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Forum Discussion
Disable 5GHz
Hi, I an Orbi Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System 3 Gbps model # RBR50V2. One band is 2.4 GHz and the other two bands are 5GHz. I can’t set-up a Netatmo Smart Video Doorbell with my iPhone. The doorbell is ...
Its due to the fact that this IoT mfrs don't allow there sofware to work on phones that are dual band. There stuck on 2.4Ghz only on there code and mfrs don't take into consideration that 2.4 and 5Ghz are on the same network. If the Mfrs of the software allowed for both bands to be used, this would not be an issue.
We both know that there aren't any serious ones:
- Making the 5 GHz invisible [hide], forget and reconfig the wireless on the mobile, quickly try to IoJ config paired with hope & pray the mobile device does not quickly roam to the hidden SSID,
- wrapping the router in tin foil (a little bit difficult on a Mesh system),
- simply make distance form the Mesh location to hope the mobile device can see the Mesh only on 2.4 GHz (not that easy if you have an AC connected IoJ where you might have to press a button, too; or
- the engineer's solution temporally connect a crappy old router with the 2.4 GHz configured to the same SSID, security key/passphrase, and security setting instead of the Mesh system (yes, this is the only one which isn't a hack), and
- last but not least try to convince Netgear for adding this ill-fated split garbage (which Netgear prayed to be the standard for almost two decades - disallowing the same SSID for much to long...).
If the consumers don't complain the it IoJ makers NOW, this "disable 5 GHz", "split SSID", "connect mobile on the 2.4 GHz"... nonsene will continue for years.
Well, another consumer marketing disinformation. Providing a single SSID to connect to a single network using two or more WiFi radios isn't Mesh - it's 802.11k, 802.11v, and sometimes 802.11r where seamless roaming is available what the industry does designate as Mesh system, regardless if it's a single box (like a WiFi router or ISP provided WiFi CPE), or when the marketing message is a little bit louder if there are two or more boxes involved. Every middle-class to top-of-the-line consumer router and CPE does implement this for a longer time. Only very basic routers or AP don't allow this config.
Said that - even the (few) WiFi systems listed on the Wikipedia Mesh Networking page are technically not Mesh systems. Most WiFi "Mesh" are hub-and-spoke (if a wireless backhaul is in place). The most popular example which is really a Mesh is ZigBee as used for smart bulbs/lights..
This must be enough excursion into this off-topic subject.
This thread (among many) points to a problem that has, and continues, to cause me unnecessary hassle and frustration. My experience mirrors others here w.r.t. setting up 2.4GHz devices. The contortions to get this simple thing done are ridiculous! And I have several such devices, including a brand new La Crosse alarm clock that gets current weather over wifi.
The fact is we're stuck with 2.4GHz devices. NG must give us the tools we need to easily deal with them. I was in IT for 25+ years and developed software for Fortune 50 companies. Logically, I know there is a reason for NG's decision to remove functionality, like the ability to disable 5GHz. Pessimistically, the only one that comes to mind is bad -- frustrate us into spending $500 on the new MK83 (make sure you can disable 5GHz before you buy!). That's a terrible(!) strategy and it will force me, a NG customer for decades, to look elsewhere for my next router.
Apologies for the rant, I don't usually go there. Hope someone from NG monitors their own forum (but I doubt it).
IDK, but right now I'm stuck. Looking at going back to older firmware, maybe 2.6 or 2.5. Recommendations?
Try v16 from NGs download page under Previous.
cbell4444 wrote:And I have several such devices, including a brand new La Crosse alarm clock that gets current weather over wifi.
The fact is we're stuck with 2.4GHz devices. NG must give us the tools we need to easily deal with them.Afraid, you are wrong. There is nothing on the Netgear Mesh systems - neither any Orbi nor the NIghthawk Mesh that stops you from connecting and operating 2.4 GHz only devices.
cbell4444 wrote:I was in IT for 25+ years and developed software for Fortune 50 companies. Logically, I know there is a reason for NG's decision to remove functionality, like the ability to disable 5GHz.
There is no reason for this feature, and I'll explain you in a simple practical example:
The discovery App does check if the current connection is using a 2.4 GHz connection so it can read the SSID (wireless name), the security key, and the security protocol for what they assume is valid only for the 2.4 GHz band. Then they punch it on a card (ok, I'm a little bit longer in this IT business than you my friend). Now the App does disconnect the wireless, and search for a hidden SSID operated by your La Crosse alarm clock or weather station or power switch or whatever other IoJ, and does associate your mobile with that IoJ unit, just to push the information temporary stored on the card and write it to the IoJ config, and trigger a reconnection to the new configured wireless network. The IoJ will find the Mesh system 2.4 GHz and associate. Everybody happy!
At no point, the mobile must be connected to a specific band only! There is no practical reason for this on a Mesh system where all bands 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and soon 6 GHz make use of the same SSID, wireless security, and key.
Similar, you could complain not only to Netgear, but also to Apple or the maker of your Android device: They have no control to select the band you connect to! Because there is no, absolutley NO practiical effective reason for it.
There is only one correct answer: Complain to the maker of this IoJ discovery App to remove the if-not-connected-to-2.4GHz-error-and-stop nonsense from their crApps. Give them zero or one * on the App - and let them know why!
It can't be easier. And wireless MUST be easy and working straight forward.
