RT-N66U 2.4GHz, N only !

[enr00ted]

Hi everyone. I am using Merlin's firmware on my Asus RT-N66U. I have a question, maybe it will sound foolish or newbish but, why if I set the 2.4Ghz band to N only, Inssider shows me "b,g,n" on PHY Type column. If this column shows the capabilities only, then why the 5Ghz does not have "n,a" ?

Thank you for your patience.

 

[huotg01]

Hi everyone. I am using Merlin's firmware on my Asus RT-N66U. I have a question, maybe it will sound foolish or newbish but, why if I set the 2.4Ghz band to N only, Inssider shows me "b,g,n" on PHY Type column. If this column shows the capabilities only, then why the 5Ghz does not have "n,a" ?

Thank you for your patience.

Do you mean that when you clic on the "N only" field, there is no other choices proposed ?

 

[enr00ted]

There is Auto, N and Legacy. But this is not important, all my devices are N-capable. What I was aking is how do I know that my connection is forced to N only on that band. Shouldn't it state only N as the 5Ghz band does ? I don't know If I make any sense here

 

[huotg01]

There is Auto, N and Legacy. But this is not important, all my devices are N-capable. What I was aking is how do I know that my connection is forced to N only on that band. Shouldn't it state only N as the 5Ghz band does ? I don't know If I make any sense here

I am not sure that it will answer your question, but click on the text "Wireless Mode" on the left of the field. A box will open and provide some information about each setting (By the way, if someone knows how to make a copy of such a pop-up, please tell me).

 

[wiz]

I am not sure that it will answer your question, but click on the text "Wireless Mode" on the left of the field. A box will open and provide some information about each setting (By the way, if someone knows how to make a copy of such a pop-up, please tell me).

you mean this one?

I use greenshot, take screenshot from window with 5 seconds delay. Then you have 5 seconds to hover over the "wireless mode text" and once the image is grabbed, open in image editor and crop the grabbed image and save.

 

[ika]

I am not sure that it will answer your question, but click on the text "Wireless Mode" on the left of the field. A box will open and provide some information about each setting (By the way, if someone knows how to make a copy of such a pop-up, please tell me).

He is asking why his 2.4Ghz isn't "N only" (like his 5Ghz) when he sets it to be "N only".
I don't know the answer either, but this also could be an issue with software he uses to check the mode, so I'm not yet 100% convinced it's the router. (is that inSSIDer btw, sorry but I don't have my PC turned on atm, so can't check).

 

[huotg01]

you mean this one?
[...]

I use greenshot, take screenshot from window with 5 seconds delay. Then you have 5 seconds to hover over the "wireless mode text" and once the image is grabbed, open in image editor and crop the grabbed image and save.

Yes, and I thank you for the information.

He is asking why his 2.4Ghz isn't "N only" (like his 5Ghz) when he sets it to be "N only".
I don't know the answer either, but this also could be an issue with software he uses to check the mode, so I'm not yet 100% convinced it's the router. (is that inSSIDer btw, sorry but I don't have my PC turned on atm, so can't check).

I see... I share your comment: not sure that it is the router. By the way, I did check with inSSIDer on my PC, but I don't have this column. My version could be too old, or I don't know how to use it.

 

[enr00ted]

He is asking why his 2.4Ghz isn't "N only" (like his 5Ghz) when he sets it to be "N only".
I don't know the answer either, but this also could be an issue with software he uses to check the mode, so I'm not yet 100% convinced it's the router. (is that inSSIDer btw, sorry but I don't have my PC turned on atm, so can't check).

THANK YOU ! I had the feeling noone was getting my point. That is exactly what I was asking. I'll try with another software, if I can find any, and report back.

Yes, and I thank you for the information.

I see... I share your comment: not sure that it is the router. By the way, I did check with inSSIDer on my PC, but I don't have this column. My version could be too old, or I don't know how to use it.

inSSIDer is version 4.1.0.60 (I use it on pc, not the mobile version).

PS: It might really be a software thing. Tested with another wifi monitoring tool and got this:

 

[Hexabion]

"N only" will:

A: Deny any hardware N-capable device that (for some reason) tries to connect with a a,b,g protol. The N-capable device will see the router, but wont be able to connect beyond a handhake of protocol.

B: It wont be detected by an a,b,g-device that lacks N-capability by hardware, since a a,b,g-device, this is self-explanatory, basically because its physically impossible for a g-device to see a newer technology than what existed when g was state-of-the-art.

Now, you run inssider from a hardware N-capable device, so innsider sends all handshakes, including n. It gets a deny/disconnect-pack in return on a,b,g but lists it as a "capability".

A TRUE "N only" would only have N, and never be able to activate/support a,b,g by demand.

In short: To be able to have the ability to offer a,b,g on demand (if needed) and still DENY a,b,g for N-capable devices trying to connect with a,b,g-protocils it has to have a,b,g active to send a deny-handshake. To turn a,g,b completely OFF would require a separate hardware-chip for a,b,g with the ability to be turned off.

Just my two cents (allthough here in Norway we don't have any cents).

 

[huotg01]

[...]

In short: To be able to have the ability to offer a,b,g on demand (if needed) and still DENY a,b,g for N-capable devices trying to connect with a,b,g-protocils it has to have a,b,g active to send a deny-handshake. To turn a,g,b completely OFF would require a separate hardware-chip for a,b,g with the ability to be turned off.

Just my two cents (allthough here in Norway we don't have any cents).

It makes a lot of sense. Very good explanation. Thanks.

 

[enr00ted]

"N only" will:

A: Deny any hardware N-capable device that (for some reason) tries to connect with a a,b,g protol. The N-capable device will see the router, but wont be able to connect beyond a handhake of protocol.

B: It wont be detected by an a,b,g-device that lacks N-capability by hardware, since a a,b,g-device, this is self-explanatory, basically because its physically impossible for a g-device to see a newer technology than what existed when g was state-of-the-art.

Now, you run inssider from a hardware N-capable device, so innsider sends all handshakes, including n. It gets a deny/disconnect-pack in return on a,b,g but lists it as a "capability".

A TRUE "N only" would only have N, and never be able to activate/support a,b,g by demand.

In short: To be able to have the ability to offer a,b,g on demand (if needed) and still DENY a,b,g for N-capable devices trying to connect with a,b,g-protocils it has to have a,b,g active to send a deny-handshake. To turn a,g,b completely OFF would require a separate hardware-chip for a,b,g with the ability to be turned off.

Just my two cents (allthough here in Norway we don't have any cents).

Wow, this is quite an explanation. Thank you.