orbi satellite-2 drops connection to satellite-1 = no internet connection

[BWest1]

when the system works well, i have satellite-1 connected to router with good backhaul status and satellite-2 connected to satellite-1 with good backhaul status.  several times per week at apparently random times, satellite-2 switches its connection to the router and shows poor backhaul status and all devices currently connected to satellite-2 drop internet connection during the switch (always)  While satellite-2 is connected to router, devices also can't get internet connectivity (sometimes).  After a few seconds or even several minutes, satellite-2 drops connection to the router and reconnects to satellite-1, everything is normal and works well again. 

I've watched this happen on the "attached devices" screen to verify this behavior.  I don't see any status indicators on satellite-1 ever, but satellite-2 flashes magenta during this switch (usually one single flash). entire system is on firmware 2.2.1.210. distance between router and satellite-1 is about 25 feet, distance between satellite-2 and router is about 65 feet, distance between satellite1 and satellite-2 is about 30 feet.  Router is on ground floor at one end of house, satellite-1 is near center of house on second floor, satellite-2 is on second floor near far end of house.  I have moved satellite-2 closer to the router so it connects to the router with good backhaul status, but that results in dead zones in the house.

Why does satellite-2 drop its connection from satellite-1 and try to connect to the router even though the signal to the router is poor and signal to satelliet-1 is good?  how can i force satellite-2 to connect only to satellite-1?  

[FURRYe38]

What FW is currently loaded?
What is the Mfr and model# of the ISP modem the NG router is connected too?

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 WPA security modes are you using?

Try disabling the following and see:
MIMO, Daisy Chain, Fast Roaming, IPv6 and Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).
Disney Circle: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/WARNING-Firmware-2-2-1-210-is-junk/m-p/1667485/highlight/true#...

If you updated to recent FW v.210, try enabling Daisy Chain. Some have mentioned that this seems to be working in reverse order, enabling means disabled actually. https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/RBK50-Backhaul-Status-Poor-After-Firmware-Update-2-1-4-16/m-p/...
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/quot-Reverse-quot-Daisy-Chain-issue-any-update/m-p/1653439
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Orbi-RBR50-Slow-Wired-WAN-after-2-2-1-210-Upgrade/m-p/1667058/...

[BWest1]

To clarify the problem, there is NO issue with internet on the router or satellite-1.  the issue is that satellite-2 switches from a connection with satellite-1 (obviously daisy chain is on) to the router.  when satellite-2 switches connection to the router, internet connectivity for devices connected ONLY with satellite-2 is dropped.  devices connected to the router and to satellite-1 are not affected.  

distance, firmware, etc, are all in the original post. 

The issue is with instability in the connectivity between satellites, not connectivity between devices and the system.  The system works well when satellite-2 is connected to satellite-1, but is HORRIBLE when satellite-2 randomly drops its connection with satellite-1 and connects to the router.  All I want to do is FORCE satellite-2 to remain connected to satellite-1.

[ekhalil]

Unfortunately there is no way to force Satellite-2 to only connect to Satellite-1 in Daisy Chain and not to the Router.

Your only option is to reduce the backhaul power in the Router so that it's coverage will not reach Satellite-2. The only way to do this is using Telnet.

Please follow the follliwing steps if you want to try this option:

1. From browser go to the router's debug page (http://192.168.1.1/debug.htm). Use your router's IP address
2. Enter admin as user name and your router’s management password
3. Tick "Enable Telnet" option
4. Use Telnet to connect to your Router telnet 192.168.1.1 and enter admin and the same password as above
5. Enter the following commands:

   1. root@RBR50:~# iwlist ath2 txpower

       you will get similar printout as the following, these values can be different in your router:

      ath2 8 available transmit-powers :
      0 dBm (1 mW)
      6 dBm (3 mW)
      10 dBm (10 mW)
      14 dBm (25 mW)
      18 dBm (63 mW)
      22 dBm (158 mW)
      26 dBm (398 mW)
      30 dBm (1000 mW)
      Current Tx-Power:30 dBm (1000 mW)

   2. root@RBR50:~# iwconfig ath2 txpower 398mW (the value in the red row above, second line from below in the printout)

   3. root@RBR50:/# iwlist ath01 txpower

       you will get similar printout as the following, these values can be different in your router:

      ath01     8 available transmit-powers :

      0 dBm         (1 mW)

      6 dBm         (3 mW)

      8 dBm         (6 mW)

      10 dBm        (10 mW)

      12 dBm        (15 mW)

      14 dBm        (25 mW)

      16 dBm        (39 mW)

      18 dBm        (63 mW)

      Current Tx-Power:18 dBm       (63 mW)

   4. root@RBR50:~# iwconfig ath2 txpower 39mW (the value in the red row above, second line from below in the printout)

   5. Please save all printouts so that you can return all values to their original values later if you will need to.

[ekhalil]

If you make the above changes please don’t forget to reboot router for the changes to take effect.

[FURRYe38]

Try swapping satellite positions. Put #2 where 1 is and where 2 is put #1.

Try taking the check mark out of Daisy Chain and save and apply. Reboot boot router and satellites. Bring up the 1st satellite, then turn on the 2nd satellite. 

I would make the distance between the router and satellite 1 farther. 25 feet maybe too close and thus maybe a reason why Sat2 is connecting to the router. It's getting better signal from the router and the signal overlap is better with the router than with Sat1

Does this problem follow Sat2? 

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@BWest1 wrote:

To clarify the problem, there is NO issue with internet on the router or satellite-1.  the issue is that satellite-2 switches from a connection with satellite-1 (obviously daisy chain is on) to the router.  when satellite-2 switches connection to the router, internet connectivity for devices connected ONLY with satellite-2 is dropped.  devices connected to the router and to satellite-1 are not affected.  

distance, firmware, etc, are all in the original post. 

The issue is with instability in the connectivity between satellites, not connectivity between devices and the system.  The system works well when satellite-2 is connected to satellite-1, but is HORRIBLE when satellite-2 randomly drops its connection with satellite-1 and connects to the router.  All I want to do is FORCE satellite-2 to remain connected to satellite-1.

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