Orbi 770 - Use MLO backhaul? Use 5Ghz DFS or leave at 40? And Wifi 7 connection issue questions.

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njweb wrote:

1) 5 GHz - Use channel 40 (default) or one of the 5GHz DFS channels?

Is there a benefit to changing the 5GHz channel from '40' to one of the 5GHz DFS channels?

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Short answer: maybe, but not much.

Long answer: The WiFi channel number is used for WiFi management frames which are used to coordinate WiFi activity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11_frame_types 

Because they have to be read by every WiFi device, no matter how old, they use only the lowest possible speed setting (6MHz for the 5G frequency).  There is a panel in the Orbi 'app' called WiFi Analytics which displays the number of WiFi systems broadcasting management frames on each frequency. (swipe right to reach this display).

Selecting a frequency with the fewest WiFi systems means less possibility of interference.

However, regular data frames, 99.9% of the activity, use the widest number of channels possible.  No matter what channel has been set for control activity, when it comes to sending data, every WiFi system tries to use as wide a data band (number of channels) as are available at that instant.

MLO is a mode of connection only. If a wifi device supports WiFi 7 and  supports 5 and 6Ghz frequencies, the device will connect to both 5 and 6Ghz for a multi link connection. MLO is automatic on all BE series systems. Even on the 770 series, it's in operation. The MLO Backhaul is already working and I believe this user changeable option is no available on newer versions of FW and maybe no longer seen on the 770 series in future FW updates. Again, it's all automatic and based on wifi device support. The MLO Backhaul is NOT accessible by user wifi devices and only by the RBS when wirelessly connected. 

Note that you need a device that support WiFi7 and installed on a OS that supports WiFi7 specs. Windows 11 24H2 only supports this feature. Windows versions lower then that do not. 

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njweb wrote:

I recently purchased the RBE773 (Orbi 770 3-pack system) - got a nice deal

 

1) 5 GHz - Use channel 40 (default) or one of the 5GHz DFS channels?

Is there a benefit to changing the 5GHz channel from '40' to one of the 5GHz DFS channels? Or is there a reason the 5GHz channel is set to 40 by default (related to wireless backhaul perhaps)?

 

 

While I read some posts about Wifi 7 and that the Orbi settings cannot be changed (and hence the admin screen settings only shows 2.4GHz and 5GHz and does not refer to Wifi 7), I have a few questions related to Wifi 7:

 

2) Wifi 7 - How to check that Wifi 6E and Wifi 7 are even working on the Orbi 770/970?

In the Orbi admin (192.168.1.1) screen, I do NOT see any reference to Wifi 7? I do not even see 6GHz noted, except for the satellites under Attached Devices? For the satellites, it shows 'Connection Type", "5GHz + 6GHz".

But even then, that could be Wifi 6E and not Wifi 7.

There is no explicit confirmation in the screen that the router or satellites even have Wifi 7 band enabled / in use?

 

Any insights would be appreciated, thanks!

 

3) Wifi 7 USB adapter connecting to 5 Ghz and not connecting to Wifi 6E or Wifi 7? 

I have a Wifi 7 (Realtek 8912AU) USB adapter, but I see it is connected to the 5GHz band and not 6 GHz.

Shouldn't my Wifi 7 adapter connect to Wifi 7 by default (assuming signal strength is strong enough)?

 

4) MLO Backhaul - Under 'Advanced' > 'Advanced' (again) > 'Advanced Wireless Settings', I see  the following option (disabled by default). What are the pros and cons of enabling MLO Backhaul?

 

Advanced Wireless Settings (MLO Backhaul)

Enable 240MHz Bandwidth

 

 

Thanks in advance for any insights or recommendations for the above questions!

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