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I've been searching the forums and the Internet in general, today, as I have gotten my first notice from Comcast that, lo, I am over my 1 Terabyte limit, this month. It has been inching toward that mark for a bit, and last month was around 944 Gig. What can I say: We are a connected, gaming, streaming family and our Comcast link is a vital utility. I have seen suggestions on this forum to "just disconnect everything and reconnect until you find the hog." With 30ish devices on the network, 4 kids, 2 renters, and countless visitors, this is simply not a possibility. What I could do is set up a different router (preferably one with this feature) and move the connections over to it one-by-one until I find the offender. If I have to go that route, I highly doubt the Orbi would get reconnected. Which is a shame because it is a pretty decent solution for everything else.
I would like for Netgear to seriously consider giving customers an option for this data. There are many ways to do it, but ANY of them would be acceptable to me. I'm a long-time networking pro, so even if these are scary for some people, at least it would be an option.
- Do the metering in the device with display of the statistics in the interface and in the app. This is obviously going to make the most customers happy because it would give us a report per-device of the usage. This isn't rocket science: Even if the device has a database limitation of 100 devices to monitor, or even 50, it would be useful. COMCAST does it on their modem devices for xFi. It can't be that hard.
- Do the metering externally by providing SNMP statistics on a per-device basis for smaller timeframes. This would mean that the Orbi doesn't have to store "dead" devices forever and would be up to whatever stat-gathering tool was used.
- Do the metering externally by providing some app that collects the data to a desktop. Maybe Java so you can hit Windows, Linux, and Mac all at once with it.
- Provide traffic mirroring to a selected wired port. This would at least give me the ability to plug in Wireshark or other tools to see what is going on. It would be super useful for troubleshooting intermittent issues and not just bandwidth monitoring.
- Provide netflow/sflow output to a collector on the home network. This would also have broader uses than just bandwidth monitoring, but it is potentially the hardest to use solution in this list. If it is easy to implement in the Orbi (i.e., the chips already support it), then I'll take it happily.
- Other things I haven't mentioned. Look, I'm desperate, here. I will find a way to use anything that helps.
I get 2 months free "warnings" from Comcast, but the cost of not knowing this outweighs replacing the Orbi. Once I start getting charged $10/50 Gig, I'm going to need to know right then and there. And if I don't have a reasonable answer by that time, another Orbi will be going out to eBay.
195 Comments
I finually just had to ditch my Orbi because of this. Moved to Unifi, which has tons of advanced features, although it's really geared for people who are more network adminy.
I just swtiched from Google/Nest Wifi to Orbit AX6000. The wifi performance is great, but for $600 it's very dissapoining I can't monitor devices like the Google app. Just copy what they did. It's so userful when troublshooting issues. For example I was able to see my Amazon cloud cams were sucking up all my upload (I'm on cable 400/20 connection). In orbi all I can see is my internet is fast from the router to the ISP.
Critical feature. I may have to switch back if you guys can't support. I have 90 devices on my network. (Smart Alexa home).
Anyone know of a 3rd party way to do this?
Totally agree. It's a shame. I've been looking for a workaround, since this isn't a feature implemented on the Orbi. Templeted to abandon Netgear and try Ubiquiti. Not sure Netgear are putting much effort into these devices anymore.
2 years in and still nothing, but still think it's super important (basic) feature! +1
Agree with previous comments, i love Orbi, but this is an essencial feature and without it device with such a heavy price tag just not worth it , when there are so many other otitons, that can do per device monitoring.
I am returtning my device and suggest everyone do the same, untill Netgear will add this feature, otherwise they will never do.
And as someone suggested, I am cipying this feedback to Amazon as well, to make sure other customers are aware of your ignorance and neglegance to our needs. Very sad, Netgear!
Like the rest of you, I've noticed a HUGE spike in my monthly usage. It has jumped from around 250g a month to now nearly 700-800 gigs. Part of it is that I cut the cord, but I cut the cord months ago and still had low gigs each month until January.
One thing to keep in mind is that wifi hotspot usage also comes out of our data allowance with Comcast. I gave some friends access to my account a couple years back, but now I'm wondering if they're contributing to my data usage. I just removed several wifi hotspot devices from my account, and if they appear again, I'll know that it's time to cut off my users. lol.
Comcast bandwidth limiting has caused a slew of problems. I, like many other are burning through the one terabyte I get each month. With over 40 devices connected I have to know where my bandwidth is going.. I am now looking for another company. Have been a Netgear supporter for a decade. I am so sad to see that it appears Netgear really doesn't care. Custom firmware for other Netgear routers allow device monitoring. If they can figure it out, why can't Netgear. So sad. Today I'm going to Amazon and writing your review to help other customers stay clear of the Orbi.
- +1 please add this. Competitor products have this already
The best feature of my Orbi is that it was purchased from Costco. I am an early adopter... so paid over 500 for the setup. I waited patiently for updates or even any response from the company on customer's concerns. My early adopter purchase was returned for full refund in 2020. Google mesh has little bit weaker per node signal strength, but the bandwidth monitoring feature is excellent and form factor nice.
PS... I didn't have the Orbi box, cables, instruction manuals, anything. One of the hubs even spent some time outdoors and showed it. Just a pile of tech-junk and a notion to avoid Netgear products in the future... good thing I got my Arlo from the same retailer with enough purchasing power to 'manage' companies like Netgear who seem to ignore the vocal minority that we are.
Good ridence and the happiest $500 in my pocket has made me in a while. Now to unsubscribe from this forum.. :)
Take em' back!
