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Forum Discussion
kaizenn
Mar 11, 2021Aspirant
Netgear Orbi RBR50 Router+Satellite - Need To Disable Satellite WiFi
NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) (main router + 1 satellite) Firmware on both: V2.7.2.104 My main router is plugged in to cable modem, and the satelli...
CrimpOn
Mar 12, 2021Guru - Experienced User
kaizenn wrote:The reason: certain devices like Chromecasts and Roku constantly try to switch back and forth between the main router and the satellite, dropping whatever media they are streaming. Laptops and phones and whatever else don't care at all, but media devices do.
Are these streaming devices located physically closer to one Orbi than the other?
Ordinarily, I am not a proponent of reducing WiFi transmit power (on the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings).
Reducing power might make it more likely that streaming devices will "stick".
Another (ugly) solution is to install an inexpensive WiFi Extender, such as the Netgear EX3700. Connect it to the Orbi WiFi at 5G and broadcast a unique (different) WiFi SSID on 2.4G. If the streamers can get a good connection, there should be ample bandwidth and they have nowhere else to roam.
I have some Orbi mods that have to be installed every time the Orbi router is rebooted (which can be months). I have the commands in a text file and use Notepad++ (Windows, free) which is able to create both Windows and Linux style text. I open the file, highlight all the commands, copy, telnet into the Orbi and "right click". Done. Takes longer to describe than to do.
- kaizennMar 12, 2021Aspirant
I actually just made a text file for copy/paste also (tried to automate it all but can't figure out a way past the telnet authentication). Great idea, thanks. Better than nothing, although I still think it should be a simple tic box.
My satellite is only about 30' from the main router, and almost all devices are equidistant. Horrible network design by me, I know. As soon as I figure out how to route some cable through my house, I'll fix it all. But that isn’t anytime soon.
I’ll try that extender idea. I don’t like it at all, but it’s a great idea, and I know it will work. At least for the trouble devices. I have one sitting in storage, so why not. =/You mentioned adjusting transmit power- is that something you can do per device? Because that would totally work if it's possible. Or you mean maybe try to decrease 2.4 power overall, and see if that helps?
In case anybody is interested in recommending a different settings combo, here is what I currently have set:
Weird. I can't get the photo to post. Oh well, here is the text:
2.4GHz
Enable 20/40 MHz Coexistence - OFF
Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings - ON
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347) – 2341
Preamble Mode – Long
Transmit Power – 100%
5GHz
Enable WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia) settings - ON
CTS/RTS Threshold (1-2347) – 2345
Preamble Mode – Long
Transmit Power – 100%
Enable Daisy-Chain Topology – Off (only 1 satellite)
Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING - Boosts WiFi speed, reliability, & range for all mobile devices – ON
Enable MU-MIMO - OFF
Enable Fast Roaming - OFF
- CrimpOnMar 12, 2021Guru - Experienced User
kaizenn wrote:You mentioned adjusting transmit power- is that something you can do per device? Because that would totally work if it's possible. Or you mean maybe try to decrease 2.4 power overall, and see if that helps?
Transmit power applies to all Orbi devices, which is the reason for asking where the problem streamers are. If they were closer to one Orbi or the other, then reducing every 2.4G signal would make the closer one relatively more attractive. (Square root law and all that.) Transmit power applies only to the user facing radios, not to the backhaul signals.
Technically, I believe it is possible to telnet into one Orbi and alter the transmit power on a single radio, which is similar to turning the radio off completely. (And also has to be done after every power cycle.)
My Orbi's stay up for months at a time, especially since I put a small UPS on each one so that minor (off/on) power hits do not affect them.