Netgear Launches Orbi Pro Wi-Fi System Kit for SMBs
by Ganesh T S on August 31, 2017 6:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Networking
- NetGear
- Wi-Fi
- Mesh Networking
Netgear's Orbi Wi-Fi system has emerged as one of the leading mesh / Wi-Fi systems in the market in terms of performance. The platform, with its FastLane 3 marketing moniker, was recently introduced into the range extender market also (with the Nighthawk X6S EX8000). Today, Netgear is bringing tri-band Wi-Fi to the SMB market in the form of the Orbi Pro.
The Orbi Pro (SRK60) is essentially the same as the high-end Orbi (RBK50) for the consumer market - That implies an AC3000-class router, with a 4x4 dedicated backhaul link, and one 2x2 5 GHz and one 2x2 2.4 GHz radios at each node. The target market is small businesses that don't have dedicated IT staff. The setup process, like that for the consumer version, has been made simple enough for DIY installs (unlike most other business-targeted solutions). Managementis through an app, though, a web server is also available as part of the traditional router management model.
In order to better serve the target market, the Orbi Pro makes the following changes compared to the high-end Orbi for consumers:
- Altered industrial design to blend in with business surroundings, with the ability to mount on the wall or ceiling (no PoE support, though).
- Removal of the USB port from the system, as it doesn't make much sense for business use-cases
- Tweaked firmware with specific features for business use-cases.
The primary difference in the firmware compared to the RBK50 is the presentation of three different SSIDs out of the box - one for administration, one for employees, and another for guests. The LAN ports (3 on the router, and 4 on the satellite) are part of the administration network. The networks are isolated from each other, with the guest network carrying typical options such as restricted time allotment for clients, a captive portal for allowing access etc.
Netgear intends the system to be used for scenarios with up to 40 simultaneous devices. The SRK60 will become available next month and have a MSRP of $500.
Source: Netgear
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ikjadoon - Thursday, August 31, 2017 - link
Minor note:LOL....
The same USB port that 1) promised to be functional on the Orbi RBK50 & RBK53 (no hard drive support has ever come; barely has printing support...on $400+ routers) and 2) was removed on the updated RBK40 and RBK30?
That is the USB port Netgear dropped because of "low business interest"? ;)
jj234 - Friday, September 1, 2017 - link
Netgear never promised to make the USB port functional. Hell, Eero has one and they don't use it either.Do you really want to hook up a hard drive to use some shitty low performance NAS software on your router? Get a NAS if you want one or use one of the cloud services.
damianrobertjones - Saturday, September 2, 2017 - link
If it has it it SHOULD work. Netgear often release absolute crap.teckel - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
Who's to say the port isn't used to power something? That's all I've ever used a USB port on my router for. For example, power a Chromecast. I would never plug a printer or hard drive into my router, that's what a NAS is for.aeolist - Thursday, August 31, 2017 - link
No PoE support is kind of a killer for something like this.peterfares - Thursday, August 31, 2017 - link
I don't think it is. These aren't meant to replace things like a Ubiquiti AP, these are for much smaller companies.mdgm - Friday, September 1, 2017 - link
This is for small companies who don't want to run ethernet cabling around their office. If you don't have ethernet wiring then you can't use PoE. If you have gone to the expense of installing ethernet wiring surely you'd use Business Access Points?teckel - Wednesday, June 17, 2020 - link
You're going to need Ethernet routing to your access point, so why not also send it power. Most corporate switches have POE as an option.djc208 - Friday, September 1, 2017 - link
Considering the intended market (people who probably use the consumer version in their office because that's what they could get at Best Buy or from Amazon), not really. Most won't have any idea what POE is or why they would want it. Especially if you are using it to extend wifi to an area instead of running ethernet.docbones - Friday, September 1, 2017 - link
Wonder if this one even has Ethernet Back-haul support? https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Feature-Requ...