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Forum Discussion
Orbi 970 wired backhaul disconnected satellites
Today I received my brand new Netgear WiFi 7 (ORBI 970) 3-pack. This set is replacing my WiFi 6 (ORBI 860) 3-pack.
My configuration:
- 1 router, 2 satellites (firmware: V9.12.1.2 (latest))
- AP Mode
- Wired backhaul (10 GBE WAN port on router and 10 GBE LAN port on satellites)
- 2x Zyxel 10 gigabit switches XS1930-10 (firmware: V4.80(ABQE.3) | 10/06/2023 (latest))
- IGMP & loop protection disabled
The new WiFi 7 hardware is configured exactly the same as the previous WiFi 6 hardware, but unlike my previous setup, the router does not see the satellites when they are connected wired (wireless it does). Unfortunately, wireless is not an option for me, because the satellites are to far from the router which causes a very slow network speed when I configure my setup wirelessly.
I have read in various posts that there are quite a few problems with the wired backhaul setup, but contrary to some responses to these posts, I have not yet experienced a working solution by updating the router and satellites to the newest firmware. The set cost me almost € 2.400 (The Netherlands), so I can expect a little more from this WiFi 7 solution, right? This is not the first ORBI set that Netgear brings on the market. What is the big difference between the WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 ORBI sets that is causing me to encounter this inexplicable problem?
What have I already tried:
- Restarted all equipment (ORBI set, switches and ISP router)
- Switched between the WAN and LAN 10 GBE port on the router (and connected both to my switch)
- Reset ORBI set to factory defaults 3 times and configured everything again.
- Placed my previous ORBI set back in action (this works without any problems with the same setup).
- Checked cabling and 10 GBE performance, no issues there (checked with professional testing equipment)
I upgraded my ORBI set because my WAN connection is much faster than my WiFi 6 ORBI set could handle.
15 Replies
Do the RBS keep the connection if you bypass using any LAN switches in between?
How are the RBS connected thru these switches to the RBR? Behind the RBR or is the switches and RBS connected behind the host router?
Brand and model # of the host router please.
Also, these are managed switches, something that can cause problems for Orbi systems. Be sure to disable ANY IGMP and Green Ethernet features on these switches to check this.
What CAT# lan cables are you using? CAT6A STP is recommended for link speeds 2.5Gb or higher. Especially 10Gb.
When I unplug the LAN connection, the ORBI satellite's connect wirelessly.
The ORBI router is connected to the switch, the switch is connected to the second switch on another floor in my house en the satellite's are connected to that switch. So RBR --> switch --> switch --> 2x RBS.
Host router is an FRITZ!Box 7590, connected to the RBR trough a switch.
IGMP, power saving settings (Green Ethernet) and loop protection are disabled.
Cabling used is CAT6A STP, all certified by professional testing equipment.
Nothing has changed to my config at home, I only replaced the ORBI set for a newer one. So I can't imagine that there is a configuration problem, looks like buggy firmware (my personal opinion).
Lets bring one RBS to near or if you can at the point were you can connect one RBS directly to the back of the RBR and check for a "Wired" status on this one RBS.
I'm currently using NGs XS505M and a MS110MX switches and both are "Wired" status here.
Any progress on this.
Do you still have your managed switch?
AliazRob wrote:
Today I received my brand new Netgear WiFi 7 (ORBI 970) 3-pack. This set is replacing my WiFi 6 (ORBI 860) 3-pack.
My configuration:
- 1 router, 2 satellites (firmware: V9.12.1.2 (latest))
- AP Mode
- Wired backhaul (10 GBE WAN port on router and 10 GBE LAN port on satellites)
- 2x Zyxel 10 gigabit switches XS1930-10 (firmware: V4.80(ABQE.3) | 10/06/2023 (latest))
- IGMP & loop protection disabled
The new WiFi 7 hardware is configured exactly the same as the previous WiFi 6 hardware, but unlike my previous setup, the router does not see the satellites when they are connected wired (wireless it does). Unfortunately, wireless is not an option for me, because the satellites are to far from the router which causes a very slow network speed when I configure my setup wirelessly.
I have read in various posts that there are quite a few problems with the wired backhaul setup, but contrary to some responses to these posts, I have not yet experienced a working solution by updating the router and satellites to the newest firmware. The set cost me almost € 2.400 (The Netherlands), so I can expect a little more from this WiFi 7 solution, right? This is not the first ORBI set that Netgear brings on the market. What is the big difference between the WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 ORBI sets that is causing me to encounter this inexplicable problem?
What have I already tried:
- Restarted all equipment (ORBI set, switches and ISP router)
- Switched between the WAN and LAN 10 GBE port on the router (and connected both to my switch)
- Reset ORBI set to factory defaults 3 times and configured everything again.
- Placed my previous ORBI set back in action (this works without any problems with the same setup).- Checked cabling and 10 GBE performance, no issues there (checked with professional testing equipment)
I upgraded my ORBI set because my WAN connection is much faster than my WiFi 6 ORBI set could handle.
