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Forum Discussion
Net56
Oct 05, 2020Aspirant
Hard-set Orbi Channel Width
Hey everyone, I want to manually restrict Orbi's 2.4 and 5 GHz broadcasts to 20 MHz wide for selected center channels.
I am aware of the default "Enable 20/40 MHz co-existance" option for the 2.4 GHz band, however, I understand this feature only allows automatic downshifting from 40 MHz to 20 MHz (if it senses another signal operating near it's broadcast frequency). I am unaware of any method to restrict the 2.4 GHz broadcast's channel width to 20 MHz only.
Also, it appears others are saying Orbi, by default, tries to automatically select up to 80 MHz channel width on the 5 GHz front and back haul bands (5.2 and 5.8 GHz, respectfully), depending on what it senses during its scans. Supposedly this is to allow maximum throughput to end-users.
Does anyone know if the Orbi firmware supports hard-setting specific channel widths (say, via CLI?). Last I checked, the GUI interface on the latest firmware versions don't allow this on AX models, RBR50's,40's, 20's, etc.
If anyone can provide a definitive answer, I'd be grateful.
Best,
Isaac
Side note: I work for a WISP, so this is an important factor in keeping my company's wireless backbone free from RF interference up to the demarcation point.
The answer is no. However, depending on what PC, Laptop, etc you have, you can force what frequency you want to connect at. My Dell laptop allows me to force connect either 20Mhz or 40Mhz on 2.4Ghz and 80Mhz only on 5Ghz.
9 Replies
- CrimpOnGuru - Experienced User
Net56 wrote:Also, it appears others are saying Orbi, by default, tries to automatically select up to 80 MHz channel width on the 5 GHz front and back haul bands (5.2 and 5.8 GHz, respectfully), depending on what it senses during its scans. Supposedly this is to allow maximum throughput to end-users.
I read one comment that when the user selects "36" from the 5G channel selection, that means (literally) 36 and nothing else. When they select a higher frequency, that means everything from 36 up to here. So, selecting 48 would be the only way to get a full 80mb channel.
There may be a method using telnet to specify the 5G backhaul frequency in the same way.
A little puzzled that frequencies in the "unlicensed" consumer band would interfere with a WISP backbone, which one would think would be in licensed frequencies and use very narrow band antennas. Supposing that you restrict one Orbi to a 20mb 5G channel, what about the hundreds of other residential WiFi systems in the path?
- Net56Aspirant
"I read one comment that when the user selects "36" from the 5G channel selection, that means (literally) 36 and nothing else. When they select a higher frequency, that means everything from 36 up to here. So, selecting 48 would be the only way to get a full 80mb channel."
Thanks for your input! Can you share where you found the comment that you were referencing? I'd be interested to look into this further.
- CrimpOnGuru - Experienced User
Net56 wrote:"I read one comment that when the user selects "36" from the 5G channel selection, that means (literally) 36 and nothing else. When they select a higher frequency, that means everything from 36 up to here. So, selecting 48 would be the only way to get a full 80mb channel."
Thanks for your input! Can you share where you found the comment that you were referencing? I'd be interested to look into this further.
See message #9 in this post: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Can-I-set-5GHz-channels-to-40Mhz/m-p/1818758
This was the discussion that caught my eye:
http://www.revolutionwifi.net/revolutionwifi/2013/03/80211ac-channel-planning.html
Alas, I fear my conclusion was invalid. I just now experimented with my Orbi.
Set 5G channel to 36 and WiFi Analyzer reports "Channel 36, 5180. 5250-5170 = 80MH
Set 5G channel to 48 and WiFi Analyzer reports "Channel 48, 5240. 5250-5170 = 80MH
So I am damn confused. It appears (to me) that setting the 5G channel results in the same 80MH channel width no matter what channel it is set to.
- MstrbigMaster
The answer is no. However, depending on what PC, Laptop, etc you have, you can force what frequency you want to connect at. My Dell laptop allows me to force connect either 20Mhz or 40Mhz on 2.4Ghz and 80Mhz only on 5Ghz.
- Net56Aspirant
Interesting, and good to know. Thank you!!