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Solved
Firmware mismatch issue
I updated my 970 mesh system via automatic update and things do not appear to be correct.
After the update the router device model is listed as RBE971 and is at firmware V12.1.10.12. The satellite is listed as model RBE970 instead of RBS and its firmware is at V9.13.2.1. I have tried to manually apply the firmware to the satellite, and it fails.
Any guidance on how I can put things correct?
You appear to be entangled in Netgear's change of model numbers.
- For nearly a decade, Orbi mesh systems had a consistent practice of model numbers:
o RBRxxx indicated a router
o RBSxxx indicated a satellite
o RBKxxx indicated a "Kit" consisting of one router and one or more satellites - With the WiFi7 products, some genius at Netgear decided on a different system:
o RBExx1 indicates a router
o RBExx0 indicates a satellite
Thus, it is impossible to install firmware for a 971 (router) on a 970 (satellite).
The satellite firmware is found here:
https://kb.netgear.com/000070863/
It appears (to me) that the router and satellite are both running the same firmware version. (v12.1.11.10)
- For nearly a decade, Orbi mesh systems had a consistent practice of model numbers:
6 Replies
update... I was able to get the satellite updated by logging into it and manually updating. However, my router is still reporting as an RBE971 and I am not able to manually apply the RBE 970 V12.1.11.10 firmware to make it synchronous with the satellite. See attached image
Apologies. I initially misstated my issue. My RBR971 router is currently running the correct firmware RBE971-V12.1.11.10. however, my satellite is currently running the incorrect firmware RBE970-V12.1.11.10. Efforts to manually update it using the RBE971 firmware package have been unsuccessful because the satellite will not accept an upload of larger than 60MB and the v12 firmware packages are all larger than that. Any ideas on how I might correct this?
You appear to be entangled in Netgear's change of model numbers.
- For nearly a decade, Orbi mesh systems had a consistent practice of model numbers:
o RBRxxx indicated a router
o RBSxxx indicated a satellite
o RBKxxx indicated a "Kit" consisting of one router and one or more satellites - With the WiFi7 products, some genius at Netgear decided on a different system:
o RBExx1 indicates a router
o RBExx0 indicates a satellite
Thus, it is impossible to install firmware for a 971 (router) on a 970 (satellite).
The satellite firmware is found here:
https://kb.netgear.com/000070863/
It appears (to me) that the router and satellite are both running the same firmware version. (v12.1.11.10)
- For nearly a decade, Orbi mesh systems had a consistent practice of model numbers:
Thanks.... It's been a while since I have done manual firmware updates, so my memory might be failing me, but if I recall correctly in the past there were two separate files one for the satellite RBS and one for the router RBR and even though my mesh system was an RBK971 the models reported as RBR970, and RBS970 in the router config. Why I'm confused is I bought my setup RBK971 as a pair and they are now reporting two different model numbers the satellite RBE970, and the router RBE971. If that's the way they should look it was a stupid decision on someone's part and is not very intuitive. My setup is still under warrantee, so I opened a case with Netgear to see what they say. On a positive note, things appear to be working fine.
Ahh, I think I get it now. What I bought was the RBK970 set which included the Router (RBE971), and Satellite (RBE970). Previously the firmware's reported model numbers as RBR970, and RBS970. They have recently changed that. Will see if support confirms, but as you said it appears what I have is correct.
Be sure to update any connected RBS FIRST, then the RBR lastly to same version of FW. RBS have a seprate FW file from the RBR FW file though will have same versioning. Folllow this guide for doing manual updates:
THe naming convention hasn't change for the Orbi BE series.
