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ORBI 970 - Separate name per wifi freq.
I do not understand how the ORBI naming works versus the nighthawk.
Background:
Currently I have a Nighthawk router with an extender. I am able to give each frequency a separate name and password. Therefore, for one department they use 5.1 MHZ, another 5.0MHZ, and finally 2.4MHZ.
I want to update to the ORBI 970 but it seems the ORBI has one name for the router and you cannot choose which WIFI frequency you want to use.
Can you explain as an ORBI user what do I see to connect, just one name?
WIFI router ORBI --only
As a user can I choose to use a different frequency for my WIFI but does ORBI choose it for you?
I would appreciate any help so I can understand.
Currently using Nighthawk:
Connect WIFI selection on my machine:
Main-51
Sales-50
Visitor-24
Due to the nature and design of MESH systems, Orbi systems have never been able to disable Smart Connect or have separate networks on the main WLAN. After years of IoT mfrs not changing how there setup software works with there devices and MESH systems and that 2.4Ghz and 5ghz are on the same network however phones and pads prefer 5Ghz to connect too, the IoT mfrs limits there setup software to only work on 2.4ghz. So around 2023, NG finally implemented the separate IoT network on AX and AXE Orbi systems. Thus giving Orbi users the ability to configure the IoT network for there IoT needs. Same is seen on BE systems as well. MESHs systems are complex and can't offer that ability as it would cause issues which NG wants to avoid. For single router only systems like Nighthawk, Smart Connect can be disabled on those since there are not depending satellites being connected and less complex.
4 Replies
Currently I have a Nighthawk router with an extender. I am able to give each frequency a separate name and password. Therefore, for one department they use 5.1 MHZ, another 5.0MHZ, and finally 2.4MHZ.
Orbi uses Mesh technology. 2.4 and 5.0 GHz (there is no 5.1 GHz) use the same SSID and password for router and satellites. The idea is that mobile devices can move around seamlessly, with router and satellites talking to each other. With the Nighthawk router and extender it is down to the mobile device to negotiate the handover as a device moves between wifi sources.
The RBE970 system has various wifi options, including a "Guest" network.
You might like to check the manual to see how you can set things up to your liking.
Feed in your model number and check the documentation.
Look at the section Manage the WiFi Settings.
You can only have separate on the IoT network:
https://kb.netgear.com/000064267/How-do-I-enable-or-disable-the-Internet-of-things-IoT-network-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-6E-System
https://kb.netgear.com/000064269/How-do-I-change-the-Internet-of-things-IoT-network-name-SSID-and-password-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-6E-SystemI was thinking about going with ORBI 970 but unlike the T-Link router you cannot disable the smart connect. I have read "many" articles about how the smart connect is not really that smart and if you want a different GHZ than what smart connect likes it is impossible to configure. Is it true that the ORBIs smart connect cannot be disabled? It looks like old versions of ORBI had the smart connect disable switch - oh well! I like to have control of my network so I guess ORBI is not for me - too bad.
Due to the nature and design of MESH systems, Orbi systems have never been able to disable Smart Connect or have separate networks on the main WLAN. After years of IoT mfrs not changing how there setup software works with there devices and MESH systems and that 2.4Ghz and 5ghz are on the same network however phones and pads prefer 5Ghz to connect too, the IoT mfrs limits there setup software to only work on 2.4ghz. So around 2023, NG finally implemented the separate IoT network on AX and AXE Orbi systems. Thus giving Orbi users the ability to configure the IoT network for there IoT needs. Same is seen on BE systems as well. MESHs systems are complex and can't offer that ability as it would cause issues which NG wants to avoid. For single router only systems like Nighthawk, Smart Connect can be disabled on those since there are not depending satellites being connected and less complex.
