NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Orbi RBR50 + Circle frequent DNS failures
I've spent the better part of the past two weeks troubleshooting some DNS issues. They are similar to those reported recently here and probably here and related to similar reports as long as a year ...
I've already given up trying to get Orbi to function as a proper Router + Disney + Armor, because it's nothing but trouble. To get Orbi to a stable state, I have to disable practically everything that I could disable, including its internal DNS and DHCP client. I'm currently keeping Orbi for its WiFi capability and delegate all other router functions to DIY pfSense Router Firewall.
I went through a similar pain before I settled on the current setup, which has been holding up quite well during Stay-At-Home order.
- SB8200 -> pfSense -> Orbi AP Mode with static DNS servers and IP address
I settled on pfSense because I need a reliable Gigabit Router with enterprise class DNS resolver, DHCP, Firewall, DNS Filtering, VPN, plus a whole bunch of other features that I don't really need. If you're comfortable with installing pfSense, it's worth a shot.
SW_ wrote:I've already given up trying to get Orbi to function as a proper Router + Disney + Armor, because it's nothing but trouble. To get Orbi to a stable state, I have to disable practically everything that I could disable, including its internal DNS and DHCP client. I'm currently keeping Orbi for its WiFi capability and delegate all other router functions to DIY pfSense Router Firewall.
I went through a similar pain before I settled on the current setup, which has been holding up quite well during Stay-At-Home order.
- SB8200 -> pfSense -> Orbi AP Mode with static DNS servers and IP address
I settled on pfSense because I need a reliable Gigabit Router with enterprise class DNS resolver, DHCP, Firewall, DNS Filtering, VPN, plus a whole bunch of other features that I don't really need. If you're comfortable with installing pfSense, it's worth a shot.
If you're curious about my rollercoaster between Orbi Router vs. AP Mode, check out this post.
FYI, for those following this, I am in communication with Netgear support. They say:
We are already aware of this issue and our engineering team is currently working on a solution.
If we use the Orbi as an AP, will it still use the satellites?
Shahab wrote:If we use the Orbi as an AP, will it still use the satellites?
Yep, that's how mine is configured now. you get all the benefits of the satellites and high speed connectivity throughout your house, but you let another upstream router/firewall handle the firewall/DHCP/DNS stuff. Let the Orbi do what it does best!
So in the last couple days, I found the orbi routers starting to stall on loading website and access to devices such as fire tv despite having shut down Circle.
So I bit the bullet and upgraded the firmware to the Voxel mod firmware.
I will keep you informed on issues or stability.
