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Forum Discussion
Orbi 770 - Use MLO backhaul? Use 5Ghz DFS or leave at 40? And Wifi 7 connection issue questions.
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 fr...
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.
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!
Thanks a lot Furry!
MLO: Thanks!
Interestingly I am pretty sure I have the latest 770 firmware, but I will double check.
V10.5.13.1_2.2.34
Wifi 7 - Thanks. Yes, I had previously read that Win 11 24H2 was required for Wifi 7.
I upgraded to 24H2 yesterday in fact (only after it seemed some of the 24H2 issues had been resolved).
Just played around with it today and my Archer TBE6500UH Wifi 7 USB adapter is still only connecting to the Orbi 770's 5 GHz network.
Perhaps this is expected behavior, but would have expected it to connect to the 6GHz band?
Other WiFi adapters used on Windows 11 have settings for which WiFi band to prefer. (Right click on the adapter in Windows Network Devices and select Properties.) Does this TP-Link adapter have options for how to connect?
Do you happen to have any other devices which support the 6GHz frequency band?
Thanks CrimpOn
I set the TP-Link to 6GHz as preferred and it still chose to connect to the 5GHz band.
On my ~1.4Gbps internet connection with my Orbi 770 3 unit system, I got a 736 Mbps download speed a few minutes ago from the TP-Link BE6500UH (opposite side of the house from the router, but open floor plan). Getting 648 - 736Mbps (did 3 tests today - got 648, 702 and 736 Mbps just now).
EDIT - In the same room as the Orbi 770 router, the TP-Link got 1,1116 Mbps down just now.
I also have a Netgear A8000 Wifi 6E USB adapter which got about 466 Mbps on Speedtest today across the hour from the Orbi.
UPDATE - I will test the Netgear in the same room as the router a bit later today.
Pretty sure the speeds on this same A8000 adapter were MUCH faster with the RBK853 (which I recently replaced with the Orbi 770). Not super surprising since the RBK853 was a beast when it comes to range. I did some comparisons and the Orbi 770 was not bad though (or I would have returned it).
Couple the ranges between the two being in the same ballpark for the most part with the higher maximum wifi speeds of the 770 and on my cell phone, I did get better speeds than when I was using the RBK853.
For comparison my Fall 2023 cell phone got a whopping 1,321 Mbps when I tested it in the same room as the router.
Debating whether to return it - speeds are good, but it does not support Wifi 7 well / fully - not sure if it is because of the Orbi 770's current implementation or the TP-Link...
I tested a much much cheaper clone of the TP-Link Wifi 7 USB adapter (same exact Realtek chipset as the TP-Link) using the TP-Link's drivers, but it kept disconnecting at times. Also some mention the clone is not Wifi 7 (might be its drivers). I used TP-Link's drivers on the clone as noted. I may try another similar clone or may wait for other companies to deliver Wifi 7 adapters that actually.
I bought a Archer BE9500 PCI adapter last year to see if it would work on MLO. Would not. Turned out TP-Link didn't have MLO implemented. They use MicroTek I believe. I returned it. I watched the threads over there but wasn't sure if they got it implemented. There is ariticles about that Mfr being under scrutiny now.
Since then I bought a Intel BE200 PCI card and it fully supports MLO on Win11 24H2.
You might try NGs USB Adatpers and see or find you a Intel based USB MLO adapter.
njweb wrote:
Just played around with it today and my Archer TBE6500UH Wifi 7 USB adapter is still only connecting to the Orbi 770's 5 GHz network.
Perhaps this is expected behavior, but would have expected it to connect to the 6GHz band?
Thanks for the feedback Furry! Have to run, but will post more later...
In the meantime, I did post some tests and thoughts above (not in response to your post, which I did not get a chance to reply to.
