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New - RBRE960 / RBSE960 Firmware Version 7.2.6.31 Released
Enhancements: 03/22/2024
(For all regions except Europe)
Improves the stability of WiFi device connections during roaming
This firmware addresses security vulnerabilities. For more informatio...
I have noticed issues that only seem to crop up after days of running - as few as 3-4 days, as many as 22 days. They are router or satellite restarts, memory growth in satellites to the point of causing a reboot and disconnect of all devices. I have seen WiFi disconnect and stop working until the router was rebooted. Have seen IPv6 stop working until it was re-enabled (likely a Comcast-NG interaction issue). I have seen satellites lose their backhaul connection with the router.
I believe at least the memory creep issues are related to using 2 satellites on Ethernet backhaul, just a guess. It could also be related to higher speed networks, mine is a 2G/200MB service. Maybe it's a combination of different factors that make the perfect storm that problems can appear? The % of Netgear customers with 2G and multiple Ethernet-wired backhaul satellites is small, I suspect. Plus, if there are some bugs that pop up after a number of days of running, NG has said that this kind of testing is very hard for them to do.
I just went back to v.21 to see how it runs. If v.31 is working well, great - if not, some caution could be warranted to try V.21 before spending lots of time trying to find a problem.
And still seems to be ongoing with that ISP as well from this thread:
I don't think there is any instability issues with v.31 FW. Based off v.21 being solid and well tested back then, and making adjustments to the WiFi and inclusion of the EU Region, I don't believe there is any cause for instabilities. Seems like from this thread and others, v.31 is being well received san installation mis-understandings. Again, update RBS FIRST, then RBR lastly and doing a manual update. No drama here.
Also having too much RBS in smaller sized homes will cause problems. Why we ask about home size. No FW can correct for this.
Also, I believe that with CC and XF, there IPv6 DNS handling maybe cause of Orbi systems not working right. Hoping that with donawalt testing and observations with using other non ISP IPv6 DNS configurations, hopefully will show good results here. We have our fingers crossed here.
FURRYe38 wrote:And still seems to be ongoing with that ISP as well from this thread:
I read that thread too and the related Xfinity forum thread. There's a lot reported there that I have never experienced with the 850 or the 960. Although I have the XB7 gateway, and the Xfinity thread seems to indicate it's an XB8 issue which I cannot comment on since we've never had that model. With an XB7, though, it normally works fine - unless Xfinity are rolling out different configs in different markets which I suppose could be possible.
I don't see any speed trail off / drop in UL/DL from wired devices or otherwise, no matter if they are direct to the RBS or wired through a switch to the RBR. My house it older, the cables are from 1996, and some of the runs are probably 100'. But I have seen bad connectors / cables muck things up and be difficult to run down - have to wonder how well they've checked their connections.
How have people found the update so far?
- Sorry I should have been more clear.
What I meant to say was, how have people been finding the update so far, in terms of performance? Performance has been fine for me. I have Ethernet connected laptops and WiFi throughout the house. I have tested both Orbi 850 and 2 RBS 850s, as well as now, Orbi 960 RBR and 2 RBS 960s. I also went from 1GB/35 Comcast service -> 1GB/200 Comcast service -> 2GB/200 Comcast service on this firmware. Ethernet and WiFi (5GHz and 6GHz devices) have tested fine with speed test. No issues that I saw on 2.4GHz IoT devices.
In general, I think the latest firmware is a little cleaner than the prior version. I am always hopeful the next version will be better still!
2 somewhat related Notes:
1) To me, the WiFi range of the 960 is a little better than the 850 - hence a little better speeds at the same locations. That's anecdotal of course...
2) Do not trust the Orbi app for its speed test. I am convinced at least for me, it must be connecting to some site that's very heavily used or a longer distance away. For example, I frequently get download speeds on the Orbi app around 1500-1800 Mbps, but immediately after if I test with a device (iPad, iPhone, Mac) direct connected to the router, I get 2250-2300 Mbps - over-provisioned. I get 2250-2300 on my Mac laptop that is connected via Ethernet cable that runs throughout the house.
I documented this test in its own thread on the Orbi app forum.
So, this was not a great feeling...
1 - checking for updates never showed an update available - this for a few weeks
2 - today, I had some time, so I went for a manual update
3 - RBS 1 - no problem
4 - RBS 2 - no problem
5 - RBR960 took 3 times to finally get the firmware to take - it would reboot and be still at .21, after the 3rd try, it worked.
Hasn't been up long enough to know how well things are going, but beyond the update issues, I'm back online and so far, so good.
Oh, and the dropdown list "Associated Products" above isn't showing my RBK963B anymore either...
🤔 🙄
My bad - "RBKE..." - forgot about that "E".
On the manual update, the only thing I did do differently on the 3rd try for the RBR960 was set tracking prevention temporarily to "Basic" on the browser rather than "Balanced":
Not sure why that would matter, or if it was coincidence... 🤔
What browser are you using? I use MS Edge and my system took on first load.
Edge Beta - could be that or could be that tracking setting I changed.
Ok hopefully.
NG doesn't auto push some minor updates which v.31 is so manual would be needed if not seen by the system.
Download speeds have been hampered since I updated. And sometimes the Orbi app or Router browser page gets a slower result than I do directly with Speedtest from my computer or iPhone.
I just rebooted the Xfinity XB7 and Orbi and it seems better although I'm still get intermittent odd results with the speed test even telling me it "cannot detect bandwidth" from the browser:
And seconds later it will work:
So, there's something glitchy with this update I have never seen before. It could just be an issue with the way Speedtest is working now from the Orbi since the PC/Phone results don't agree - I don't know.My gut is telling me to roll back to .21 as it was working fine. Maybe the issue that many others are seeing with Xinfity/Orbi is now manifesting for me or Speedtest is wonky in this build.
I also noticed some odd network drop outs last night. But with Xfinity, I often don't know where the fault lies.It works well enough that I can leave it and keep an eye on it for a day or so, but I'll likely roll back if this continues.
bullm00n don't believe the Orbi app or router speed test! You have no idea where the server they are using for testing - could be across the country for all you know. I have found it very flaky, and I documented it in detailed testing in this thread:
Just trust your Ookla speed test where you can control the server used. I have found that MUCH more consistent, and the proper speeds.
donawalt wrote:bullm00n don't believe the Orbi app or router speed test! You have no idea where the server they are using for testing - could be across the country for all you know. I have found it very flaky, and I documented it in detailed testing in this thread:
Just trust your Ookla speed test where you can control the server used. I have found that MUCH more consistent, and the proper speeds.
That could well be true, but it's a new "feature" for me and I preferred it when it worked prior to updating. 😉 Not that that particular thing is a big deal, but it makes me wonder what else is dodgy if this got broken. ".21" has been OK for me, knock on wood, and I'm about to be in the "if it ain't broke..." What's .31 bring to the table that I need? Seems skippable and it didn't even want to upgrade really - maybe that's telling. 😄
I need an update where the logs make sense, the device list makes sense - something compelling like that, if I'm trading out features.A factory reset and setup from scratch maybe needed to check this.
Possible some odd issued between the RBR, Your ISP Modem(There being some known issues with X series modems) and the end point speed testing site. Would need to check Ooklas installable speed test app on a few test runs to see if this is noticed there as well.
bullm00n wrote:
Download speeds have been hampered since I updated. And sometimes the Orbi app or Router browser page gets a slower result than I do directly with Speedtest from my computer or iPhone.
I just rebooted the Xfinity XB7 and Orbi and it seems better although I'm still get intermittent odd results with the speed test even telling me it "cannot detect bandwidth" from the browser:
And seconds later it will work:
So, there's something glitchy with this update I have never seen before. It could just be an issue with the way Speedtest is working now from the Orbi since the PC/Phone results don't agree - I don't know.My gut is telling me to roll back to .21 as it was working fine. Maybe the issue that many others are seeing with Xinfity/Orbi is now manifesting for me or Speedtest is wonky in this build.
I also noticed some odd network drop outs last night. But with Xfinity, I often don't know where the fault lies.It works well enough that I can leave it and keep an eye on it for a day or so, but I'll likely roll back if this continues.
Hi All,
Just to update you I have done the update from “6.3.7.10” to “7.2.6.31” since I am in the EU region so could not install "7.2.6.21", I did a factory reset after the upgrade, and then manually setup from scratch again.
After doing some initial tweaks, I am pleased to say that the system has been very stable and running solid for 5 days now.
For those of you who are interested my setup is as follows, happy to answer any questions regarding this.
Internet FTTP provided by Openreach.
Orbi connected directly to Openreach ONT, using PPPoE configuration.
Internet IP Address
Get Dynamically from ISP
Domain Name Server (DNS) Address
Get Automatically from ISP
Set your preferred NTP server
Primary NTP server:
0.uk.pool.ntp.org
IPv6 disabled
Traffic meter disabled
VPN disabled
Dynamic DNS disabled
UPnP disabled
Wi-Fi Transmit Power Control 50% on both 5ghz and 2.4ghz
Both IoT and Guest Wi-Fi are enabled
2.4 GHz Channel:
11
5 GHz Channel:
40
6 GHz Channel:
All 4 satellites have been given a static ip through reservation, since I have found them to be more stable when reserved. I have one of the satellites connected via ethernet backhaul, the rest are connected via wireless backhaul.
Note I have “Netgear Armor” enabled and running.
Great to hear. 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
Enjoy. 📡
bullm00n wrote:My bad - "RBKE..." - forgot about that "E".
On the manual update, the only thing I did do differently on the 3rd try for the RBR960 was set tracking prevention temporarily to "Basic" on the browser rather than "Balanced":
Not sure why that would matter, or if it was coincidence... 🤔
I can confirm that this setting in the Edge Browser, beta at least, will block the RBR firmware update. Sats are fine with it, but it must be set to "Basic" for the RBR.
I had rolled back to troubleshoot some Xfinity issues (degraded speed after several hours) and now that they persist with the old firmware too, I have updated again and this same "goes through the motions, reboots, not updated" thing happened again.I reckon Xfinity are messing about the network again. Xfinity upgraded the DL speed to 2GB, but it eventually drops to around 400Mbps and requires an X7 reboot to get it back. As best I can tell, it's no fault of the Orbi.
Interesting. I'll check mine as well to set what I have loaded. I think it had been on strict but recently change to balanced.
Thanks for the information on this. May have to keep this on the back burner for users using MS Edge. 🙄
bullm00n wrote:Download speeds have been hampered since I updated. And sometimes the Orbi app or Router browser page gets a slower result than I do directly with Speedtest from my computer or iPhone.
I just rebooted the Xfinity XB7 and Orbi and it seems better although I'm still get intermittent odd results with the speed test even telling me it "cannot detect bandwidth" from the browser:
And seconds later it will work:
So, there's something glitchy with this update I have never seen before. It could just be an issue with the way Speedtest is working now from the Orbi since the PC/Phone results don't agree - I don't know.My gut is telling me to roll back to .21 as it was working fine. Maybe the issue that many others are seeing with Xinfity/Orbi is now manifesting for me or Speedtest is wonky in this build.
I also noticed some odd network drop outs last night. But with Xfinity, I often don't know where the fault lies.It works well enough that I can leave it and keep an eye on it for a day or so, but I'll likely roll back if this continues.
Following up on this...
Since I updated, things have been a little all over the place as noted above, but...
...our "deal" with Xfinity expired, so I had to look at the new deals and it was cheaper for me to jump up to their latest high-speed package that's 2000/200. Great! Like I need even more speed. I don't now - who knows if ever, but I do need unlimited data to avoid over-charges, so now I have this. But...
...worked great for 4 hours or so, then the Speedtests from my PC or the Orbi dropped to around 400/240. Hmmm. Reboot the XB7 and back to 2200/240...for a few hours and then back down. 😞
I let that continue trying to imagine who was at fault and almost went to AP mode with the Orbi to see how the XB7 behaved as the router. Also decided to get a 2.5GB card for my PC to plug directly into the Orbi 2.5GB port and put both RBS onto the 1GB ports, which is fine. Now I could check the full speed from the PC as well as the Orbi.
This past week, the system was up and down for a few days with either the XB7 or the Orbi or both resetting. Finally, one day, this went on all day several times with the network disrupted every few hours.
My gut feeling was that it had to be and Xfinity thing since that's the only thing out of my control and nothing else had changed. I never bothered to call into Xfinity about it since I knew I'd have to revert to AP mode and set the XB7 as a router and hadn't had time to do it. But yesterday finally, with me doing nothing but rebooting the entire network after all the up and down, I have 24 hours of solid 2200/240 measured from the Orbi App or the PC.
This matches my longer-term experience: that the Orbi Speedtest generally agrees with what networked devices see. And that when it gets out of whack, something is wrong.
It is interesting how much havoc that XB7 modem can cause for the Orbi and vice versa when either is acting up. I do see in the logs now where the Orbi seems to have reset (Time Sync, reconnect to Internet) around 4am today - no idea why - XB7 and Orbi is a tenuous relationship. I also still see occasionally where a Speedtest run from my iPhone or the PC will cause the Orbit to reboot. 😮 It's not often, but often enough to know there's something going on.
Anyway, pretty much all good news and good performance at the moment. Xfinity are doing upgrades to rollout 10GB service around Atlanta, so I expect the disruptions to continue over the summer. Growing pains. What in the world are people doing where they need 10GB? Even when our XB7 was throttling down to 400, I'd have never know without testing it - even 400 is pretty damned fast!
There is a long thread post here in this forum that talks of users with your ISP and these XB series gateways from the ISP causing speed problems with external connected wifi systems. Also seems to effect other competing mfr routers as well. That thread post leads to the ISPs forums where users are posting additionally about this.
Seems like the ISP is maybe cause of some if what your seeing as well.
Are you using IPv6 any?
What is the CAT# LAN cable between the RBR and ISP gateway?
Thank you for the feedback.
FURRYe38 wrote:There is a long thread post here in this forum that talks of users with your ISP and these XB series gateways from the ISP causing speed problems with external connected wifi systems. Also seems to effect other competing mfr routers as well. That thread post leads to the ISPs forums where users are posting additionally about this.
Seems like the ISP is maybe cause of some if what your seeing as well.
Are you using IPv6 any?
What is the CAT# LAN cable between the RBR and ISP gateway?
Thank you for the feedback.
Agreed that issues as of late are Xfinity doing whatever they are doing.
I have IPV6 enabled - don't know when/what uses that - I have not disabled IPV4 to force it.
Cable is 1.5' of CAT7 I think - some short patch cable. But that doesn't matter at all for short to mid runs. As long as the cable is not damaged and all connectors are solid, the cable is not a factor - only for pushing distances up to the allowed spec. Even CAT5 is spec'ed up to 2.5GB up to 100 meters! The run from my PC to the Orbi is 40 feet of CAT5 from the '90s and I get 2200/240 on a speedtest with the PC. I expect by the time I outgrow that old wiring, WIFI will be fast enough that wired runs will be only needed for specialized applications - nearly is fast enough now. 🙂
How is the IPv6 configured Auto and Auto IPv6 DNS?
Some users have moved to custom IPv6 DNS services which has stopped mysterious reboots and connection issues.
Is the cable UTP or STP, big different.
I presume you may refer to CAT5e? CAT5 doesn't support anything past 100Mbps. 5e does however not great at handling actual and can have noise and interferences on the line. I've found CAT6A STP is best for connection rates past 1Gb. All I use now days between the RBR and ISP modem. CAT6 UTP from devices to wall jacks or switches.
FURRYe38 wrote:How is the IPv6 configured Auto and Auto IPv6 DNS?
Some users have moved to custom IPv6 DNS services which has stopped mysterious reboots and connection issues.
Is the cable UTP or STP, big different.
I presume you may refer to CAT5e? CAT5 doesn't support anything past 100Mbps. 5e does however not great at handling actual and can have noise and interferences on the line. I've found CAT6A STP is best for connection rates past 1Gb. All I use now days between the RBR and ISP modem. CAT6 UTP from devices to wall jacks or switches.Ha - I wish - CAT5e didn't come along until 2Ks several years after our house was wired. Some of the longer runs I added later are CAT5e or CAT6, but the main floor is all CAT5. 😄 I don't know how I'd test for noise or interference, but I haven't had any obvious issues and definitely not going through the trouble to replace it. That's low value pursuit. My Main switch is a GS316EP - it does have port diags to test for cable problems and they all come back "OK" and no errors in the stats. Don't know how good a test it is, but it seems happy. 90% of our networked devices are WiFi anyway now. The specs on even CAT5 are pretty conservative and, unless you are trying to get to 100m/300ft, it is surprisingly robust. Our longest runs might be 75'-100'.
How is the IPv6 configured Auto and Auto IPv6 DNS?
FURRYe38 wrote:How is the IPv6 configured Auto and Auto IPv6 DNS?
It's now DHCP. I did notice this morning that IPV6 was dead and Auto wanted to choose pass-through. Yikes. Apparently Xfinity had remotely reset the XB7 to Router mode, so I had to set it back to Bridge. That likely had something to with me changing our service plan to 2000/200 and all the disruptions we saw on the LAN yesterday. But it has all been solid since.
When you get the ISP modem back to bridge, could you try custom IPv6 DNS and monitor for WAN side reboots or reboots of the RBR and IPv6 operations?
