Voxel Custom firmware build for Orbi RBK50/RBK53 (RBR50, RBS50) v. 9.2.5.2.19SF-HW

[Voxel]

Continuation of

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/custom-firmware-build-for-orbi-rbk50-v-2-5-0-42sf-hw.60308/
. . .
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/c...50-rbk53-rbr50-rbs50-v-9-2-5-2-17sf-hw.76178/
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/c...-v-9-2-5-2-18sf-hw-v-9-2-5-2-18-1sf-hw.76758/

New version of my custom firmware build: 9.2.5.2.19SF-HW.

Changes (vs 9.2.5.2.18.1SF-HW):

1. Toolchain: binutils version is upgraded 2.37->2.38.
2. Toolchain: Go is upgraded 1.17.6->1.17.7.
3. util-linux package is upgraded 2.37.2->2.37.4 (fixing CVE-2021-3995, CVE-2021-3996, CVE-2022-0563).
4. expat package is upgraded 2.4.3->2.4.6 (fixing CVE-2022-23852, CVE-2022-23990).
5. aws-iot: add possibility to disable Amazon Alexa (@NetBytes, @spocko):

nvram set noaws=1​

nvram commit​

reboot​

6. iptables: add patch to disable exit if no library for match (@HELLO_wORLD).
7. dnscrypt-proxy-2: change startup priority to 98 (@microchip).
8. unbound package (used in stubby) is upgraded 1.14.0->1.15.0.
9. bind package is upgraded 9.17.21->9.18.0.
10. libusb package is upgraded 1.0.24->1.0.25.
11. iperf3 package is upgraded 3.10.1->3.11.
12. nano package is upgraded 6.0->6.2.
13. GNU 'less' utility is added, busybox applet 'less' is disabled (to support UTF-8).
14. '-O3' optimization for part of drivers (kernel level).

The link is:

https://www.voxel-firmware.com (thanks to vladlenas for his help with hosting).

Voxel.

 

[mith_y2k]

Does the RBK have Alexa? Is there software running at all times?

 

[LJ H]

thanks, is there a way to increase the timeout length if i'm logged into the device page?

example: http://192.168.1.1/DEV_show_device.htm

after about 1min it asks me to log back in

 

[pebblechamp]

Hi. I want to try this firmware. Is there a QoS feature? If not, does anyone have any suggestions for another Orbi RBK50 compatible firmware with QoS? Or an Entware package that could add the functionality?

As much as Netgear says QoS isn't necessary, and has removed the QoS functionality from the Orbi pages, I need to prioritize my laptop and Zoom calls over all other traffic. In almost every meeting I have, video works fine, but audio will cut out for 3-5 sec at random intervals such that I can't hear anything and no one can hear me. It's extremely frustrating. Better firmware is my last effort to try and fix the issue without replacing my mesh network.

I understand that most people want to prioritize streaming and Xbox traffic, but my work is more important than my son's video games or my wife's soap operas. X-D

THANK YOU!

 

[BANsOnLn]

How to reset Orbi router. We had a storm last night and now my Orbi Router is just blinking white. How can I hard reset the router? The reset button does not seem to work.

My router is just slowly blinking white.

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

How to reset Orbi router. We had a storm last night and now my Orbi Router is just blinking white. How can I hard reset the router? The reset button does not seem to work.

My router is just slowly blinking white.

Not familiar with Orbi, but have you tried to unplug it, wait a little bit and plug it again?

If it does not work, maybe it got corrupted during the storm and need a factory reset? But wait for Orbi owners to give their input first

 

[BANsOnLn]

Not familiar with Orbi, but have you tried to unplug it, wait a little bit and plug it again?

If it does not work, maybe it got corrupted during the storm and need a factory reset? But wait for Orbi owners to give their input first

Yeah I tried unplugging and etc. I have no problem with hard resetting it but the reset button is not working.

 

[L&LD]

Was the Orbi on a quality UPS during the storm?

If not, maybe time to start shopping for another router.

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

Indeed, UPS is important on routers and network devices!

@BANsOnLn maybe you should contact Netgear support of follow the procedure given by customer support since the problem is not specific to the firmware (you would have had the same problem with the regular firmware).

It could be easy to fix with a factory reset and reinstall fresh firmware, or something fried…

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

Yeah I tried unplugging and etc. I have no problem with hard resetting it but the reset button is not working.

UPDATE: Actually, if you read the QuickStart.txt for Voxel's Orbi firmware, you find that the reset has been deliberately disabled.

To perform reset you have to TFTP a relatively old stock:

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/RBR50-V2.5.2.4.zip for RBR
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/RBS50-V2.5.2.4.zip for RBS

after that you will be able to perform a reset. Then flash Voxel firmware again

 

[BANsOnLn]

Indeed, UPS is important on routers and network devices!

@BANsOnLn maybe you should contact Netgear support of follow the procedure given by customer support since the problem is not specific to the firmware (you would have had the same problem with the regular firmware).

It could be easy to fix with a factory reset and reinstall fresh firmware, or something fried…

Yeah all it is doing is blinking white. When I try and use the reset button using a pin nothing happens. It just blinks white. Does the reset light still work on this firmware?

 

[BANsOnLn]

So I guess another question if my RBR50 is dead... Can I wire in the RBS50's I have to use with my RBR850 I just got? Would that give me anymore coverage or is it just a switch at this point?

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

Yeah all it is doing is blinking white. When I try and use the reset button using a pin nothing happens. It just blinks white. Does the reset light still work on this firmware?

It is probably not dead. Reset button is disabled (normal).

To reset you have to use TFTP to install a firmware allowing the reset:

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/RBR50-V2.5.2.4.zip for RBR
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/RBS50-V2.5.2.4.zip for RBS

Then you can flash Voxel firmware again.

 

[moecre]

Hi there,

this is my first post, even though I'm following for quite a while now. Thanks for your awesome work forum and @Voxel especially!!

My question: Is there any way for me to add iperf (in whatever version) to one of my satellites (v2 without USB) without much hassle?

Thanks a lot!

Pat

 

[Voxel]

My question: Is there any way for me to add iperf (in whatever version) to one of my satellites (v2 without USB) without much hassle?

iperf3 is included into fimware. Both: RBR and RBS.

Voxel.

 

[moecre]

iperf3 is included into fimware. Both: RBR and RBS.

Voxel.

You're a legend! Thanks a lot @Voxel! Take care man!!

How could I missed this

 

[seecoolguy]

Hi @Voxel , I used to use your FW on my older R7800 router, I Just upgraded to this Mesh Router system with the model RBK50, my Router says on the WebGui menu it's an RBR50 router below is my user manual from the Netgear site, and as I was looking through the QuickStart text file I am finding references to using a USB drive but neither my router nor my satellite has a USB drive. am I confusing models of ORBI here?

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBK50/Orbi_UM_EN.pdf

Edit* I went through with it and was able to successfully update my Orbi RBR50 and RBS50 to the Voxel firmware V9.2.5.2.19SF-HW I will be tweaking settings as I find them, but I am interested in helping to see if 5ghz ac access can be improved on

 

[mith_y2k]

neither my router nor my satellite has a USB drive

You have a V2. Sadly Netgear removed the port.

can you expand what you would like improve on 5Ghz?

 

[cdzo72]

Good morning to all.

Anyone having trouble connecting to Circle on this new 9.2.5.2.19 update?

The x.18 firmware was working just fine. After updating this morning, I have lost connection to Circle.

 

[seecoolguy]

You have a V2. Sadly Netgear removed the port.

can you expand what you would like improve on 5Ghz?

Hi @mith_y2k I ran speed tests consistently when my setup was running the original fw and my 5ghz speeds for a txRate of 867 was no better than ~300mbps, since updating the fw to Voxel I'm seeing between 350-450mbps and the Satelite or Router have not been moved only the new fw, so it has been pretty great.

I used to run Voxel on my older Nighthawk x4s and it provided great throughput, but I needed another extender that had spotty reliability to get to the backyard, but the orbi setup allows me to take video conf calls in the morning sun