Any one interested or users with Orbi that have units outside of there warranty period, can give Voxels FW for Orbi 50 series systems only, a try: https://www.snbforums.com/threads/custom-firmware-build-for-orbi-rbk50-rbk53-rbr50-rbs50-v-9-2-5-1-9sf-hw.60727/ This is based off the new v2.5.1.8 stock NG FW. Post your experiences or any problems you might see regarding Voxels FW here: https://www.snbforums.com/forums/netgear-ac-wireless.53/ Enjoy.

Voxels FW works for the RBK50 and RBK53 series which these Kits include the RBR50 and RBS50. fsoliveira wrote:Does it work on the RBR50?

I am not an expert. My impression is that Voxel has a hobby of tweaking router firmware, along the lines of:Changing compiler options to make more efficient use of the CPU.Updating Linux packages to the latest versions.Providing ways to eliminate some of Netware's "bloatware", such Disney Circle, Armor, and ReadyShare (which does nothing anyway).Formalizing the procedure for "splitting" 2.4G and 5G SSID's.Improving the efficiency of OpenVPN.Making the Attach Devices web page work the way it "should."Installing WireGuard VPN "client" software, which is vastly more efficient than OpenVPN and thus less of a burden on the CPU.Enabling OpenVPN as a "client" package (not as efficient as WireGuard, but able to access a wider variety of VPN Hosts).Enabling a way to install misc. features that users may want.Most of these things are explained in the various discussion threads and in the "ReadMe" file here:http://www.voxel-firmware.com/Downloads/Voxel/html/orbi.html So, "more range" - No. Not possible. The FCC regulates WiFi signal strength.Ability to use other channels - Not that I can see.Better throughput - it appears so because it is more "efficient". A huge amount of the Orbi firmware is Netgear proprietary, binary code that Voxel cannot modify. There is 3rd party firmware for almost everything nowadays, including cell phones, tablets, and WiFi routers. The Orbi platform appears to be built around an Open Source project called OpenWRT. Sorry not to have answered the question, which I think is, "Should I install this on my Orbi?" Beats me. If the Orbi is well out of warranty and you have some horrible problem that the stock firmware cannot seem to fix, in the words of our Supreme Leader (the Donald), "What do you have to lose?"

Anyone try this? Are there any new features added that stock NG firmware doesn't have?

In this situation, the only recourse may be TFTP:https://kb.netgear.com/000059633/How-to-upload-firmware-to-a-NETGEAR-router-using-TFTP-client

My understanding is that TFTP is always active on Netgear routers. Did you try 192.168.1.250?

Voxels FW available for 50 series Orbi only available.

41 Replies

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SW_

Prodigy

Dec 20, 2019

(a) To set a separate SSID for the 5 GHz network on your Orbi RBR:

    • From telnet/ssh console run

Code:
        nvram set wla_ssid="NAME OF YOUR 5GHZ NETWORK"
        nvram set allow_diff_ssid=1
        nvram commit

    • Reboot your RBR and RBS
    • Set “allow_diff_ssid” in nvram to “0” to disable separate SSIDs.

NOTE:
    It is not recommended to separate the SSIDs.
    Your connection could be unstable.
    Under your own risk.

Nice addition, but still risky to enable it seems.

FURRYe38
Guru
Dec 20, 2019
Ya still has to be done thru telnet.
- Jetdrive
  Luminary
  Dec 21, 2019
  Anyone try this? Are there any new features added that stock NG firmware doesn't have?

FURRYe38
Guru
Jan 04, 2020
New FW available from Voxel for Orbi 50 series users if interested:
http://www.voxel-firmware.com/Downloads/Voxel/html/orbi.html
FURRYe38
Guru
Jan 31, 2020
New FW available from Voxel for Orbi 50 series users if interested: v9.2.5.1.11SF-HW
http://www.voxel-firmware.com/Downloads/Voxel/html/orbi.html
- FURRYe38
  Guru
  Feb 29, 2020
  New FW available from Voxel for Orbi 50 series users if interested: v9.2.5.1.12SF-HW
  http://www.voxel-firmware.com/Downloads/Voxel/html/orbi.html
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Mar 01, 2020
    Oh, my. OpenVPN Client. There was a post just yesterday asking how to get one. What timing!
FURRYe38
Guru
Oct 22, 2020
New version of Voxel custom firmware build: v9.2.5.2.6SF-HW

Changes (vs 9.2.5.2.5.1SF-HW):
1. Toolchain: Go is upgraded 1.14.7->1.15.3.
2. Toolchain: binutils version is upgraded 2.35->2.35.1.
3. Toolchain: -finline-functions compiler option is added to GCC.
4. Kernel level acceleration (-O2, -march=armv7-a -> -mcpu=cortex-a7, -finline-functions, etc.).
5. wireguard package is upgraded 1.0.20200729->1.0.20200908.
6. Change kernel config and OpenSSL 1.1.1 to allow using dynamic devcrypto and afalg engines (HW version).
7. OpenSSL v. 1.1.1 package is upgraded 1.1.1g->1.1.1h.
8. OpenSSL v. 1.0.2 package: change default config directory.
9. Fix Smart Lock icon issue (WebGUI).
10. jansson package is upgraded 2.12->2.13.1.
11. libjson-c package is upgraded 0.14->0.15.
12. expat package is upgraded 2.2.9->2.2.10.
13. nano package is upgraded 5.2->5.3.
14. Change SAMBA config generation (for Android/iOS gadgets, issue reported by Rustypouch).
15. Make an order in samba36 Makefile.
16. logrotate package is upgrader 3.15.0->3.16.0.
17. cifs-utils package is upgraded 6.10->6.11.
18. iperf3 package is upgraded 3.8.1->3.9.
19. Fix proftpd issue: display size of large file (thanks to R. Gerrits).

P.S. My README.1st and QuickStart.txt:
(!) IMPORTANT NOTE: it is strongly advised to update to the stock firmware 2.5.2.4 before flashing this version. If your on a older stock version than v2.5.2.4, then you'll need to update to stock v2.5.2.4 first before you apply v9.2.5.2.6SF-HW.
If you are already using Voxel FW and up to date, then this "update to the stock firmware 2.5.2.4" is not needed of course.

The link is:
https://www.voxel-firmware.com
- standarduser73
  Tutor
  Oct 28, 2020
  Does moving to Voxel's firmware give any more info for bandwidth utilization? The stock Orbi stuff tells me the aggregate of usage, but not per device.
  
  I am interested in per device usage, so I wonder if Voxel provides that.
  - FURRYe38
    Guru
    Oct 28, 2020
    Something to ask Voxel about over in the SNB forums.
    I don't believe his FW does though...
    standarduser73 wrote:
    Does moving to Voxel's firmware give any more info for bandwidth utilization? The stock Orbi stuff tells me the aggregate of usage, but not per device.
    
    I am interested in per device usage, so I wonder if Voxel provides that.
- FURRYe38
  Guru
  Aug 03, 2021
  
  New version of my custom firmware build: 9.2.5.2.14SF-HW.
  
  Changes:
  
  1. Toolchain: binutils version is upgraded 2.36.1->2.37.
  2. Toolchain: Go is upgraded 1.16.5->1.16.6.
  3. QCA drivers/firmware are upgraded (integration from V2.7.3.22 stock).
  4. wireguard-tools: add PresharedKey support to WireGuard client.
  5. OpenVPN is upgraded 2.5.2->2.5.3.
  6. curl package is upgraded 7.77.0->7.78.0.
  7. proftpd package is upgraded 1.3.7a->1.3.7b.
  8. gettext-full package is upgraded 0.19.8.1->0.21.
  9. ethtool package is upgraded 5.12->5.13.
  10. ipset package is upgraded 7.11->7.14.
  11. e2fsprogs package is upgraded 1.46.2->1.46.3.
  12. util-linux package is upgraded 2.37->2.37.1.
  13. Change WebGUI logo.
  14 Kernel: Use FSCACHE as a kernel module.
  15. Host tools (e2fsprogs): is upgraded to 1.46.3.
  
  P.S. My README.1st and QuickStart.txt:
  (!) IMPORTANT NOTE: it is strongly advised to update to the stock firmware 2.5.2.4 before flashing this version. If your on a older stock version than v2.5.2.4, then you'll need to update to stock v2.5.2.4 first before you apply v9.2.5.2.6SF-HW.
  If you are already using Voxel FW and up to date, then this "update to the stock firmware 2.5.2.4" is not needed of course.
  
  The link is:
  https://www.voxel-firmware.com
  - CrimpOn
    Guru
    Aug 03, 2021
    Installed fine for me. LIke his Logo on the home page.

Forum Discussion

Voxels FW available for 50 series Orbi only available.