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Netgear ORBI RBR50 Guest network
I'm trying to move all my smart plugs to the GUEST network to isolate traffic. All the smart plugs will only operate on a 2.4GHz wi-fi connection, and the main network had both 2.4 and 5 GHz. I don...
Posting this information here in the event others come searching for a solution to the same problem.
The issue I had was that I reset the pw on my wifi router and needed to re-sync all the Gosund smart plugs to it since they could not longer connect to my wifi with the old pw with which they were originally sync'd.
The Gosund smart plugs can be sync'd/paired via a wifi signal that is broadcast from the plug itself. Instead of putting the plug in a "quick blink" mode (where it is searching for your wifi), you long-press the button again to put it in a "slow blink" mode. Once in slow-blink mode, you will see a new network listed in your wifi connection list called "SmartLifexxxx" which you can select, connect to, and pair the device using an alternate setup procedure.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Gosund app
- Go into each device, click the edit/setup pencil icon in the top-right of the screen
- At the bottom, select "Remove Device", and then select the option to "wipe data". Repeat this process for all plugs that need to be reset
- Back at the main screen, press the "+" button to add a new device
- Select the socket/plug option
- Enter your wifi name and pw
- On the "Reset your device" screen, press "EZ Mode" in the top right, which will display a quick-pick menu
- Select "AP Mode" from the menu
- Plug the device in and confirm it is in 'slow blink' mode and, if not, long-press the button until you get a slow blink
- Select "Go to Connect" to bring you to your phone's wifi setting to select the "SmartLifexxxx" wifi connection
- Return to the app to complete the device connection
This process worked successfully on all eight of my Gosund plugs. I've attached the screenshots sent to me by Gosund when troubleshooting the issue with them.
Hope this helps the next person that runs into this!
Orbi's broadcast the WiFi SSID on both 2.4G and 5G channels, just like the primary WiFi SSID. There is no option to disable either or the Guest channels. Either Guest is "on" or it is "off".
Did these devices connect successfully to the Orbi's primary WiFi SSID?
I have 3 models of smart wi-fi switches and a 4th smart wi-fi bulb that were all on the Primary Wi-Fi SSID. For over an hour I attempted to put these devices on the GUEST wi-fi without any sucess. Decided to try to add a device to the Guest-2G wi-fi of my network provider Router (has a separate 2G and 4G, but only the 2G is activated). It took a couple of attempts to get each device moved over, but now have all 6 devices moved to this Router. At the end of the month I wanted to disable the wi-fi on the provided router to save myself $5 a month. To do this, I need to move all the devices to the GUEST on the Netgear router
Firmware = V2.7.3.22
I understand. I would want rid of the ISP router as well.
There is no logical reason for a device which successfully connected to the primary WiFi not to connect to the Guest WiFi.
There have been numerous posts from users wanting to move their Internet of Things (IoT) devices from the primary to the guest WiFi network. My impression is that people believe either (a) the IoT devices are a security threat, or (b) the IoT devices take up bandwidth that should be used by "important" activities. (Would love to learn of other reasons.) My own impression is that IoT devices present much less of a security threat than desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. IoT's do not visit web sites, open email, etc. etc. They consume practically no bandwidth and whatever bandwidth they use is the same no matter which WiFi network they are on.
(That's irrelevant. You want to move them. They should move.)
Would you mind sharing the brand/model of smart plugs and bulbs? I have a box full of smart plugs and bulbs and the same RBR50 router. If I have anything that matches, I'll be happy to pull one out and connect it to my Guest WiFi.
My son specialises in Cypber Security with the Air Force and suggested that should any 3rd party device be compromised they could become a "security issue" for a network. So while this may be unlikely, it is possible and we have heard stories about so many companies having this exact issue.
So the 3 plugs I have are 1. Gosund 2.Avatar and 3. ETEKCITY
The wi-fi bulb has a label > MERKURY
I used the ANDROID apps for these companies on both my Samsung Phone and Tablet and none would connect to the ORBI RBR50 Guest network
(update: The phone and the Tablet connect to the GUEST fine, but times out when trying to add the devices)
Well, fooey. I have none of these in my "box of stuff". Nor do the Gosund or Etekcity appear to be selling on Amazon.
I remain puzzled how a device could be connected to the primary Orbi WiFi network but not to the Guest network. The process seems pretty straightforward:
- Open the app and delete the device from the smartphone app.
- Connect the smart phone to the Guest WiFi network.
- Plug in the device and do whatever it takes to reset the device. (usually hold the on/off button until the LED flashes some pattern)
- Open the app and Add a device.
- Follow the same process as with the primary network, except entering the SSID/password for the guest network.
- After the device has been added, see if it responds to app commands (turn on/off)
- Disconnect from the guest network and reconnect to the primary network.
- Repeat the on/off test
So this process that worked with the primary WiFi network fails with the Guest network? Did theses devices require any 'tricks' to get connected to the primary network?