RT-AC68R drops cnxns/packets when AC@5GHz

[akutz]

Hi All,

RMerlin asked me to repost this here as the ASUS forums are unstable.

When connecting to my network using my RT-AC68R as the AP for my late 2013 Macbook Pro, and initiating an rsync of >100GB of data, I get a "broken pipe" error within seconds to minutes. Frequently SSH connections to my NAS produce the same error during just a terminal session. Since rsync uses SSH in this case, one might think it's an SSH error to my NAS (the end-point of both of the aforementioned examples), but I've ruled that out with other tests to other end-points using other transfer protocols.

In the end, I'm able to rsync the data using a wired ethernet connection from my Macbook Pro using my Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter through any of the AC68R's wired ports. I'm also able to rsync the data successfully when I connect to my Apple Airport Extreme AC model that is set up in my living room.

I'm even able to rsync the data without error when connecting to the AC68R using the 2.4GHz N-Only wireless connection.

So I know the issue is with my AC68R operating in AC mode at 5GHz.

And for what it's worth, it takes a tremendous amount of finagling on my part to even get my Macbook Pro to connect at or close to 1300 Mbps to the AC68R. I have zero problem getting the same connection speed using the Airport Extreme AC model.

I plan on selling my AC68R and getting a second Airport Extreme AC, despite me wanting to move to a more open platform. Currently I have version 3.0.0.4.374.35_4 of the Merlin firmware build on the router in hopes that it would perform better than the most recent version of the stock firmware.

There is clearly an issue with the AC68R operating at AC speeds using the 5GHz mode that Apple's router does not have -- that the AC68R itself does not have in wired or 2.4GHz N-mode.

And I bought this router for its lineage and advertised AC mode.

If the latter part does not work, then I'd rather go back behind the walled garden with Apple for a model that does.

Here is a link to both the general and wireless logs as well as images of my configurations.

Thanks!

--
-a

 

[RMerlin]

Asus has released a beta version of the RT-AC68U that is based on a newer wireless driver - give it a try. Wireless stability was the main goal of this new driver.

 

[akutz]

Hi Merlin,

Per the test method I used when becoming certain about the issue:

[0]akutz@pax:Downloads$ rsync -ax --progress /Users/akutz/Documents/Parallels/lucy.pvm vault:/volume1/homes/akutz/vm-backups/
building file list ... 
31 files to consider
lucy.pvm/
lucy.pvm/VmInfo.pvi
       33408 100%  625.00kB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#1, to-check=29/31)
lucy.pvm/config.pvs
       22514 100%   21.47MB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#2, to-check=28/31)
lucy.pvm/config.pvs.backup
       22514 100%   10.74MB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#3, to-check=27/31)
lucy.pvm/config.sav
     2135232 100%   88.54MB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#4, to-check=26/31)
lucy.pvm/parallels.log
     7682625 100%   12.63MB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#5, to-check=25/31)
lucy.pvm/statistic.log
       40173 100%   66.61kB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#6, to-check=24/31)
lucy.pvm/suspended.png
      651462 100% 1000.30kB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#7, to-check=23/31)
lucy.pvm/unattended.fdd
     1474560 100%    1.90MB/s    0:00:00 (xfer#8, to-check=22/31)
lucy.pvm/{bd282d8f-1cba-42d9-8a63-5e9f7a775974}.mem
Write failed: Broken pipeMB/s    0:03:04
rsync: writefd_unbuffered failed to write 32768 bytes [sender]: Broken pipe (32)
rsync: connection unexpectedly closed (212 bytes received so far) [sender]
rsync error: unexplained error (code 255) at /SourceCache/rsync/rsync-42/rsync/io.c(452) [sender=2.6.9]

The issue is still occurring.

 

[RMerlin]

Do a factory default reset and manually reconfigure your router to ensure that the new default settings from the new firmware are applied.

Beside that i have no other idea.

 

[yogendra]

How to make ssh form linux/mac over WiFi seamlessly?

I am facing similar issue. I am not able to connect from Linux or Mac ssh to any WAN site/host. This includes git, ssh, etc. Not even with Wireless N 2.4 Ghz or Ethernet cable.

I am able to connect via Putty in Windows and Cyberduck in Mac (Strange) over Wireless AC 5Ghz

Another thing, I am able to use ssh on terminal over VPN with Wireless AC/N 2.4/5 Ghz.

This is really messy. I am running latest firmware 3.0.0.4.374.39 (Merlin Build) (Merlin Ki Jai Ho - Translates : Hail Merlin)

 

[prazvt]

I've been having wifi issues w/ my late 2013 macbook pro 13" retina and the RT-AC68 router as well - though oddly, it appears to more on the windows 8 side. If I'm copying files from the macbook to my NAS, the copy activity will start off fast and then slow to a stop. Then I'll get a network error.

The router is in the same room (acting as an AP) and the macbook is connected at 1 - 1.3gbps. Windows driver issue I'm guessing?

I just updated the AC68r to the newest firmware, though I'll try doing the factory reset to make sure any new settings are taking effect.

 

[MadTal]

I am actually having issues with speeds/pack loss on the 5ghz band as well - only on AC though.

I noticed 2 of my devices that run on the AC 5ghz band either drop connection or get slowed down speeds at times. Or fail to load certain parts of webpages.

Other devices that pick up the 5ghz band but on N work excellent. My 2.4ghz devices don't have any issues either.

I'm currently running the latest firmware but cannot figure out what the issue could be. Does anyone have any advice?

I've tried a factory reset after updating and trying disabling beamforcing but still seem to have this issue with the 5ghz AC

 

[theveterans]

I am actually having issues with speeds/pack loss on the 5ghz band as well - only on AC though.

I noticed 2 of my devices that run on the AC 5ghz band either drop connection or get slowed down speeds at times. Or fail to load certain parts of webpages.

Other devices that pick up the 5ghz band but on N work excellent. My 2.4ghz devices don't have any issues either.

I'm currently running the latest firmware but cannot figure out what the issue could be. Does anyone have any advice?

I've tried a factory reset after updating and trying disabling beamforcing but still seem to have this issue with the 5ghz AC

It's either the other 40 MHz channel width has lots of interference that makes your AC devices dropout or your AC devices have poor written drivers that makes you blame the router where in fact it isn't. What wireless adapter do you use to connect to AC?

 

[MadTal]

Hey theveterans, thanks for the quick response. I didn't get a notification so I apologize about the delay. My Samsung Note 3 and iPad Mini are the devices I'm using to connect to the ac68r. There was a firmware update on the router yesterday actually and after updating my phone works great again.

I'll have to check on the channel widths if I see issues again.