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Imulji's avatar
Imulji
Guide
Mar 11, 2019

RBK23 and separating 2.4/5G

Hi there!

I've tried to seperate the 2.4/5 GHz networks as has been posted via telnet but this doesn't seem to work with the RBK23. Thought I'd post on this specific equipment to see if anyone has had this work with the RBK23.

Thanks

37 Replies

  • Strange that the same commands do not work for RBR20 routers. There must be different interface mapping in the RBR20/40 compared to the RBR50?

    Please print the following two telnet commands and let's compare it with the output below from my RBR50.

     

    root@RBR50:/# cat /tmp/netscan_if_conf

    eth1 wired 1

    ath0 2G 0

    ath01 satellite 0

    ath1 5G 0

    ath2 satellite 0

    ath02 2G-GUEST 0

    ath11 5G-GUEST 0

    eth0 wired 2

     

    root@RBR50:/# cat /tmp/wifi_topology

    NORMAL:AP:wifi0:ath0:@wifi-iface[0]:wl

    BACKHAUL:AP:wifi0:ath01:@wifi-iface[1]:wlg_ap_bh

    NORMAL:AP:wifi1:ath1:@wifi-iface[2]:wla

    GUEST:AP:wifi0:ath02:@wifi-iface[3]:wlg1

    GUEST:AP:wifi1:ath11:@wifi-iface[4]:wla1

    BACKHAUL:AP:wifi2:ath2:@wifi-iface[5]:wla_2nd_ap_bh

    root@RBR50:/#

    • Imulji's avatar
      Imulji
      Guide

      Thank you!

       

      Here we go just to show that changing the SSID sticks via Telnet:

      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config get wl_ssid
      M NETWORK
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config get wla_ssid
      M NETWORK
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config set wla_ssid="M NETWORK 5"
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config commit
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config get wla_ssid
      M NETWORK 5
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# config get wl_ssid
      M  NETWORK

      oot@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/# reboot
      root@RBR20:/#
      root@RBR20:/#

      Connection to host lost.

       

      SO based on this it has been changed.  

       

      Here we go:

      root@RBR20:/# cat /tmp/netscan_if_conf
      eth1 wired 1
      ath0 2G 0
      ath01 satellite 0
      ath2 5G 0
      ath11 satellite 0
      ath02 2G-GUEST 0
      ath21 5G-GUEST 0
      eth0 wired 2
      ath1 5G 0
      ath12 5G-GUEST 0


      root@RBR20:/# cat /tmp/wifi_topology
      NORMAL:AP:wifi0:ath0:@wifi-iface[0]:wl
      BACKHAUL:AP:wifi0:ath01:@wifi-iface[1]:wlg_ap_bh
      NORMAL:AP:wifi1:ath1:@wifi-iface[2]:wla
      BACKHAUL:AP:wifi1:ath11:@wifi-iface[3]:wla_ap_bh
      GUEST:AP:wifi0:ath02:@wifi-iface[4]:wlg1
      GUEST:AP:wifi1:ath12:@wifi-iface[5]:wla1
      NORMAL:AP:wifi2:ath2:@wifi-iface[6]:wla_2nd
      GUEST:AP:wifi2:ath21:@wifi-iface[7]:wla1_2nd

       

      I should say I HAVE NO IDEA what any of that means!

       

      THanks again ekhalil 

       

      • Imulji's avatar
        Imulji
        Guide

        I should also say, that even though i do the config set and config commit and run the config get to confirm the change in SSID name, after I reboot and run the config get, it reverts back to the original SSID.  

         

        It seems like the RBK23 somehow doesn't save the new SSID name?

  • Nope doesnt look like that helped either!

     

    I guess Netgear plugged the hole on the RBK23!  Too bad!

     

    Thanks again for your help and if any other great ideas pop up please let me know!

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User

    Do you need to really separate the SSIDs? 

    Orbi works with out separating SSIDs. 

     

    Maybe let us know what isn't working with Orbi and the default single SSID, maybe we can help. 

    • Imulji's avatar
      Imulji
      Guide

      Thanks!  One - just want to control what connects to what!

       

      The other part is that I have Ring products and want to be able to ensure that my Ring Pro is connecting to the 5GHZ network.  Also I have some smart WIFI swtiches and find that since I swapped out my network components they don't always connect - I can only assume it's because of the interlinked 2.4/5 as I left the SSID name the same.

      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru - Experienced User

        First make sure products support 5Ghz. Not all IoT do. We see many issues with 2.4Ghz only supporting IoT not being able to setup, this is NOT due to the Orbi, this is due to how the IoT Mfr and handling there setup and discovery of there setup software by not allowing a setup mobile device to be on 5Ghz while there IoT hardware is on 2.4Ghz. 2.4 and 5Ghz On any wifi MESH or router using smart connect IS on the same network. There software for some reason is stuck using the older methodology of have a router with two separate SSIDs and they have not considered how new routers with MESH, smart connect and Single SSID configurations and how they work, Mfr should be developing and designing there setup software to account for these new wifi standards and configurations. 

         

        Handling and how there products are connected is in there hands when it comes to Orbi and MESH. The device will pick what signal is best for its needs based on signal and noise. 

         

        You can play around with disabling SSID broadcasts and powering the power output on each radio to see if this will help in getting devices connected. 

        Also setting a manual channel 1, 6 or 11 helps as well. 

        Setting a static IP address ON the device itself, outside of the routers default IP address pool can help as well.

        Others mention setting up ones prior old router using same SSID and PW as the Orbi, getting the device connected there fully. Then powering OFF the old router, the device should connect to the Orbi system is a work around. 


        Imulji wrote:

        Thanks!  One - just want to control what connects to what!

         

        The other part is that I have Ring products and want to be able to ensure that my Ring Pro is connecting to the 5GHZ network.  Also I have some smart WIFI swtiches and find that since I swapped out my network components they don't always connect - I can only assume it's because of the interlinked 2.4/5 as I left the SSID name the same.


         

    • Msw70's avatar
      Msw70
      Tutor

      Sensei: Just search the internet to see the myriad different reasons this is a problem or read the other posts on this topic in these community pages. Most have to do with getting stuck in 2.4 band and problems for Macs, which don’t switch automatically back to 5ghz if they get assigned to 2.4. 

      • FURRYe38's avatar
        FURRYe38
        Guru - Experienced User

        This is not a problem with Orbi. This is an intended design of MESH and Smart Connect and having a single SSID. This all started with Smart Connect.  The single SSID works for most everyone. For those having setup issues with there devices, You can disable the either SSID from being broadcast if your having problems setting up 2.4Ghz devices with Orbi Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless.

         

        I've never has any issues with my Macs connect to 5Ghz with Orbi. Ever. Mac Book Pro 2008 and Mac Mini 2012. I've been using Smart Connect since it first appeared. If users have issues with Apple products then would need to post about it and lets troubleshoot, and or ask Apple of support and help as well. Handling of WiFi signals is done at the device, not the Orbi. 

         


        Msw70 wrote:

        Sensei: Just search the internet to see the myriad different reasons this is a problem or read the other posts on this topic in these community pages. Most have to do with getting stuck in 2.4 band and problems for Macs, which don’t switch automatically back to 5ghz if they get assigned to 2.4. 



         

  • I just cancelled my order when I learned this was not possible.