RT-N66U odd wireless drops

[JoseDeGar]

Hello,

Please assist me with the following very frustrating issue with my Dark Knight.

I've deployed different SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. They are not hidden.

Often (not in any particular pattern or way) the 5GHz band drops/disappears. I currently have only 2 devices on the 5GHz band - a moblie and a laptop.

The only record in the log just before the drop is kernel: eth2: received packet with own address as source address

eth2 seems to correspond to the 5GHz AP:

kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)
kernel: eth2: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)

APs are not isolated, I've no MAC filter, DHCP in the LAN, static public IP from ISP. I've done countless hard and soft resets (reboots), tried almost all ASUS FWs. Alas, to no avail.

Current FW is 3.0.0.4.376_3754-g5ef7c1f, i.e. the latest stock ASUS FW as of the time of the writing.

Any suggestions?

 

[jlake]

Try basic troubleshooting steps.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

http://www.ampedwireless.com/wifianalytics/

 

[JoseDeGar]

Try basic troubleshooting steps.

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=12453

http://www.ampedwireless.com/wifianalytics/

Thanks!

Alas, been there, done that. 2.4GHz is on 13 with 40MHz BW, pure .11n, clean as an angel tear. 5GHz is also 40MHz, .11n only, although the channel is set to 'Auto'. Will check the 5GHz with inSSIDer now.

EDIT: No way I'm going back to 20MHz BW. I got demanding streaming and file transfer requirements. 40MHz is a must.

As promised, the 5GHz scan. Neat-o, huh? Dafuq? 800x600 only? Man... OK, no pics then. Anyway, I'm alone on 5GHz, 136+132 it reads.

 

[wouterv]

5GHz, 136+132?
I suggest to manual select a channel out of the lowest four 36-48 and see how that works out.
The higher channels are expected to consider DFS, with eventual dropout if e.g. a radar is detected.

 

[JoseDeGar]

5GHz, 136+132?
I suggest to manual select a channel out of the lowest four 36-48 and see how that works out.
The higher channels are expected to consider DFS, with eventual dropout if e.g. a radar is detected.

Yes, I have the entire 5GHz band for me! Yay!

OK, thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try, even though no radar of any kind is nearby. Or at least none that I'm aware of. Any rule like with 2.4GHz, i.e. 1, 6, 11 that apply for 5GHz, or I should just pick one from 36-48?

 

[johtaja]

I have exact same problem with my laptop with newer Asus fw's, laptop has Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 card.

Fix for it is to downgrade to 3.0.0.4.376.2524 or later (in 2524 URL-filter don't work, at least for me, 1071 is fine) or Merlin's 376.48_3 (I'm using it now). Wlan driver version is exactly same as in newer fw's, but build date differs, and in these older fw's you got only the lower 5GHz channels (36, 40, 44, 48).

I updated my laptops wlan driver yesterday, don't know if it fixed issues with newer fw's, waitin for Merlin's 378.50 final to test.

 

[JoseDeGar]

I have exact same problem with my laptop with newer Asus fw's, laptop has Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 card.

Fix for it is to downgrade to 3.0.0.4.376.2524 or later (in 2524 URL-filter don't work, at least for me, 1071 is fine) or Merlin's 376.48_3 (I'm using it now). Wlan driver version is exactly same as in newer fw's, but build date differs, and in these older fw's you got only the lower 5GHz channels (36, 40, 44, 48).

I updated my laptops wlan driver yesterday, don't know if it fixed issues with newer fw's, waitin for Merlin's 378.50 final to test.

My lappy's card is Intel AC7260. Latest available drivers. The phone is Lumia, also latest FW and SW updates.

Strange thing is, with the previous builds my TV was recognizing the 5GHz AP, now it only 'hears' the 2.4GHz SSID.

P.S. What is you router?

 

[wouterv]

Look at the "Auto select channel including DFS channels" setting, I suggest to leave it un-checked, this should avoid Auto select of any channel other then 36, 40, 44 or 48 (these are the non-DFS channels).



In manual mode, InSSIDer can be your help to select the best channel out of those four, there are no other guidelines for these.

 

[JoseDeGar]

Look at the "Auto select channel including DFS channels" setting, I suggest to leave it un-checked, this should avoid Auto select of any channel other then 36, 40, 44 or 48 (these are the non-DFS channels).

View attachment 3248

In manual mode, InSSIDer can be your help to select the best channel out of those four, there are no other guidelines for these.

Switched to 36 for the lulz.

 rc_service: httpd 421:notify_rc restart_wireless
 kernel: wl_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
 kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)
 kernel: eth2: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)

Here are some other odd things:

Stations List                           
----------------------------------------
MAC               Associated Authorized    RSSI PSM Tx rate Rx rate Connect Time
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx Yes        Yes         -64dBm Yes    150M    150M 00:07:14

Now the TX rate went to 150M from the mere 6M before the channel change. The DL throughput of the phone went to 60Mbps from 90Mbps. Noise however remains at -85dBm for CH36. Also, nobody @ 5GHz besides me. Kewl!

Aaaand the TV now sees the 5GHz SSID again.

Thanks again! I'll keep you updated if the interruptions cease.

EDIT: in a moment of euphoria I forgot to curse the regulatory body for the complicated standards and the manufacturers, for the crappy documentation.

 

[johtaja]

My lappy's card is Intel AC7260. Latest available drivers. The phone is Lumia, also latest FW and SW updates.

Strange thing is, with the previous builds my TV was recognizing the 5GHz AP, now it only 'hears' the 2.4GHz SSID.

P.S. What is you router?

RT-N66U. I tried multiple changes with router settings with newer fw's, but didn't find working combination, I suggest you to try fw's I mentioned earlier.

 

[wouterv]

As a little reminder: did you guys hard-reset the router or revert to factory default and manual configure the router again after upgrade to firmware version 3.0.0.4.376.3754?
This is a crucial part to make the upgrade a success.
Further to explain: the higher 5 GHz channels required DFS, see:
http://www.networkcomputing.com/wir...on-part-3-the-channel-dilemma/a/d-id/1234489?

The lower four channels 36, 40, 44, 48 do not require DFS and are most trouble free.
Like the routers with older firmware, there is many equipment around that only support these lower four channels, another reason to try these channels first in case of connection problems.

Out of the DFS channels, the three channels 120, 124 and 128 require a longer wait time, making it even more troublesome. I guess that is the reason a lot of DFS supporting equipment does not support those channels (like Asus routers).

DFS makes the use of 5 GHz a bit troublesome in general.
802.11n does quite ok, it only requires 2 channels at 40MHz bandwidth.
802.11ac at 80MHz requires 4 channels, this may still fit in the non DFS channels.
802.11ac at 160MHz requires 8 channels, this requires at least partial use of DFS channels.
Neighbor interference is back in the picture, in crowded areas you may easily fight with the nearest neigbors to find sufficient free 5 GHz channels and you will suffer DFS behaviour resulting in channel dropouts.

 

[JoseDeGar]

As a little reminder: did you guys hard-reset the router or revert to factory default and manual configure the router again after upgrade to firmware version 3.0.0.4.376.3754?
This is a crucial part to make the upgrade a success.

Many times before and after.

Here's a new one. Now 5GHz network is interruption-free but 2.4GHz started fvcking with me. All of a sudden:

Feb  8 12:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 13:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 14:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 15:59:59 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 17:00:01 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 17:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 18:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 19:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 20:08:12 kernel: nf_ct_ras: decoding error: out of range
Feb  8 20:45:45 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address
Feb  8 20:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 21:10:08 miniupnpd[540]: Expired NAT-PMP mapping port 34627 TCP removed
Feb  8 21:10:08 miniupnpd[540]: Expired NAT-PMP mapping port 34627 UDP removed
Feb  8 21:22:23 miniupnpd[540]: Expired NAT-PMP mapping port 60986 UDP removed
Feb  8 21:22:23 miniupnpd[540]: Expired NAT-PMP mapping port 60986 TCP removed
Feb  8 21:33:06 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address
Feb  8 21:33:07 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address
Feb  8 21:37:25 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address
Feb  8 21:41:43 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address
Feb  8 21:41:52 kernel: eth1: received packet with  own address as source address

2.4G went the drain the moment the 'own address as source' packets starter pouring in. Here is how clients look like:

SSID: "------------"
RSSI: 0 dBm	SNR: 0 dB	noise: -86 dBm	Channel: 13u
BSSID: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx Capability: ESS ShortPre ShortSlot 
Supported Rates: [ 1(b) 2(b) 5.5(b) 6 9 11(b) 12 18 24 36 48 54 ]
HT Capable:
	Chanspec: 2.4GHz channel 11 40MHz (0x190b)
	Primary channel: 13
	HT Capabilities: 
	Supported MCS : [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 32 ]

Mode	: AP Only

Stations List                           
----------------------------------------
MAC               Associated Authorized    RSSI PSM Tx rate Rx rate Connect Time
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx Yes                      0dBm No       1M   -0.0M 00:00:02
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx Yes                      0dBm No       1M   -0.0M 00:00:00
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx Yes        Yes         -50dBm Yes   72.2M      6M 00:16:53

The clients see the SSID but cannot connect to the router. Note the strange readings for rate and RSSI.

Dafuq ASUS, dafuq?

 

[JoseDeGar]

Here is the boot log after I rebooted the mofo:

Feb  8 21:48:57 rc_service: httpd 367:notify_rc reboot
Feb  8 21:48:57 kernel: Attempt to kill tasklet from interrupt
Feb  8 21:48:58 FTP Server: daemon is stoped
Feb  8 21:48:58 Samba Server: smb daemon is stoped
Feb  8 21:48:58 WEBDAV Server: daemon is stoped
Feb  8 21:48:59 WAN Connection: Detected that the WAN Connection Type was PPPoE. But the PPPoE Setting was not complete.
Feb  8 21:48:59 stop_nat_rules: apply the redirect_rules!
Jan  1 02:00:07 syslogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4
Jan  1 02:00:07 syslog: module ledtrig-usbdev not found in modules.dep
Jan  1 02:00:07 syslog: module leds-usb not found in modules.dep
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: klogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4 (2015-01-10 18:59:17 CST)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: start_kernel
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Linux version 2.6.22.19 (root@asus) (gcc version 4.2.3) #1 Sat Jan 10 19:02:22 CST 2015
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: CPU revision is: 00019749
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Determined physical RAM map:
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel:  memory: 07fff000 @ 00000000 (usable)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel:  memory: 08000000 @ 87fff000 (usable)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Built 1 zonelists.  Total pages: 585216
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Kernel command line: root=/dev/mtdblock2 noinitrd console=ttyS0,115200
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Primary instruction cache 32kB, physically tagged, 4-way, linesize 32 bytes.
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Primary data cache 32kB, 4-way, linesize 32 bytes.
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PID hash table entries: 2048 (order: 11, 8192 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: CPU: BCM5300 rev 1 pkg 0 at 600 MHz
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Using 300.000 MHz high precision timer.
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Dentry cache hash table entries: 65536 (order: 6, 262144 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Inode-cache hash table entries: 32768 (order: 5, 131072 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: Mount-cache hash table entries: 512
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Initializing host
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Reset RC
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Initializing host
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Reset RC
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 0
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI/PCIe coreunit 0 is set to bus 1.
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bridge
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bridge
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Enabling device 0000:01:00.1 (0004 -> 0006)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 1
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI/PCIe coreunit 1 is set to bus 2.
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bridge
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bridge
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Enabling device 0000:02:00.1 (0004 -> 0006)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: PCI: Fixing up bus 2
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: IP route cache hash table entries: 4096 (order: 2, 16384 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: TCP established hash table entries: 16384 (order: 5, 131072 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:07 kernel: TCP bind hash table entries: 16384 (order: 4, 65536 bytes)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: highmem bounce pool size: 64 pages
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel:  Amd/Fujitsu Extended Query Table at 0x0040
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Physically mapped flash: CFI does not contain boot bank location. Assuming top.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: number of CFI chips: 1
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: cfi_cmdset_0002: Disabling erase-suspend-program due to code brokenness.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Flash device: 0x2000000 at 0x1c000000
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Creating 5 MTD partitions on "Physically mapped flash":
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: 0x00000000-0x00040000 : "pmon"
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: 0x00040000-0x01fe0000 : "linux"
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: 0x0016e474-0x01980000 : "rootfs"
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: 0x01fe0000-0x02000000 : "nvram"
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: 0x01ee0000-0x01fe0000 : "jffs2"
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Found an  serial flash with 0 0KB blocks; total size 0MB
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: sflash: found no supported devices
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: dev_nvram_init: _nvram_init
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: u32 classifier
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel:     OLD policer on 
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Netfilter messages via NETLINK v0.30.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: nf_conntrack version 0.5.0 (2048 buckets, 16384 max)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: ipt_time loading
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: ip_tables: (C) 2000-2006 Netfilter Core Team
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: net/ipv4/netfilter/tomato_ct.c [Jan 10 2015 19:01:45]
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: ip6_tables: (C) 2000-2006 Netfilter Core Team
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: VFS: Mounted root (squashfs filesystem) readonly.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Warning: unable to open an initial console.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Algorithmics/MIPS FPU Emulator v1.5
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: ctf: module license 'Proprietary' taints kernel.
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: et_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: et_module_init: et_txq_thresh set to 0x400
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: bcm_robo_enable_switch: EEE is disabled
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: eth0: Broadcom BCM47XX 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: wl_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: PCI: Enabling device 0000:01:01.0 (0000 -> 0002)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: PCI: Enabling device 0000:02:01.0 (0000 -> 0002)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: eth2: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.30.163.2002 (r382208)
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: SCSI subsystem initialized
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: ufsd: driver (8.6 U86_r187446_b122, LBD=ON, acl, ioctl, rwm, ws, sd) loaded at c027d000
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: NTFS (with native replay) support included
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: optimized: speed
Jan  1 02:00:08 kernel: Build_for__asus_n66u_2011-10-27_U86_r187446_b122
Jan  1 02:00:10 stop_nat_rules: apply the redirect_rules!
Jan  1 02:00:10 WAN Connection: Detected that the WAN Connection Type was PPPoE. But the PPPoE Setting was not complete.
Jan  1 02:00:10 dnsmasq[365]: warning: interface ppp1* does not currently exist
Jan  1 02:00:10 RT-N66U: start httpd - SSL
Jan  1 02:00:10 syslog: Generating SSL certificate...
Jan  1 02:00:11 disk monitor: be idle
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: scsi 1:0:0:0: Direct-Access     Multi    Flash Reader     1.00 PQ: 0 ANSI: 0
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 1:0:0:0: [sda] Attached SCSI removable disk
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 1:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0
Jan  1 02:00:11 miniupnpd[404]: HTTP listening on port 43030
Jan  1 02:00:11 miniupnpd[404]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access     JetFlash Transcend 64GB   1100 PQ: 0 ANSI: 6
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: [sdb] 123404288 512-byte hardware sectors (63183 MB)
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
Jan  1 02:00:11 kernel: sd 0:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
Jan  1 02:00:12 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_eth0_eth0)!
Jan  1 02:00:12 kernel: nf_conntrack_rtsp v0.6.21 loading
Jan  1 02:00:12 kernel: nf_nat_rtsp v0.6.21 loading
Jan  1 02:00:13 kernel: ufsd: use builtin utf8 instead of kernel utf8
Jan  1 02:00:13 miniupnpd[404]: received signal 15, good-bye
Jan  1 02:00:13 miniupnpd[487]: HTTP listening on port 36304
Jan  1 02:00:13 miniupnpd[487]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351
Jan  1 02:00:13 kernel: ufsd: sdb1 without journal
Jan  1 02:00:14 rc_service: hotplug 420:notify_rc restart_nasapps
Jan  1 02:00:15 WAN Connection: WAN was restored.
Jan  1 02:00:15 ntp: start NTP update
Feb  8 21:49:33 rc_service: ntp 366:notify_rc restart_upnp
Feb  8 21:49:33 rc_service: waitting "restart_nasapps" via hotplug ...
Feb  8 21:49:34 FTP Server: daemon is stoped
Feb  8 21:49:34 Samba Server: smb daemon is stoped
Feb  8 21:49:36 rc_service: ntp 366:notify_rc restart_diskmon
Feb  8 21:49:36 rc_service: waitting "restart_upnp" via ntp ...
Feb  8 21:49:36 miniupnpd[487]: received signal 15, good-bye
Feb  8 21:49:36 miniupnpd[538]: HTTP listening on port 52441
Feb  8 21:49:36 miniupnpd[538]: Listening for NAT-PMP traffic on port 5351
Feb  8 21:49:37 disk monitor: be idle
Feb  8 21:50:20 crond[371]: time disparity of 2159750 minutes detected

Note - my WAN connection is not PPPoE.

 

[Rankdropper84]

FWIW my parents AC66U was in short having all kinds of problems on Merlin's build. Flashed it to whatever version is stock Asus and they couldn't be happier. No more slowly degrading WiFi speed eventually requiring a manual reboot. I know the AC66U and N66U use the same CPU and I would also assume that they use the same 2.4 radio.

 

[jegesq]

Rankdropper:

With all due respect, the thread is discussing how to deal with issues that are related to the implementation of DFS and TPC in Europe (which is where the OP is located), and the use of channels that are not available in the U.S. This also has absolutely nothing to do with Merlin's FW or Official FW, and changing versions isn't going to remedy the OP's issue (which is now an issue with 2.4 ghz where DFS isn't implemented at all). And BTW, Merlin's FW doesn't change the basic drivers (which are closed source) nor does it alter DFS at all. If you read Merlin's own self-described mission statement at http://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/about, then you'd know Merlin's firmware is essentially the same as the official code, but adds features and makes corrections and improvements while keeping the same level of functionality and performance that is found in the ASUSWRT original.