Upgrading from RB850 to 970 series Questions

[Doug-48051]

I am upgrading from the RBR850 to the new Wifi 7 RBE973S. I have a couple of questions.

1. Should I uninstall the Android phone app and download a new version?

2. I want to mount these new Wifi 7 RBE973S on shelves. What should be used to address power cables, Network cables etc?

3 How are your network devices divvied by channel to optimize signal and lower signal noise and signal traffic?

(I have 35 devices. Mostly light switches and cameras, IoT)

Any tips or things that seem to work well are always appreciated.

Doug 

Wifi 7 RBE973S. on Spectrum 2GB per sec. 40MB upload - 35 devices
1900 sq ft brick ranch, Open floor plan

[FURRYe38]

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@Doug-48051 wrote:

I am upgrading from the RBR850 to the new Wifi 7 RBE973S. I have a couple of questions.

1. Should I uninstall the Android phone app and download a new version?

Or update the app on the phone if it's already installed. Do that thru the Google Store. 

2. I want to mount these new Wifi 7 RBE973S on shelves. What should be used to address power cables, Network cables etc?

Use power extenstion cables and longer LAN cables. CAT6A STP LAN cabing is recommended if you ethernet connect the RBS to the RBR. 

3 How are your network devices divvied by channel to optimize signal and lower signal noise and signal traffic?

(I have 35 devices. Mostly light switches and cameras, IoT)

Devices will pick and choose where they connect too based on there design and frequency support. 

Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and 40 to 48 channel on 5Ghz.

Any tips or things that seem to work well are always appreciated.

30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR📡 and RBS🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite ‌‌🛰️

Doug 

Wifi 7 RBE973S. on Spectrum 2GB per sec. 40MB upload - 35 devices
1900 sq ft brick ranch, Open floor plan

For the size of home, the RBR and just 1 RBS is needed:

https://youtu.be/UR0viMLISz4

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[plemans]

That's quite the expensive upgrade without a ton of benefit. 

yes you get wifi 7 but there isn't currently much for wifi 7 devices. 

And the RBK850 series is pretty rock solid setup. 

Is there something you're looking at fixing with this setup? 

Reason I ask is the wifi 7 standard isn't even finalized and devices are super expensive right now. 

Waiting a bit for more devices to be released and more routers/mesh systems to come to market will let prices drop and firmware mature a bit. The upgrade cost might not benefit you a whole lot currently

[Doug-48051]

True,  the 850 is solid and a couple of years old. I wanted to move to 2 Sats, so why go backward? The 850 is now used for backup if needed. Upgrading TV etc.

I connect an 8-port switch to my 850s, the app reports it as wired. You don't think this impacts the backhaul connection, do you?

[plemans]

I'm not a fan of going backwards either. but you can snag a RBS850 from amazon used for under $250. I have a feeling that those Wifi 7 prices will drop with even a slight timing and even a 10% discount would cover that rbs850. But that's just me. I've got the RBK963 and RBK973 and there isn't any performance benefit currently to the wifi 7 version. Maybe in a couple years when I have more wifi 7 devices. Again, you do you but that $2k+ price makes me cringe. 

The switch shouldn't really impact backhaul. Is it running between router/satellites? I'm a fan of hardwired backhaul as it tends to be more stable. 

[FURRYe38]

I found a working used RBK853 on shopgoodwill.com last month. Got it for $250. I sent the RBR and one RBS to a friend. Kept the 2nd RBS for use with my already existing RBK853, now a RBK854. 😊

[Doug-48051]

Agreed, In my previous house I hardwired my backhaul. This setup the TV and SAT are in a great room with 15-foot ceilings and no basement. So running a cable is not an option.

I have a switch and wired devices on the SAT in the TV room. My office has the router and Spectrum modem. I tried to get Best Buy to run cable when they saw the ceiling Best Buy said no. (I am disabled, now living in Florida. I lost access to contractors.

My office devices are connected to the router.  I do a lot of VOIP and streaming. I am trying to address high-latency issues.

I would pay good money to have it all hard-wired.