NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Orbi 850 Series - Security / guest network questions
Hello,
I have tenants in my house and I'm setting up a shared network. I want all my wireless clients (laptops, wifi phones, Amazon stick) to be isolated for security. I've read that NetGear only supports client isolation on the guest network but they don't provide more details. I'm hoping someone knowledgeable from NetGear could read this and answer the below:
1. How does NetGear define client isolation for the Orbi 850? In other words, does client isolation ID limit communication of the devices to the Internet only? Or can guests in this network configure the router?
2. Does the guest network run slower compared to main wireless network? Are there any speed/load disadvantages to be concerned of?
3. Does NetGear armor, and the router's firewall, also prevent hacking devices of devices on the Guest network?
Note for NetGear: I'll add that TP-LINK customer support was able to answer my questions and not force me to submit a discussion for basic questions in their online forum. The only reason I'm not going with TP-LINK is their ownership by the Chinese government. But their support is far more responsive.
Thank you.
NotITGuy wrote:
I'm hoping someone knowledgeable from NetGear could read this and answer the below:
1. How does NetGear define client isolation for the Orbi 850? In other words, does client isolation ID limit communication of the devices to the Internet only? Or can guests in this network configure the router?
2. Does the guest network run slower compared to main wireless network? Are there any speed/load disadvantages to be concerned of?
3. Does NetGear armor, and the router's firewall, also prevent hacking devices of devices on the Guest network?
There are forum moderators who are Netgear employees, and I do see them responding to community posts (not sure about the weekend, however.). As far as I am aware, employees in official Netgear support positions never participate in the community forums.
My take on the 850 product is the same as all Orbi residential products:
- Client isolation on the Guest WiFi network restricts devices to internet access only. Devices on the Guest network cannot access the router web interface, which is on the primary network.
- All WiFi networks use the same radios and perform at the same speed. There are no speed/load disadvantages.
- The Orbi Firewall protects devices on the Guest WiFi network the same as it protects all devices. i.e., if someone on the Guest WiFi downloads a virus to his PC or visits a web site that infects his tablet, that's on the user - not the router. I have never enabled Armor, and thus have no idea what it does (or does not do).
5 Replies
NotITGuy wrote:
I'm hoping someone knowledgeable from NetGear could read this and answer the below:
1. How does NetGear define client isolation for the Orbi 850? In other words, does client isolation ID limit communication of the devices to the Internet only? Or can guests in this network configure the router?
2. Does the guest network run slower compared to main wireless network? Are there any speed/load disadvantages to be concerned of?
3. Does NetGear armor, and the router's firewall, also prevent hacking devices of devices on the Guest network?
There are forum moderators who are Netgear employees, and I do see them responding to community posts (not sure about the weekend, however.). As far as I am aware, employees in official Netgear support positions never participate in the community forums.
My take on the 850 product is the same as all Orbi residential products:
- Client isolation on the Guest WiFi network restricts devices to internet access only. Devices on the Guest network cannot access the router web interface, which is on the primary network.
- All WiFi networks use the same radios and perform at the same speed. There are no speed/load disadvantages.
- The Orbi Firewall protects devices on the Guest WiFi network the same as it protects all devices. i.e., if someone on the Guest WiFi downloads a virus to his PC or visits a web site that infects his tablet, that's on the user - not the router. I have never enabled Armor, and thus have no idea what it does (or does not do).
Thank you again for the reply to another of my questions.
I really hope that NetGear is compensating you for assisting them with sales by providing free equipment for you to demo. It seems you are more knowledgeable than their sales staff.
There used to be so many companies making routers but today it seems the space is consolidated. I would never trust Google, so that leaves NetGear, TP Link, LinkSys. TP Link is owned by the Chinese government and LinkSys is no longer interested in the home market (I think Cisco is responsible for that). So, NetGear is the only game in town, unless you don't mind the Chinese government or Google taking your data.
P.S. Not sure if Armor is a waste or not, but something I might want to explore. I read online some sites think it's not necessary. I love security!
I see Linksys in many lists of "Best WiFi6 Router". Asus is always one of the top brands. eero (Amazon) seems to be either "love it" or "hate it".
No compensation from Netgear. They don't even take my complaints seriously. It's just "something to do".