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Forum Discussion
Client Isolation between Router and Satellites?
I upgraded to an Orbi Router (RBR50) and two Orbi Satellites (RBS50) to get coverage for my house, and the backchannel speed is as great as advertised. That said, I am running into odd network issues...
The RBS40 did auto-sync with the router and is showing up as a satalite in the device list of the router. Both of them are.
I had to have the RBS40 replaced (working with Netgear support), I recieved it yesterday and it had a very old version of firmware. It did auto-sync with the router and devices actually started showing up in the device list on the RBS40. Not as many as I expected, since its just a couple and there are more devices within close proximity to the RBS40 compared to the RBR50 & RBS50.
I then decided to downgrade the firmware on the RBR50/RBS50 to 2.0.0.74 (from .12) and I upgraded the RBS40 to 2.0.0.56 (from 1.8.0.4).
There are devices now appearing in the device lists of both Satallites. Again, not as many as I would expect. I have 40+ devices and over half of them are much closer to a Satallite than the router, but most of them are still connecting to the router. (I know this, because tthe RBR50 Device list actually displays WHAT Router or Satallite each device is connected to in the last column.
Still having drops, and performance really sucks inside the house on the wifi. Internet performance from the RBR50 is very constant to 150+ up/down... even on 5ghz band inside house... I am lucky to get 30mb up/down.. old router, I was doing 150mb on 5ghz.. just had too many dead spots, thus why I switched to the Mesh network.
I have 3 PC's hardwired to the RBR50.. and they ALL consistently get 150mb+.... so, its still the wifi. and I am validating 5ghz vs 2.4ghz.
What tool/app would you recommend to measure the wifi signal and what AP/Router I am connected to. I have been looking for one, but haven't been successful. I can put it on PC's or Android Tablets (we are a mixed family :).
Thanks again for all the guidance. The case is still open with Netgear support, I asked for an update today. They replied that no one is currently working on it, as it needs to be escalated to highest level of support (R&D).
tkshaffer - sorry to hear about the troubles you are having. I understand how disheartened you are.
I an cutting the cord inhouse and really need a solid wifi network. (internet if far sufficient).
I have also put some Alexa's around the house and have started some automation stuff... light switches, power plugs, my security system - auto-locking doors, cameras that can be displayed on Alexa shows.. etc... but the wifi performance is so unpredictable.
I had the Quantum FiOS gateway from Verizon/Frontier as my router before Orbi.. I still have it... I have been considering putting it back in just as the internet router, turning wifi off and putting the RBR50 in bridge mode... but that wont fix my wifi.. and I don't really have an issue with the internet performance. I orginally considered getting a big NighHawk router with an AP or 2, but I really didn't want to introduce complexity for my wife & kids with multiple access points and multiple network SSID's. I like the Orbi in that is totally transparant.. WHEN it works the way its advertized to!
Heres to hoping it get fixed soon, because I think I just went past my 30 day no-question asked return option for the Orbi's..... so I am stuck with them
- It speaks to how solid the orbi was that I never even considered the need to keep my old nighthawk. I am currently experiencing expected behavior and devices utilizing appropriate satellites after the latest reboot so we will see. I want to hang on for at least another firmware release before repurchasing another router and just using this as an access point. Like you I apprecited the straightforward nature of the orbi and I know it CAN be great as I have experienced it. Patiently waiting.