Netgear Orbi discussion thread

[DanH]

Can you do the test like this on the SATs?

NetgearGuy write me that It's correct that with 2 or more satellites connected, they will share the 5G backhaul bandwidth.
The backhaul is dynamically allocated and depends on which satellites are sending traffic.

So if you have ppl with all SATs in use they share the 1733 bandwidth, it that wath he means?

You can't set up the satellites that way yet. Each one links to the router (star topology).

 

[pete y testing]

Can you do the test like this on the SATs?

all you will get is the same sa if your client is say 10 , 15 and 20 meters away , obviously the further away the less the sync to sat

so

sat 1 may sync at 1733M and get 60MB/s

sat 2 may sync at 100M and get say 40Mb/s

sat 3 less etc

its just not the way the orbi is designed to work and the signal doesnt pass through each sat

your other diagram is how it works

 

[pege63]

NetgearGuy write:
No guest network as yet...this should be added by end of this qtr...sorry if any misunderstanding

The Orbi App is also planned to launch soon...

Understand your question regarding the amount of backhaul bandwidth per satellite (if more than 2 satellites installed). As previously mentioned, the backhaul is dynamically allocated and depends on which satellites are sending traffic, so not necessarily 866 Mbps per satellite...

 

[thiggins]

pege63: Satellites connect only to the router, not to each other.

 

[pege63]

Yes i know buth they still share the backhaul bandwidth, and depends on which satellites are sending traffic at the moment.

 

[wchpitt]

It's not a "smart" switch in the IoT context - it's a drop-in replacement for a standard light switch - nothing networked about it...

Interesting that it's sensitive to RFI...

Netgear was able to replicate the issue with an Orbi unit 2 feet from a Lutron Switch.

I contacted Lutron support and confirmed the switches sensitivity to RF line noise (and they are aware of the issue of WiFi routers or extenders causing this functional anomaly). Their official solution is to move the router farther away from the switch module AND fixture. They also noted that the switch module is more prone to this interference when using LED bulbs (occurrence is reduced using CFL or incandescent bulbs)

Shielding of the switch unit will not help as it is RF noise on the lines that actually causes the issue.

The location of the satellite when it was causing the problem was on the opposite side of the wall of the switch but only inches from the wire path in the wall between the fixtures and the switch.

I tried placing the satellite on the other end of the dresser which now puts it ~3 feet from the switch but on the opposite side of the switch, AC supply line, and fixture wiring path.

I do not experience the problem with the satellite in this new location.

So it appears that it is an RF line noise sensitivity issue with the switch which may be compounded by the use of LED bulbs and the proximity of the satellite to the line/switch/fixture wiring rather than the actual switch.

 

[sfx2000]

Netgear was able to replicate the issue with an Orbi unit 2 feet from a Lutron Switch.

I contacted Lutron support and confirmed the switches sensitivity to RF line noise (and they are aware of the issue of WiFi routers or extenders causing this functional anomaly). Their official solution is to move the router farther away from the switch module AND fixture. They also noted that the switch module is more prone to this interference when using LED bulbs (occurrence is reduced using CFL or incandescent bulbs)

Shielding of the switch unit will not help as it is RF noise on the lines that actually causes the issue.

Interesting - thanks for sharing...

Odd that the Lutron would be that sensitive to EMI/RFI as the source levels are very low if we're looking at WiFi in either the ISM or UNII bands - the comment about LED bulbs is also interesting, as there are some that are broadband noise sources in the ISM (2.4GHz) band that can impact WiFi...

I don't think the issue is specific with Orbi, but perhaps any dual-band WiFi source perhaps...

 

[wchpitt]

Interesting - thanks for sharing...

Odd that the Lutron would be that sensitive to EMI/RFI as the source levels are very low if we're looking at WiFi in either the ISM or UNII bands - the comment about LED bulbs is also interesting, as there are some that are broadband noise sources in the ISM (2.4GHz) band that can impact WiFi...

I don't think the issue is specific with Orbi, but perhaps any dual-band WiFi source perhaps...

You are correct. Plugged in my "spare" R6900 in the same original location as where the Orbi was causing interference and had the same result. Just bringing this up as folks are more likely to place a satellite somewhere that a router would not normally be found and... you get this interference. At least I know my bathroom is not haunted...
Just something you wouldn't normally think of and now you have to factor this in if you have occupancy sensors from Lutron (I have not tested with any other vendors switches) Thought I was going mad for two days is all! Fun thinking it through though and stumbling upon the solution.

 

[sfx2000]

Thought I was going mad for two days is all! Fun thinking it through though and stumbling upon the solution.

good work and good troubleshooting...

 

[Zoro]

Wow, this is a cool tool! Anyone know where to get it? I would like to use this to test my home wifi capability as well.

I seriously had no connection in my bedroom on a rtn66u. Here is what I have now from 350/25 cable. Thanks for the review btw.

 

[sfx2000]

Wow, this is a cool tool! Anyone know where to get it? I would like to use this to test my home wifi capability as well.

It's called Net Analyzer - it's in the app store - there's a small price to pay, but it's a very handy tool.

https://www.techet.net/netanalyzer/

 

[DanH]

It's called Net Analyzer - it's in the app store - there's a small price to pay, but it's a very handy tool.

https://www.techet.net/netanalyzer/

I will say the iTunes version is pretty gimped compared to the android version. The android version can show you how congested the different bands are, but the iTunes version won't due to apple blocking it. So if you have both devices definitely get the android version.

 

[wchpitt]

It's called Net Analyzer - it's in the app store - there's a small price to pay, but it's a very handy tool.

https://www.techet.net/netanalyzer/

Also, anyone considering this... make sure you are getting the right tool for the job you're trying to do. Others to consider if you are Mac based are KisMac2 (Free) or what I now use WiFi Explorer (paid - shown below).
(Mapping and positioning Router and two satellites)

 

[punkinduster]

I bought the Orbi from Best Buy a few days ago and played with it for a while. Decided it is not for me and took it back.

Just let me say, it has some great ideas and should work well for some.

I, a retired engineer, personally like to see a lot of the information about my network devices. The Orbi has a couple of worthless read-only screens that are showing you what the configured connection rates are supposed to be but not really what they actually are at any given time. Their GUI really needs some work. Have some patience if you change the configuration because you have to wait quite a while for each change, as if it is doing an entire reboot. The real issue for me was my security cameras were having issues with frame rate and bit rates constantly changing. A few of them would drop so low the video was worthless. I moved the satellite to different locations (always had a blue ring connection) and maybe having an additional satellite would have helped at an additional expense. Our cell phones would go to power save mode and then lose connection to the network even though they are configured to stay connected while they are sleeping.

For my setup turning a couple of old routers into APs and an AV2 power line kit does a better job. Granted I use different SSIDs but most of the devices that are connected to the APs don't roam around the house. I also had 400 more dollars in my pocket at the end of the day. I do look forward to the advancement of this technology but don't think this one is quite ready for prime time, at least not for me.

 

[pete y testing]

2 sayings come to mind

cant please everyone

and

cant teach and old dog new tricks

the orbi is designed for the simple reason of whole home wifi , its mot designed with all the bells and whistles and i suspect that was a design choice by netgear

yes it cost a lot but for those with the need and want will find the orbi provides exactly what they need and thats whole home wifi

not sure why your cameras where playing up as here the arlo cameras work fine and the cell phones here stay connected , you may just have mis placed the orbi and sat and or as you say needed a second sat depending on the size and layout of your house

 

[punkinduster]

Don't take it personal, Pete. I was merely stating my point of view of the new gear and if you notice I did state in the second paragraph: "Just let me say, it has some great ideas and should work well for some." I do agree that I am getting old but this dog still enjoys learning new things everyday and intrigued by the technology.

 

[pege63]

I bought the Orbi from Best Buy a few days ago and played with it for a while. Decided it is not for me and took it back.

Just let me say, it has some great ideas and should work well for some.

I, a retired engineer, personally like to see a lot of the information about my network devices. The Orbi has a couple of worthless read-only screens that are showing you what the configured connection rates are supposed to be but not really what they actually are at any given time. Their GUI really needs some work. Have some patience if you change the configuration because you have to wait quite a while for each change, as if it is doing an entire reboot. The real issue for me was my security cameras were having issues with frame rate and bit rates constantly changing. A few of them would drop so low the video was worthless. I moved the satellite to different locations (always had a blue ring connection) and maybe having an additional satellite would have helped at an additional expense. Our cell phones would go to power save mode and then lose connection to the network even though they are configured to stay connected while they are sleeping.

For my setup turning a couple of old routers into APs and an AV2 power line kit does a better job. Granted I use different SSIDs but most of the devices that are connected to the APs don't roam around the house. I also had 400 more dollars in my pocket at the end of the day. I do look forward to the advancement of this technology but don't think this one is quite ready for prime time, at least not for me.

They will do updates on the software and more features will be add soon.

 

[RogerSC]

I will say the iTunes version is pretty gimped compared to the android version. The android version can show you how congested the different bands are, but the iTunes version won't due to apple blocking it. So if you have both devices definitely get the android version.

Yeah, about the only thing I've found in iOS is the "Airport Utility" which will show your networks, and all your neighbors networks via a "network scan" thing. Not graphical (darn it), but it does give the RSSI for each of your neighbors. You have to go to "Settings" to enable the network scan, it isn't turned on by default. Pretty useful, don't know how this one slipped by Apple *smile*.

 

[0111000001100100]

Hi There,
Any idea on how many clients an Orbi system could comfortable support? Would it be able to handle 30 devices for example? Perhaps not all actively transmitting but in various states of being connected/transmitting.

 

[L&LD]

Hi There,
Any idea on how many clients an Orbi system could comfortable support? Would it be able to handle 30 devices for example? Perhaps not all actively transmitting but in various states of being connected/transmitting.

How many satellites + main Orbi system? Not that it should matter though.

An original RT-AC68U can comfortably handle 30 clients at once, an Orbi (main + 1 satellite) should be able to do 50 or more 'easily'.