Unstable WiFi connection

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Unstable WiFi connection

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Unstable WiFi connection
Unstable WiFi connection
2017-05-30 18:37:54
Model : EAP220

Hardware Version :

Firmware Version : 2.0.3 Build 20170113 Rel. 55505

ISP :

Hi there,

I have two EAP220 access points, both on the latest firmware version (2.0.3 Build 20170113 Rel. 55505).

I have been having issues with the connection becoming unresponsive and unstable. Restarting the access point resolves the issue temporarily, however after a short period the instability will return.
Ping times are often over two seconds other internal infrastructure which does not have issues for other users using Ethernet from the same switches.

e.g. a continuous ping to the access point;
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=311ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=367ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=1447ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=710ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=179ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=423ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=616ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=1515ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=899ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=560ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=621ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=251ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=486ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.11: bytes=32 time=351ms TTL=64

Any suggestions for the cause are welcome.
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#1
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6 Reply
Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-05-31 06:21:54
Not sure what you mean with "instabilities". Do you mean high latencies instead?

If the latter, there can be many causes, such as interferences in a dense-populated 2.4 GHz band, collisions of radio frames due to 40 MHz channel width, reflections of signals wiping out later signals etc.

More information about the environment, the EAP's setup, especially WiFi channels and channel width, distance between the EAPs, distance from testing gear to EAP, possible obstacles in between and so on would be needed to give an advice on what measures could be taken to improve the latency.
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#2
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Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-05-31 16:31:40
Hi R1D2,

Thanks for your reply.

By instabilities, i mean a lack of stability. I.e. one second we will have a 1ms ping and fully internet bandwidth over wifi and the next we are struggling with a 2000ms ping and an unusable connection (as you can see in the ping snippet pasted above).

There is a conflict of signals on the 2.4 GHz band, however the devices I'm using are a matter of meters away from the access point, so should this cause an issue?

Thanks,
Mark
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#3
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Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-06-01 17:27:42
Yes, this can be the cause for the bad latency. If there is not enough AirTime for the EAP to allocate the channel (because other devices are sending at the same time), latency usually increases significantly.

First, choose another channel for the EAP. Setting it to 20 MHz channel width (for the 2.4 GHz band only) can help, too. Also, try to reduce TX power of all devices, so that they just supply the area they are responsible for. Hope this helps.
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#4
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Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-06-02 01:27:57
Thanks, I'll give that a go :)
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#5
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Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-06-12 15:00:24
Has your problem been solved?
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#6
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Re:Unstable WiFi connection
2017-06-13 16:09:52
Most people have switched to LAN in the office and I've advised the other people to use the 5Ghz band which is a lot more stable.

The access points are setup in a very busy office building so I assume a large issue is the congestion on the 2.4Ghz band.
It just seems odd that it will be working for several hours, then suddenly pings will shoot up until we restart the access point.

In essence, using the 5Ghz is a work around, I still think there is more of an issue than just the congestion but I've not had anyone complain for a week or so now.
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#7
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