just wondering since the orbi 6E has an option for a separate IOT network, will you roll out the same function for orbi 6 as well? I have at the moment around 10 iot devices connected and total 20 devices running at the same time and sometimes I see some switches being dropped. Not sure if it's bandwith related or just the app. Be great if I could try out a separate IOT network to compare.

Comparing the Netgear website Product Datasheets for the Orbi products is a good way to see the hardware radio differences and numbers:Orbi AC, e.g., RBK53Simultaneous Tri-band WiFiRadio 1: IEEE®802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz -256QAM supportRadio 2: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac 5GHz -256QAM supportRadio 3: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac 5GHz -256QAM supportOrbi AX, e.g., RBK853Simultaneous Tri-band WiFiRadio 1: IEEE®802.11b/g/n/ax2.4GHz—1024-QAM supportRadio 2: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac/ax5GHz—1024-QAM supportRadio 3: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac/ax5GHz—1024-QAM supportOrbi AXE, e.g., RBKE963Simultaneous quad-band WiFiRadio 1: IEEE®802.11b/g/n/ax 2.4GHz —1024-QAM supportRadio 2: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac/ax 5GHz —1024-QAM supportRadio 3: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac/ax 5GHz —1024-QAM supportRadio 4: IEEE®802.11a/n/ac/ax 6GHz —1024-QAM support

You could try adding it to the ideas exchange for home. https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home

Orbi 6 doesn't have the HW for a separate IoT nework. alvin1123 wrote: just wondering since the orbi 6E has an option for a separate IOT network, will you roll out the same function for orbi 6 as well? I have at the moment around 10 iot devices connected and total 20 devices running at the same time and sometimes I see some switches being dropped. Not sure if it's bandwith related or just the app. Be great if I could try out a separate IOT network to compare.

FURRYe38 wrote: Orbi 6 doesn't have the HW for a separate IoT nework. I do not think that hardware has anything to do with it. Since the first Orbi Pro, which has exactly the same hardware as the original Orbi, Netgear has had products with multiple SSID's and "separate networks." That WiFi 6E chip added to the 960E product has nothing to do with the 2.4G WiFi band used by IoT devices. In that regard, the 960E has the same hardware as the original Orbi and the AX products. The difference lies in firmware. In terms of network performance, adding more SSID's to an existing WiFi channel reduces capacity. Each SSID generates management overhead in the form of beacon frames announcing, "Here I am." The 2.4G bands where IoT devices live already have the lowest capacity and most interference of any WiFi system. If some IoT devices are "dropping out", adding a separate SSID for IoT will not improve the situation. My take is that companies "move forward" to develop new products which will give customers incentives to purchase replacements for their current equipment. Part of the attraction is new features. We on the forum, of course, are not employed by Netgear and never hear in advance of product developments.

RBR850 for separate IOT network | NETGEAR Communities

10 Replies

plemans
Guru
Feb 22, 2022
You could try adding it to the ideas exchange for home.

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home
- alvin1123
  Initiate
  Feb 22, 2022
  thanks for the recommendation
FURRYe38
Guru
Feb 22, 2022
Orbi 6 doesn't have the HW for a separate IoT nework.

alvin1123 wrote:

just wondering since the orbi 6E has an option for a separate IOT network, will you roll out the same function for orbi 6 as well? I have at the moment around 10 iot devices connected and total 20 devices running at the same time and sometimes I see some switches being dropped. Not sure if it's bandwith related or just the app. Be great if I could try out a separate IOT network to compare.
- CrimpOn
  Guru
  Feb 22, 2022
  FURRYe38 wrote:
  
  Orbi 6 doesn't have the HW for a separate IoT nework.
  
  I do not think that hardware has anything to do with it. Since the first Orbi Pro, which has exactly the same hardware as the original Orbi, Netgear has had products with multiple SSID's and "separate networks." That WiFi 6E chip added to the 960E product has nothing to do with the 2.4G WiFi band used by IoT devices. In that regard, the 960E has the same hardware as the original Orbi and the AX products. The difference lies in firmware.
  
  In terms of network performance, adding more SSID's to an existing WiFi channel reduces capacity. Each SSID generates management overhead in the form of beacon frames announcing, "Here I am." The 2.4G bands where IoT devices live already have the lowest capacity and most interference of any WiFi system. If some IoT devices are "dropping out", adding a separate SSID for IoT will not improve the situation.
  
  My take is that companies "move forward" to develop new products which will give customers incentives to purchase replacements for their current equipment. Part of the attraction is new features.
  
  We on the forum, of course, are not employed by Netgear and never hear in advance of product developments.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Feb 22, 2022
    I believe in this case HW is a factor. There are 4 separate radios on the 9 series, one of them is dedicated to the IoT or a 2.4Ghz only netowork. Some Orbi AX systems don't have.

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RBR850 for separate IOT network