Perhaps it should be mentioned that the “not really convinced by anyone” does not refer to the products themselves, but to the integration into the “internet box world”.

Virtually every mesh system available runs autonomously and builds its own mesh (with all its advantages and disadvantages). However, Swisscom wanted a solution that directly expanded the existing WiFi of the Internet boxes. And it should be as easy to install as possible.

In my opinion, Swisscom has implemented this quite well. If you want to stay in the internet box world, I think it’s a very good solution (works, does exactly what it’s supposed to, easy to install and at a very good price).

Thomas

Good day

It probably doesn’t need to be mentioned anymore that a LAN is the best connection. Unfortunately, this is not possible in many cases, which is why mesh technology ultimately emerged. I am using an Internet Box Plus and have so far installed a powerline, but it is not working satisfactorily. I need a high-performance internet connection, two access points and good WiFi reception on the upper floor. Now I’m trying to install an Orbi RBK50, which I haven’t been able to do so far because the base can’t find the modem. I chose Orbi because the system is tailored to my needs and SC’s Mesh Box was not recommended to me. Apparently it is only suitable for IB2. How can I solve my problem?

Thank you very much for helpful answers

The WLAN-Box works with the IB2, the IBplus and the IBS. The best result is with an IB2 and the WLAN-Box. This is because of the built-in hardware.

Guido

That was quick, thank you! But now I have even more questions: Can I definitely not use Orbi? Do I have to buy the WLAN box? Do I have to install IB2 to get the best possible results? How much would that cost me? How should I proceed? Or should I just replace the IB Plus with a (modern) modem?

Ruedi

The IB2 is available as an existing customer for 99 instead of 299. The WB for 69 or 79, I’m not sure.

Makes a total of 170 approx.

What is the minimum cost of the Orbi stuff?

You can also connect the WB via Powerline - with the usual reservations about Powerline.

The Orbi certainly also works with the Internet box, but I have no experience.

Certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution, just a bit of fiddling…

WHO did not recommend the WLAN-Box?

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@VOR wrote:

Good afternoon

It probably doesn’t need to be mentioned anymore that a LAN is the best connection. Unfortunately, in many cases this is not possible…

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@VOR

An Ethernet LAN installation is always possible, except in very rare cases.

I have been working in the industry for many years and in all that time I have experienced exactly one case where an Ethernet LAN installation was not possible because the house was listed and any installation work was prohibited.

In all other cases there are/were always solutions (use of existing empty pipes or shared use of power pipes or CATV pipes, installation of small, inconspicuous surface-mounted ducts, laying of ribbon cables under baseboards,…).

The argument that you are not allowed to carry out installations in rented apartments does not count either. When you move out, you just have to restore the original condition.

Something else,

The IB2 has significantly better WiFi than the already grayed IB+. But you have to find out for yourself whether it is enough for your circumstances.

The IB3 is certainly making another leap with WiFi 6…

@Anonymous can maybe say something about the date… Q1,Q2, Q3 2020 or something….

If I were an electrician I might have written this too…

Thanks anyway.

Thank you, POGO

The Orbi cost CHF 299 in my configuration, almost twice as much. From this point of view, I would have been better off testing the SC solution. I liked the tri-band performance and the 3 port features. Well, decisions can also be wrong.

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@VOR wrote:

I liked the tri-band performance and the 3 port features.

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The tri-band sounds good in terms of marketing, but the WB also has technology like that. And the WB also has 3 ports.

Orbi return policy? Otherwise sell it on Ricardo?

I have to contradict that: Installation through 230V piping is unfortunately prohibited and since older buildings usually don’t have a telephone/TV Anschluss in every room, there are usually no pipes available for running network cables. Sewer installations through the entire apartment are just not very nice.

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@Freppabio56 wrote:

Now I have to disagree: Installation through 230V piping is unfortunately forbidden and since older buildings usually don’t have a telephone/TV Anschluss in every room, there are usually no pipes available for running network cables. Sewer installations through the entire apartment are just not very nice.

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I wouldn’t do that either by pulling an Ethernet cable into the same pipe where 230 volts is available, but what would be possible would be a fiber optic cable, but adapters would have to be used on both sides.

@Freppabio56

As far as I know, this is no longer forbidden.

And when it comes to appearance, you have to make compromises or be prepared to live with the problems of PowerLAN and WLAN.

Fiber optic is allowed. However, I have yet to see a smart product for private use. And POF is absolute garbage and also too expensive.

But back to the Orbi. I also tested an Orbi. I also had problems at first because he was setting up a new network. However, you can easily switch to access point mode. Now works perfectly. However, I don’t have a Swisscombox. However, with this setting I don’t see any problem why it shouldn’t work.

In the future, we will offer the Orbi in the company as an alternative to network management. But only if moving in is not possible.

@Freppabio56

The question of Ethernet cables in power pipes was discussed extensively here in the forum two years ago:

[https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Festnetz/LAN-Kabel-einander-mit-220-Volt-Stromdr%C3%A4hten-im-selben-Rohr/td-p/514543] (https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Festnetz/LAN-Kabel-einander-mit-220-Volt-Stromdr%C3%A4hten-im-selben-Rohr/td-p/514543)

The consensus at the time was that although it was not recommended, it was not expressly forbidden in private households.

Whether forbidden or not, I would not combine the Ethernet with the power supply. In my case that would be difficult anyway because the cable routing goes over two half-levels (very complicated according to the electrical plan). For the same reason, duct installation is out of the question. I decided on an IB2 with one MB in the second office, a simple and good solution in terms of configuration in the SC environment. Well, the performance is typically reduced for WLAN, which affects the transfer of large amounts of data, e.g. SW updates. This solution is satisfactory for my daily needs.

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@VOR wrote:

Whether I chose an IB2 with a MB in the second office….

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What is an MB?

And how is the MB connected to the IB2?

Thanks for the interesting comments. I just moved into a new building (equipped with fiber) where the Swisscom 3 router is installed in the electrical box. I could only remove the metal cover so as not to make things worse. Well, I have an Ethernet Anschluss in all rooms and can therefore connect everything except mobile devices. I installed a Swisscom WLAN 2 box in the living room, but the WiFI is a disaster. I also thought about a Netgear rbk50 Orbi, but after reading the above report I’m no longer so sure. Ideally, I should get a reasonable solution with one or two WLAN expansion boxes that I connect directly to the Ethernet, but the Swisscom WLAN 2 box is dead for me. I would be very receptive to suggestions in this regard.

Thank you very much

Philip

@Siekeinu44

According to my own tests, the WLAN-Box 2 actually has an absolutely competitive WLAN.

Have you also switched off the WLAN on the IB3 so that the WB2 actually connects to the IB3 as an access point and not accidentally as a radio repeater?

And if you have ruled out the “repeater danger”, can you please define the term “catastrophic” in more detail for one or more clients with distance information and throughput performance?