AC56U and Intel AC-7260

[sweenytodd]

Hi I just got my Intel AC 7260 and put it in my laptop. I can't get to have a link speed of 867 Mbps. I'm using a AC56U with a 3.0.0.4.374.33 Merlin firmware. How do I set this? Thanks.

 

[RMerlin]

What are you getting? And at what distance from the router?

You should just have to set the 5 GHz band to 80 MHz, and you'll be set.

Make sure you REALLY have a 802.11ac capable card. I've seen many confused resellers selling the 802.11n-only version of the 7260, and wrongly advertise it as 802.11ac-capable. The exact model number will tell the truth.

 

[sweenytodd]

I'm 5 feet from the router and I'm getting 400Mbps link speed. Pretty sure its 7260-AC.

Here is my driver node strong name from Device Manager

oem32.infevice.NTamd64.6.1:Install_MPCIEX_GEN_7260_AC_2x2_HMC_WIN7_64_AC:16.1.5.2ci\ven_8086&dev_08b1&subsys_40708086

And my 5GHz settings

 

[RMerlin]

Have you done an actual file transfer to measure performance? The link speed can vary based on traffic and power management.

 

[sweenytodd]

My Write speed is approx 17 MB/s and and approx 22MB/s on the same distance (5 feet) with a 2TB Seagate External Drive on USB3 interface with ext3 file system. I've never messed the power management yet. I don't know what else to do except changing channels and moving around the router.

 

[sweenytodd]

I set it on 80MHz and its still on 40MHz in my log. Possibly a bug?

SID: "NAZTYBOX-PC_Network 5GHz"
RSSI: 0 dBm SNR: 0 dB noise: -92 dBm Channel: 157l
BSSID: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX Capability: ESS
Supported Rates: [ 6(b) 9 12(b) 18 24(b) 36 48 54 ]
VHT Capable:
Chanspec: 5GHz channel 159 40MHz (0xd89f)
Primary channel: 157
HT Capabilities:
Supported MCS : [ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 32 ]
VHT Capabilities:
Supported VHT (tx) Rates:
NSS: 1 MCS: 0-9
NSS: 2 MCS: 0-9
Supported VHT (rx) Rates:
NSS: 1 MCS: 0-9
NSS: 2 MCS: 0-9

Mode : AP Only

Stations List Rx/Tx Speed RSSI State
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX 10.0.0.13 NaztyBOX-PC 270/108 Mbps -62 dBm assoc auth

Getting a max link speed of 300Mbps on inSSIDer

 

[PrivateJoker]

Try looking in your NIC properties/details instead of InSSider.

InSSider says they can't ID 802.11ac at this time yet.

http://www.metageek.net/forums/show...c-80MHz-Channel-Bandwidth-Display-on-inSSIDer

Also if (by way of your NIC) you're not seeing higher link, try doing auto channel.

 

[sweenytodd]

I couldn't see any options regarding 80MHz or about 802.11ac mode, only a/b/g. Auto channel is already done in post #3. What else maybe the problem?

 

[PrivateJoker]

I couldn't see any options regarding 80MHz or about 802.11ac mode, only a/b/g. Auto channel is already done in post #3. What else maybe the problem?

I would grab the ProSet NIC tool to shake down the NIC and verify its settings and how it sees the signal. It's hard to troubleshoot from the behavior of just one client device, you don't really know where to point the finger.

Also drill down in device manager properties on your NIC and/or ProSet and give us a screenshot on your full NIC model to confirm what it is. Maybe even try the auto ID device update here. http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/wireless


The 7260 is a 2x2 device, so set your AP to 802.11n only, and at your 10ft distance it should have a max link rate of around 300 Mb/s (remember, check from NIC properties in windows and/or ProSet utility). If that works and is close to 300, then set to AC and see what NIC properties and/or ProSet is reporting. Max 2x2 on AC is 900 Mb/s link rate.

Also I'm assuming if there is an AC only mode that you tried it with no success?

 

[speedingcheetah]

I couldn't see any options regarding 80MHz or about 802.11ac mode, only a/b/g. Auto channel is already done in post #3. What else maybe the problem?

I have this same setup.....AC56U and Intel 7260

first off...There are known driver issues with the current gen of Intel wifi cards...it is all over the web...many people complaining about wifi dropping out and having to turn wifi on and off again in-order to connect again. Some people have no issues while other have constant problems....

Anyway, I had the issue of the router being stuck in 20 or 40mhz mode...when I first tried Merlin....I had to flash stock firmware in recovery mode and it worked fine after that.



But first, check your settings.......it may not go to 80mhz when set to auto...and you have to select the correct control channel in order for it to work in 80mhz.

I have mine set to 80mhz, control channel 36. I am getting 866.7mbps according to the Intel proset software....and it is normal for it to fluctuate alot...When heavy traffic, it drops to around 650...and I am only about 5 to 10 feet away.

I also don't recommend long SSID's or words with underscores or spaces in them. I have had random issues in the past with SSID's like that.

 

[sweenytodd]

Confirmation that I have the Intel AC7260 card



My 5GHz broadcasting 802.11ac



Another problem came up the I can't change my control channel. It stays at 157.

@speedingcheetah: What driver version are you using for the AC-7260?

 

[speedingcheetah]

Confirmation that I have the Intel AC7260 card



My 5GHz broadcasting 802.11ac



Another problem came up the I can't change my control channel. It stays at 157. ..

@speedingcheetah: What driver version are you using for the AC-7260?

Current driver version: 16.1.5.2.

and yes...i had that same issue of the router not switching channels....

Download stock firmware from Asus website: ASUS RT-AC56U Firmware version 3.0.0.4.374.134

restore to factory settings...then...boot the router to recovery and flash the stock firmware image with the recovery program...and run the update in stock firmware..it should download build 158....then try trying to set channel to 36.

I set all my settings in stock..then later..flashed Merlin over that...and it retained the settings...I have not tried changing anything.

 

[sweenytodd]

I will try that when all of my housemates are sleeping lol. How about your USB3 speeds?

 

[speedingcheetah]

Wont auto connect

AC56U and Intel AC-7260...and Win 8

I started having a weird issue of the wifi just dropping suddenly on my laptop.... after a few hours of normal use. Then....I noticed the wifi would not auto connect at boot....both the Intel software and the built in Windows wifi manager had this issues. Normally, the wifi would connect instantly adn the Intel software would make its chime and popup saying connected. It took some attempts, but after a min or 2, it would connect and stay connected just fine, until you rebooted...then same thing..

I thought it was my OS being derpy...as I had recently run Win update and had updated some system drivers...and, the other 2 wifi 5ghz devices I had(not AC) connected just fine right away...... so....I did a clean install of Win 8 Pro on my laptop and got everything re-setup....(I needed to anyway...) but.....it still showed this odd behavior...

I flashed back to stock firmware my AC56U...and the issue was fixed for a short time....now it started doing it again....I saw the Intel software say some thing about unknown authentication status..right before it connects...

 

[sweenytodd]

I finally got it working to 866.7Mbps. Thanks.

 

[PrivateJoker]

I finally got it working to 866.7Mbps. Thanks.

Sweet, what did you have to finesse to get it to connect at full speed?

 

[sweenytodd]

I set to 80Mhz of channel width of the 5GHz band. The AC 7260 was set to 802.11a to look for only 802.11ac SSIDs. Done this by flashing back to stock Asus firmware. Now I have problems with the US3 port with my 2TB Seagate USB3 hdd. http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=13306

 

[speedingcheetah]

no device installed

well...the AC 7260 is crap....I don't get it....it worked fine for the first month...now ...after updating drivers...first..it takes 2 to 3 min to connect when win 8 boots....and then after a while...it disconnects...

noticed an updated driver today...installed it..now...Intel software does not even see card...device manger shows it as Network adapter....then..randomly win installed it..and it works for a bit...then card disappears.

Really weird...the Intel update page still says there is a newer version available..but gives an error when u download it.

 

[sweenytodd]

I think you are downgrading it. There is an update from 16.5.1 to 16.5.3 for Windows 8.1 on the download center. Might solve your problems. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Wireless+Networking&ProductLine=Intel%C2%AE+Wi-Fi+Products&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Dual+Band+Wireless-AC+7260&ProdId=3714&LineId=1784&FamilyId=1783

 

[RMerlin]

I've been wanting to get one myself. Been holding off since those thieves selling it want to charge me over 10$ shipping cost for a 30$ mini PCIe card that fits in the palm of my hand, so I'm waiting for a different reseller to offer it. Guess I might as well keep waiting for Intel to finally debug their driver.