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Forum Discussion
AX600/RBK852 - is it possible to disable SSID broadcast on the main network?
Brand new system, firmware was upgraded to the latest (V7.2.6.31_5.0.24). Everything works fine, but I want to disable broadcast of SSID of the main network. Going through various web searches, it ...
I have seen screenshots of the exact same Orbi web admin interface as mine (v7 firmware) but it has additional options to disable SSID broadcast. So the option was once available and has been removed? If so, does anyone know if older firmware can be applied to toggle the setting, and then new firmware applied while maintaining the setting?
May have been there on the older Orbi AC series at one point, Was never seen or supported on newer Orbi AX and AXE series thus no FW had anything to support this. Nighthawk systems are completely different from MESH systems that may support that. Orbi has different FW and hardware requirements that cause some features seen else where to be not compatible or has limited uses or has no need to be implemented.
"People usually disable SSID broadcast in hopes to make their wireless networks invisible. But the access points still send out beacon frames and WiFi scanners find hidden networks just as easy as the broadcasting ones. Security through obscurity have few benefits but may give a person a false sense of security. Instead, create a hard to guess password, use strong encryption, like WPA3, turn off WPS, enable access control, regularly update firmware, use guest networks for visitors, and monitor for connected devices."
FURRYe38 wrote:
May have been there on the older Orbi AC series at one point, Was never seen or supported on newer Orbi AX and AXE series
FURRYe38Yes, the original RBR50 Orbi still has the option to enable/disable broadcast of the SSID on the 2.4G and/or the 5G user channel:
This product is officially "End of Service", with the last firmware release in Feb, 2023.
Personally, I found this feature really helpful when dealing with those annoying Internet of Things gizmos that refused to set up when the smartphone app was connected to the router at 5G. Just disable broadcast SSID on 5G, forget the Orbi, reconnect at 2.4G, perform the setup, and then turn the broadcast back on. Easy Peasy.
Yes I know, however with all newer generations of Orbi, it's not there and was mentioned due to new tech and such, can't be supported. And generally would made satellite connection and behaviors not work right.
And with newer generation systems and NG putting in a separate IoT network now on v7 FW, all that seems to negate the need for disabling of the SSID seen on older AC series and getting IoT devices connected now days.
I remain unconvinced. The new IoT network, for example, can be enabled/disabled at will on either or both frequencies with no ill effect on the overall network. Not just disable broadcasting the SSID. Turn the entire radio network on and off.
I lean more toward a management directive, "we're NOT going to allow customers to meddle with the primary WiFi network. Find a different solution to this stupid 2.4G problem that customers have been crying about for over 6 years!"
Anyway, the bottom line is that the primary WiFi network cannot be disabled and the SSID will be broadcast. Don't like it: buy something else.
