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Orbi 870 + 2 Sats - strange issue with not showing devices connected
So, I just moved from an older Linksys Gen 2 mesh system. It was pretty solid but wife wanted greater speeds for her work. So, I just upgraded to the Orbi 870. When I log into my OrbiNet, it states the router is an RBE 871 but the two satellites are 870s.
See Firmware state above.
My house is 2 story / 3400 sq ft.
The router is in the first floor laundry room, middle west side of the house. It's where the network and cable panel is.
The first satellite is in the front office - first floor of the house (south side).
The second satellite is upstairs in the middle bedroom right up the stairs on the east side of the house.
I have like 60 lifx bulbs and other IOT devices that need 2.4 GHz. Also, I have a variety of 5 GHz devices like laptops, media, and portable computers. Almost 90 devices in total.
I don't think I am saturating the 2.4 GHz band or even coming close the point with the 5/6 GHz bands either. Using their app to test both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
OK, I literally just set this system up from new last night. Seemed like everything went well, at first, including adding the satellites. I tried ethernet back haul at first but I'll get into more of that later.
My provider is XFinity and I am getting great speed from the Cable Modem to the 871 router. Not that it matters, perhaps, but I went to the 192.168.1.x IP "standard" from the 10.x.x.x. I also have a couple devices that I want reserved IPs for. Just three of them. Also, I changed the name of the router, set up my 2.4 GHZ (only) IOT and turned on IPV 6 (DHCP) pretty much left everything else standard. Rebooted the router.
When I went to my device connections in OrbiNet (192.168.1.1) and checked both Basic - Attached Devices, and Advanced - Administration - Attached Devices, I saw both satellites (with IP addresses), then all my devices.
Then I noticed some strange behavior. When I was going through my devices and making sure they reattached to the networks (using the same SSID / PW as I did on the old Linksys mesh), I noticed that the satellites had no IPs. Just 0.0.0.0. I also noticed that when I clicked out of those pages and tried to go back in, it just spun. I let it spin for almost an hour. Most likely timed out. So, I rebooted. It did the same thing after about 15-20 minutes.
However, in the Orbi app on my Android, it shows the system online and 2 of 2 Satellites. When I go to Network Map as part of that app, it also shows they are "online" but when I click on them, no devices are present - but I know their are devices connected. Also I noticed that it had both Satellites connected to the router in a split configuration. Now, typing this it's linear. Sat2 connected to Sat2 and then to the router. WTF.
Using the anayltics tool on the app... I dislike the app, other than the WiFi analytics and that I had to use it to set this all up. I used it to measure my signal strength and speed for the 2.4 GHz IOT SSID. I was at 88-100% most everywhere in the house. So, no problems there.
I had this system setup for ethernet back haul but decided to just disconnect them from the wall and let them WiFi back haul. I did connect my desktops directly to them via ethernet with the ports on the back of Sat1 and Sat2.
Long story short, I did a complete reset on the Router and Sats. Set it all up again from the app, and I am still seeing the Sats drop off from the orbinet and I can't see my connected devices.
I see my router has a different FW then the satellites. Perhaps I should downgrade that to the same FW? I don't see any updates for the Sats, so I am hoping that the NG Engineers tested this?!? I think my setup is pretty vanilla - I am sure there are people with more devices then me, assuradly.
Note that I did go to manual firmware update and was able to IP connect to both Sat1 and Sat2. Strange since the main page doesn't show that. I can also see devices connected but it doesn't look like a all the devices are accounted for between the Sats or the main Router.
Yes, I checked the logs. I don't see any reference to what happened.
Anyway, this is pissing me off quite a bit. Everytime I have to make a change with these things, it's like a minimum of a 10 minute wait. It's like I am 7 years old again loading Snake Eggs off a tape drive with my TRS-80. Come on man...
I'd rather NOT do a full factory reset if I don't have to. Maybe I'll try to do the firmware downgrade on the router to match the Sats?
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks! - Lutra
Updates. :) Thank you again for your help! It ended up working out.
Cat5 seems to be lighting up 2.5Gb on my backhaul and for the rest of the house.
I changed the placement of the main router to the front of the house on the first floor, pointing to the back of the house, where there is a sattelite, also on the first floor.
For the sat on the second floor, I aslo placed it at the front of the house, pointing to the back of the house. The back of the house on the second floor doesn't have that many smart devices that need IPs as they are "Matter / Zigbee" paired on my main house hub.I also disabled MAC Randomization on my devices.
I can now see all the devices on OrbiNet and also on my phone app.
So, I would say problem solved! :)
Again, I just want to thank you and this community for the assist and guidance. It was very helpful! :)
-Lutra
7 Replies
Both RBR and RBS have matching FW versions which is good.
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6A STP is recommended.Are you using ISP detected IPv4 and IPv6 DNS?
Can you disable IPv6 for now and test.
When you had the RBS ethernet connected for wired BH, how are they connected to the RBR? There any wall outlets or ethernet patch panel or a LAN switch inbetween them?
What is the distance between the router 📡 and satellite(s)🛰️? 30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR 📡 and RBS 🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
https://kb.netgear.com/31029/Where-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite ‌‌🛰For the size of home, the main router unit and just one RBS should work. A 2nd maybe too much.
I would try this first, bring both RBS to same room as RBR, or maybe one room away. Factory reset it using the ERASE button on the RBRs web page and then setup from scratch using a web browser. MS Edge is preferred for this.
Set up the system with the RBS wirelessly connected first.
After setting up, check both RBR web page and Orbi app for RBS connection status. WEB UI should show both after say 5-10 minutes of being online.
Please review and walk thru this reset process here:
Orbi Systems Manual Factory Reset Process | NETGEAR Communities
I use this all the time and works well.
Once you have the system setup again, put the RBS back in there remote locations and power them ON and let them wirelessly connect for now.
Thank you for your time to reply FURRYe38​. It's much appreciated.
The Modem is the Arris S34 and is the recommended modem from XFinity. Yes, it's connected directly to the 10G connection on the back of the RBE871 router.
From the router, it's a single connection to a unmanaged NG 8 port 2.5GB switch MS308.
From the switch, in my patch panel, it connects to 8 wall jacks via cat 7 patches at various places in my house. These runs from the panel are Cat 5e - the house was built in 2005. I'd have to rewire a couple rooms to get the 2.5GB with CAT 6/7 wire. I don't want to think about that just yet. LOL.Otherwise, the Sats are just plugged into power with not ethernet and I am experimenting with placement.
If nothing changes, I'll follow your lead with the suggestions. Things seem to be working so, maybe this will be fixed in a new FW release. I hope NG is listening here. This is basic stuff IMO. Not sure a 1K+ system has garbage level reporting. Sad really. This is why I originally left NG routers - I had a Gen 2 NH gaming router. It was nice but after FW after FW patch, it just became totally unreliable.
Thank you again for your assistance!
-Lutra
Ya, CAT5e is ok, however for speed beyond 2.5Gb on ethernet, CAT6A STP cabling is best. What i have in my home. My 870s series and other Orbi systems run fine. Also have a XS505M and GS110MX in the mixe as well for eth BH.
Can you disable IPv6 for now and test.
Definately test placement as this can be key.
I'd do a factory reset as suggested with RBS is same room so you can observe RBS behaviors whie wireless connected and working with the setup routine. I always using the router IP address vs orbilogin.net. I've always had good connection with using the RBRs IP address. Also recommend that you set a IP address reservation for your RBS as well. So that you can access them as well with ease. Something I do as well.
I just had my 870 series online last month, worked great. Working a different system now.
I have Orbi 870 also. I would be wary of the app and/or website not accurately showing all the connected devices or IP addresses, yet everything in your home network is working (which is what matters). So don't rush into factory resetting so much unless your devices are disconnected and lacking internet access. The Orbi app, in particular, may display incorrect information but I find that usually orbilogin.com website is accurate. If in doubt also try accessing the website from a different phone/laptop. If the satellites are connected (blue or no light) then they have IP addresses, despite what may be displayed.
Thank you for the reply Mikey94025​!
Totally agree with you. The app however was starting to show all my devices now when it wasn't before - not sure where that came from. LOL. However, the device list is still incomplete. Regardless, NG needs to fix these basic needs of the user. I suppose as a "power user" this is unacceptable IMO. I need to know what's connected to my network and what their IPs are. The mobile app / OrbiNet.com/.net isn't accurate either. So... yea.
Thank you for your time to reply. It's much appreciated.
-Lutra
