Orbi RBR20 satellites wifi

[pessini]

I am confused.  Do you need to connect devices to the satellites or do they expand your WIFI to other parts of your house?  Newbie here - obviously.

[plemans]

the satellites use the same ssid as the router. It relies on your devices own roaming protocols to switch from router---satellite as needed. 
Its supposed to make things simpler so you can have one ssid for both 2.4ghz/5ghz and for the router/satellite.  

[pessini]

So can WIFi devices feed off of the satellites in another part of the house away from the main router?  Or do, say laptops, need to be connected to the satellite to connect to the WIFI?  Sorry for the elementary questions.

[plemans]

If the laptop has connected via wifi to either the router or the satellite, it'll roam between the 2 as needed. 

[plemans]

more details. 

What is a mesh Wi-Fi router, and do you need one? | Tom's Guide (tomsguide.com)

[pessini]

This is VERY helpful!  Thank you for helping a newbie.