Partent controls and external drive sharing not working...

[hoedic]

Really disappointed by my Orbi, about to throw it but I am giving it a last shot here:

1. Parental Controls

I've followed several "how to" to setup the parental control (e.g https://kb.netgear.com/25687/How-do-I-configure-Live-Parental-Controls-on-my-NETGEAR-router-using-th...) and it does not work. I've basically configured filtering at the highest level by default and all my devices (macbook, iphone, Samsung S7, ipad) are able to browse major adult site and other type of content that should clearly be blocked given my configuration.

- My Netgear.OpenDNS is configured as said (see image below) and I don't have any other openDns account.

- My router is not in AP Mode

- Seems like the DNS configuration was automatically set to the OpenDNS value when I enabled the parental control (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220)

- Firmware: 2.0.0.74

- After configuration, I've rebooted the router, waited for 24h, nothing changed...

- The result is the same whether I use Netgear Genie from my computer (macbook) or my cell (Android)

I've seen many comments on the fact that the parental control does not work correctly. I've mainly bought this device because of the appearingly solid parental control... 

2. Pausing does not work.

Similar to parental control, Pausing a device using Genie on my Android does not work... At some point I wonder if I am connected to the right wifi/router. But at least blocking a device in the access control section works.

3. Connecting an external hard drive

When buying the Orbi, I also looked at the spec and it was saying that it was possible connect a harddrive, which I need in order to run Mac time capsule and other back up process over the air. I tried to connect by 2TB HD on the USB port of Orbi. No way to access it.

Once again, I looked on different ressources online:

- Seems that many people say that recent firmware  update does not support external hardrive anymore... juste printers.

- Have tested differents way of doing (mounting through SMB, browsing local network, etc.) nothing works.

I merely bought Orbi in order to get parental control as my kids are starting to browse... it does not work and it seems I lost a feature that I have on my previous router: external drive access over the wifi. Pretty terrible jobs and many hours lost to get to this result.

I'm hoping for a miracle here, but I am about to get rid of my Orbi and will make sure nobody around me buys one... 

[st_shaw]

USB hard drives have never been supported. When Orbi was first released the USB ports were inactive.  USB printer suport is very recent.  I don't believe USB hard drive support was ever claimed as a feature in any product specs.

Netgear says parental controls are coming "very soon" via Disney Circle.

[hoedic]

Thanks @st_shaw. I wonder how long is "very soon".

Surprisingly, parental control started "working" after 48 hours. By working I mean corrupting most SSL certificates... I had to disable it, will try again next week end when we have time to investigate. 

[st_shaw]

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@hoedic wrote:

Thanks @st_shaw. I wonder how long is "very soon".

Surprisingly, parental control started "working" after 48 hours. By working I mean corrupting most SSL certificates... I had to disable it, will try again next week end when we have time to investigate. 

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The new firware was released today.