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New - RBR750 / RBS750 Firmware Version 7.2.6.21 Released
New Features: 09/08/2023
Supports Separate SSID IoT network.
https://kb.netgear.com/000064267/How-do-I-enable-or-disable-the-Internet-of-things-IoT-network-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-6E-System
https:/...
Followed the directions and upgraded. Did the RBS750 units first and then the RBR750. Appears to be working well.
One important note, I did need to restart each RBS750 after the RBR750 was upgraded to re-establish connection. As each is on a UPS and mounted on the all, required a ladder.
Otherwise working fine at this time.
I didn't see the "IoT" network feature at first. You need to go into Wireless setup. You'll then see a "Wireless IoT Settings' and the ability to "enable" an IoT wireless SSID along with password.
Nice to have this feature added finally. I believe it's important to have a Trusted, IoT and Guest wireless SSID.
Yesterday afternoon I installed the 7.2.6.21 firmware on my RBR750 and 2 x RBR750S devices. The backhaul connection between satellites and router is wired.
While my network has been fine/stable, I have 3 x August Connect Smartlocks/bridges that give multiple connect/disconnect messages during the day so I wanted to see if the IoT wifi update on this new firmware resolved the August issues or not.
The brief summary is that the upgrade did NOT go well, and it was around 3-4 hours to finally resolve the issues with the Satellites not connecting properly, and some really weird behavior.
In more detail:
- Downloaded the RBR and RBS firmwares
- Updated the 2 satellites to 7.2.6.21 which seemed to go ok, although the RBR webpage still initially showed the devices as being on the old firmware that I assumed was a caching or other minor issue.
- Updated the router which seemed to go ok
- Rebooted the Satellites, and then the Router
- Logged back into the Router web page and noticed that the 'Attached Devices' widget showed Number of Satellites as 0 (instead of2)
- Clicked through to see Attached Devices and saw 1 Satellite attached via Wire and the other Satellite not connected. (the widget still showed 0)
- Went and checked the Satellites and no magenta or other flashing/solid lights. Devices attached to the Satellites e.g. FireTV all worked and I could also connect and login to each Satellite.
- Decided to reboot Satellites again, things got worse from here. Neither Satellite showed up on Attached Devices, some WiFi devices started to error on 'No Internet' connection. Yet I could still login to the Satellites by directly typing the IP address
- Decided to reflash the Satellites - no differences
- After a couple more hours of trying various things I pretty much gave up, I could connect to the Satellites, but for some reason the RBR was not seeing them. Sometimes devices connected to the RBSs worked, sometimes they didn't.
- Decided to finally reset the Satellites, remove the cable and get them set up by wireless - this worked and the Satellites showed up correctly in the Attached Devices and widget and Detail page
- Replugged in the backhaul cables and waited 5 or so minutes to see what happened
- Things returned to normal, Satellites appear to be working, WiFi devices are connecting to Satellites/Router as expected.
So not a smooth experience, but so far appears to all be working now.
It's too early to tell if the IoT wifi 2.4Ghz I have set up will solve the August connect/disconnect alerts issue.
TheSalamander
Something to keep in mind for next time you update FW. After the RBS and RBR have returned to ready from getting the FW file sent, Power OFF the RBS and RBR for 30 seconds, then back ON with the RBR then RBS. Seems to help stabilize the system. This is a major step in FW so could see odd things. Why I mentioned a power cycle in this post and as last resort, factory reset and setup from scratch.
What CAT# LAN cable are you using between the RBR and RBS?
Are the RBS directly connected to the back of the RBR or is there a LAN switch and or LAN patch panel in between them?
Glad it's working now. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
I realized I made an error in my write up on step 4. I did reboot the RBR first, and then the RBSs second per the instructions in post 1.
I also forgot to mention that in step 11 when I decided to reset and sync the RBSs that the RBR webpage that I used to do the RBR side of the sync showed 'Sync Failed' for both RBS syncs, even though the synching worked and I could finally see the RBSs correctly show in the Attached Devices.
To answer the questions:
- Cat 6 cable - System has worked fine except with firmware upgrades so I see this as more an issue with Netgear software than my infrastructure.
- RBSs connected into a Netgear GS116 switch
So you said you did 'reboot' the RBR and then the RBS'. Is this rebooting from the RBRs web page or actually powering OFF the RBR and RBS for 1 minute then back on? Rebooting and Power cycling are two different things. Just to be sure here.
I haven't updated my 750 series as if yet. We've tested the 750, 850 and 960 series and hadn't seen these issues during testing. Tried to cover many environments but, not everything can be touched on.
The RBSs were power cycled by removing the power cable for 60 seconds.
The RBR was power cycled one time, by removing the power cable for 60 seconds, and rebooted a second time using the GUI 'reboot' button.
So far, 36 hours later things are stable and seem good. I have not seen August connect/disconnect messages yet which seems hopeful, but will monitor for a few more days.
If things seem stable then I will look to upgrade my RBR/RBS850 I have at another location to see if that also reduces/stops the August connect/disconnect. At least I am better prepared for handling misbehaving RBSs.
thanks