I just ordered a new Orbi 772 system, to replace my older Nighthawk R7800 router.What exactly are the differences between the main Home network and the other two, IoT and Guest? Specifically, what are the reasons to assign certain devices to one or the other network?Do all three networks use all 3 bands simultaneously (if so, how does a device select the band it needs), or do the band needs to be specified in advance? How so?It appears from the user manual that IoT has choices for the band. Does the guest network have similar choices?Thanks

IoT netowrk can connect and communicate with the main WLAN network and each other. Guest Network is Isolated from the main WLAN and IoT networks.

Many of these questions will be answered in the User Manual: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBE773/RBE771_RBE770_UM.pdf The primary WiFi network is always active and always supports all WiFi bands. None can be disabled or have their SSID "hidden". The Guest WiFi network is optional, intended for "guests", i.e. devices that are not permanently using the network. Devices connected to the Guest WiFi cannot connect with devices on the primary network. As the Guest WiFi can be enabled or disabled at will and the credentials can be changed without affecting any of the permanent devices, this allows the user to provide WiFi to "guests" whenever it is wanted without sacrificing the security of the primary network password. Nighthawk routers have the same feature. The Internet of Things (IoT) WiFi network is Netgear's answer for customers who purchase devices that are difficult to connect to their mesh WiFi system. There are a small number of devices which are very frustrating to set up when the smartphone running their app is connected to WiFi at 5G (or 6G). If the user could temporarily shut down the primary WiFi 5G service, or perhaps disable the SSID broadcast, then they could basically "turn off" their home WiFi, set up this new device, and then restore the network. After about 7 years of customers begging Netgear to provide this feature, the solution was to add another WiFi network (IoT) that has this capability. Use it or not.... your choice.

Thanks for the great explanations, as I did not get that understanding from the manual. To expand on these concepts, can devices on the IoT connect to each other? Same question for devices on the Guest network. I realize they cannot connect to devices on the Home network.And how do devices on any of these networks connect using their own appropriate band, since all the bands appear to be active simultaneously?

Makes sense.Finally, how does the Primary or Guest network select the proper band to use, based on the capabilities of the device connected to it (e.g. a Smartphone that can use either bands)?

A device containing a WiFi chip that supports only one band, typically 2.4G because (a) it cost less, (b) 2.4G has greater reach, and (c) the device consumes very little data, can only detect and connect to that band. In most cases, the device compares the strength and stability of the 2.4G, 5G, (and possibly 6G) channels and asks to associate with one of them. There are some WiFi systems which employ band steering in an attempt to influence which band a device asks to associate with. They often delay responding to one band in hopes that the device will "give up on it" and select the other band. It's a very complicated subject.

Setting up a new Orbi RBE772 | NETGEAR Communities

13 Replies

CrimpOn
Guru
Nov 16, 2024
Many of these questions will be answered in the User Manual:

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBE773/RBE771_RBE770_UM.pdf

The primary WiFi network is always active and always supports all WiFi bands. None can be disabled or have their SSID "hidden".

The Guest WiFi network is optional, intended for "guests", i.e. devices that are not permanently using the network. Devices connected to the Guest WiFi cannot connect with devices on the primary network. As the Guest WiFi can be enabled or disabled at will and the credentials can be changed without affecting any of the permanent devices, this allows the user to provide WiFi to "guests" whenever it is wanted without sacrificing the security of the primary network password. Nighthawk routers have the same feature.

The Internet of Things (IoT) WiFi network is Netgear's answer for customers who purchase devices that are difficult to connect to their mesh WiFi system. There are a small number of devices which are very frustrating to set up when the smartphone running their app is connected to WiFi at 5G (or 6G). If the user could temporarily shut down the primary WiFi 5G service, or perhaps disable the SSID broadcast, then they could basically "turn off" their home WiFi, set up this new device, and then restore the network. After about 7 years of customers begging Netgear to provide this feature, the solution was to add another WiFi network (IoT) that has this capability. Use it or not.... your choice.
- Giovanni_L
  Aspirant
  Nov 16, 2024
  Thanks for the great explanations, as I did not get that understanding from the manual.
  
  To expand on these concepts, can devices on the IoT connect to each other? Same question for devices on the Guest network. I realize they cannot connect to devices on the Home network.
  And how do devices on any of these networks connect using their own appropriate band, since all the bands appear to be active simultaneously?
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Nov 16, 2024
    IoT netowrk can connect and communicate with the main WLAN network and each other.
    
    Guest Network is Isolated from the main WLAN and IoT networks.

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Setting up a new Orbi RBE772