New RBR850 / RBS850 Series Firmware Version v3.2.17.12 Released

A reset should have been performed on v12. Your choice though.

I have reset mine the other day and reapplied the configuration from back up file:

CPU Load: 11.46%

Memory Usage(Used/Total): 435 MB/867 MB

System Uptime: 2 days 00:07:32

Working so far. No DNS issues though I've not seen that problems since the Orbi AX was installed 2019 with no IPv6 enabled. I'm now using IPv6 6to4 which is also working. 

---

FURRYe38 wrote:

A reset should have been performed on v12. Your choice though.

 

I have reset mine the other day and reapplied the configuration from back up file:

CPU Load: 11.46%

Memory Usage(Used/Total): 435 MB/867 MB

System Uptime: 2 days 00:07:32

Working so far. No DNS issues though I've not seen that problems since the Orbi AX was installed 2019 with no IPv6 enabled. I'm now using IPv6 6to4 which is also working. 

---

This brings up an interesting question about resets followed by backup restoration... I was under the impression that the backup restoration did MORE than just configurations and therefore wasnt recommended (because it could carry forward undesired internals).  Is that incorrect?

From my understanding, backups are just user configurations that users set ON the RBR. I don't know for usre if they would include anything else. Some of these settings or configurations may not be valid or work correctly as newer FW may introduce changes which would cause older configurations to not work right or cause problems on newer versions of FW.

The backup I had used was from the same version of FW that I had loaded then taken a backup snapshot while on this version of FW. It's not recommended to user backup files from say older prior versions of FW on newer versions of FW. 

---

FURRYe38 wrote:

From my understanding, backups are just user configurations that users set ON the RBR. I don't know for usre if they would include anything else. Some of these settings or configurations may not be valid or work correctly as newer FW may introduce changes which would cause older configurations to not work right or cause problems on newer versions of FW.

 

The backup I had used was from the same version of FW that I had loaded then taken a backup snapshot while on this version of FW. It's not recommended to user backup files from say older prior versions of FW on newer versions of FW. 

---

Thanks for that clarification.  For education, it would be interesting to ask the engineers to confirm if anything other than user settings are in there -- and if - indeed - it can accurately carry saved configs forward between minor or major versions.

Of course, I'll see if I can get that information. No guarantees. :smileyembarrassed:

Firmware Version v3.2.17.12 is the most stable firmware to date. I have it running on several RBK750 and 850 systems with no issues.

One importing step to note, although not always needed, is backup the router. Manually update the firmware on the satellites first, then the router, factory reset the satellites and router (this is the step that is not always needed). Reboot the ISP modem/router. Restore the Orbi backup. 

What I have found is Firmware Version v3.2.17.12 has fixed many issues and is fast and stable. Over a dozen systems updated so far, with absolutely no issues.  

Do I presume correctly you manually download and manually update FW on your systems using the devices web page? 

---

Mstrbig wrote:

Firmware Version v3.2.17.12 is the most stable firmware to date. I have it running on several RBK750 and 850 systems with no issues.

One importing step to note, although not always needed, is backup the router. Manually update the firmware on the satellites first, then the router, factory reset the satellites and router (this is the step that is not always needed). Reboot the ISP modem/router. Restore the Orbi backup. 

What I have found is Firmware Version v3.2.17.12 has fixed many issues and is fast and stable. Over a dozen systems updated so far, with absolutely no issues.  

---

---

FURRYe38 wrote:

Do I presume correctly you manually download and manually update FW on your systems using the devices web page? 

---

FURRYe38 I downloaded the router and sat firmware from the Netgear Support Download page. I first backed up settings, then used the GUI's Advanced / Administration / Firmware Update page's Manual Update page. I checked Satellite 1 and updated, then Satellite 2, then Router.

The updates performed flawlessly, I rebooted, and did not have to restore settings, nor have to factory reset. 

Awesome. Thanks for confirming this. :smileyvery-happy:

Make sure that you use the RBS files for the Satellites and the RBR for the Router. Always do the Satellites first. The Satellites updates will take you to their internal Web UI to individually upload to them.

Then on the same page right below the Firmware Update line, it says:

"To update Orbi router, locate and select the update file on your disk."

Below that is an empty box. Next to that is a button for the Router FW. Click the button next to it and go find the FW update and it will have you continue to update the Router.

Hi,

When I started manual upload on the sattelite, rather quickly I get the message that upgrade has failed. It tells me that I should check the downloaded zip file.

What now ?

Make sure you unpack the .zip file to reveal the actual file that needs to be selected.

When you on the RBRs manual FW update page, this page is only for the RBR so be sure you are selecting the unpacked RBR .chk FW file. 

Thanks, it works now ...

Enjoy. :smileywink:

So that was a challenging update!  Strange how sometimes the updates work so smoothly with no drama.  I wonder if using a wired backhaul during update a good idea - maybe not?

I updated the satellite and that went fine.  Next I updated the Router and when it restarted, no internet. After everything I had read here, I was expecting that.  Maybe the LAGed ports don't sync back up after a soft restart.  So I powered everthing off for a minute or so.  Then I restarted the CM1150V cable modem, then the RBR850.  All good.  Next I powered up the RBS850.  All good...until it wasn't.  After about 5 minutes minutes I could no longer access the admin screen from my phone or my computer, although it seemed both the router and satellite were working otherwise - internet performace was good from both.  I gave it 20 minutes or so and figured it wasn't coming back.  So I powered everything off again and back on.  Now the RBS would not connect.  OK, power everything off again, restart all of it with the RBS wireless.  Now it all came back up and performance again was very good.  After 30 minutes or so, I reconnected the RBS wired connection and after 5 minutes or so, it reconnected wired and has been fine for the last several hours.  So I'm fairly certain all is good now.  I did save configurations before I started and immediately after the update, but I never did a hard reset/restore - seems like that should almost never be necessary unless the release notes require it.

I had been through similar experiences with the RBR50/RBS50 gear I replaced - worse actually - so at least I'm seasoned.  At any rate, I do like this setup - when it is working I get pretty great internet speeds:

1166/41 at the router which is a little better than Xfinity advertises.

Wired computers are getting around 900/40 and my iPhone gets anywhere from 300-700/40 depending on where I am in the house.  And all the little IOT devices seem happy.  The persnickety Nest Doorbell Cam is happy and that says a lot; that thing is a Wifi terror.

I will also note that while I have been using the wired backhaul, I will probably disconnect that as I think the wireless backhaul performs at least as good or better, 2GB+ vs 1GB.  And it's there to use so I may as well.

Also, I didn't have any of the channel issues some spoke of.  I have been using 1 and 36, for 2.4 and 5 respectively for a long time even before I got the RBK852 stuff. I use two Windows apps to help find the optimal channels:  WIFI Analyzer and WIFI Commander, free from the Microsoft Store.  Both are very handy for staying clear of neighbor's competing WIFI. They both require a computer with wireless connectivity. 

For doing any FW udpates, it's recommended to use a wired PC connected to the RBS or RBR to send FW to there web pages directly.

Factory resets are a valid and integral part of troubleshooting step should problems be seen at any time and when normal troubleshooting steps can't resolve problems. Some of us prefer to factory reset after a FW update to ensure the FW is loaded well and no lingering prior FW code or user condigurations are present and the system gets a clean start and configuration from scratch. Seen to many times there are problems after a FW update which should have gone well, didn't or a problem was not resolved after a FW udpate, resetting resolved the problems. Factory resets are users discretion and up to you though. 

I recommend setting the RBR to manual channel 40 instead of 36. 

Good Luck. 

Curious why 40?  Is there some issue with ch36? When I run the analyzer is shows that I get better signal at 36 or 48 - any of them seem to work, but I get better Ookla results at 36 or 48.

I was informed by NG that for Orbi AX 40-48 is referred now. Not sure way 36 isn't. I did try 36 manually once and saw problems. Moved to 40 and it's been solid since.