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Please, Please, Please add "Force Ethernet Backhaul" to settings!!
I love my Orbi system (Router + 2 Sats) but the inability to force ethernet backhaul is such a pain.
If the power flickers, all devices reboot and will try to reconnect.
Since the router takes a bit longer to reboot, the sats will try the ethernet... timeout... switch to wireless.
Once the Router finishes booting up, it enables the ethernet and now I have multiple network loops completely clogging my network for about 30 minutes until the stars align.
I have some smart switches and if I enable loop prevention, the ethernet backhaul is never used.
There has got to be a way to avoid this....
I did another emulated power cycle. ARP storm happened again with the RBS connected via ethernet with LAN switch, seems to go about 1 minute or a bit longer this time however stopped and the system continued working fine.
I thought maybe having the web page opened on the RBRs web page was contributing to this but no, happens with the browser closed. Seems that a power outage then back on will trigger the storm however only seems to last for about a minute then stops.
17 Replies
What Orbi model do you have?
What firmware version is loaded?
What CAT# lan cable are you using? CAT6 is recommended.
Is there a lan switch in between the RBR and RBS?
What mode is the RBR in? AP or Router mode?
RBS and RBR sync fully with Ethernet connected RBS.
IF the RBS are failing to sync after a brown out then there is a problem that should be figured out. Forcing would not solve anything. Orbi RBS should reconnect via wireless as last resort or ethernet, IF, all is in good condition and configuration between the RBR and RBS.
Never have seen this on any Orbi system after a brown out.
What system do you have?
What firmware is on it?
What modem/gateway is the router connected to?
I use a wired backhaul primarily and have a managed switch. I haven't had issues on any of my systems and I've used the 40 series, 50 series, 750 series, 960 series, and the SXK30 series. No issues with them and it looping.
Ozymandias_EBON wrote:
If the power flickers, all devices reboot and will try to reconnect.
If this happens frequently, it might be worth investing in some small UPS units. All of my network devices are powered through UPS to avoid just this sort of thing. (No help when Edison cuts power for eight hours, but that is fewer than two times a year.)
I found a workaround that minimizes the network loops created by the satellites.
To reiterate, the real solution would be a setting where you can select backhaul priority.
1) Wireless Only (Default)
2) Ethernet Only
3) Ethernet First / Wireless Second
Netgear should change the method the satellites connect as the current method causes network loops.
Back to the workaround...
1) All devices powered off.
2) Power on satellites
3) Wait until ALL satellites show ethernet activity (it takes about 30-45 seconds for each)
4) Power on Router (main unit).
I had another power flicker yesterday.
Using this process I was back up completely in about 5 minutes with no loops.
And for good measure, I did pick up some UPS's for the satellites.
Ethernet backhaul works as intended. Only factors that can cause problems are bad or incorrect CAT# cableing, bad cabling plugs or jacks or bad patch panels, use of managed switches that haven't had there IGMP protocols and green ethernet features disabled. Seen some non managed off branded switches cause problems as well. Not all switches are the same.
NG GS-105/108v4 and GS308v3, D-Link DGS-105/108 and HP ProCurve 1400/1800 series switches work for Orbi systems. XS505M and GS110MX work great with the 9 series.
There would be no reason for force ethernet backhaul. And besides NG keeps the system set for automatic configuration so if something does happen on the ethernet connection, the RBS can fall back to wireless backhaul.
