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Forum Discussion
Orbi RBR20 and 2.4GHz devices
I have a new Shark robot vacuum that requires access to the 2.4 band. I followed the steps outlined by FURRYe38 in the response when I initially set it up. Unfortunately, it's no longer connected, s...
Tandemist wrote:
I was referring ONLY to instructions I have seen regarding selecting only one of the broadcast bands. That does not seem to be possible on the RBR20.
Page 82 of the RBR20 user manual shows how to disable broadcasting the SSID of the 2.4G or 5G channel. A common suggestion for dealing with troublesome IoT setups is to temporarily disable the 5G SSID broadcast, "forget" the Orbi WiFi, then reconnect - which will be to the 2.4G channel.
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf
I have no idea why Netgear seems to have removed this ability from the AX product line,, but it does remain available on the original AC Orbi products.
Stopping the broadcast of the SSID does not effect connecting to it.
Besides the orbi does not allow separate SSIDs for each band
Besides the orbi does not allow separate SSIDs for each band
Tandemist wrote:
Stopping the broadcast of the SSID does not affect connecting to it.Yes, it does affect connection. It does not prevent connection.
If the WiFi system is not broadcasting an SSID at 5G, then consumer devices will detect only the 2.4G access point and present it on the list of available WiFi systems. Most devices allow the user to manually specify the SSID that they wish to connect with, and the Orbi will happily accept the manual connection.
This is one of the complaints people have with the new AX products. Whereas the original Orbi (and almost every previous WiFi router) allowed the SSID broadcast to be turned off, the new AX products have dropped that capability. There is an interesting argument between the people who claim not broadcasting the SSID is more secure, and those who claim it is worthless. (An internet search for "is not broadcasting ssid secure" turns up articles on both sides.)
More trivia: whereas Netgear has held firm to their policy that Orbi systems broadcast only one SSID on both 2.4G and 5G channels, the new WiFi6E system allows the 6G WiFi to have a different SSID. WTF? Seems goofy to me. My guess is that they believe consumer devices may be too stupid to select a 6G WiFi signal when presented with a choice of 2.4G, 5G, or 6G.