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Forum Discussion
jtmtech
Apr 13, 2026Aspirant
Inconsistent connectivity on LAN
I have inconsistent behavior when trying to ping or ssh across devices that are all on the same WLAN. Is this a known behavior? I have an 871 router and 4x 870 satellites running firmware V10.5.20.4_1.3.5. General connectivity to the Internet is fine and the mesh systems are all within recommended distances.
Running "arp -an" yields a mix of (incomplete) and some actual valid mac entries. No local firewalls (ufw) running or Mac OS WiFi MAC randomization/security is enabled. Some days I can ping/ssh across and some days I can't, so this must be some just weird netgear behavior not a concrete setting on my devices.
It's super random, I can ping some devices that are 2 satellites away, but can't ping or connect to other devices that are in the same room.
6 Replies
- CrimpOnGuru - Experienced User
jtmtech wrote:
inconsistent behavior
Please clarify "inconsistent"
- Network connections between the Mac client and some WiFi devices work, but others fail?
or - Network connection to the same device sometimes work correctly and sometimes fail?
- Network connections between the Mac client and some WiFi devices work, but others fail?
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
Try pinging all the clients with them connected at the RBR first.
Make sure all mac randomizers are disable on all devices.
Then turn off all but one RBS and connect them to the RBS and ping each other. Or ping the RBR and RBS IP addresses from each device.
What channels are being used on the RBR?
Size of home in sq feet please.
Any of the following enabled? Armor, Access Controls, SPC or IPv6?
- jtmtechAspirant
RBR only pings work. How do you force a connection to a specific RBS? I can ping from all devices to the RBR and to all RBSes.
Armor, AC, SPC, IPv6 are all disabled.
6000 sq ft, 2 floors.
Channel info:
2.4G Channel: Auto (4(P) + 8(S))
2.4G Mode: Up to 688 Mbps
5G Channel: 149 + 153(P) + 157 + 161
5G Mode: Up to 2882 Mbps
6G Channel: 33+37+41+45+49+53+57+61+69(P)+73+77+81+85+89+93
6G Mode: Up to 11529 Mbps
- FURRYe38Guru - Experienced User
Need to place a client device near the RBS with the devices wifi disabled. Then enabled the client wifi radio. The client should connect to this nearest RBS.
Another item i've been testing is having a ethernet PC connected to the back of the RBS as well. Pinging the RBR, RBS and client device while they are connected at same RBS.
Also change from auto to manual channels, try 1 and 40 or 11 and 48.
I see yours picks channel 69 for 5Ghz. Mine does same and never picks anything else.
And for that size of home, having 4 RBS deployed could be too many. I have a 5K sq ft home and only use 2 RBS. You might turn one RBS OFF.
- CrimpOnGuru - Experienced User
All these devices are on the primary WiFi network? (not the Guest WiFi?)
- jtmtechAspirant
Yes