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Forum Discussion
Orbi - why can't we change channels on satellites?
Wireless design best practice when installing multiple access points in an area is to have non-overlapping channels. So if you have 3 APs (RBR50, 2-RBS50) in an area, for 2.4 GHz, one AP would be cha...
jesus, wtf. Really?
If I had know I couldn't put the sats on different channels I wouldn't have bought this product. It makes absolutely ZERO sense to me and that's why I didn't even look for this "feature" when making my buying decision. The possibility of the whole network operating on the same channel didn't even occur to me (until I saw it), I assumed it would automatically configure itself to use the most reasonable channels on each sat to provide best connectivity.
What on earth?
I'm in a totally non-congested area, basically all channels are unused and my 3 orbis cram themselves onto ONE SINGEL channel?
I can't even start to understand.
And what's the supposed upside? Better roaming for old devices? Well, forcing their customers into making such a tradeoff is not what I would expect from a company that values their customers. Maybe in some circumstances it really *is* better to use a single channel, but that should be a CHOICE the customer makes, not the product... at least not in this price category.
I'm hoping netgear will fix this. It's only software after all...
This is not a defect or a bug. This is how extenders and repeaters work. They are connected to the main wireless AP and they connect to the same channels. There is no changing of the channels on extenders or repeaters. Chaning channels on the satellites would defeat the purpose of the satellites as they operate in this extender mode. The only mode that you can change channels on is in AP mode which satellites don't support. Again, this is by design for ALL extenders and repeaters which Orbi Satellites are designed.
If channels need changing, please change channels on the main Orbi router. Save settings and reboot the router and satellites. The satellites will reconnect to the new channels.
molec wrote:
jesus, wtf. Really?
If I had know I couldn't put the sats on different channels I wouldn't have bought this product. It makes absolutely ZERO sense to me and that's why I didn't even look for this "feature" when making my buying decision. The possibility of the whole network operating on the same channel didn't even occur to me (until I saw it), I assumed it would automatically configure itself to use the most reasonable channels on each sat to provide best connectivity.
What on earth?
I'm in a totally non-congested area, basically all channels are unused and my 3 orbis cram themselves onto ONE SINGEL channel?
I can't even start to understand.
And what's the supposed upside? Better roaming for old devices? Well, forcing their customers into making such a tradeoff is not what I would expect from a company that values their customers. Maybe in some circumstances it really *is* better to use a single channel, but that should be a CHOICE the customer makes, not the product... at least not in this price category.
I'm hoping netgear will fix this. It's only software after all...
I may have to rethink some things, but possibly I bought the wrong product. I thought we went beyond "extenders" and "repeaters" with those "smart wifi systems".
That is how ORDINARY repeaters and extenders work. But the Orbi is not an extender or repeater. It is a mesh network with a dedicated backhaul link, effectively operating as if each AP had a wired connection back to a switch or wireless controller.
In a mesh network, unless the APs are optimally placed with sufficient separation to eliminate co-channel interference, there will be problems. This is almost never possible in a typical house. The only advantage of having the same channel is to avoid latency when a moving device changes channels/ap links. And I am not sure if latency is actually eliminated when AP placement is not optimal. For example, I have one unit on the first floor and one unit on the second floor - directly above the other. Because I want physical ports in those locations.
tln741, tried to give kudos on your posts, but doesn't seem to work.
do other "mesh wifi systems" also use single channel like the orbi or is the orbi an exception?
My ancient EX6200 had Fastlane technology which worked EXTREMELY well, when it worked...I had assumed the same kind of technlolgy was involved in the Orbi design and I suppose it almost is with the backhaul channel but I have exactly the same issue as the others re: channel assignments. Makes no sense in a relatively small environment to have overlapping signals for no obvious reason. If I had known this I would have stayed with my Asus RT-N66U which was almost adequate for my purposes.
For small environments, Orbi systems may not be needed. The routers alone can handle up to 30 feet distances. Also depending upon building materials.
astrojohn wrote:
My ancient EX6200 had Fastlane technology which worked EXTREMELY well, when it worked...I had assumed the same kind of technlolgy was involved in the Orbi design and I suppose it almost is with the backhaul channel but I have exactly the same issue as the others re: channel assignments. Makes no sense in a relatively small environment to have overlapping signals for no obvious reason. If I had known this I would have stayed with my Asus RT-N66U which was almost adequate for my purposes.
If users are wanting to change the overlap, then user have the option of changing the power levels on the router from 100% down to lower levels to help with over all foot print coverage if needed. For small homes or environments, a single router should be all thats needed.
Small is relative. My two-storey condo is 2400 sq ft but the problem is extremely strong neighboring WiFi signals that are just across the common wall and/or next block and overpower my own router 30 feet or so away (through walls, etc, of course). My neighbors are completely ignorant of modern technolgy and when the local Uverse or Spectrum guys come in, they set everything up at 100% full power. Nothing I can do about that other than channel hop, which I do regularly, however I notice the Orbi does seem to auto-choose the same channel I had been manually selecting with my RT-N66U. If I reduce MY power levels, and my neighbors don't since they haven't a clue, I'm right back where I started from. My originally concern was Orbi router and its own satellites interfering with each other and independent channels would mitigate that.