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Forum Discussion
Enable Protection Engine option
Hi ,
Can someone explain what is the "Protection Engine" that i found in web management of my RAX50 Router ?
It seems not related with Armor.
Connect with cable and with this option enabled the ping to my router is between 3ms to 5ms
With this option disabled ping to my router ip is fixed 1ms
23 Replies
I presume you have a v1 model RAX50?
Looks like this is new to FW and came down in a recent AU as I don't see that version of FW posted on NGs download site.
Seems that this maybe related to Bit Defender.
Hi ,
yes , i have the V1 Version .
The firmware is V1.0.16.132_2.0.92 and came from automatic update some days ago
I dont't know if this option came in the last FW update or was already there. The default seems to be ONFrom my testing is not related with Armor . I have a valid Armor subscription and with that flag on or off does not seems to change anything in Armor
The only evidence is that the ping is much higher if the flag is on
Switching on/off the router apply immediatly wiout reboot or waiting but suddenly the ping time change
Seems that Armor differs from Bit Defender.
Someone told me from there review of this, seems to be Bit Defender related however haven't got official word from NG yet. Information shows more memory usage when it's enabled vs not enabled. So something is using more memory when it's enabled.
Doe ping time change for the better or worse when it's enabled and disabled?
Seems like NG is pushing FW to a small group as a test. I wish they would use other resources first before going out to the public. 🤔Try both enabled and disabled for this feature and post your experiences. If something comes up or you find a problem post here and let us know.
Hello,
During last five days my internet connection become worse. I mentioned that Router RAX50 was updated automatically (Honestly, I don't when and how): V1.0.16.132_2.0.92. I also figured out that there was "Protection Engine - ON". I turned off and fixed a little, but I don't think that Router is stable. Are there any way to downgrade firmware?
P.S. On website (Support/Drivers/Fixes) above mentioned firmware is not listed, but "Update Server" pushed it by kick.
Hi i tested last FW and this optIon in last days and :
1) I had some problem with previous FW 1.0.15.128 with UI crash and UI not reachable . All instability problems seems fixed this new FW V1.0.16.132 and now RAX50 is rock solid
2) The "Protection Engine" option interfere mainly pinging the local interface. Pinging outside to internet seems not interfere so much. Very difficult to understand this behavoir without details
I have a 1000/500 Mpbs fiber connection and overall speed in upload/download does not changeAs result of these testing i think that this new FW is very good and i left that option enabled .
Disabling security feature is never a good idea if does not interfere too much on overall performance
I've been noticing a significant speed drop recently with my V1 RAX50, and I just found this previously-nonexistant option as well. On initial connection to the router, speeds (as reported by Windows 11) are 1700+ kbps, quickly dropping to 100-something. Every device seems to be having the same issue, though most devices won't display this depth. Pinging the router with the protection enabled gave me the exact same results as OP. Disabling the option also gave me the exact same 1 ms ping as OP, but the extremely slow network speed persisted. Netgear is the same company that intentionally dropped the Arlo recording bitrate to force customers to upgrade to a newer product, so I suspect this is a combination of that, and them testing new (not flushed out) features on products that they don't mind ruining. Or almost want to ruin. Granted, it could just be an inadequately tested firmware, but my personal experience with Netgear makes me lean to something more intentional/reckless.
- What are your firmware version?
I had same behavior 1 or 2 times while I was testing different options.
A simple restart solved all problemsGood morning/afternoon everyone,
I have so much to say about this, I don't know where to begin. I guess I need to start with apologizing to Charter Spectrum. They've been out here four times in the past month (once each week) because of the ticket submissions I had for packet loss. I used to have absolutely 0%, very stable connection (1Gbps/50Mbps). Over the course of the past few weeks, I've had them run numerous new coax cables (from the road to my house, from the side of the house to the modem, etc.) and even provide a new modem and got this month's bill free. None of us could figure out where this was coming from since it seemed to be out of nowhere.
Tonight, I found our culprit.
Why in the hell would Netgear think it would be acceptable in any capacity to silently deploy a "feature" called, "Protection Engine" to residential customers across the world? Especially knowing the adverse side-effects? I understand Security comes before Performance in business, commercial, and enterprise environments... but I mean, hey, it'd be nice to be notified at the very least?
Thanks and good luck everyone. I'll update this post later today with before/after screenshots. It's currently 3:30AM, I need to get some sleep. Also, for what it's worth:
- Router Model: Nighthawk RAX41
- Firmware Version: V1.0.16.132_2.0.92
- I’ve been fighting issues with devices on my network needing to communicate locally with eachother for months, if not a year. It finally clicked it probably started when I got my netgear router. I’ve noticed I can print to a wireless printer if my computer is on Ethernet, but it’s extremely rare if it works with laptop on WiFi. Same with my phone. Sometimes will find printer but usually won’t. Same with lan mode on a 3D printer. And having issues with security cameras not saving clips to a local storage device. Today, I found protection engine was enabled. Disabling it solved all my issues. It really ticks me off that this feature which has 0 meaningful description has caused so many problems in the name of security. I can’t even submit a support ticket to netgear without a subscription, WTF! I thought this was the best place I could share my experience. Hope it helps someone.
Spudman01 wrote:
I’ve been fighting issues with devices on my network needing to communicate locally with eachother for months, if not a year. It finally clicked it probably started when I got my netgear router. I’ve noticed I can print to a wireless printer if my computer is on Ethernet, but it’s extremely rare if it works with laptop on WiFi. Same with my phone. Sometimes will find printer but usually won’t. Same with lan mode on a 3D printer. And having issues with security cameras not saving clips to a local storage device. Today, I found protection engine was enabled. Disabling it solved all my issues. It really ticks me off that this feature which has 0 meaningful description has caused so many problems in the name of security. I can’t even submit a support ticket to netgear without a subscription, WTF! I thought this was the best place I could share my experience. Hope it helps someone.
