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Forum Discussion
RBK50 - Downloading large files slowing down entire network - QoS/SQM?
Hey all,
I've got an RBK50 system that I've been noticing will slow down my entire network when one computer is downloading a large file/game/whatever. I recently moved from cable (50/5) to fiber (250/250) and the problem has continued across the change. I know Netgear has a hidden QoS menu, but as far as I know, it doesn't work. WMM is on at the very least. Bufferbloat gives me a B test rating.
Not sure if there is any other setting I can change to fix this, other than buying a new mesh system.
9 Replies
zmon wrote:I've got an RBK50 system that I've been noticing will slow down my entire network when one computer is downloading a large file/game/whatever. I recently moved from cable (50/5) to fiber (250/250) and the problem has continued across the change. I know Netgear has a hidden QoS menu, but as far as I know, it doesn't work. WMM is on at the very least. Bufferbloat gives me a B test rating.
Not sure if there is any other setting I can change to fix this, other than buying a new mesh system.
Thanks for posting about this issue. In my four years with Orbi, I have yet to notice anything along this line. My guess is that our internet usage is too low for the problem to manifest.
There is no setting for Smart Queue Management (SQM) on the Orbi. There appear to be built-in settings for QoS (The configuration contains a bunch of lines with "QoS" in the parameter file with titles describing different ports.) There is no user ability to display or modify these settings. And there also appears to be no concept of restricting certain devices by bandwidth. My Spectrum Cable Bufferbloat rating of F pales in comparison with your B. But then, I have 220 down and 11 up.
Unless someone has published Bufferbloat reports on different WiFi routers, it seems to be a bit of a crapshoot trying to find a mesh router system that has SQM. Bufferbload claims that the Nighthawk XR1000 Gaming Router works, but the Product Data Sheet for it does not mention the specific term "SQM". https://www.netgear.com/images/datasheet/networking/wifirouter/XR1000.pdf The User Manual shows how to enable QoS settings in various ways.
So, if SQM equates to QoS settings, my guess is that reading User Manuals closely is the only way to find a product that meets your needs. It will not be any of the Orbi models.
I've also been having this issue lately, to the point where I cannot download anything larger than about 250MB, or else my remote connections to the office all die off and I have to wait for the download to finish (or not start it to begin with -- not practical!) before I can log back into my work computer. I have the RBR750, and I found through different posts on this forum that http://orbilogin.net/QOS_main.htm will allow me to "change" the QoS settings.
I put "change" in quotations, because no matter how I try to set QoS on this router, I either get "Invalid uplink bandwidth" or I get to login and try all over again. Or perhaps something different happens and I get taken to a speed test page, where all I can do is test the bandwidth, and there is no mechanism to get back to the main page with the info collected from the test.
So I have to start all over again, and get the same "error" and get the same dumb process. I am searching for a better mesh router, because clearly Netgear is not ready for prime time when it comes to providing a robust product that does the job I expect it to do.
Netgear has set up a community forum specifically for the Orbi AX (WiFi 6) products. Most of the people who watch that forum are more likely to have experience with Orbi AX and know how to work it better than those of us who follow this "general Orbi" forum. Might be more likely to find someone who has a solution if the question is posted there:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/bd-p/en-home-orbi-axThank you.
moonie-man wrote:
I've also been having this issue lately, to the point where I cannot download anything larger than about 250MB, or else my remote connections to the office all die off and I have to wait for the download to finish (or not start it to begin with -- not practical!) before I can log back into my work computer. I have the RBR750, and I found through different posts on this forum that http://orbilogin.net/QOS_main.htm will allow me to "change" the QoS settings.
I put "change" in quotations, because no matter how I try to set QoS on this router, I either get "Invalid uplink bandwidth" or I get to login and try all over again. Or perhaps something different happens and I get taken to a speed test page, where all I can do is test the bandwidth, and there is no mechanism to get back to the main page with the info collected from the test.
So I have to start all over again, and get the same "error" and get the same dumb process. I am searching for a better mesh router, because clearly Netgear is not ready for prime time when it comes to providing a robust product that does the job I expect it to do.
