Disabled my Mesh Network Due to No Orbi 5GHz Backhaul to Satellite

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NG_LostMyAcct wrote:

ekhalil - My previous app did show hidden networks, but apparantly it wasn't very stable for that. I now installed this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubnt.usurvey

 

The WiFiMan app seems to be showing a <Hidden SSID> at Channel 157 with a similar MAC address and signal strength to my Main + Guest WiFi signals at Channel 48.

 

So, it looks like I do have a 5 GHz backhaul channel being transmitted.

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Here is what I would do:

- Make sure that both the Router and Satellite are broadcasting the 5GHz backhaul networks, just to exclude any antenna fault. Please get close firt to the router and do the scan and make sure that you see the Router networks (you should see one for 5GHz and another for 2.4GHz), repeat then the same for the Satellite.

- Once you confirm this then we can try to reduce the power of the 2.4GHz backhaul channels and see if the system will then choose the 5GHz channels. My only explanation to what you expereice is that you have high disturbance on the 5GHz channels and the system prefers always to use the 2.4 GHz channels for the Backhaul. To do this we need to use Telnet.

Yes, I have Daisy Chain enabled in the RBR50 settings. I have almost all the options on the Advanced Wirless page enabled:

OK, I did a more comprehensive WiFi analysis, and here is what I found:

I see 6 simultaneous broadcasts on 2.4 GHz Channel 4. They are:

• RBR50 Main Network
• RBR50 Guest Network
• RBS50 Main Network
• RBS50 Guest Network
• RBR50 <Hidden SSID> for the backhaul
• RBS50 <Hidden SSID> for the backhaul

I see 5 broadcasts on the 5 GHz channels:

• RBR50 Main Network, Channel 48
• RBR50 Guest Network, Channel 48
• RBS50 Main Network, Channel 48
• RBS50 Guest Network, Channel 48
• RBS50 <Hidden SSID> for the backhaul, Channel 157

So, my RBR50 router doesn't appear to be broadcasting the 5 GHz backhaul channel.

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NG_LostMyAcct wrote:

...................So, my RBR50 router doesn't appear to be broadcasting the 5 GHz backhaul channel.

 

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Then I think this is exactly where the problem is!

I would do the following:

- Please repeat the scanning just to make sure that this is not an issue with the scanning app.

- If this is confirmed then this issue can either be caused by software data corruption in RBR50 or by a HW fault (antenna fault).

- Data corruption can be excluded by doing a factory reset for the Router (RBR50), which you mentioned that you did. Worths trying again.

- If data corruption is excluded then this is for sure a HW fault in the RBR50 unit (I guess it can be a loose connection to the antenna) and you need to contact Netgear to get it replaced or repaired.

Thanks, ekhalil - You're probably right, there is something wrong with the Orbi router backhaul transmitter. It may be an easy fix, like a loose wire, or something more complicated. Not sure ...

I don't think I'll be sending my Orbi back to Netgear for repair - I'm waaay outside the warranty period. I bought my Orbi system a few weeks after they first became available. I may have beeen experiencing this problem since around firmware v2.0.x first was pushed out.  A repair will be too expensive to justify at this point.

However, I found a free solution to my problem based on something I saw in your signature. Your setup mentions "Wired Backhaul".

When I first put together my Orbi system, I originally planned on doing a wired backhaul. I already have an RJ45 Ethernet cable near my Orbi Satellite from my initial installation. Unfortunately, it didn't work back in the early Orbi days, and I forgot about it.

So, I Googled "Orbi wired backhaul", and saw how to configure my connections. It's working great!

I am now seeing consistent 100+ Mbps data rates on the side of the house serviced by the Orbi Satellite.

While not the intended solution, I found a free and totally workable solution for my system.

Thank again for all the help!

AzJazz

Yes, wired backhaul is a good alternative. It's working perfectly for me.

I have 250/250 Mbps internet and I'm getting almost full speed everywhere in the house from devices connected to the Router or to the Satellite.

Good luck!

I would contact NG support and get help and information on this. If you feel the system is not working correctly, Ask for an RMA. Sounds like you need one. 

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NG_LostMyAcct wrote:

Thanks, ekhalil - You're probably right, there is something wrong with the Orbi router backhaul transmitter. It may be an easy fix, like a loose wire, or something more complicated. Not sure ...

 

I don't think I'll be sending my Orbi back to Netgear for repair - I'm waaay outside the warranty period. I bought my Orbi system a few weeks after they first became available. I may have beeen experiencing this problem since around firmware v2.0.x first was pushed out.  A repair will be too expensive to justify at this point.

However, I found a free solution to my problem based on something I saw in your signature. Your setup mentions "Wired Backhaul".

 

When I first put together my Orbi system, I originally planned on doing a wired backhaul. I already have an RJ45 Ethernet cable near my Orbi Satellite from my initial installation. Unfortunately, it didn't work back in the early Orbi days, and I forgot about it.

 

So, I Googled "Orbi wired backhaul", and saw how to configure my connections. It's working great!

 

I am now seeing consistent 100+ Mbps data rates on the side of the house serviced by the Orbi Satellite.

 

While not the intended solution, I found a free and totally workable solution for my system.

Thank again for all the help!

AzJazz

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