Hi,How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?I am currently on V2.1.4.16_1.1.31 and would like to upgrade to latest version. i don't want to break my router using a wrong version.Thanks,

zahi_k wrote:Hi,How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?I am currently on V2.1.4.16_1.1.31 and would like to upgrade to latest version. i don't want to break my router using a wrong version.Version 1 has one USB port in the back. Version 2 does not have any USB ports.There is no difference in firmware between the two. (The firmware files are identical.)The latest version officially listed on the Netgear support site is 2.5.1.16.https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBR50.aspx#download Please be aware that people on this forum have strong opinions as to which firmware version is "best".2.4.5.0 from summer 2019 has a vocal following of users who found more recent firmware had "problems".I, myself, and many others are using 2.5.1.16 with no ill effect. ALSO: in order to install more recent firmware, there is an "interim version" that MUST be installed first:https://kb.netgear.com/000060612/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-2-1-212

CrimpOn wrote:zahi_k wrote:How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?Version 1 has one USB port in the back. Version 2 does not have any USB ports.One would expect that the Model designator on the label would clearly state RBR50 and RBS50 (for v1) resp. RBR50v2 and RBS50v2. On the packaging (not sure they print it on the label as for the business products) RBK50-100xxx or RBS50-100xxx resp. RBK50-200xxx RBS50-200xxx.

That would be the reason why you can't install stock FW on your telco branded Orbi. You can review this and see if this can get your Orbi to NG stock FW:https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Upgrading-ISP-branded-Verizon-Orbi-RBR50-and-Orbi-RBS50-to-new/m-p/1978380/highlight/true#M103180zahi_k wrote:Hello,Thank youI ended up opening a ticket and spending like 3 hours online with Support team.and here is the result/answer from Netgear Support.- my product is being sold by a Telco Provider. hence, it have a custom OLD firmware with a security lock that is preventing the upgrade unless it is signed by my Telco.- Netgear won't be able to support.- I called my Telco and they said that they cannot do anything as new F/w not tested by their specialist. I tried to explain that i don't want to use the orbi anymore on their system and i would like to use for private network with no luck. I was really dissapointed from Netgear as even i bough the device and paid the amount fully to my Telco, they cannot help to upgrade a device which i own, manufactured by Netgear and even the OS is Netgear. since i am not located in the states, and the devcie was bought abroad, they cannot even replace it, even it still have active warranty. Now i am not sure if there is an alternate way or backdoor to drop the latest f/w. ANyway, thanks loads for your support and appreciate if you can and give any hint to overcome this issue. Thank you

zahi_k wrote:- my product is being sold by a Telco Provider. hence, it have a custom OLD firmware with a security lock that is preventing the upgrade unless it is signed by my Telco.That's very common with any kind of branded devices - mobile phones (you can't use other SIM cards), mobile data routers (you can't use other SIM cards), ... zahi_k wrote:- Netgear won't be able to support.Support is typically delegated to the Telco provider. zahi_k wrote:- I called my Telco and they said that they cannot do anything as new F/w not tested by their specialist. I tried to explain that i don't want to use the orbi anymore on their system and i would like to use for private network with no luck.Typical reason is that Telco's are using such branded products to bind the customer to a contract for a certain time. If the contract duration is over, the resrictions should be removed. zahi_k wrote:I was really dissapointed from Netgear as even i bough the device and paid the amount fully to my Telco, they cannot help to upgrade a device which i own, manufactured by Netgear and even the OS is Netgear.That's the same with many more devices: Cable modems, DSL routers, mobile hotsports, mobile phones, tablets, ... This definitviely not Netgear's fault. They sell branded devices to the Telcos under strict contracts. Even if another Telco does use the same devices or CPEs, they can't implement another Telco's devices. zahi_k wrote:Anyway, thanks loads for your support and appreciate if you can and give any hint to overcome this issue.Appears there are ways to flash the original firmware - so a rather easy process compared to other branded devices.

HI,I tried the method of using the intermediate software but the Orbi says the f/w is incorrect. (attached).as for the version 2.4.5.0, i could not find on the website:

RBR50 vs RBR50 v2 | NETGEAR Communities

20 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru - Experienced User
Aug 29, 2020
zahi_k wrote:
Hi,
How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?
I am currently on V2.1.4.16_1.1.31 and would like to upgrade to latest version.
i don't want to break my router using a wrong version.
Version 1 has one USB port in the back. Version 2 does not have any USB ports.
There is no difference in firmware between the two. (The firmware files are identical.)
The latest version officially listed on the Netgear support site is 2.5.1.16.
https://www.netgear.com/support/product/RBR50.aspx#download
Please be aware that people on this forum have strong opinions as to which firmware version is "best".
2.4.5.0 from summer 2019 has a vocal following of users who found more recent firmware had "problems".
I, myself, and many others are using 2.5.1.16 with no ill effect.

ALSO: in order to install more recent firmware, there is an "interim version" that MUST be installed first:
https://kb.netgear.com/000060612/RBR50-RBS50-Firmware-Version-2-2-1-212
- zahi_k
  Aspirant
  Sep 08, 2020
  HI,
  I tried the method of using the intermediate software but the Orbi says the f/w is incorrect. (attached).
  as for the version 2.4.5.0, i could not find on the website:
- schumaku
  Guru - Experienced User
  Sep 18, 2020
  CrimpOn wrote:
  zahi_k wrote:
  How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?
  Version 1 has one USB port in the back. Version 2 does not have any USB ports.
  One would expect that the Model designator on the label would clearly state RBR50 and RBS50 (for v1) resp. RBR50v2 and RBS50v2. On the packaging (not sure they print it on the label as for the business products) RBK50-100xxx or RBS50-100xxx resp. RBK50-200xxx RBS50-200xxx.
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 09, 2020
I would apply v212 then v2.5.1.16 to the RBR. You should be able to directy update to v16 on the RBS with out the v212. Update the RBS first.
zahi_k wrote:
Hi,
How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?
I am currently on V2.1.4.16_1.1.31 and would like to upgrade to latest version.
i don't want to break my router using a wrong version.
Thanks,
- zahi_k
  Aspirant
  Sep 10, 2020
  FURRYe38 CrimpOn
  I tried to load V 212 with no luck.
  the RBR is saying the firmware file is incorrect.
  https://ibb.co/1GvPrxQ
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 10, 2020
    Try v210
FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 23, 2020
Any progress on this?
zahi_k wrote:
Hi,
How do i know if my ORBI RBR50 is V2?
I am currently on V2.1.4.16_1.1.31 and would like to upgrade to latest version.
i don't want to break my router using a wrong version.
Thanks,
- zahi_k
  Aspirant
  Sep 24, 2020
  Hi,
  none of the TFTP solutions worked....
  i followed every step.
  when i reset the device, all manuals say i will end up with some flashing LED, that start with stable orange and ends with flashing red... for my case, whenever i remove the reset pin, it flash 3 times and then turn green...
- zahi_k
  Aspirant
  Sep 24, 2020
  FURRYe38
  BTW, i was following other threads... can i do anything over telnet? i have managed to go through the debug.htm page and enabled telnet....
  - FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Sep 25, 2020
    Not to my knowledge...Shame the TFTP won't work. :smileyfrustrated:

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RBR50 vs RBR50 v2