NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

DCP4971's avatar
DCP4971
Luminary
Nov 26, 2021

Is Circle still running on RBR50, despite cancelling and now using SPC?

Ok, I may be getting way too far down into the weeds of things and misunderstanding how it all works, but..   Having done a debug log capture on my RBR50 (with 2 x RBS50, all running FW V2.7.3.22),...
CrimpOn's avatar
CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Nov 26, 2021

Yes, this is definitely down in the weeds. Congratulations on discovering and exploring the debug files.

I have never subscribed to any form of Parental Controls (Circle or SPC), and a debug log taken just now has the same debug_circle.zip file in the /tmp folder.  I think you are correct that Netgear constantly updates some part of the Parental Controls software, just at it constantly looks to update the device firmware.  However, I did not find anything in the /tracking/go/ folder.

 

I did notice that the log shows running the circle daemon with a "nostart" parameter.

 

My guess is that you are correct.  Some vestige of Circle remains active on the Orbi router.  I have never found any technical descriptions for how either Circle or SPC actually function, nor what the technical differences between them may be.  It could be that they have things in common and have simply left the name 'circle' in place for both products.

 

Doing a Factory Reset does indeed 'wipe' all user configuration and return the firmware to the default state of the current firmware (V2.7.3.22)  As that has been done already, I am not certain what doing it again would accomplish.

 

Would you mind sharing the reason behind stopping use of Circle?

DCP4971's avatar
DCP4971
Luminary
Nov 26, 2021

Thanks for the reply.

 

I do love a bit of weeding - did the same with Apple at one point with an intermitent issue with an iPad - they eventually accepted there was a problem as I could see a particular error occuring in the log files they kept getting me to send them that they kept saying didn't show anything - of course, they might have just wanted to shut me up!

 

It does to me look like there is some remnant of Circle that is loitering, but to what extent, I'm not sure - I'd just like to be rid of it full stop. Agreed on the futility of another reset.

 

I think I binned Circle it because it was overly complex, not very reliable and not easily managed. The Netgear SPC is better integrated with the Orbi App, seems to give more flexibility in controlling what the kids are doing.

 

I've been trying to work out why the Playstation speed tests are so poor when the PS4/PS5 is connected to Orbi, but when it's directly into the ISP router (when in router mode) it gets nigh-on the 1GB/50Mbps download/upload that I am paying for. Just can't figure out what route the traffic is taking when run through Orbi/NSPC/Circle vs standard routing through the ISP.. It just struck me that SPC or Circle could be sending traffc on a wild goose chase, so started digging in the weeds..