NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
How can I match the firmware between the two when the latest firmware
RE: "Yes. Just ensure the FW is the same on the RBS as what's loaded on the RBR.":
I, too, am having problems getting my newer RBR760 (router) to recognize an older RBS750 (satellite).
-How can I...
sheppp wrote:As for the question re why I need so many Orbi satellites:
I have a couple of VPN access points that must be connected directly to ethernet ports (no wireless) in areas of my house in which there are no ethernet jacks. Therefore, I can simply place an Orbi satellite in each area and connect the VPN access points directly to the back of each satellite. I then can plug my computers directly into the ethernet ports on the access points.
Yes, the Orbi satellite is useful because besides extending the mesh coverage of your home network they also provide ethernet jacks for wired devices (i.e., serve as a wireless bridge).
Another option - If you do not need to extend your mesh coverage then it is cheaper to simply purchase a dedicated wireless bridge device. Any vendor will do, in the same way that any manufacturer's wireless device will work with your Orbi home nework. Netgear's own WAX206 device supports AX and will be cheaper than an additional Orbi AX satellite: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wireless-WAX206-Dual-Band-Ethernet/dp/B098BRF91P
Hey Mikey94025,
I got a WAX206 from Amazon yesterday. After upgrading the firmware, I connected it in wireless "bridge" mode to my Orbi and turned off the wifi on the WAX206 (the original firmware does not include bridge mode). I can connect my wife's work VPN access point directly via ethernet cable to the back of the WAX206. It seems to work well. I didn't test the speeds but it is good enough to get nice A/V via MS Teams and have access to the files that she needs. The only slight negative is that it looks as if Netgear uses recycled plastic from dollar store toys to make them. Furthermore, the base of it is hollow with no place to mount rubber feet to keep the thing from sliding around. In other words, the Orbi has a much better external build quality.
Thanks again! Since the WAX206 was under $100, you saved me a bit of cabbage - and the hassle of somehow finding another solo RBS760 and getting it connected!!
Would you recommend the RBK763S as a new system where I only need to replace the current RBK53 units that were irreparably damaged by forced FW updates that I did not either need nor want?
Costco will take back my 3+ year old RBK53, so can replace with the RBK763 they have in stock, but I'm quite frankly tired of wasting days on end trying to just use the frickin internet without running around the house resetting units every other day.Like you if it wasn't for Costco's return policy I would not even entertain another Netgear product at this stage.
I'm no expert, but IMO, definitely YES!
I, too had an RBK53 - and went through a couple of bad satellites. This is when I learned firsthand (and extensively) about the lack of Netgear's customer care.
Furthermore, I still run Chromecast Audio and was experiencing problems with a couple of JBL Portable speakers that wouldn't work properly in the RBK53 environment - despite the fact that my other Chromecast Audio devices were working fine. At the time, I blamed the problem on the JBLs - and spent loads of time attempting to resolve it, to no avail. When Costco began carrying the RBK753s, I upgraded to that system - because I knew that Costco would take it back if I had problems. The RBK753 magically fixed my JBL Chromecast Audio problem (why, I haven't a clue).
Shortly after I purchased my RBK753, Costco stopped carrying it and began selling the RBK763. Since I was a bit suspicious as to why Costco quickly moved on from the RBK753, I upgraded to the 763 when it went on coupon (a week or so ago). I didn't realize when I purchased the 763 that only Costco sells this model. Everybody else continues to sell the 753 (or variation). Thus, perhaps Costco cut some kind of a deal with Netgear to do so exclusively. Of course, the problem with this is that if you want to purchase an extra RBS760 (satellite), you won't be able to do so unless you purchase the 3-piece combo that Costco offers - and you do so prior to Costco not carrying it any longer. Furthermore, as noted previously in this thread, no other model of Netgear satellite is compatible with the 763. Of course, you can always return the 763 to Costco if you run into this issue of locating an RBS760 in the future, however, it is a hassle to continually set up updated networks.
Bottom line: I looked into alternative mesh systems and found that there are lots of people griping about every single one of them. Thus, I have decided to stick with Netgear (RBK763) for a number of reasons (the biggest being that I can return it to Costco, if necessary). I have been running it with four satellites (yes, I combined two systems) and it has done a great job over the past week of providing excellent coverage throughout my 3200 sf house. My hunch is that you will be happy with the upgrade, too - as long as you don't have to deal with Netgear's "customer support"!
