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Forum Discussion
Announcing availability of OrbiOS 2.1
I posted this on a different thread, but copy & pasting it here for more visibility.
Let me give you a quick update on where NETGEAR is with the OrbiOS.
Just before Christmas break, we paused the distribution of OrbiOS 2.1. Very soon, we're about to restart the distribution of a slightly updated version of the beta (2.1.2). In addition to the major new features introduced in 2.1 (e.g. Circle, Ethernet Backhaul), this firmware is expected to address the high CPU issue, as well as the special character in PSK issue as well as support for the Outdoor Orbi. Check Release Notes for complete list.
We are continuing to work on the issues with Google devices that have been documented in the press (several users have provided links here).
My recommendation is that you should either use the Orbi Mobile App (if you haven't seen it recently, check it out, we've made some major improvements) or the Web UI to check for new firmware or wait until your system gets auto-upgraded.
Link to RBK50 firmware & Rel Notes: https://kb.netgear.com/000053549/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-1-2-18
Orbi Product Management
120 Replies
The original 2.1 firmware update, the one they paused just prior to Christmas was an absolute disaster for me. It bricked my satellite, and no amount of factory resets or firmware rollbacks would fix it so it would connect to the router.
2.1.2.18 has finally fixed the satellite, and both it and the router have run great since applying it. I'll not forgive Netgear for a month of issues, but I'm happy all is well again finally.
2.1.2.18 is better then the previous beta but still not fully stable.
- Wired Backhaul does not work well (main reason I got ORBI over other brands)
- Connecting Ethernet cable to Satalite will make the router reboot. The router does come back up and after 5 minutes or so the system is somewhat stable.
- The ping times to router increase significantly with wired backhaul (no idea why)
- Router will randomly stop responding to pings and then start responding again
- The router CPU usage is higher (over 30%)
- Wifi SSID will randomly disapear
- Without wired backhaul, system is stable but
- Phone will preidicaly loose wifi (suprisingly windows PC's don't)
- Can't find any logic to why or when a phone or tablet will loose wifi connection (but the one next to it may still be connected)
- Stable (no reboots) otherwise
Netgear support: Can we expect another update that addresses these issue, or should we move on?
- My RBR50 satellite has become totally unusable upgrading (automatically, not through choice) to the new firmware.
I had a somewhat stable setup in the 2.0.0.74 firmware. “Only” having to reboot 1-2 times a week. Now the satellite is requiring hourly reboots so I’ve had to switch it off.
This system is terrible!
No Google hardware on the LAN/WAN.
Very disappointed and am sharing my displeasure with friends & acquaintances.
Please fix this ASAP!!
- Wired Backhaul does not work well (main reason I got ORBI over other brands)
My update to rbr50 became stable after I turned off the daisy chain - don't know it go to default on with this new option when I have only one rbs. I was having reboot issues after the update until I unchecked the daisy chain box
Thanks OrbiJ. Carefully optimistic that this (deactivating daisy chaning) helped me too. Since the update I had multiple RBR reboots every day, disconnecting my devices. Since unchecking the daisy chain option it has not rebooted.
(RBR50 with two RBS50, all on 2.1.2.18)
Manually upgraded from Beta 2.1.2.10 which has been quite stable. CPU had dropped from 36% to 11.7%. Thruput through concrete floor to satellite to PC giving 98mb/s through 100mb/s fibre connection, 21 devices connected.
This release is looking good!, will check over the next few days for stability (2.1.2.10 was good already), but you guys seems to have the issue in hand at last, and are restoring my faith in my Orbi which, bar the Devember release fiasco, has been an awesome product.
Keep up the good work, this is ging in the right direction! Hope to switch firmware updtes back to auto in the coming weeks....
Weird. Have been running 2.1.2.18 for over a week and now suddenly show in attached devices that satellite-2 is wired to satellite-1 but they are definitely wireless.
- I got the same, I got one sat that uses Ethernet back haul, the other is connected using WiFi to the first sat (daisy chain). However, the router shows both connected using Ethernet. But when I log on to the sat it shows WiFi back haul.
I think this is just a gui error, nothing to worry about.
Extremely unreliable update, reboots required often then won’t connect all satelites, hard wired or not. WiFi speed is very inconsistent. Seriously regretting investing in all this hardware. Won’t make the same mistake again.
When can we expect a new code drop?
I would say I've had no problems at all, except for one little glitch that just sprung up... and when I look at possible changes to devices or computer, can only be explained away by one change... the Orbi firmware upgrade.
I have no Android devices (other than a Note8 and some tablets... all on Android 7). But do have a bunch of Sonos and Echo Dots.
Other than that usual fare...
The challenge has been the Fuji Scansnap ix500 I have. I had it connected wirelessly and it was working great over last few years. Suddenly, it refuses to scan. It's connected wirelessly, all diagnostics point to good connection as reported in it's own device manager app as well as Windows 10. But it will no longer send a scan wirelessly. Works perfect with a USB connection still.
It's odd and not a deal breaker for me, but the only thing that has changed was the Orbi firmware update. Since literally everything else is working great and I've had no other stability issues, I won't be downgrading the firmware for testing. Rather will see if things change again at a future upgrade.Seems that I am an outlier have significantly more issues with 2.1.2.18 than previous FW versions. Really just started noticing any drops at all within the last couple weeks.
At first it wasn't noticeable but now my devices drop at least 1X per day and I get a 404 error along with an odd authentication request when trying to access a webpage once the drop occurs.
This was a fantasic product for at least 6 months. Literally don't recall any drops up until this month. Was basically a set it and forget it router. Now it is borderline trash. Hope disney circle was worth it.
In spite of disabling auto-updates as per the published telnet method, I have been updated against my will from a previous beta that was working perfectly to V2.1.2.18 which is causing frequent drop outs on my daisy chained satellites. I can't use a star topology, the distance is too far. I can only imagine the damage this must be doing to Netgear's reputation, I certainly won't ever buy another Netgear product.
Having just rebooted my router and two satellites, I now have a "poor" backhaul status on the first satellite and an "unknown" connection type on the second. With the previous firmware I had "good" and "5G" on both.
Hello
Since the update to latest FW, my speed has dropped dramatically.
Something weird is happening, one of the satellites (the one downstairs) says "Connection type: wired" instead of 5G like the other, that is not possible...I use star topology (daisy chain off) via wifi (the router is in mid level and satellites-2 units-are based downstairs and upstairs). I also notice that the IP of that satellite is changing quite a lot.
Any help?
I tried to factory reset the problematic satellite but notings works...
Thanks
Hello pablofuente
Did you make sure that the satellite is on the exact same firmware version as the main router? also have you tried to enable beamforming and MUMIMO
DarrenM
- I did check firmware, yes exact same version. Both features (beam forming and Mimo) are enabled.
What else should I try??
It would help a lot if Orbi dated their firmware releases. Thanks.
- It would help a lot if they tested them 😀
- Regarding dating the fw. I agree, but you can just look at the release notes, that's what I ended up doing
- I don’t see the date of release unless it us on another page
https://kb.netgear.com/000053549/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-1-2-18
Hardware Version RBR50 Firmware Version V2.1.2.18 Backhaul - Wired Operation Mode AP Devices connected 20+ (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, Linux, Smart Wifi Plugs, etc.)
Upgraded 1 week ago.Router and Sat have been stable with no disconnects. However, today after a restart I noticed that the Sat was flickering between blue (stable) and orange/ red (poor connectivity) with backhaul showing 2.4 GHz - AND not wired as it actually is. Restarted just the Sat. Seems to be stable.
Question is why should a wireless backhaul be indicated at all when there is wire running between the two Orbis?
