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Forum Discussion
desktopdoug
Jun 30, 2022Aspirant
RBS50 Connection Type 2.4Ghz
Hi, Looking for some guidance. Had an RBR50 Router and RBS50 Satellite for approximately a year working without any issue, other than needing an occasional reboot, however, in the past month or s...
CrimpOn
Jun 30, 2022Guru - Experienced User
desktopdoug wrote:
- Is there any way to force the device only to use 5Ghz for backhaul?
No. The user has only one option: install an Ethernet cable connecting the satellite to the router. For most of us, this is simply impractical because of the physical layout of the building.
desktopdoug wrote:
- Is there another way to see connection health, as it just always says 'Good'.
Yes, but it is not trivial. The steps are:
- Enable telnet on the router by downloading and running this Python script:
https://github.com/bkerler/netgear_telnet - Use a telnet program such as PuTTY or the telnet program buried in the Windows "Turn Windows Features On or Off" to connect to the router using its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1)
- Log into the router using the web credentials ("admin" plus your router password)
Type the command satelliteinfo wifi
This will output information about the link between each satellite and the router. Here is what mine showed recently:
root@RBR50:/# satelliteinfo wifi
[
{
"mac address" : "A0:04:60:xx:xx:xx",
"hop" : "1",
"bridge mac" : "A0:04:xx:xx:xx:xx",
"backhaul conntype" : "5GHz",
"backhaul rssi" : "-68",
"backhaul macaddress" : "A0:04:60:xx:xx:xx",
"backhaul phytxrate" : "780",
"backhaul phyrxrate" : "780",
"backhaul parentmac" : "A0:04:60:xx:xx:xx"
},
{
"mac address" : "14:59:C0:xx:xx:xx",
"hop" : "1",
"bridge mac" : "14:59:C0:xx:xx:xx",
"backhaul conntype" : "5GHz",
"backhaul rssi" : "-59",
"backhaul macaddress" : "",
"backhaul phytxrate" : "866",
"backhaul phyrxrate" : "650",
"backhaul parentmac" : "A0:04:60:xx:xx:xx"
}
- desktopdougJul 01, 2022Aspirant
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
I will do as you suggested to pull out the statistics of the backhaul connection.
Is there any further data however on seeing why the satellite has switched from 5Ghz to 2.4Ghz, assuming that's what is meant when I look on the router 'connected devices' page and see 2.4 listed as the connection type.
Assuming its switched because 5ghz was poor and 2.4ghz was better but I was looking to understand which channels its tried, and, how it operates in terms of trying to switch back to 5ghz. Mine does seem to be going back and forth between the two.
As you mentioned, an ethernet cable between the two isn't suitable sadly. My Router is downstairs, and the satellite upstairs, I don't have a huge house however, its a modern build so no think stone walls etc. This has worked fine for months and only recently had any issues but trying to understand the cause is proving troublesome.
Thanks
Doug
- CrimpOnJul 01, 2022Guru - Experienced User
Yes, changing to 2.4G backhaul is a response to the 5G signal not being adequate. I often swear "nothing has changed" and later discover that something did change. I was tearing my hair because an alarm sensor refused to respond (after being in the same location for over two years). Changed the battery. Deleted/reinstalled. FINALLY realized that I had moved the base station 3ft to move a piece of furniture to get into the wall behind it. (plumbing problem... UGH) and had neglected to move it back. THREE FEET!!! Sensor immediately back on line.
Could the router or satellite be in a different orientation than it was? (turned?)
Sometimes a difference of only a few feet can make a difference. Since they are not connected with a cable, it is easy to move satellites around to test for a better location.
- desktopdougJul 01, 2022AspirantDid you have any issues with the python script download being flagged as having a Trojan Virus in? It’s blocked by defender on my machine
- CrimpOnJul 01, 2022Guru - Experienced User
I believe Windows Defender automatically deletes the Trojan and then annoys the user about it.
I actually use the Python script rather than the exe file.
- desktopdougJul 03, 2022Aspirant
Hi,
I've noticed something just now which doesn't seem correct, can anyone else confirm if this is normal?
I've taken 3 screenshots to example my findings. Link to shared OneDrive link: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AuOVa6-YCOPSn-g8MwXmqYTEezdNdQ?e=f97opg
- Powered off Satellite temporally. Connected a device via Wi-Fi and did a Wifi Scan. You can see in the results for this a single channel in the higher range labeled as hidden - channel 124.
File name: satellite off.png
- Restarted Satellite, after sync this connected via 5Ghz Backhaul and worked at this connection type for around 45 mins. You can see in the Wifi Scan results two devices broadcasting on the same channel now, 124.
File Name: backhaul on 5ghz.png
- Connection dropped, checked web portal to confirm satellite now connecting at 2.4Ghz instead. Wifi Scan results now show two different hidden channels in use at the higher range: 108 and 124.
File Name: backhaul on 2.4ghz.png
Question, would would the satellite (and I'm assuming its the satellite due to the signal strength being stronger, and I'm sat next to Satellite) have changed the channel from 124 to 108? Surely it should match whatever the Router is using?!
Thanks
Doug