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Forum Discussion
New Orbi RBR50/RBS50 Firmware Version 2.3.1.44
Netgear is pushing out yet another a new Orbi firmware update.
Hopefully it's better than the last version v32.
Please share your experience.
Firmware Update
...
I scratched my RBR50 and RBS50 on 3/23/19 and installed the initial release configured for no updates and blocking downloads.netgear.com. The initial release ran fine for 10 days without autoupdates and without detecting any new releases.
On 4/13 installed 2.0.0.74, the first daisy chain release and then patched that up to 2.0.1.4 fixing the memory leak. This ran nicely all day but the firmware update page was now reporting a new release available. I didn't click the new version link but did notice that orbi_auto_upgrade was changed from 0 to 42689245989537. I set it back to 0 but....
On 4/14 at oh-dark-thirty i was autoupgraded to 2.3.1.44. I did not manually install it nor did I manually install the prereq - I was hoping to stay on 2.0.0.74 and then proceed cautiously.
After disabling daisy-chain it's been fast and stable, today.
Well I can confirm the telnet blocking does not work, it works for some days them bam orbi updates. I am back on .44 from the auto update again that happened let’s say 3 days ago now. The good thing is SO far .44 is going good with no reconfigure or anything so far. This just does not make sense , 44 working that is, just by orbis auto updating, and my cameras have the same good WiFi signal. Now I ran 44, 2 times before with no success and poor WiFi speeds, with orbi updating on its own. You can’t make this stuff up, oh well now let’s see if it holds up.
I have to say this forum thread has been enlightening. I have an unopened RBK50 sitting next to me, but after reading about the various issues several people have had with the most recent firmware update, I plan on returning it. It sounds like Netgear has difficulty adequately testing and debugging their updates. The main reason I will be returning the RBK50 is that having to do a factory reset and/or downgrading to previous version(s) of firmware to resolve many/most issues is NOT my idea of how I want my wireless/wired network to operate. I want stability/reliability and performance at a minimum. It doesn't sound like Netgear is able to provide those core functions consistently across firmware update(s). When I worked in the IT field as a UNIX/Linux System Manager if I had to tell my boss(es) that it is likely that we'd have to restore the operating system and applications from scratch (i.e., "factory reset with Netgear") if say any patching operation(s) had issues, I would not likely have lasted very long in the field.
binventive wrote:
I have to say this forum thread has been enlightening. I have an unopened RBK50 sitting next to me, but after reading about the various issues several people have had with the most recent firmware update, I plan on returning it. It sounds like Netgear has difficulty adequately testing and debugging their updates. The main reason I will be returning the RBK50 is that having to do a factory reset and/or downgrading to previous version(s) of firmware to resolve many/most issues is NOT my idea of how I want my wireless/wired network to operate. I want stability/reliability and performance at a minimum. It doesn't sound like Netgear is able to provide those core functions consistently across firmware update(s). When I worked in the IT field as a UNIX/Linux System Manager if I had to tell my boss(es) that it is likely that we'd have to restore the operating system and applications from scratch (i.e., "factory reset with Netgear") if say any patching operation(s) had issues, I would not likely have lasted very long in the field.
Apples and oranges I think. Routers seem to have more of a need to be factory reset based on my limited sampling. If you believe another product does a better job of it, would be good to know, but I suspect most all of them will have forums with posts in them saying to do a factory reset at the first sign of trouble.
gr8sho wrote:
If you believe another product does a better job of it, would be good to know, but I suspect most all of them will have forums with posts in them saying to do a factory reset at the first sign of trouble.Indeed. I always advocate checking rival forums, as well as review sites, before dumping one brand in favour of another.
There is one big issue with Netgear's competitors, few have an active forum that is stuffed with experienced users and supported by the company's own minders.
I keep an eye on some of those forums, and can confirm that many of the issues that appear here also turn up there. In particular, factory resets and failed updates are an industry wide "feature".
I had purchsed my RBK-53 from Costco last month. It was on firmware version 1.4.0.18, and would never find new updates. I had not disabled auto-updates. I began checking into updates, and found a recommendation to go to 2.0.0.74, then follow Netgear's release notes to update to 2.2.1.212 prior to the latest 2.3.1.32 or .44 updates.
I updated the satellites, then the router to 2.0.0.74. The administration page showed a small banner that a new firmware was available. I didn't think at the time to disconnect from the Internet, though I'd already downloaded all the necessary firmware packages. I then began the install on one satellite to 2.2.1.212. However, after the update on that first satellite completed, I was not able to reach the router or either satellite for a few minutes. When it finally came back online, the router and both satellites displayed 2.3.1.44.
So far, everything seems stable despite the router not following Netgear's own "required" step of going to 2.2.1.212 before the current version. I'll have to monitor and see what changes.
AlienMindBender wrote:
So far, everything seems stable despite the router not following Netgear's own "required" step of going to 2.2.1.212 before the current version. I'll have to monitor and see what changes.
The requirement to upgrade to version 212 first was directed at users who wanted to manually update Orbi firmware. When Netgear performs firmware upgrades themselves, we have no idea how many "steps" they went through. All we see is that a while ago the Orbi was on one firmware and now it is on a newer one. How they got there is invisible to us.
After v74 was applied to the RBS and then RBR, you can directly update the RBS to v44. Not need to load an intermediate version. v212 will be needed to go from v74 to v44 on the RBR however.
AlienMindBender wrote:
I had purchsed my RBK-53 from Costco last month. It was on firmware version 1.4.0.18, and would never find new updates. I had not disabled auto-updates. I began checking into updates, and found a recommendation to go to 2.0.0.74, then follow Netgear's release notes to update to 2.2.1.212 prior to the latest 2.3.1.32 or .44 updates.
I updated the satellites, then the router to 2.0.0.74. The administration page showed a small banner that a new firmware was available. I didn't think at the time to disconnect from the Internet, though I'd already downloaded all the necessary firmware packages. I then began the install on one satellite to 2.2.1.212. However, after the update on that first satellite completed, I was not able to reach the router or either satellite for a few minutes. When it finally came back online, the router and both satellites displayed 2.3.1.44.
So far, everything seems stable despite the router not following Netgear's own "required" step of going to 2.2.1.212 before the current version. I'll have to monitor and see what changes.
- FURRYe38 - I had been intending on manually updating, but both RBR and RBS auto updated on their own past .212. Do I need to downgrade the router back to .212, then upgrade to .44 again, or do you think it'll be okay since it was an auto update?
Finally took the plunge to .44. I had to factory reset the RBR50 and both RBW30's. However, it took several attempts of resetting one of the RBW30 to finally get it back in the fold. A couple of times it would connect to the RBR50 on 5G, but not allow devices to connect to the Internet. Right now it appears stable using only a single SSID.
Has anyone tried version 2.3.1.48. It showed up today when I logged in to Orbi.
