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Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

RealJabberwocky
Aspirant

Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

Come on Netgear!!  In this latest firmware update, the remote reboot option has been removed from both the normal UI and the back channel Telnet option.  If I've got these Orbi satellites hard wired all over the place and up high as the manual suggests...why do I need to drag out a 25' aluminum ladder and manually go unplug each satellite and then plug it back in.

 

BRING BACK THE REMOTE REBOOT OPTION!!!

 

{steps down off of soap box}

Message 1 of 7
CrimpOn
Guru

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

Interesting.  So

  • There is no longer a Reboot option on the Orbi web interface, Advanced Tab home page?
  • There is no longer a Reboot option in the Orbi 'app'?

Fascinating that Netgear has brought back a Telnet interface after deliberately removing command line access to the Orbi series many years ago.

 

One would think that unplugging the power temporarily would case a reboot and eliminate the need to climb a ladder.

 

 

Message 2 of 7
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

You can reboot the entire system from the Orbi app or from the RBR web ui. 

Telnet was removed years ago due to security reasons. Won't be coming back. 

 

If you really want a good remote reboot and power cycle option, I use these when needed:

https://www.synaccess-net.com/np-02b

https://www.synaccess-net.com/np-05b

 

One could go with a powered wifi swtich as well as an alternative that has a power off and back ON feature. 

Message 3 of 7
RealJabberwocky
Aspirant

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

CrimpOn - my previous system was an AC3000 mesh system and I had Telnet access to that one.  I had assumed that Telnet had been present up until the 970 series, but I've since been corrected.  I guess it disappeared in 2021 sometime.

 

Unplugging the units of course works, but I had them all purposely mounted very high up with both power and CAT6 up high as well.  To cut the power I'd either have to climb the ladder at each RBS (five of them) or throw fives individual circuit breakers.  Either way, it's a pain in the butt.

 

I refuse to use the Netgear app due to the unwanted vulnerabilities in the app that have currently been discovered and remain unpatched.  If the app has a remote reboot feature and yet they remove it from the UI then that is just stupid IMHO.  I'd rather log into the satellites over the network and just reboot each satellite like I could do with the AC3000 series.  The RBR has a remote reboot feature, but rebooting the RBR does not reboot the satellites (and in fact just causes sync problems).

 

I'm trying to force regularly clean ups of the dead attached device lists with a script.  If you'll recall, the 700 series introduced the problem where the attached device lists would clog up with devices and these lists would never get purged.  The only way to purge the router and satellites was to cold reboot each satellite first and then the router.

 

The 970 series has this attached device list problem (still) and there is no way to cold reboot the device unless you cut the power, wait 20 seconds, and then turn the power back on.

 

-Jabbs

Message 4 of 7
RealJabberwocky
Aspirant

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

Furry,

 

The remote reboot feature in the 970 UI does not affect the satellites...only the router itself.  If I reboot the router without rebooting each satellite afterwards then it causes sync problems for hours.  It is my goal to reboot the router first and then systematically hit each satellite and reboot them to fix the sync issues right away.

 

The links for the powered switches looks pretty cool!  I have ordered one for testing purposes.  Thanks for showing me these devices.

 

I don't use the PoE option for these because of the amount of territory each satellite has to cover.  They each have a dedicated 15amp outlet to maximize the power output.

 

-Jabbs

Message 5 of 7
FURRYe38
Guru

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

I believe telnet was removed back in 2020 if I remember right from all Orbi systems. 

 

What are these vulnerabilities you refer too in the Orbi app?

Orbi app does REBOOT the RBS when triggering to reboot the RBR. 

 

I believe NG is working on a device list fix. Hopefully will be out in next FW update. May fix what your having problems with with out having to power cycle or need to reboot the RBS. Overall a constant reboot or power cycling of the system should not be needed. 

 

@KevinLiT 

Message 6 of 7
donawalt
Mentor

Re: Orbi RBE970 / RBE971 Firmware Version 9.12.3.3 Missing Remote Reboot - WHY?!?

@RealJabberwocky the 971 router reboot via the web site reboots any connected satellites. If they are not currently connected they will not reboot. I have done it about 4-5 times testing different things in the last couple of weeks, I see the 970s (satellites) blink white, and I compare the router and satellite debug pages - the up times are virtually the same after the reboot, as you see here:

 

Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 4.20.06 PM.png

 

Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 4.19.52 PM.png

 

Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 4.19.34 PM.png

I do it from the router admin web page, advanced tab - 

 

Screenshot 2024-09-24 at 4.21.53 PM.png

 

Message 7 of 7
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