable company to high-speed back about 6 months ago. On the most recent speedtest done directly through SPEEDTEST (as opposed to the ORBI app) that I ran through my mobile phone, I am getting 271MBPS download, and 35.2MBPS upload, which I think is supposed to be pretty good?
Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see: Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
Also be aware that what your seeing with everyone working from home, that some ISP services and VPNs maybe getting bogged down and users may see some issues at the ISP or VPN level. It may not be Orbi or wifi releated.
If I connect my laptop directly via the ethernet cable to the satellite, will this improve my connection?
If the WiFi connection is strong, connecting with an ethernet cable probably will make no difference, but it can't hurt and is a simple experiment. With that much equipment in the house, you may already have an ethernet cable lying around. If not, having one may come in handy for all sorts of things in the future.
Re: Connecting ETHERNET cable to ORBI RBS50 Satellite (RBR50 router)
Thank you - some of what you said is a little over my head but I will work through it one by one and see if it helps. We have CIRCLE on, which I can easily disable. The satellite is farther than 30 feet and up one level, but it's open space so there aren't too many obstructions for the signal to pass through. I get a blue light when I connect the router.
Our cable modem is an ARRIS TM1602A. It was given to us by the cable provider.
I will report back once I try all fo the items you recommend. Thank you.
Thank you - some of what you said is a little over my head but I will work through it one by one and see if it helps. We have CIRCLE on, which I can easily disable. The satellite is farther than 30 feet and up one level, but it's open space so there aren't too many obstructions for the signal to pass through. I get a blue light when I connect the router.
Our cable modem is an ARRIS TM1602A. It was given to us by the cable provider.
I will report back once I try all fo the items you recommend. Thank you.
I would upgrade the modem. I have a TM1602A and I am upgrading to the Arris SB8200. The 1602A only has 16 downstream channels, whereas the SB8200 has 32, plus it's DOCSIS 3.1 which is best if you have internet over 300 Mbps or are thinking of upgrading to it in the future if and when your ISP makes it available..
The Netgear CM1100 is similar to the SB8200 if you want to get the same make as your Orbi, or if the SB8200 isn't compatible with your cable company.
Keep in mind the SB8200 doesn't have phone jacks, so if you have a land line through your ISP that may not be in your best interest to get.
