RBK 752 Guest Network question and general information

I am the "Odd Man Out" on the topic of the IoT network.  When Netgear released the Orbi mesh system, they removed any option to give the 2.4G and 5G WiFi networks different names (SSIDs).  This was a common feature on previous WiFi routers.  For years there was a constant barrage of requests (demands, threats, "I'll never buy Netgear again", etc.)  Although the vast majority of IoT devices connected to the Orbi with no problem, there were devices with poorly written smartphone apps that simply failed and forced used to resort to all sorts of schemes to get the device working.  It is easy to simply toss out a $10 smart plug that won't connect.  Expensive devices are something else, and few people are willing to "box it up and send it back."

When the 960 product came came out, "Oh, My."  it featured a WiFi network called "IoT" which implies that customers could no longer bitch and moan about "Can't rename the 5G WiFi".  This summer, Netgear reworded the firmware for the 750 and 850 series to add an IoT WiFi network to them.  (The original Orbi, of course, will not get IoT.  "Where's the profit in that?")

The Orbi router and every satellite in the system broadcast management information, called Beacon Frames, 5-10 times per second for every SSID.  (The industry standard is approximately 10 times/sec, but my observation is that Netgear may have programmed a different schedule in their routers.)

So, for the 2.4G network channel, the router will broadcast Beacon Frames for

• The Primary WiFi SSID
• The Guest WiFi SSID (if it is enabled)
• The IoT WiFi SSID (if it is enabled).

For a total of 15-30 Beacon frames ... from the router.

Each satellite does the same thing.

So a system with one router and two satellites will broadcast from 45 to 90 Beacon Frames every second.

If it "works for you", great.

Hi I installed the Router and Satellite,  had some issues where I had to do a reset, no big deal.   I updated to the latest firmware on my router (V4.6.14.3_2.3.12) and Satellite (V4.6.14.3),

• I am not seeing the IOT option under advanced wireless  as mentioned in the article.  Is it hidden elsewhere?

I seem to have good coverage  and the speed to the router is like 970 mb, where I am on 1GB service so I am thrilled there, but I am noticing a few  things

• My Ring Cam connects to router which is 30+ feet away and not to the satellite that is maybe 10 feet away and it varies in signal strength, it usually connects to 2.4ghz
• On the IOS App, it shows disconnected devices
• On the IOS app it seems that the connection strength goes up/down,  is this the beamforming?
• I have the 2.4 channels set to auto,  and the 5GHZ to channel 48,  I live in a development where houses are 100-200 ft away and I an seeing many netoworks on these channels, previously I was using 161 on nighthawk but that is not available.
• Is it normal for the router to vary the signal strength to the attached devices? Especially when Idle,  I just have not noticed that before
• Lastly I was going to set up an Access Control List, does that apply to the Guest Network?  My family is mad already as I took internet out for an hour while dealing with the modem not configuring until I did a hard reset.

Thanks