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Forum Discussion
RBR50 unable to handle gigabit connection?
Hi there, I recently purchased the RBK50 to improve the WiFi range in my house and have configured the RBR50 as a router rather than an AP but it seems to be having trouble handling my gigabit connect...
I ran into this old post thanks to a Google search. I just need a clear and definitive answer.
Can this RBR50 handle the Comcast Gig Speed I'm paying for?
I am tired of chasing this problem down. I don't think it is fair to continually blame Comcast for not getting my money's worth if it turns out that the wifi mesh system doesn't have the throughput to handle the gig speed
My speed tests barely crack 450Mbps down. I am running firm ware version 2.3.5.30.
I have the Comcast xFi router going into the Orbi using a Cat6. And I only have one satellite.
Every speed test I have ever done, fast.com, Comcast, or the one built into the ios app to manage the Orbi has ever gotten close to the 900 down I should be getting.
I've junked the Google Wifi for this because I went up to the Gig ethernet. I'm happy to junk this one too if it just cant do the job. I just need someone to step up and be honest. I've read the spec sheets and I frankly can't understand statements like this:
Implicit/Explicit Beamforming for 2.4 & 5GHz bands (1733 + 866 + 400Mbps)†
Ok. So running a 5GHz band for most my devices...what does this mean? Take the 400Mbps and be happy?
Can anyone here actually help clarify what is going on here before I make an ass out of myself with Comcast tomorrow?
P
Wired yes, wireless no. Due to design of wifi client hardware and support, most 5Ghz AC class devices max out at around 400-500Mpbs on 5Ghz AC. The 1733 is a connection rate between the RBR and RBS only. This is the wireless back haul of the Orbi system. 866Mbs is a connection rate between the Orbi system radios and any wifi client device. So if you have any 5Ghz supporting wifi devices that can connect up to this speed, this is just a rate between the device and Orbi system. This is not actual thruput speed which differs from bandwdith speed.
400Mpbs is the max connection rate between a 2.4Ghz wifi device and the Orbi system. Again, connection rate only.
https://kb.netgear.com/19668/Link-Rate-and-Transfer-Speed
If our ISP modem has a built in router, This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Wired:
Ok folks, thanks for the straight dope and for doing that within MINUTES of my post.
I want to address a few things that were brought up...and while I am rusty in terms of my network ops I did remember to set the Comcast to bridge mode so that I didnt double nat. I also made sure to turn off the wifi radios on the Comcast X1 so the home network is as clean as can be.
As for the Mbps versus mbps notation...I really hate that vendors let the marketing folks trick consumers into that. I know its still being transparent and its just math and all that...but man alive...Muggles are going to have a tough time figuring that ish out let alone old dudes like me that have forgotten most of this stuff.
It seems I need to trick Santa into buying a new Wifi Mesh system to get my wifi throughput as close to the cap as possible. And yea, I know that I am not going to hit the 1GB over wifi. I just got tired of looking at 400 down tonight and figured I would kill some time goofing around with the network.
Can anyone confirm if this model RBK753S-100NAS (which is sold at Costco for $500!) would increase my throughput on the wifi and maybe get me closer to the 800 or 900 down I am looking for around the house?
Thanks
P
IF you have AX supporting wifi devices, then you may see closer to 900Mpbs.
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/bd-p/en-home-orbi-ax