RBR850 + RBS850 Satellites: Terrible Performance & Stability

Question

Previous setup:Modem Technicolor C2000T (CenturyLink)ISP Speed 1GbWireless 3 Apple Airports, all 3 plugged into walled ethernet.Performace was flawless across a two story, 3500 sq ft house, built in 2015.Wireless speed was stable and consistent around 100mbps&nbsp;New setup:Modem Technicolor C2000T (CenturyLink)ISP Speed 1GbWireless 1 RBR850 and 3 RBS850Performance is completely unreliable and all over the place in terms of speed.Speed can reach nearly 400mbps, but it also constantly drops to below 1mps and sometimes disconnects completely.&nbsp;The placement of both setups is nearly identical; The only difference is we now have an additional satellite,which we placed in an upstairs room that previously did not have an Apple Airport.I have tried the suggestions I have been able to find on the web, everything from starting from scratch with setup, changing between AP and Router modes, channel changing, etc. Nothing gives us a network we can use.&nbsp;The Apple airport required no setup beyond naming the network and security. All 3 base stations were detected as a single network, wired via ethernet, and operating without issue. They are old, so the reason for the "upgrade" was speed. Our network, which is a home office, consists of 75+ devices with various platforms, from Linux to MS to Apple.&nbsp;Attemting to use the ethernet on the new system just does not seem to work. The limited Orbi app displays the satellites as wired, but there is absouletely no difference in performance.&nbsp;I am at a loss as to what to try next. My versions of the web interface and app do not offer often-metioned options, such as daisy chaining; the option is simply not listed.&nbsp;My expectation was that I would be able to simply plug in the satellites into the ethernet outlets in their respective locations and achieve a consistent and reliable connection above 300mbps, well, well, well below the marketing claims. Yet, we cannot even come close to speed or reliability.I am posting here as a last resort, though I expect the suggestions will be things already posted on various other threads, but one never knows.&nbsp;Please keep in mind I have performed testing 101 on things like cables, ethernet outlets, switches, etc. All devices that are not part of the Orbi system operated at peak performnce. The wired computers around the house never drop below 750mbps and more often than not are in the 900mbps range. I am completely certain there is no problem with the infrastructure. The problem lies somewhere within the Orbi system, though I fully assume it is my setup of the system that is to blame.Thanks for any ideas.&nbsp;

FURRYe38 · Answer

What Firmware version is currently loaded?
What mode is your modem/router working in? Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop

How are you speed testing? With a wireless or wired device?

What is the size of your home? Sq Ft?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite

Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
You can find other speed diagnosis steps in the community faq: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-AX/Community-FAQ-My-Orbi-speeds-are-slow-inconsistent-and-don-t-my/m-p/1982974/highlight/true#M7849

GetOverIt · Answer

That reply is copy/pasted from every post on this same topic, and as I said, I've been through those. The firmware is irrelevant unless there is an actually documented bug fix on a specific firmware version. i.e. firmware 3.128 fixes ethernet connection issues. It is the lastest firmware available to the device at the time of posting.

Unless you live on a middle-of-nowhere farm, there are neighbors on wifi, and as previously mentioned in the original post, all the different channel options have already been tried. The system is expected to work reliably, like the Apple Airport did, regardless of the strangers that live in my neighborhood. Otherwise there would be a giant sticker on the box that says, "does not work in new york city."

The modem is already in modem only ode with the RBR in router mode. There are no other wifi antennas trying to control wifi traffic in the house.

Everything else is in the Netgear documention and knowledge base, so it doesn't help; it's been tried or taken into account, i.e. square footage and the coverage of each unit.

FURRYe38 · Answer

well if your not going to give feed back to the questions presented then might be time to return the Orbi AX and find something that works for you.&nbsp;Good Luck.&nbsp;

GetOverIt · Answer

I have been able to gather additional patterns.&nbsp;Using the status monitor for the c2000t modem, I found that the direct connection between the RBR850 and the modem drops to 100Mbps.Running a speed test via the Orbi interface returns the connection between modem and the RBR to 1,000Mbps. It stay at this speed for a while and then drops down to 100Mbps again until I run another speed test.&nbsp;IMPORTANT:The ethernet ports on the modem have been tested, tested, and tested again. They are not the problem.The ports on the modem are auto-sensing, so there is something on the RBR850 that eventually "tells" the modem its maximum speed is only 100Mbps.&nbsp;The cable is not the issue; it has been tested multiple times using other hardware.The modem is not the issue; again, it never had this problem with the previous wifi, and I have tested all the ports using other devices. Speeds nevers drops below 700Mbps.&nbsp;It is ONLY the RBR85o that drops the speed between itself and the modem. I don't know why running a speed test would reset the RBR's port to full speed for a while.

FURRYe38 · Answer

Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi.&nbsp;This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAThttps://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NATCouple of options,1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&amp;app=desktop&nbsp;Try either option #2 or #3. See if there is any changes.&nbsp;Return the Orbi AX system and try another. Sounds like the RBR maybe faulty if it's not holding a 1000Mpbs connection rate at the modem in router or AP mode.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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RBR850 + RBS850 Satellites: Terrible Performance & Stability

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