There are workarounds, but they do not affect the issue that attaching a router in any mode (router, access point) creates a new WiFi network that is not part of the Orbi "mesh". The key characteristic of mesh networks is that devices can roam seamlessly between parts of the mesh. Before mesh networks were created in the late 2010's, people expanded their WiFi coverage area by:
- Connecting Access Points by cable to the primary router.
- Connecting WiFi 'Extenders' to the primary router over the house wiring or using WiFi.
These solutions led to frustration for users because WiFi devices would tend to "hang on" to their WiFi connection as they moved farther and farther away from their connection point. They might drop from 5G to 2.4G. Performance would continue to drop until finally the device might give up and look for a different connection.
"Honey. Why is the WiFi so SLOW??" "Did you remember to turn off WiFi and turn it back on when you went into the bedroom?" Mesh systems make that issue go away.
Workarounds:
- Houses with coax cable running throughout the house (left over from cable TV days) can use MoCA adapters to create a "semi-Ethernet" link between two points in the house. See
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_over_Coax_Alliance I've done it and it can work great.
- Depending on house electrical wiring, a link can be established between two parts of the house using PowerLine adapters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-line_communication . I use that now because I got tired of the MoCA link. For me, PowerLine does not work as well, but one hates to "go back".) PowerLine depends on the electrical wiring and can be difficult to implement.
- A WiFi Extender could connect to the Orbi router over WiFi and the RBR50 could be connected to it.
Rather than persist with the RBR50, WiFi extenders can fulfill the same function (for a LOT less money). The issue remains that they create a separate WiFi network.
Just as a not, WiFi extenders are a great solution for devices that do not move. Need WiFi to a camera that is just out of range? One it's connected, it stays connected because it doesn't move. This can also solve that irritating problem when a device doesn't want to connect to a mesh network (like Orbi). Use a WiFi extender to create a WiFi signal with a different name that is 2.4G only. Device cannot be confused.
