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Best way to add 2.4 gHz ONLY devices to Orbi mesh network?
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such g...
What FW is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
Is the Orbi system operating in Router or AP mode?
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Firmware-2-2-1-210-and-connection-problems-Skybell/m-p/1649275/highlight/true#M43001
Advanced Wireless Settings both 2.4GHz and 5GHz changed CTS/RTS Threshold to 2307.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR40-RBS40-V2-1-4-16-mesh-network-drops-connection-to/m-p/1601598/highlight/true#M35230
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Have-to-keep-rebooting-my-RBR50/m-p/1658603/highlight/false#M44420
Change the CTR/RTS threshold values for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (2341 and 2345 respectively), changed preamble modes to long preamble, and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only.
robsquatch wrote:
I have many different devices on my network that can connect only to 2.4gHz. Obviously, with a mesh network, the broadcast frequency is automatically chosen in the background. Because I have such good coverage everywhere in my house now, it is impossible to force these devices on to the slower frequency. This is the case with my security cameras, wireless thermometers, etc. The only solution I seem to find is one that involves changing command lines which seems ridiculous to me. Is there a quick and easy way to turn off 5gHz temporarily to program new devices? I have also tried turning down the 5gHz power as well, with no progress.
All these answers are great and show an in-depth understanding of networking, but for most of us, that's not why we bought these. We want plug and play.
I have a device - a pool controller from Zodiac, iAqualink, that won't stay connected to my Orbi system because the Zodiac device logs on and off and thus loses it's IP address, then can't reconnect. The only way to do that, according to Zodiac, is to set up a guest network at 2.4 Ghz. I believe the OP is asking that. I don't see a way to do that, nor have I found it here. According to Zodiac, it IS possible and works for their device, which they admit is at fault. But I can't change that and only need to accomodate by setting up a specified 2.4 Mhz guest network.
So, how do I do that, please?
What model Orbi do you have?
Have you logged into the Orbi web page to look for Guest Network? I believe there is a menu item for Guest Network.
I would also set a IP address reservation for any of your devices ON the router so that they get an IP address and it doesn't change.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What WPA security modes are you using?
Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
landguitar wrote:
All these answers are great and show an in-depth understanding of networking, but for most of us, that's not why we bought these. We want plug and play.
I have a device - a pool controller from Zodiac, iAqualink, that won't stay connected to my Orbi system because the Zodiac device logs on and off and thus loses it's IP address, then can't reconnect. The only way to do that, according to Zodiac, is to set up a guest network at 2.4 Ghz. I believe the OP is asking that. I don't see a way to do that, nor have I found it here. According to Zodiac, it IS possible and works for their device, which they admit is at fault. But I can't change that and only need to accomodate by setting up a specified 2.4 Mhz guest network.
So, how do I do that, please?
I agree 100% with landguitar. What we want is for these things to "just work." Alas, there is ample evidence that people are frequently disappointed and frustrated. I persue this discussion because it appears to me that in their frustration, people seize on "solutions" that do not address the problem and spend a lot of time and energy in fruitless efforts. I hope that we can together come up with a methodolgy to understand and address these problems.
In the specific case of the pool controller that "loses its IP address", Furrey38 is entirely correct. Log into the Orbi, select Advanced->Setup->LAN Setup and create an IP that will be assigned to the controller every time it connects. I do that with nearly all of my "permanent" devices. This is tons easier than trying to force Orbi to do something it is designed not to do.
It is also possible that the Pool device is not performing as expected for some other reason. Help Desks are notorious for giving out false or misleading information when they don't actually have an answer. These folks may be "pool experts", but not necessarily "network experts." If the Zodiak knows the SSID and password for your Orbi network, it should connect every time. Maybe they mean that it cannot "connect" to their server farm if it changes IP's, but that's also difficult to swallow. I'd give it a set IP address in the Orbi, but not be surprised if that doesn't solve things.
