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Forum Discussion
Separate WiFi 2.4 and 5ghz bands
I am no longer able to separate my WiFi bands on the most recent Orbi firmware versions. It worked for over a year fine, but after updating firmware they are no longer separate. I have tried the Te...
In addition to my last post. I've now managed to get my laptop connecting reliably via the 5GHz band with the WiFi nic 'Prefer 5 GHz band' setting. 1 device down, around 15 to go.
I've also read that there is still a workaound to creating separate 2.4/5GHz SSIDs if needed.
With only my 5GHz devices in mind, given that a multi access point (mesh) system by design, provides full coverage to an area, I simply do not understand why I would ever want devices to connect to the 2.4GHz band. So not sure why it's seen that separating the SSIDs would some how 'break' mesh functionality or its design. Coverage/Range is not an issue given router and satelite(s).
Although it's not a massive issue if my phones connect to the 2.4GHz band, I'd still like the choice of forcing them to 5GHz. My broadband tops out at 78Mbps... devices via 2.4GHz get around 40-45Mbps.. when connected to 5GHz around 65-75Mbps. So only time it would be nice for phones is things like updates.
Sky Q box is currently powerlined. Sky Q mini box is seen as wired as it meshes to the main Sky Q box.
The remaning concerns are consoles and TVs for steaming. I want them on 5GHz.
Be aware that it's up to your devices to pick and choose where they want to connect to. Orbi only provides the platform and something to connect to. Device choose which signal to connect to based on signal strength, quality, noise and environment.
FURRYe38 wrote:Be aware that it's up to your devices to pick and choose where they want to connect to. Orbi only provides the platform and something to connect to. Device choose which signal to connect to based on signal strength, quality, noise and environment.
And that is why being able to use different SSIDs is very important to many users.
I get that. Thats something NG doesnt' seem to want to support for unknown reasons.
Though some users have used the telnet option. For some, it works, for others not so much.
- Yes absolutely, and I don’t disagree with that. And through band steering the router assists this. We also know this is an issue with many manfacturers equipment.
It would be amazing if clients/devices all had a band preference setting/controls.
However rather than dealing with that on multiple clients, it would be great to have some more control over that from an AP/router perspective. I agree as well. Since Smart Connect same out years ago, this has been problematic for everyone router mfr and device mfrs. Before it was easy, you set either frequency to a different SSID and you told the device which one to connect too. Now it's all automatic. I'm sure it's a hassle for the chipset mfrs on both sides of the fence let alone the router mfr who integrate and test all this.
So wild idea ... there are a few custom modified firmwares out there even based off of 2.5.1.8. You can Google for them. If your Orbi is out of warrant/support and you are brave, maybe these custom firmwares open up the features you are looking for? Of course Netgear is going to say "no no no". Additionally, you can brick your device along the way. Using custom firmwares is definitely an advanced advanced skill set. Do so at your own risk.
After all these years and so many complaints it is amazing Netgear hasn't added an option to seperate the ssid.
For those who want to try 3rd party FW for the Orbi 50 series only, can find it here:
This is only for the 50 series Orbi. Other Orbi models are not supported.
NG hasn't made any separation of SSIDs official. Even with Orbi AX, its' still not support. Users have been asking about this for a long time and NG doesn't seem to want to give in. User can temporarily disable SSIDs for either frequency however which does help get 2.4Ghz devices connected. No need to have separate SSIDs. This is a 2.4Ghz device Mfr setup software problem and not NG Orbi issue however.
Good Luck.
^^^ I've just been bitten by the "Can't get 5GHz network SSID to change permanently" problem - and having looked into the NG firmware, it's pretty obvious that they are going out of their way to stop this happening, and even if different SSIDs are detected on a running router then it'll revert back to the 2.4GHz one. It's not just that it doesn't survive a reboot (I could cope with that) but it doesn't survive for more than about 5 minutes.
So - I've just said "sod it" and gone with the Voxel firmware.... based on the latest NG firmware, and even looks'n'feels the same. I've updated my satellites and then my router - and it's all good. Working very well.
and YES - I can change the 5GHz SSID to something different, and it sticks.
Thanks Voxel.... boo hiss to NG.
Deihmos wrote:After all these years and so many complaints it is amazing Netgear hasn't added an option to seperate the ssid.
Of the other router manufacturers offering a true mesh system, how many provide an option to separate the SSIDs?
mrshades wrote:^^^ I've just been bitten by the "Can't get 5GHz network SSID to change permanently" problem - and having looked into the NG firmware, it's pretty obvious that they are going out of their way to stop this happening, and even if different SSIDs are detected on a running router then it'll revert back to the 2.4GHz one. It's not just that it doesn't survive a reboot (I could cope with that) but it doesn't survive for more than about 5 minutes.
So - I've just said "sod it" and gone with the Voxel firmware.... based on the latest NG firmware, and even looks'n'feels the same. I've updated my satellites and then my router - and it's all good. Working very well.
and YES - I can change the 5GHz SSID to something different, and it sticks.
Thanks Voxel.... boo hiss to NG.
Ug ... now you have tempted me :)
Thanks a lot :)
...whilst I don't wish to worry you - after running on it all day (for about the last 7 hours or so) I did just have a catastrophic network failure...
I have multiple devices connecting me to the Internet - Virgin Media hub (in modem mode), to an Asus AC68U (in router mode but with wifi off, providing various extra functions that the Orbi doesn't have or is rubbish at - parental control, OpenVPN server, etc.) and then the Orbi RBR50 (and two satellites) in AP mode. There's a gigabit switch or two in the mix as well...
Anyway - whilst I could see both 2.4GHz and 5Ghz networks, the Orbi IOS app couldn't connect, I couldn't ping anything, zip - rebooted the Orbi and it all started working again.
I did notice some strange things happening before I lost access completely - as I was trying to watch various YouTube videos, which were loading with a black screen and text across the top saying "We're having some difficulty playing this video right now - come back later" (or something like that) - but if I left it for about 30s then the video would start. I'm guessing the Orbi was throwing a huge amount of jabbering packets out or something equally noisy.
Might have been a one off... but a little nervous now!
What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-routerWhat channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Above suggestions working:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Throttling-Devices-RBK53/m-p/1858561/highlight/true#M81925Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
mrshades wrote:...whilst I don't wish to worry you - after running on it all day (for about the last 7 hours or so) I did just have a catastrophic network failure...
I have multiple devices connecting me to the Internet - Virgin Media hub (in modem mode), to an Asus AC68U (in router mode but with wifi off, providing various extra functions that the Orbi doesn't have or is rubbish at - parental control, OpenVPN server, etc.) and then the Orbi RBR50 (and two satellites) in AP mode. There's a gigabit switch or two in the mix as well...
Anyway - whilst I could see both 2.4GHz and 5Ghz networks, the Orbi IOS app couldn't connect, I couldn't ping anything, zip - rebooted the Orbi and it all started working again.
I did notice some strange things happening before I lost access completely - as I was trying to watch various YouTube videos, which were loading with a black screen and text across the top saying "We're having some difficulty playing this video right now - come back later" (or something like that) - but if I left it for about 30s then the video would start. I'm guessing the Orbi was throwing a huge amount of jabbering packets out or something equally noisy.
Might have been a one off... but a little nervous now!
FURRYe38 wrote:What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-routerWhat channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz.
Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?Try enabling Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try disabling the following and see:
Armor, Circle, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Above suggestions working:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Throttling-Devices-RBK53/m-p/1858561/highlight/true#M81925Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
mrshades wrote:...whilst I don't wish to worry you - after running on it all day (for about the last 7 hours or so) I did just have a catastrophic network failure...
I have multiple devices connecting me to the Internet - Virgin Media hub (in modem mode), to an Asus AC68U (in router mode but with wifi off, providing various extra functions that the Orbi doesn't have or is rubbish at - parental control, OpenVPN server, etc.) and then the Orbi RBR50 (and two satellites) in AP mode. There's a gigabit switch or two in the mix as well...
Anyway - whilst I could see both 2.4GHz and 5Ghz networks, the Orbi IOS app couldn't connect, I couldn't ping anything, zip - rebooted the Orbi and it all started working again.
I did notice some strange things happening before I lost access completely - as I was trying to watch various YouTube videos, which were loading with a black screen and text across the top saying "We're having some difficulty playing this video right now - come back later" (or something like that) - but if I left it for about 30s then the video would start. I'm guessing the Orbi was throwing a huge amount of jabbering packets out or something equally noisy.
Might have been a one off... but a little nervous now!
These questions were asked back in message 4.
There has been some chatter on switches with an Orbi. I am not sure if that applies here. Apparently the Orbi needs a pretty "dumb" switch. If the switch is managed and green, it can give the Orbi grief. Perhaps others here can comment more. Perhaps you are already familar with the topic.
Managed switches will work if users disable all IGMP protocols and any green ethernet features. For some non managed switches, green ethernet can't be disabled if present so users would need to find a non managed switch with out is preferred.
theoak wrote:There has been some chatter on switches with an Orbi. I am not sure if that applies here. Apparently the Orbi needs a pretty "dumb" switch. If the switch is managed and green, it can give the Orbi grief. Perhaps others here can comment more. Perhaps you are already familar with the topic.
