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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.
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".
Sadly factory reset is often asked for in other forums as well (I came from ASUS router where that was usually the first canned answer to any issue reported).
HOWEVER, most vendors (actually probably all other vendors) definitely do not force the updates on users in a way where it is not possible to disable them. It is stunning NG forces this on users - makes you wander whether technology experts or sales team are in charge of NG support. :smileymad:
NG Orbi only seem to be the one that forces updates on there product. I have other NG R and XR series routers and they allow me to disable it.
