RT-N66U media bridge problem

[qwerty11123]

Hi friends,

I have a RT-N66U connected to a RT-AC87U. The device connected behind the RT-N66U is having some of its packets dropped between the RT-N66U and the RT-AC87U. This only happens on 5ghz.

PC -> N66U -> Some packets are being dropped -> AC87U
When I ping the AC87U, packets are being dropped. When I ping the N66U, everything is fine.

The strange thing is, if I switch the "PC" to another device, such as a laptop using the same LAN port behind the router and the same cable, the problem is gone. No packets are being dropped at all. When I plug the PC to the AC87U directly, everything is fine too. Packets are dropped only when the PC is connected to the N66U in bridge mode.

I have no idea how to fix this. If I use the AC87U in media bridge mode and the N66U in router mode, while having my PC connected behind the AC87U, there is no problem. For some reason, my PC is causing packets to be dropped between the N66U and AC87U only when the N66U is in media bridge mode. 2.4ghz is fine too.

 

[qwerty11123]

Anyone? I know it is a weird problem but it is really happening. I cant tell what the problem is but only the PC behind the N66U gets some of its packets dropped... on 5ghz only. If I plug it directly into the AC87U or I use the AC87U in media bridge and N66U in router mode, it works fine.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

You're having a very odd problem. I was going to suggest you see if there is a driver update for your network card. It could be a good place to start if you haven't tried that yet.

 

[qwerty11123]

Latest drivers already. I borrowed a friend's router to replace the AC87U and the problem doesnt happen. I guess the problem comes from AC87U? But then why wouldnt it happen with any other device connected to the bridge... It is very weird.

 

[Zirescu]

Ditto here, but I've got the Media Bridge running over the 2.4GHz radio. One of my wired devices will drop out, port is still alive, the device will still be able to ping the bridge but not the router. Sometimes the device will eventually be able to reconnect and ping back to the router. It almost feels like the AC87U is blocking the device as I can still ping the bridge from the router, but not the device. All the other devices connected to the N66U can still reach the AC87U.

Most of the time that it seems to happen is when I'm steaming something or doing a Skype call. I've had it happen with two laptops (Lenovo and Dell) and a custom built PC. I also replaced all the network cables and have done cable testing on them to eliminate that as a possible cause. I've also put another network switch in-between just to eliminate possible port issue on the N66u and no change.

Once I reboot the N66u the problem gets resolved as well, so not sure if this clears up some odd communication issue under the media bridge.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

I am using a WRT1900AC as a router and have an AC87U connected as a wireless media bridge. I also have a switch where all of the wired media devices are connected in to a home theater(connected to the AC87U). Connecting computers to the switch or directly to the 87U there are no packets lost, on any of the devices.

Edit: Never tried connecting the reverse as there has been no need.

 

[qwerty11123]

Ya well, it happens when the AC87U is in router mode and the N66U is in media bridge mode. When using the AC87U in media bridge, everything is fine.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

Ya well, it happens when the AC87U is in router mode and the N66U is in media bridge mode. When using the AC87U in media bridge, everything is fine.

I'll give it a go this evening and get back to you. I have an N66U around here somewhere. I'll try and recreate a few things and see what happens. I'll get back with my findings when I am done.

 

[Zirescu]

Yeah, for me it doesn't always happen, sometimes I can go a day and half and not have it occur.

@qwerty11123 - What do you have setup for your DHCP lease times on the router? - I've set mine to infinite and configured dnsmasq to use the static leases. The RT-N66U I have setup to get a DHCP address (and assigned it an IP of 192.168.2.2 through the static lease) - router is at 192.168.2.1.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

So... I'll have it connected for a few days and do random testing.

 

[qwerty11123]

@qwerty11123 - What do you have setup for your DHCP lease times on the router? - I've set mine to infinite and configured dnsmasq to use the static leases. The RT-N66U I have setup to get a DHCP address (and assigned it an IP of 192.168.2.2 through the static lease) - router is at 192.168.2.1.

Lease time is 86400, which is the default lease time. Router is 192.168.1.1 and my bridge is 192.168.1.2 (assigned when I connect to the 5ghz radio).

 

[qwerty11123]

I cant get it fixed no matter what I try. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this or anything I can try to fix it?

 

[TheManFromUncle]

Well, I've had this running for a few days now without your specific problems. I had a small hiccup but nothing a re-boot couldn't fix.

 

[Zirescu]

Just thought I'd post an update, I'm running 380.58 and still having the issue with the media bridge on the RT-N66U, rebooting it always fixes the issues.

 

[TheManFromUncle]

I have no problems at all running an N66U as a wireless media bridge. The problem for me is when I run an AC68U as a media bridge. More or less same problematics when running it as a router with 2.4GHz disconnected. Re-connected the 2.4GHz band and voila... Working perfectly. I am thinking a firmware problem at one end or the other.