New Orbi RBK853 setup; multiple issues after setting up

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FURRYe38 wrote:

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dtay wrote:

Note: Reposting to the correct forum.

 

I just received my Orbi 853 (AX6000; 3-pack) from Netgear and set it up this morning in my environment. SFH, 3 floors, ~4000+ sq. ft., about 48 clients in mixed 802.11ax (1), ac, an in both 2.4 and 5 GHz. Using a single SSID. Firmware was automatically updated to the latest version: V3.2.15.25_1.3.15.

 

The initial setup (just the router) went fine but then became unstable.

 

Some symptoms and the changes I made:

 

1. I noticed most of my IP cameras (Foscam, 2.4 GHz) were going offline in Blue Iris every few seconds. I think the issue was the default RTS/CTS and after changing it to 500, it seemed to have stabilized and the cameras remained online. What should I set them at? 500? Saw another thread that said it should be at 2347?

Yes, 2347 would be recommended.

 

2. Wired backhaul; I can't seem to get a stable wired backhual for my satellites going. Out of the two satellites, only one would connect and remain connected via wired backhaul but the second would't, no matter what I tried (reboot, replace patch cable, etc.). I saw another thread that mentioned a "daisy chain" setting in the Advanced Settings/Wireless tab but I don't see that option on my firmware. Is that option not available for the RBK853?

Did you first set up the RBS wireless before connecting thernet? 

What is the Mfr and model# of the ethernet switch in the configuration?
https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System

3. Anybody here using Circle Plus (the external device) with the Orbi 853? Should the Circle Plus be set up in regular or compatibility mode? I currently have the Circle Plus disconnected/shut off while I'm troubleshooting these issues to get things stable.

I think someone reported using the external device and it worked. You might do a search on this forum for Circle and see.

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Thanks for the suggestions.  I think I finally have success and stability in my setup.

Here's what I did:

1. I factory reset all the satellite units back to their factory defaults and configured them again, this time plugging in the ethernet cable while adding the satellite from the app.  It initially added the satellite via Wi-Fi but then switched to wired for the backhaul once they were up.  Both satellites are wired back to a Netgear Gigabit (GS116) switch.

2. I changed the CTS/RTS Threshold numbers to 2347 for both 2.4 and 5 GHz from 500 (and before that, I believe it was 64, the factory defaults).

3. Changed the channels from Auto to 1 (for 2.4 GHz) and 36 (for 5 GHz) based on the Wi-Fi Analyzer from the app to determine the cleanest channel.

4. Re-enabled Circle Plus under "Compatibility Mode" and so far seems to be working.  I did notice something strange: Circle keeps reporting an "unknown device" with a mac address of 12:0c:xx.xx.xx.xx that has joined my network but I can't find any references to that mac vendor ID.  Does the Orbi mesh create or have a special mac address that isn't registered?  This isn't the mac of either satellites or the main router (RBR850) itself so I'm at a lost as to what it is.

5. I also added static IP reservations for both satellites but it looks like they are still holding to the original DHCP IPs; I can't find the menu where the lease times settings are.  Anyone know?

This is the the first time I've used an Orbi product and for the price, I have to say that the feature set is quite lacking and the issues that I stumbled across from a first impression wasn't what I had expected.  Performance, once it was stable, is great.  My internet is Fios Gigabit and according to the built in speed test, I'm getting 936.66 Mbps download, and 914.23 Mbps upload.  Hopefully they'll improve the firmware as time goes on. 

Regards,

David