I am going to make one more attempt to figure out what is going on with the WiFi traffic throttling on my RT-AC88U.
This has been off and on over a period of YEARS. It comes and goes. I have gone months with no problem. And then (as now) I get it several times a day. (Right now, I have to reboot like HOURLY.)
Router
----
- RT-AC88U
- Merlin 384.13
- No packages installed
- QOS disabled, as I've been suspicious, but I don't think in any way related
- CPU utilization low, 0-5% when idle, varies as expected with load (in failed state)
- RAM used 211MB free 301MB (in failed state) 41%
I mention CPU utilization because maybe a year ago I had a problem with high CPU that was solved with reboots, but that has not recurred since several firmware updates since then and does not occur now in failed state.
Temperature (currently, in failed state)
----
- 2.4gHz 49C
- 5gHz 49C
- CPU 78C
Environmental
----
- Just off flight path and < 2 miles from SAN (Lindbergh Field), so 5gHz channels are limited
- North edge of downtown San Diego. Many, many, many, many.... wifi signals. Starting with 6 floors of &^%$#@ WeWork a block away, hotels across the street, etc.
Switch
----
- D-Link Web Smart Switch DGS-1216T
- Physical VLAN "untrust" on port 6-7. This allows optionally monitoring inet traffic (with port 8)
- port 8 "tap". Can be configured to mirror any port, can be configured to monitor any physical VLAN (e.g. plug in laptop with WireShark, etc.)
- The other ports are physical VLAN for my local devices
Internet
----
- Webpass (Now Google-owned). 1Gbps symmetrical dual radio link to nearby fiber node.
- ~ 4mSec to backbone in L.A. (I am in San Diego)
- Shared by 85 apartments, but probably less than 1/2 lit, ($0 direct cost to me, HOA pays)
- Speedtest desktop consistently gets 900mbps+ at quiet times, never goes much below 800
- No problems with throughput to/from Internet
Symptom
----
- Appearance of throttling of traffic that passes between WiFi (2.4 or 5gHz) and either Internet or local devices.
- "spikey" start-stop, very obvious when using Speedtest and watching the "needle"
-
- CloudCheck Wi-Fi Sweet Spots shows no problem with traffic between wifi devices (iPad, iPhone) and the router. Just consistent high throughput at close to expected maximum bandwidth given bandwidth settings, etc.
- iperf3 shows same bad behavior with throughput to local Ethernet nodes as Speedtest shows to Internet (see below)
Additional observations
----
- no problem immediately after reboot, and then normal operation for a period of time between minutes and months
- once problem occurs, it continues until reboot
- problem has become much more often recently. Currently cannot get through a day or even half-day without problem recurring
- I have considered heat-related cause - it's been hot and humid, enough that I've had A/C on when present day and night, but indoor temp maintained at 76-78 when home
I'm ready to chuck the RT-AC88U and replace with a pfSense box and e.g. Google or Ubiquiti mesh router. Don't really need mesh in my 900sq. ft. condo, but I might want to extend the network to e.g. a nice outdoor deck that I can use one floor down, e.g. put a node in the window.
My best guess is a heat-related problem that affects some specific component in the path between the radios and internal switch? Bad solder job? Gunk buildup? I'll admit I haven't checked this.
iPerf3 server on my Mac Mini, iperf3 client HE Network Tools on iPhone XSMax. This is in failed state. I will reboot and post in not failed state.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52277
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52278
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.01 sec 1.31 MBytes 10.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.01-2.01 sec 1.50 MBytes 12.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.01-3.00 sec 2.20 MBytes 18.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 6.06 MBytes 50.8 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.01 sec 5.40 MBytes 45.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.01-6.00 sec 2.65 MBytes 22.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 6.00-7.00 sec 4.28 MBytes 35.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 7.00-8.01 sec 2.34 MBytes 19.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 8.01-9.00 sec 2.82 MBytes 23.7 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 9.00-10.01 sec 3.10 MBytes 25.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 10.01-11.01 sec 1006 KBytes 8.22 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 11.01-12.01 sec 2.35 MBytes 19.8 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 12.01-13.01 sec 2.43 MBytes 20.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 13.01-14.01 sec 2.44 MBytes 20.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 14.01-15.01 sec 2.51 MBytes 21.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 15.01-16.01 sec 4.98 MBytes 41.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 16.01-17.00 sec 3.37 MBytes 28.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 17.00-18.01 sec 5.19 MBytes 43.2 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 18.01-19.00 sec 3.48 MBytes 29.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 19.00-20.01 sec 6.47 MBytes 53.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 20.01-21.00 sec 3.10 MBytes 26.2 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 21.00-22.01 sec 4.51 MBytes 37.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 22.01-23.01 sec 6.57 MBytes 55.1 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 23.01-24.01 sec 4.42 MBytes 37.1 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 24.01-25.01 sec 4.76 MBytes 40.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 25.01-26.01 sec 532 KBytes 4.36 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 26.01-27.01 sec 1.09 MBytes 9.09 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 27.01-28.01 sec 1.31 MBytes 11.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 28.01-29.00 sec 1.49 MBytes 12.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 29.00-30.01 sec 3.77 MBytes 31.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 30.01-30.10 sec 761 KBytes 68.6 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-30.10 sec 98.1 MBytes 27.3 Mbits/sec receiver
Immediately after reboot below. Note this would be much higher normally, but I've suspiciously set channel bandwidth to 20mHz. I will probably switch it back to 40 or 80, as this doesn't seem to be the problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52387
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52388
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.00 sec 16.0 MBytes 134 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.00-2.00 sec 16.8 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.00-3.00 sec 16.8 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 14.4 MBytes 120 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.00 sec 14.2 MBytes 119 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.00-6.00 sec 13.1 MBytes 109 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 6.00-6.46 sec 6.60 MBytes 119 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-6.46 sec 97.7 MBytes 127 Mbits/sec receiver
I switched 5gHz back to 20/40/80 and about the same. I assume I will always have this limitation due to my location near the airport which gives me limited 5gHz channels. Not a problem, this is fine for browsing on an iPad!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52470
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52471
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.00 sec 15.7 MBytes 131 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.00-2.00 sec 16.2 MBytes 136 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.00-3.00 sec 16.5 MBytes 138 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 16.4 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.00 sec 16.3 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.00-5.99 sec 16.6 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-5.99 sec 97.7 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec receiver
This has been off and on over a period of YEARS. It comes and goes. I have gone months with no problem. And then (as now) I get it several times a day. (Right now, I have to reboot like HOURLY.)
Router
----
- RT-AC88U
- Merlin 384.13
- No packages installed
- QOS disabled, as I've been suspicious, but I don't think in any way related
- CPU utilization low, 0-5% when idle, varies as expected with load (in failed state)
- RAM used 211MB free 301MB (in failed state) 41%
I mention CPU utilization because maybe a year ago I had a problem with high CPU that was solved with reboots, but that has not recurred since several firmware updates since then and does not occur now in failed state.
Temperature (currently, in failed state)
----
- 2.4gHz 49C
- 5gHz 49C
- CPU 78C
Environmental
----
- Just off flight path and < 2 miles from SAN (Lindbergh Field), so 5gHz channels are limited
- North edge of downtown San Diego. Many, many, many, many.... wifi signals. Starting with 6 floors of &^%$#@ WeWork a block away, hotels across the street, etc.
Switch
----
- D-Link Web Smart Switch DGS-1216T
- Physical VLAN "untrust" on port 6-7. This allows optionally monitoring inet traffic (with port 8)
- port 8 "tap". Can be configured to mirror any port, can be configured to monitor any physical VLAN (e.g. plug in laptop with WireShark, etc.)
- The other ports are physical VLAN for my local devices
Internet
----
- Webpass (Now Google-owned). 1Gbps symmetrical dual radio link to nearby fiber node.
- ~ 4mSec to backbone in L.A. (I am in San Diego)
- Shared by 85 apartments, but probably less than 1/2 lit, ($0 direct cost to me, HOA pays)
- Speedtest desktop consistently gets 900mbps+ at quiet times, never goes much below 800
- No problems with throughput to/from Internet
Symptom
----
- Appearance of throttling of traffic that passes between WiFi (2.4 or 5gHz) and either Internet or local devices.
- "spikey" start-stop, very obvious when using Speedtest and watching the "needle"
-
- CloudCheck Wi-Fi Sweet Spots shows no problem with traffic between wifi devices (iPad, iPhone) and the router. Just consistent high throughput at close to expected maximum bandwidth given bandwidth settings, etc.
- iperf3 shows same bad behavior with throughput to local Ethernet nodes as Speedtest shows to Internet (see below)
Additional observations
----
- no problem immediately after reboot, and then normal operation for a period of time between minutes and months
- once problem occurs, it continues until reboot
- problem has become much more often recently. Currently cannot get through a day or even half-day without problem recurring
- I have considered heat-related cause - it's been hot and humid, enough that I've had A/C on when present day and night, but indoor temp maintained at 76-78 when home
I'm ready to chuck the RT-AC88U and replace with a pfSense box and e.g. Google or Ubiquiti mesh router. Don't really need mesh in my 900sq. ft. condo, but I might want to extend the network to e.g. a nice outdoor deck that I can use one floor down, e.g. put a node in the window.
My best guess is a heat-related problem that affects some specific component in the path between the radios and internal switch? Bad solder job? Gunk buildup? I'll admit I haven't checked this.
iPerf3 server on my Mac Mini, iperf3 client HE Network Tools on iPhone XSMax. This is in failed state. I will reboot and post in not failed state.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52277
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52278
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.01 sec 1.31 MBytes 10.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.01-2.01 sec 1.50 MBytes 12.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.01-3.00 sec 2.20 MBytes 18.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 6.06 MBytes 50.8 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.01 sec 5.40 MBytes 45.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.01-6.00 sec 2.65 MBytes 22.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 6.00-7.00 sec 4.28 MBytes 35.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 7.00-8.01 sec 2.34 MBytes 19.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 8.01-9.00 sec 2.82 MBytes 23.7 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 9.00-10.01 sec 3.10 MBytes 25.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 10.01-11.01 sec 1006 KBytes 8.22 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 11.01-12.01 sec 2.35 MBytes 19.8 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 12.01-13.01 sec 2.43 MBytes 20.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 13.01-14.01 sec 2.44 MBytes 20.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 14.01-15.01 sec 2.51 MBytes 21.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 15.01-16.01 sec 4.98 MBytes 41.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 16.01-17.00 sec 3.37 MBytes 28.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 17.00-18.01 sec 5.19 MBytes 43.2 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 18.01-19.00 sec 3.48 MBytes 29.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 19.00-20.01 sec 6.47 MBytes 53.9 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 20.01-21.00 sec 3.10 MBytes 26.2 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 21.00-22.01 sec 4.51 MBytes 37.5 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 22.01-23.01 sec 6.57 MBytes 55.1 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 23.01-24.01 sec 4.42 MBytes 37.1 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 24.01-25.01 sec 4.76 MBytes 40.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 25.01-26.01 sec 532 KBytes 4.36 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 26.01-27.01 sec 1.09 MBytes 9.09 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 27.01-28.01 sec 1.31 MBytes 11.0 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 28.01-29.00 sec 1.49 MBytes 12.6 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 29.00-30.01 sec 3.77 MBytes 31.4 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 30.01-30.10 sec 761 KBytes 68.6 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-30.10 sec 98.1 MBytes 27.3 Mbits/sec receiver
Immediately after reboot below. Note this would be much higher normally, but I've suspiciously set channel bandwidth to 20mHz. I will probably switch it back to 40 or 80, as this doesn't seem to be the problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52387
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52388
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.00 sec 16.0 MBytes 134 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.00-2.00 sec 16.8 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.00-3.00 sec 16.8 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 14.4 MBytes 120 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.00 sec 14.2 MBytes 119 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.00-6.00 sec 13.1 MBytes 109 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 6.00-6.46 sec 6.60 MBytes 119 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-6.46 sec 97.7 MBytes 127 Mbits/sec receiver
I switched 5gHz back to 20/40/80 and about the same. I assume I will always have this limitation due to my location near the airport which gives me limited 5gHz channels. Not a problem, this is fine for browsing on an iPad!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Server listening on 5201
-----------------------------------------------------------
Accepted connection from 10.0.1.149, port 52470
[ 7] local 10.0.1.105 port 5201 connected to 10.0.1.149 port 52471
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-1.00 sec 15.7 MBytes 131 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 1.00-2.00 sec 16.2 MBytes 136 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 2.00-3.00 sec 16.5 MBytes 138 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 3.00-4.00 sec 16.4 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 4.00-5.00 sec 16.3 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec
[ 7] 5.00-5.99 sec 16.6 MBytes 141 Mbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bitrate
[ 7] 0.00-5.99 sec 97.7 MBytes 137 Mbits/sec receiver
Last edited: