RBK50 Coverage and Speed Buying Advise

[sujay265]

Hello Everyone,

I need your support for helping me to understand better, before I could by the Orbi RBK50 Wi-Fi mesh solution.

I live in a single floor apartment with area of 3000 sq. ft, rectangular in shape,  which has 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and long hallway. 

The living room and the bedroom are 2 extreme ends connected through hallway.

I intend to place the RBK50 Router unit in the living room connected through ethernet cable to ISP modem (speed of internet 100 Mbps consistent and stable) and the Satellite unit at mid hallway (which also happens to be the center of the apartment).

There are 2 walls in-between the Router and the Satellite unit, with no direct line of sight. Distance between the Router and Satellite position is 13 meters (with walls in-between)

Question

1. I understand from Netgear website and various online sources that, RBK50 Router and Satellite unit uses a dedicated 5 GHz Frequency channel for backhaul communication. We also know that the 5 GHz frequency signal does not have long range and also cannot penetrate through walls and obstruction like the 2.4GHz frequency signal could. Will this be a problem (slower and communication drop outs) in my case where there is no line of sight between the Router and Satellite unit?

1. I considered Router and Satellite unit coverages area as 1650 Sq. Ft each, taking into factor signal attenuation due to walls and obstruction. Is this fair enough

1. I still have some dead spots in bedrooms. Should I add second satellite? (refer the image)

Thanks you in advance for your guidance

Regards

Sujay

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What mode is your ISP modem/router working in? If router mode, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop 

Unfortunately yes, 5Ghz will be effected by brick and concrete. Those are the worst. You may want to look into LAN connecting the RBS at a remote location so your backhaul over wired won't be effected by your building materials. https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy...

If you get the RBS connected via wired, yes. Easily. 

[FURRYe38]

What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?

30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router

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@sujay265 wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I need your support for helping me to understand better, before I could by the Orbi RBK50 Wi-Fi mesh solution.

I live in a single floor apartment with area of 3000 sq. ft, rectangular in shape,  which has 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen and long hallway. 

The living room and the bedroom are 2 extreme ends connected through hallway.

I intend to place the RBK50 Router unit in the living room connected through ethernet cable to ISP modem (speed of internet 100 Mbps consistent and stable) and the Satellite unit at mid hallway (which also happens to be the center of the apartment).

There are 2 walls in-between the Router and the Satellite unit, with no direct line of sight. Distance between the Router and Satellite position is 13 meters (with walls in-between)

Question

1. I understand from Netgear website and various online sources that, RBK50 Router and Satellite unit uses a dedicated 5 GHz Frequency channel for backhaul communication. We also know that the 5 GHz frequency signal does not have long range and also cannot penetrate through walls and obstruction like the 2.4GHz frequency signal could. Will this be a problem (slower and communication drop outs) in my case where there is no line of sight between the Router and Satellite unit? Depends on building materials. Concrete and steel will be a problem. Woof and sheet rock, not so much. 

1. I considered Router and Satellite unit coverages area as 1650 Sq. Ft each, taking into factor signal attenuation due to walls and obstruction. Is this fair enough. I have a 5000 sq ft home. RBR at one end up on 2nd story and just one RBS at the other end, 40 feet away. Have great coverage and performance. 

1. I still have some dead spots in bedrooms. Should I add second satellite? (refer the image) Try with just the RBR and 1 RBS first. Placement and distance will be key. 

---

[sujay265]

Hi Furry,

Thank you for your good answers. I appreciate it

1. Currently I am using a Huawei modem + wifi router (combined function) Model Huawei  HG8245Q provided by the ISP. There is a fiber optic line from the ISP which plugs into the ISP provided Huawei  HG8245Q and access the wifi from it.

2. The builting material is masonary brick block and cement and plastic plastering over it.

I am placing the RBR and RBS at a distance of 32 feet with 2 walls inbetween . Do you think the 5 GHz backhaul signal would be effective in my case with the given scenario?

3. My incoming speed from the IPS is 100 Mbps consistent speed, do you think i will get the same speed from RBS unit?

Kind Regards

Sujay

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

What mode is your ISP modem/router working in? If router mode, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop 

Unfortunately yes, 5Ghz will be effected by brick and concrete. Those are the worst. You may want to look into LAN connecting the RBS at a remote location so your backhaul over wired won't be effected by your building materials. https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy...

If you get the RBS connected via wired, yes. Easily.