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Forum Discussion
Voxels FW available for 50 series Orbi only available.
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-...
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 cant find much info on the Voxel FW and what value it brings. Even on the Voxel site there is not much of any help?
new/improved UI?
better range? *range on my old ASUS AC68P is almost as good as all 3 Orbi APs combined in my 3-level 3800sqft home.
better wifi signal strength / through put, etc?
ability to use other channels? *stupid netgear design to limit 5Ghz to only 3 channel options
thx for the info
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?"
New version of Voxel's custom firmware build: 9.2.5.1.18SF-HW.
Changes (vs 9.2.5.1.17SF-HW):
1. net-wall script is fixed for ppp0 connection and modifyed to provide more safety (OpenVPN/WireGuard client).
2. DNSCrypt Proxy v.2 init script is fixed (time synchronization).
3. Support of custom SAMBA config is added (see QuickStart.txt).
4. Automatic custom script execution after reboot is added (for ORBI RBK V2 owners, no USB port, see QuickStart.txt).
5. wireguard package is upgraded 1.0.20200413->1.0.20200520.
6. wireguard-tools package is upgraded 1.0.20200319->1.0.20200513.
7. ipset package is upgraded 7.4->7.6+ [2020-03-09].
8. iptables package is upgraded 1.4.21->1.8.4.
9. curl package is upgraded 7.69.1->7.70.0.
10. dbus package is upgraded 1.12.12->1.13.12.
11. unbound package (used in stubby) is upgraded 1.9.6->1.10.1.
12. yaml package (used in stubby) is upgraded 0.2.2->0.2.4.
13. util-linux package is upgraded 2.35.1->2.35.2.
14. libreadline package is upgraded 6.3->8.0.
15. nano package is upgraded 4.9.2->4.9.3.
16. Toolchain: Go is upgraded 1.14.1->1.14.3.
17. Host tools (findutils): is upgraded to 4.7.0.
The link is:
https://www.voxel-firmware.comNew version of my custom firmware build: 9.2.5.1.33SF-HW.
Changes Log:
1. Integration of changes from the stock v. 2.5.1.32.
2. dropbear package is upgraded 2020.79->2020.80.
3. wireguard package is upgraded 1.0.20200601->1.0.20200623.
4. curl package is upgraded 7.70.0->7.71.1.
5. stubby package is upgraded 0.2.6->0.3.0.
6. yaml package (used in stubby) is upgraded 0.2.4->0.2.5.
7. haveged package is upgraded 1.9.8->1.9.12.
8. elfutils package is upgraded 0.161->0.179.
9. libjson-c package is upgraded 0.13.1->0.14 (including fix of CVE-2020-12762).
10. etherwake 1.09 package is added.
The link is:
https://www.voxel-firmware.comDoes anybody know if switching off the 2.4Ghz band for a single satellite is supported with this firmware?
The following Telnet commands work fine on the stock firmware, but reset to default (on) after reboot.
config set endis_wl_radio=0
ifconfig ath0 downMy original post:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Netgear-Orbi-RBR50-Router-Satellite-Need-To-Disable-Satellite/m-p/2068946#M116299You might want to hit up the SNB forum where Voxel and others reside to ask about that. There more active there.
