mjlinden
join:2009-05-13
Aurora, IL
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| Wireless Disconnects: SMCWBR14-N2 versus Intel 4965AGN 
I've had a SMCWBR14-N2 for a few weeks now. The DSL PPPoE and wired Ethernet sides are working fine. However, I'm getting disconnects when the 4965AGN is configured for power saving that I believe are detailed by log entries like the following:
[INFO] Wed May 13 18:43:17 2009 Wireless system with MAC address 00215CA333D5 associated
[INFO] Wed May 13 18:42:09 2009 Wireless system with MAC address 00215CA333D5 disconnected for reason: Received Deauthentication.
The router is configured as follows:
SMCWBR14-N2 with firmware version 1.0.6.0:
Auto Channel Scan is disabled (running channel 1).
802.11 Mode: Mixed 802.11n, 802.11g and 802.11b.
Transmission Rate: Best (automatic).
Channel Width: Auto 20/40 MHz.
Visibility Status: Invisible
Security Mode: WPA-Personal
WPA Mode: WPA2 Only
CipherType: TKIP and AES
Group Key Update Interval: 3600 (seconds)
The laptop is a Dell XPS M1530 running 32-bit Windows Vista Home Premium SP-1 using Intel 4965AGN card with driver version 11.1.1.22 (the latest recommended by Dell). The laptop’s wireless properties have “Connect automatically when this network is in range” and “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting” enabled.
The greater the 4965AGN's power savings mode, the more the more disconnects I get. When the 4965AGN's power savings mode is set for Maximum Performance (=no power savings) I usually get no disconnects. However, I still see them once in a great while even with the laptop is directly next to the router.
Does the SMCWBR14-N2 support 802.11 power saving modes? If so, where should I be looking for a problem? Channel 1 is a very clear channel in this area (only very weak signals occasionally show up). I'm also considering trying Intel's version 12.4.0.0 drivers for the 4965AGN card even though Dell only recommends 11.1.1.22. It is interesting to note that Intel says on their Web site that such disconnects are usually caused by incorrect implementation of the 802.11 power saving modes by router manufacturers. I'm sure SMC might say the same about the WiFi card manufacturers. Regardless, I'd like to get to the bottom of this.
Best regards, Michael |
