×

Introducing the Orbi 970 Series Mesh System with WiFi 7(BE) technology. For more information visit the NETGEAR Press Room.

Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
Reply

Connecting Orbi RBR 50 to Orbi RBS 50 satellites

Waugust
Aspirant

Connecting Orbi RBR 50 to Orbi RBS 50 satellites

Long story short.

My existing network is an Orbi RBR50 router wifi connected to three RBS50 satellites. My home has ethernet access points in various rooms not currently connected. I'm talking to two network specialists about connecting them, and have two different opinions about using my existing Orbi products.

One says when the ethernet network is wired, and we connect a satellite to that, it will be hardwired to the network as opposed to wifi connected. When it is, any devices we then hard wire to the satellite will be as if we hard wired it to the router itself. The other says the RBS50's are only boosters since there is no "in" jack, only "out" jacks, and will remain wifi connected.

Any idea which is correct?

This is important in that I want to hard wire connect as many devices as possible, and assumed I could do that using the satellite ports. But if an ethernet connection does not result in those ports being hard wired, I need to take a different approach. The other issue is cost. Using my Orbi products will save $1k or more of what the contractor who believes the satellites will remain wifi connected would charge to install new equipment.

Apologies if any of this is not clear.

Message 1 of 3

Accepted Solutions
CrimpOn
Guru

Re: Connecting Orbi RBR 50 to Orbi RBS 50 satellites

There are two parts to this question:

 

  1. When Orbi satellites are connected to the router with Ethernet cable, then "yes", they are no longer using a WiFi backhaul connection.  Any devices that are connected to satellite Ethernet ports will be part of the wired network.
    See https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy... 
  2. The key is that satellites must connect one of their LAN ports to one of the router LAN ports. This is sometimes an issue when all these house data cables run to a wiring patch panel in a location that is not where the router is located. (such as a basement or garage). 

View solution in original post

Message 2 of 3

All Replies
CrimpOn
Guru

Re: Connecting Orbi RBR 50 to Orbi RBS 50 satellites

There are two parts to this question:

 

  1. When Orbi satellites are connected to the router with Ethernet cable, then "yes", they are no longer using a WiFi backhaul connection.  Any devices that are connected to satellite Ethernet ports will be part of the wired network.
    See https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy... 
  2. The key is that satellites must connect one of their LAN ports to one of the router LAN ports. This is sometimes an issue when all these house data cables run to a wiring patch panel in a location that is not where the router is located. (such as a basement or garage). 
Message 2 of 3
Waugust
Aspirant

Re: Connecting Orbi RBR 50 to Orbi RBS 50 satellites

Thanks for the quick response and link to the article. That's what I needed to know.

Message 3 of 3
Top Contributors
Discussion stats
  • 2 replies
  • 528 views
  • 0 kudos
  • 2 in conversation
Announcements

Orbi WiFi 7