New - RBR750 / RBS750 Firmware Version 7.2.6.21 Released

[FURRYe38]

I believe the user found absolution in enabling AU on his RBR and it appeared on there system.

[ant]

OK. I finally updated my Orbi RBK753's firmwares v4.6.14.3 to v7.2.6.21 manually (2 satellites and then its router one by one slowly). Things seems OK so far after 30 mins. I didn't enable its new IoT feature since I don't have any IoT devices. I noticed the new wifi security options for WPA2-PSK [AES] + WPA3-Personal [SAE]. Finally. 

Questions: Do wireless devices use the (new/high)est WPA3-Personal [SAE] over WPA2-PSK [AES]  by default if supported? Also, is there a way to tell which WPA security connection the devices are using like in iPhones (6+[iOS v12.5.7] to 13), iPad Air (original), Apple TVs (3G & 4K), Intel MacBook Pros (2008 with El Capitan v10.11.6), 2012 (Mojave v10.14.6), and 2020 (Ventura v13.6.1)), OfficeJet Pro 8028e inkjet color printer, etc.? Is there a way to do all three (WPA-PSK [TKIP] + WPA2-PSK [AES] + WPA3-Personal [SAE]) if wifi devices will pick the (high/new)est secured wifi connections with Orbi?

[CrimpOn]

To my knowledge, the Orbi does not report which security protocol was used to authenticate a specific device. (Alas, my knowledge is limited.)

Obviously, if a device does not support WPA3-Personal, then it cannot use it to authenticate.  Checking the specs for a specific product would help determine capability.

For Example:

https://support.apple.com/guide/security/secure-access-to-wireless-networks-sec8a67fa93d/web 

[FURRYe38]

Orbi only supports Mixed Mode WPA2 and WPA3 or WPA2 only modes. TPIK is considered older mode and is also compromised. Use only if really needed. Recommend WPA2 and WPA3 mixed mode. Have not had any problems with this since NG finally put this mode back in. 

[ant]

Wow, quick answers. Thanks. So far, WPA2-PSK [AES] + WPA3-Personal [SAE] seems to work with very old hardwares like 2008 MBP (El Capitan v10.11.6), iPhone 6+ (iOS v12.5.7), and original iPad Air (v12.5.7). I am going to assume they're using WPA2-PSK [AES]. I hope I don't have anything older that require WPA-PSK. I wished there was a way to see which wireless secured connections are being used in real time like in the router or even on client side.

What are your oldest connected wifi devices you have with this Orbi model?

[CrimpOn]

Technically, it may be possible to infer which authentication method has been used.  (Not having a router capable of WPA3 I have not investigated this carefully.)

The WiFi management frames which are used to handle the connection process include one for authentication.

https://mrncciew.com/2019/11/29/wpa3-sae-mode/ 

Capturing management frames is not a trivial exercise.  I went through nine circles of Hell getting a WiFi adapter put into monitor mode and getting it configured to capture management frames from only the Orbi WiFi adapter. (whew!)  But, it has been months and I would have to start over to remember how to do it.

[FURRYe38]

Ya I still have older devices from 2010/12 era that are still connecting using mixed modes. I have 3 DLink series cameras that are still connecting. I don't know if they would setup from scratch and connect. I've been just migrating them across different routers I test, having both routers online and the out going being turned OFF and the devices auto migrate over to the new router that came online. And I do have a iphone 6sP as well that connects I believe. I need to check my Mac Mini from 2012 but its mostly connected via ethernet.

I do have some NG routers that when in wireless bridge mode, will not connect if WPA3 is present. Just FYI. 

R7000, R7800 and R9000. 

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@ant wrote:

Wow, quick answers. Thanks. So far, WPA2-PSK [AES] + WPA3-Personal [SAE] seems to work with very old hardwares like 2008 MBP (El Capitan v10.11.6), iPhone 6+ (iOS v12.5.7), and original iPad Air (v12.5.7). I am going to assume they're using WPA2-PSK [AES]. I hope I don't have anything older that require WPA-PSK. I wished there was a way to see which wireless secured connections are being used in real time like in the router or even on client side.

What are your oldest connected wifi devices you have with this Orbi model?

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[EdFerreira]

Anyone else losing internet connection daily after upgrading to V7.2.6.21_5.0.20? I tried to do a hard reset and its still the same. A reboot of the router or the ISP Modem solves it daily. So added IOT WIFI and broke basic functionalities. Thank you NG!

[AxeBro]

For the folks on this firmware that have things like Chromecast - are you able to cast to a device that's associated with a satellite if you are connected to RBR? 

My issue w. Orbi guest network is that I can only see/cast to devices that are connected to the AP that I'm nearest. Devices on the other end of the house, connected to another AP aren't visible. Does the updated firmware or the IoT network address that? 

Also - why is the Guest network more secure ? is the IoT just allowing you to turn off 5Ghz for a particular SSID, but still let's those devices access your main network? 

Last question - Either Guest or IoT, is there a way to connect hardwired/LAN cabled devices to either of those networks? 

Haven't updated in over a year, nervous.

[CrimpOn]

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@AxeBro wrote:

My issue w. Orbi guest network is that I can only see/cast to devices that are connected to the AP that I'm nearest. Devices on the other end of the house, connected to another AP aren't visible. Does the updated firmware or the IoT network address that?   True.  Devices on the Guest network can only access the internet.  They cannot communicate with any other devices (on any network).  The primary and IoT WiFi allow devices to communicate with the entire network.

Also - why is the Guest network more secure ? is the IoT just allowing you to turn off 5Ghz for a particular SSID, but still let's those devices access your main network? Originally, users had a choice.  With the AX product, Netgear decided that devices on the Guest network MUST be isolated.

Last question - Either Guest or IoT, is there a way to connect hardwired/LAN cabled devices to either of those networks? No.  Hardwired devices are by definition on the primary network.

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[magnetiktank]

Hello

does this update add the option to create a daily Wi-Fi AUTO OFF Schedule ?

Thanks

[CrimpOn]

Sorry, no.  Orbi routers do not have this feature.

[ducs4rs]

I updated my RBS/RBR 750 last night. I use the Orbi's for WiFi connectivity and not routing. I updated the RBS' first without issue, then did the RBR. I have been running for a couple of years with the network cable plugged into one of the 4 Ethernet switch ports. After I upgraded I no longer could ping the RBR. I moved the cable to the yellow Wan port and I could ping the RBR and see the upgrade was successful. Is this a known side affect of the new firmware, IE you have to use the WAN port when in AP mode? 

I use a wired backhaul from my two RBS' to my RBR, and after the upgrade they went AWOL. I can get to both of them via their IP address and they look good. When I try to do a sync with the RBR it fails. I am hoping I don't have to do a full rest to get them back. Any suggestion would be appreciative.

I've done a few updates without issue. This is my first one with problems. . 

[FURRYe38]

Yes, AP mode requires the WAN port connection to the upstream main host router for the RBR to properly connect and give correct front LED status.

How are the RBS connected to the RBR? Directly or is there a LAN switch. 

I've mostly done FW updates while a Orbi system is in router mode, however should work well in AP mode as well, as long as the RBRs WAN port is used to connect to the main host router so that correct operation and IP addressing gets to the RBS that are wireless or ethernet connected. 

I also do a power cycle of the RBR and RBS OFF for 30 seconds, then back ON after FW was processed by the units. If no issues or problems are seen, then continue to use. If problems are seen, then I'll factory reset and setup from scratch. 

[ducs4rs]

The RBR and the RBS' are on the same switch. I can connect them directly to the RBR and try again. I have tried a power cycle to no avail. I have done a few updates before this one without issue. Before this update I had to use the RBR a Lan port for connectivity.  

[FURRYe38]

The RBS needs to be connected behind the RBR, not in parallel. https://kb.netgear.com/000051205/What-is-Ethernet-backhaul-and-how-do-I-set-it-up-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-Sy... 📡 ‌‌🛰️
Orbi systems have always used the WAN port for AP mode. Always. Since the beginning. I've never had a problem here. And I do test this out. 

[ducs4rs]

The bottom wired backhaul diagram in the KB you linked to is how I have mine setup. 

[FURRYe38]

Now just connect the RBRs Yellow WAN port to the host routers LAN port. Then it will work. 

https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point

Just curious, brand and model# switch your using? 

[ducs4rs]

The RBR and RBS's are run through a ZyXel GS1900-24E and that is connected to a TP-Link TL-SG1024DE which the router is connected to. This has been running flawlessly for 2 years or so.  

[FURRYe38]

And that's when using the RBR LAN port for connection to the host router right? 

Let us know how the WAN port works.

There maybe some factors with your switches that needs to be reviewed. 

[ducs4rs]

Yes, the RBR is connected to the switch through the Wan port right now. The switch setup is fine since the RBS' were connected and worked fine before the upgrade. 

[FURRYe38]

And are RBS getting synced thru this switch? 

Are both switches in the mix between the RBR and RBS or are the RBS just connected to one switch? 

[ducs4rs]

The RBS' are on the same switch as the RBR and I am trying to sync via an Ethernet backhaul. 

[FURRYe38]

Its recommended first to sync all RBS wirelessly. Once there synced there, then connect the RBS, one at a time to the ethernet connection. Wait for the RBS front LED to turn Blue before connecting the next RBS via ethernet. 

[ducs4rs]

OK I will try that.