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Forum Discussion
Setting up a new Orbi RBE772
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 ...
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?
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.
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)?
