“If you have a Comcast wifi router/modem, do you need the Orbi router, or could you just get a separate Orbi extender?”
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The Orbi satellite was designed to connect to the Orbi router on a dedicated band in its powerful Tri-Band mesh network. It cannot connect directly to a different router. You do have the option of disabling the Comcast router and allowing the Orbi to be your primary router, or you can run the Orbi system in Access Point mode alongside your Comcast router. Instructions on setting up the Orbi as an Access Point can be located starting on page 72 of the User Manual: https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBK50#docs
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.You will need an Orbi router + Satellite package then put your Comcast modem/router combo box into bridge mode. The Orbi would then handle all the wifi & routing, and the Comcast box would act as a stand alone modem. If you're looking to go that route, I suggest buying your own modem + Orbi system, then returning the Comcast box and stop paying rental fees on Comcast's equipment.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.Don't waste the money on an Orbi system if you are not going to turn off the wifi capabilities of your Comcast Xfinity modem/router (you must call Comcast to have them do that for you) and use Orbi as your dedicated wireless router. Well worth it if you absolutely must extend the size (and speed) of your wifi network. Regular wifi extenders will cut your wifi speeds in half - the Orbi achieves wifi speeds 2-3 times more than typical wifi extenders.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.The extender (the satellite) does not have a WAN / Ethernet port (it has 4 regular ethernet ports but no uplink) it sync's it WAN traffic with the base Orbi Router. The Orbi router also is the only device that has the internal web interface + configuration information (for wifi security, administration, etc.) the satellites don't have this. Therefore the sat's wouldn't know what to do with you data traffic and I have not see or been able to web interface into a satellite directly (it's always to the router). So, no you would still need the Orbi router for any satellite to work as it needs to configure its backhaul antenna to the Orbi router to allow it to function. If you don't need the router function of the Orbi and just want the wifi then you can (under advance options) turn off the router, making it a wireless access point. This will allow it to get the DHCP addresses and route info from your Comcast router. Just note to turn off wifi on the Comcast if you don't need, if you do then you can run both wifi networks. I to believe they sell just the Orbi Router with out sat if you don't need 2 devices. The Orbi router / base though will need to be in cable range of the router as you'll need to connect you modem to it via CAT5.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.I have a modem router in one, i simply put my orbi directly into the modem via ethernet cable
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.It doesn't make sense to buy the satellite independently, as the whole idea is to have one IP address for the entire system. In any event the satellites won't be available separately until December. The system works great if together. Any other kind of extender will work, for a lot less money if that is all you want.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.You have to have the Orbi router for the Orbi Extender to work.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.If you have that setup already in place with your Comcast Router/modem setup and you would need to expand your Wi-Fi coverage all you need is a extender. I believe the orbi extender only works with the orbi router. The orbi router with extender (satellite) is a wonderful system but you would have to get rid of your Comcast Router/modem.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.You will need the orbi router/base. You can use an Orbi satellite to extend your network once you already have the Orbinrouter.
Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.orbi system was designed to work with a router plus satellite(s) in order to form a mesh network. I bought the pair, disabled the wifi on the wifi router provided by my cable provider and let the orbi do its thing.
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