Sorry if this exists on the forum, but I'm posting from mobile while I'm out and about.
can anyone tell me if there is a third-party firmware for these systems? Or even a way to schedule an automatic reboot?
I've had this unit for a little over a year and I must say my experience with it has been atrocious. There are constantly issues with it. When it's up and running it works amazing, but so many times the network just slows down on all of my devices. Then you combine that with the fact that I'm fighting bugs with access controls, plus outright just losing all connectivity. A reboot solved most temporarily (except for the access controls). I'm running the latest firmware, and have actually tried a few different versions. meaning I've actually reverted to earlier versions without any success.
I'm just looking for some way to mitigate my investment in this hardware. Because the software sure isn't doing it for me.
Model: RBK50| Orbi AC3000 High-Performance Tri-Band WiFi System
From my experience with Orbi -if you have no radio issues- it’s usually few devices which cause disturbances on the system and make Orbi unstable. Please try to find those “bad” devices, start with the wired devices. I had too many issues that I later found were all caused by my wired mesh speakers, do you have any of these (eg. Sonos) wired to Orbi?
I'm not aware of any third-party firmware that will run on the Orbis, nor any way to schedule an auto reboot from within the provided firmware. You could try plugging them into a smart outlet, and that would work for at least turning them off, but once the wifi is down, I don't know that you'd be able to remotely power them back on with a smart outlet.
You could go low-tech and try something like a Clapper, or even just a lamp timer set to turn off in the middle of the night for the shortest interval. Ones with little pegs or switches to schedule the on/off times generally have half-hour intervals. You can probably find digital ones that let you set them to the minute. Note: you can also remotely (but not automatically) reboot the Orbi (both router and satellite, I think) via the Orbi configuration page, and also probably via the Orbi app.
But, you might try looking into which device(s) are causing the network slowdown. It could be a device downloading updates, malware, a botnet participant, apps sending lots of data (bad updates, sending queries constantly, syncing large numbers of files, etc.), or even an unauthorized device on the LAN. It could even be an authorized user streaming or downloading a lot of content (e..g, a kid watching porn, streaming video, downloading software, etc.). You could use a packet sniffer to figure out which device(s) are hogging all your bandwidth, or try testing it by removing or powering them all down, and then testing individually to see which one is using all the bandwidth. Remove/disconnect/power off everything but device A, see what the load looks like, then remove A and add B, etc. Some smart devices create an absurd amount of traffic, so it could be one of those, too. Many possibilities. Unfortunately, the traffic meter in the Orbi only gives aggregate data, so, short of resetting it (the traffic meter) every time you test a single device, it won't be of much use to you. I'd probably try a packet sniffer like Wireshark, unless you really want to get in the weeds, in which case, you could do some net flow analysis using something like SiLK, or run your own DNS server, like Pi-Hole on a RasPi, both of which should give you a good idea of the volume of traffic and its origin. Selective interchange is simple and free, but could be time consuming, depending on how many devices you have. All the software I linked to is free, but may not be easy to use, and except for Wireshark, require some knowledge of Linux and a(n at least temporarily) dedicated device, plus a learning curve for the software itself.
Ultimately, identifing and remedying the source will give you a long-term fix, rather than just restarting the Orbi every day.
Shouldn't be hard to track down. I literally have 2 phones, 2 roku's (which are off when the tv is off), and a laptop. The thing is, prior to the Orbi, zero issues like this. I only got it (Orbi) to extend coverage around a large house.
Model: RBK50| Orbi AC3000 High-Performance Tri-Band WiFi System
I've other thing to note, my connection is a 300 mbps down / 40 Mbps up connection. No extra equipment (just the Orbi of the cable modem). No kids streaming, and even with that said, it's only the wife and I streaming together on a single device. The issue happens too frequently to be sure device updating (there are literally 5 devices, of which one is a laptop, 2 phones, and 2 roku's).
Model: RBK50| Orbi AC3000 High-Performance Tri-Band WiFi System
There is no 3rd party FW for the Orbi systems as of yet.
You shouldn't need to reboot the Orbi system. I have a Orbi and so does my friend I setup. We have never rebooted the systems on a daily basis.
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too? Modem Combo Units: Couple of options, 1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly. 2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode. 3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
What is the size of your home? Sq Ft? What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between them to begin with depending upon building materials.
What channels are you using? Auto? Try setting manual channel 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4Ghz and any unused channel on 5Ghz. Any Wifi Neighbors near by? If so, how many?
What security modes are you using on the Orbi? Try WPA2 and AES only, not auto.
@bashfulrobot wrote: Sorry if this exists on the forum, but I'm posting from mobile while I'm out and about.
can anyone tell me if there is a third-party firmware for these systems? Or even a way to schedule an automatic reboot?
I've had this unit for a little over a year and I must say my experience with it has been atrocious. There are constantly issues with it. When it's up and running it works amazing, but so many times the network just slows down on all of my devices. Then you combine that with the fact that I'm fighting bugs with access controls, plus outright just losing all connectivity. A reboot solved most temporarily (except for the access controls). I'm running the latest firmware, and have actually tried a few different versions. meaning I've actually reverted to earlier versions without any success.
I'm just looking for some way to mitigate my investment in this hardware. Because the software sure isn't doing it for me.
