Orbi info for a newb?

[TeamZero]

Hey folks, not new here to SNB forums, but new to Netgear. Have been using Asus (with Merlin)for years, but too many hardware issues of late, and I'm sick of it. So, have been wanting an Orbi setup for a bit , so grabbed a 50 kit couple of days ago. Works well so far, but of course always room for improvement right? I will try the Voxel firmware shortly, but want to feel my way around this a bit first. Only issue I have so far is REALLY don't like not being able to split the bands with different ssids. Hopefully that option will come in a new firmware update.

Anyway, is there good how to s or guides on tweaking these ? I'm new to mesh, and also interface is obviously a lot different than I am used to.
And is the Voxel firmware is straight forward load? I did download it, but I see there are 2 files with same name, one smaller than the other?
Thanks Folks, looking forward to being here.....time to do some reading!

 

[mith_y2k]

The Orbi is designed to “intelligently” switch bands and while I had some issues in the early days with some IoT devices (and this seems to be the most common problem) it now works well. What did the trick for me was a) having some patience while a device hops network and b) enabling the fast roaming that seemed to improve on point a. If for whatever reason you still need separate SSID the process is described at https://community.netgear.com/t5/Or...5-GHz-network-on-your-Orbi/m-p/1396594#M14929 .

I believe there is a quick guide for separate SSID with Voxel, but it should be roughly the same.

on your question about files, Orbi has a router and multiple satellites. RBR is the router, RBS are the satellites. Look at the file names and that will tell you to which device to apply the firmware

 

[TeamZero]

Thanks!! Opps , yes didn't see one letter difference in files, my bad.

 

[e38BimmerFN]

Also review this as well:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Or...Secrets-etc/m-p/1745266/highlight/true#M60729

I recommend the Orbi with out separating the SSIDs. Orbi works very well with a signal SSID and PW. If you have problems of connecting 2.4Ghz only IoT,
Netgear provides a simple mechanism to accomplish this:
Log into the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net)
Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
Uncheck the box, "Broadcast SSID on 5G"
Click "Apply"
All devices that are currently connected to the Orbi will remain connected.
On the smartphone, go to wireless settings and "forget" the Orbi SSID
Search for available WiFi networks. Select the Orbi WiFi. Enter the password. and connect.
If you are curious about whether the smartphone is actually connected at 2.4G, you have to wait a few minutes, because the "Attached Devices" display takes a while to update.
Open the app and set up the 2.4G device.
Once the device is connected and working as it should, reverse the steps.
Check the "Broadcast" box and click "Apply"
"Forget" the Orbi WiFi. Search. Enter password. Connect.

 

[cdzo72]

Also review this as well:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/ORBI-RBK50-RBS50-Tips-Tricks-Hidden-Secrets-etc/

I recommend the Orbi with out separating the SSIDs. Orbi works very well with a signal SSID and PW. If you have problems of connecting 2.4Ghz only IoT,
Netgear provides a simple mechanism to accomplish this:
Log into the Orbi web interface (http://orbilogin.net)
Navigate to the Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings
Uncheck the box, "Broadcast SSID on 5G"
Click "Apply"
All devices that are currently connected to the Orbi will remain connected.
On the smartphone, go to wireless settings and "forget" the Orbi SSID
Search for available WiFi networks. Select the Orbi WiFi. Enter the password. and connect.
If you are curious about whether the smartphone is actually connected at 2.4G, you have to wait a few minutes, because the "Attached Devices" display takes a while to update.
Open the app and set up the 2.4G device.
Once the device is connected and working as it should, reverse the steps.
Check the "Broadcast" box and click "Apply"
"Forget" the Orbi WiFi. Search. Enter password. Connect.

The link you posted doesn't work...

Sent from my SM-N9600 using Tapatalk

 

[e38BimmerFN]

Try it again...

 

[TeamZero]

Thanks folks!! I don't have an issue at the moment, was just used to having separate SSIDs. Thanks Bimmer, for link, some good reading. Loaded Voxel FW last night with no issues.

Question on beamforming/Mu MIMO/fast roaming/daisychain….enabled or no??

 

[cdzo72]

Thanks folks!! I don't have an issue at the moment, was just used to having separate SSIDs. Thanks Bimmer, for link, some good reading. Loaded Voxel FW last night with no issues.

Question on beamforming/Mu MIMO/fast roaming/daisychain….enabled or no??

If each satellite connects to router then Daisy Chain needs to be disabled.

If you actually have a large home or concrete walls between rooms where the signal from WiFi is noticeably stronger from a satellite then Fast Roaming enabled, if not then leave it off. I also assign static IPs to all devices in my network and enable access control.

Also have MU-MIMO and Implicit Beam Forming enabled as well.

I have 58 different devices on my network. The only ones on 2.4 are IoT devices that won't even connect to 5GHz and cut the 2.4GHz power output to 50% so all 5GHz able devices will stay put, this also helps with proper Fast Roaming

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[TeamZero]

Thanks!!

 

[TeamZero]

Ok, setup seems to be working great, and on latest Voxel, so now will leave it alone for a few days and see how everything works. Thanks for the help.

 

[e38BimmerFN]

Beamforming should be enabled. MIMO and the rest can be to taste. If you don't have any MIMO supporting devices, you can disable this.
Daisy Chain is for having two or more RBS set out in a line from the RBR to piggy back off each other. IF you don't have this configuration, disable Daisy Chain.

Thanks folks!! I don't have an issue at the moment, was just used to having separate SSIDs. Thanks Bimmer, for link, some good reading. Loaded Voxel FW last night with no issues.

Question on beamforming/Mu MIMO/fast roaming/daisychain….enabled or no??

 

[TeamZero]

Thanks!

 

[digital10]

Hey folks, not new here to SNB forums, but new to Netgear. Have been using Asus (with Merlin)for years, but too many hardware issues of late, and I'm sick of it. So, have been wanting an Orbi setup for a bit , so grabbed a 50 kit couple of days ago. Works well so far, but of course always room for improvement right? I will try the Voxel firmware shortly, but want to feel my way around this a bit first. Only issue I have so far is REALLY don't like not being able to split the bands with different ssids. Hopefully that option will come in a new firmware update.

Anyway, is there good how to s or guides on tweaking these ? I'm new to mesh, and also interface is obviously a lot different than I am used to.
And is the Voxel firmware is straight forward load? I did download it, but I see there are 2 files with same name, one smaller than the other?
Thanks Folks, looking forward to being here.....time to do some reading!

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, I want to switch from Netgear to Asus thinking that Asus is more stable and has better software

 

[TeamZero]

I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, I want to switch from Netgear to Asus thinking that Asus is more stable and has better software

Well I do find the asus software "better" I guess, but I'm not used to netgear yet. But the RT-AC86U has issues. I'm on the third one due to failure. And always seemed to require weekly reboots, so far so good with this one.

 

[digital10]

Beamforming should be enabled. MIMO and the rest can be to taste. If you don't have any MIMO supporting devices, you can disable this.
Daisy Chain is for having two or more RBS set out in a line from the RBR to piggy back off each other. IF you don't have this configuration, disable Daisy Chain.

May I ask why you say Beamforming should be enabled? I tried to research this and what I understood is that the benefit is negligible plus people seem to report worse performance on Orbi (stock firmware). Netgear has it disabled by default so I am seriously skeptical.

 

[digital10]

Well I do find the asus software "better" I guess, but I'm not used to netgear yet. But the RT-AC86U has issues. I'm on the third one due to failure. And always seemed to require weekly reboots, so far so good with this one.

You are good with this one because you got lucky to get the one that Voxel supports. I was running stock firmware and I consider a weekly reboot stable performance.

I am saddened to hear new Asus routers are so defected. Asus was my hope away from Netgear.

 

[TeamZero]

May I ask why you say Beamforming should be enabled? I tried to research this and what I understood is that the benefit is negligible plus people seem to report worse performance on Orbi (stock firmware). Netgear has it disabled by default so I am seriously skeptical.

It does work better enabled for me....tried on and off....better signal at a distance

 

[digital10]

It does work better enabled for me....tried on and off....better signal at a distance

have you tried MuMIMO?

Beamforming and MuMimo come disabled by default which makes me think Netgear knows it messes the network. There is a SNB article IIRC stating under test MuMimo has only slight enhancement and maybe worse gains sometimes.

 

[cdzo72]

have you tried MuMIMO?

Beamforming and MuMimo come disabled by default which makes me think Netgear knows it messes the network. There is a SNB article IIRC stating under test MuMimo has only slight enhancement and maybe worse gains sometimes.

I definitely get better performance with beam forming and MU MIMO enabled. Maybe because all my devices connect to 5G except for IoT stuff like smart plugs, appliances, switches, etc and my 2.4 GHz signal stepped down to 75%... if it's close to a satellite I have it wired (TVs, FireSticks, printers, laptop...) but haven't gotten around to hard working satellites... and absolutely every device on my network has a static IP address. Also on all phones (all are Android running 9 or 10) I have the randomized MAC disabled so I can assign them the static IPs... not sure if any of that helps with taking advantage of beam forming and MUMIMO but it definitely

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[TeamZero]

have you tried MuMIMO?

Beamforming and MuMimo come disabled by default which makes me think Netgear knows it messes the network. There is a SNB article IIRC stating under test MuMimo has only slight enhancement and maybe worse gains sometimes.

Yes on also....works slighty better enabled