Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2024 4:49 Post subject: Could my MX4300s replace AirTies 4971 extenders?
This might be an edge case, but I’ll ask anyway. I’ve got AT&T Fiber, the Humax BGW320 gateway is also the ONT. I pay an extra monthly charge for three AirTies 4971 extenders. Could these MX4300s replace my current extenders, or would I also need to replace the gateway with another MX4300 running DD-WRT? In which case my network would be double NAT’d since the Humax gateway is also the ONT and can’t be removed.
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2024 13:56 Post subject: Re: Could my MX4300s replace AirTies 4971 extenders?
ToddlerTN wrote:
This might be an edge case, but I’ll ask anyway. I’ve got AT&T Fiber, the Humax BGW320 gateway is also the ONT. I pay an extra monthly charge for three AirTies 4971 extenders. Could these MX4300s replace my current extenders, or would I also need to replace the gateway with another MX4300 running DD-WRT? In which case my network would be double NAT’d since the Humax gateway is also the ONT and can’t be removed.
Not if the gateway can be put in bridge mode. Or the mx4300 in ap mode. _________________ 5 Linksys MX4300 LN1301 DD-WRT v3.0-r58376 std (09/11/24)
What's everyone's RAM usage with this? I've heard the AX drivers use alot more memory, but this doesn't seem right, and I am not using DLNA here, just SmartDNS, USB / SAMBA, NSS-ECM, and QoS (despite these supposedly being incompatible, both enabled results in superb low latency using HFSC FQ_QODEL) no other services:
The RAM usage looks very high. I setup 802.11s on 3 MX4300 (OpenWRT @qosmio's NSS build) and the usage seems very low compared to yours. Wondering why there is a big disconnect?
I installed a new version this morning and that's why my uptime is only 3h from the screenshot but the RAM usage was always low ever since I flashed OpenWRT.
MX4300-OpenWRT-NSS-QOSMIO-6.6.52.png
Description:
Filesize:
26.58 KB
Viewed:
890 Time(s)
_________________ Linksys MX4300 [OpenWRT]; Netgear R7800 [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-87U [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-AC68U [FreshTomato]
The RAM usage looks very high. I setup 802.11s on 3 MX4300 (OpenWRT @qosmio's NSS build) and the usage seems very low compared to yours. Wondering why there is a big disconnect?
I installed a new version this morning and that's why my uptime is only 3h from the screenshot but the RAM usage was always low ever since I flashed OpenWRT.
It was in fact from having SFE (NSS-ECM) enabled along with QoS. I disabled SFE and rebooted the router. Since then I've had an uptime of 2 days and 17+ hours, and here is what the RAM looks like currently:
Now I just need to figure out how to utilize jffs on the same drive (plugged into the router) that I'd be streaming audio/video from (if possible) for DLNA so that also won't eat up my ram. Not sure if I need to use a drive partitioning program to create a dedicated partition for it and if it needs to be a different file system than ext4 and how big it needs to be etc.
Btw so far this router is way more stable than my MR7350 was, because that was rebooting itself just sitting at idle while I've been sleeping for no reason. I had never seen more than 6 hours of uptime on that, where like I said this is going over 2 and a half days now with no problems.
Last edited by TrueAudio on Mon Sep 23, 2024 23:00; edited 1 time in total
Dec 31 17:02:09 IdahoMesh kern.warn kernel: [ 129.251435] ath11k c000000.wifi: unknown packet type received in mesh link vdev 1057137716
Dec 31 17:04:04 IdahoMesh daemon.info hostapd: wlan1: STA e2:7f:bd:40:36:03 IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Dec 31 17:04:04 IdahoMesh daemon.info hostapd: wlan1: STA e2:7f:bd:40:36:03 IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 1)
Dec 31 17:04:04 IdahoMesh daemon.info hostapd: wlan1: STA e2:7f:bd:40:36:03 RADIUS: starting accounting session ADAE3165E4A4307B
Dec 31 17:04:04 IdahoMesh daemon.info hostapd: wlan1: STA e2:7f:bd:40:36:03 WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
Dec 31 17:06:30 IdahoMesh kern.warn kernel: [ 390.209611] ath11k c000000.wifi: unknown packet type received in mesh link vdev 1057137716
...
Dec 31 17:07:10 IdahoMesh daemon.info hostapd: wlan1: STA e2:7f:bd:40:36:03 IEEE 802.11: deauthenticated due to inactivity (timer DEAUTH/REMOVE)
So the DHCP server works normally for everything else, but not through the mesh. Would this be a correct assessment?
There is a setting in the Wireless Advanced Settings/802.11 Mesh Settings called Layer 2 Forwarding. Try disabling it. Warning, it may break the Mesh. I have no idea but be prepared for that. Then you will likely need to add a wire back to access it to turn it back on. This would also likely break any vlans if using them over the mesh (I am).
I would say it doesn't work correctly in regular mode because i am also getting the deauth messages and drops but mine is being used as a AP and VAP with dns on a subnet as was posted earlier in this thread. I tried all the normal mitigation stuff but still having the problems, strangely with some of the strongest signals... 1.1 has dis low ack has been changed but didnt make a difference, I also turned off wmm but that didnt help and kicked off a device or two so that is back on
Code:
Sep 23 15:24:52 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 60:e8:5b:af:ed:3d IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep 23 15:24:52 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 60:e8:5b:af:ed:3d IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 12)
Sep 23 15:24:52 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 60:e8:5b:af:ed:3d RADIUS: starting accounting session 4A8238CC586FAA0A
Sep 23 15:24:52 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 60:e8:5b:af:ed:3d WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
Sep 23 15:25:15 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 50:c7:bf:54:3f:36 IEEE 802.11: Station tried to associate with unknown SSID ''
Sep 23 15:25:16 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 50:c7:bf:54:3f:36 IEEE 802.11: Station tried to associate with unknown SSID ''
Sep 23 15:25:16 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 50:c7:bf:54:3f:36 IEEE 802.11: Station tried to associate with unknown SSID ''
Sep 23 15:26:16 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: disassociated due to inactivity
Sep 23 15:26:17 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep 23 15:26:17 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 19)
Sep 23 15:26:18 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 RADIUS: starting accounting session 3A9A17C14E5A27F1
Sep 23 15:26:18 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 WPA: pairwise key handshake completed (RSN)
Sep 23 15:26:24 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: disassociated
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: deauthenticated due to inactivity (timer DEAUTH/REMOVE)
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 19)
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: disassociated
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: authenticated
Sep 23 15:26:25 DD-WRT WAPMX daemon.info hostapd: wlan1.1: STA 44:61:32:3b:24:45 IEEE 802.11: associated (aid 19)
864.8 MB looks extremely high, imho. FWIW, most of the routers will NOT have 2 GB RAM and MX4300 is a blessing in disguise on that front. lol
Maybe, I am overthinking it but something looks off, imo. _________________ Linksys MX4300 [OpenWRT]; Netgear R7800 [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-87U [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-AC68U [FreshTomato]
Maybe, I am overthinking it but something looks off, imo.
I am using around 500MB RAM (or 26%) with 7 VAP/WAPs. Not too bad I'd think.
My biggest issue with these routers is the transmit power auto reducing to 16dBm. Are you seeing this issue at all with OpenWRT? What is the best power you can achieve for both 2.4 and 5ghz over a long period of time (ie 12-24hrs)?
I am literally about to pull both of my mx4300 production routers out (WAPs only) and put the R7800 and R6400v2 back into service. My IoT shit is all over the place now and it's fscking irritating as hell! It literally seems to be getting worse over time, but I have two other routers in testing and maybe they are interfering, even though they are nowhere near the same wifi channels.
EDIT: Here is one example of what I am seeing. This is a 2.4ghz ESPHome device 30 feet away in open air (no walls). This is happening with pretty much everything. Where you don't see blue lines, it was disconnected.
Selection_027.png
Description:
Filesize:
23.33 KB
Viewed:
1011 Time(s)
_________________ - Linksys EA8500: I-Gateway, WAP/VAP 5ghz only. Features: VLANs, Samba, WG, Entware - r60xxx
- Linksys EA8500: 802.11s Secondary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: 802.11s Primary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz. 2.4ghz WAP/VAP only - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: (WAP/VAP (7)) Multiple VLANs over single trunk port. Entware/Samba r60xxx
- Linksys MR7350: WDS Station for extended Ethernet r60xxx
- Linksys MR7500, MX8500: None in production. Just testing. r60xxx
- OSes: Fedora 40, 10 RPis (2,3,4,5), 23 ESP8266s: Straight from Amiga to Linux in '95, never having owned a Windows PC.
- Forum member #248
My IoT shit is all over the place now and it's fscking irritating as hell! It literally seems to be getting worse over time
I've been running OpenWrt for almost 2 months now, about 20 devices, across 3 AP. i have monit setup and sometimes see couple of devices not pinging. I've compared mx4300 with RBR50 (installed in the same place) and results were very close.
I've been running OpenWrt for almost 2 months now, about 20 devices, across 3 AP. i have monit setup and sometimes see couple of devices not pinging. I've compared mx4300 with RBR50 (installed in the same place) and results were very close.
This begs the question. What is the highest transmit power OpenWRT allows for each radio and are you actually achieving it? _________________ - Linksys EA8500: I-Gateway, WAP/VAP 5ghz only. Features: VLANs, Samba, WG, Entware - r60xxx
- Linksys EA8500: 802.11s Secondary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: 802.11s Primary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz. 2.4ghz WAP/VAP only - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: (WAP/VAP (7)) Multiple VLANs over single trunk port. Entware/Samba r60xxx
- Linksys MR7350: WDS Station for extended Ethernet r60xxx
- Linksys MR7500, MX8500: None in production. Just testing. r60xxx
- OSes: Fedora 40, 10 RPis (2,3,4,5), 23 ESP8266s: Straight from Amiga to Linux in '95, never having owned a Windows PC.
- Forum member #248
I am using around 500MB RAM (or 26%) with 7 VAP/WAPs. Not too bad I'd think.
My biggest issue with these routers is the transmit power auto reducing to 16dBm. Are you seeing this issue at all with OpenWRT? What is the best power you can achieve for both 2.4 and 5ghz over a long period of time (ie 12-24hrs)?
Yes, 500 MB RAM usage seems reasonable compared to the other readings that were posted here. If you think about it, R7800 has ONLY 512 MB RAM and it never ran to the max.
Right now, I see Tx-Power: 23 dBm for 2.4 GHz band and 24 dBm for 5 GHZ. I don't think I ever saw it drop low on OpenWRT. Moreover, the RAM usage is less than 400 MB ever since I flashed it, that was couple of weeks ago. Looks to me whatever @qosmio is cooking is working well.
FWIW, the main router and the nodes reboot within 20 - 25 seconds on OpenWRT and that's pretty impressive. On the stock, it used to take about a min or so. How about in DD-WRT? _________________ Linksys MX4300 [OpenWRT]; Netgear R7800 [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-87U [DD-WRT]; ASUS RT-AC68U [FreshTomato]
Right now, I see Tx-Power: 23 dBm for 2.4 GHz band and 24 dBm for 5 GHZ. I don't think I ever saw it drop low on OpenWRT. Moreover, the RAM usage is less than 400 MB ever since I flashed it, that was couple of weeks ago. Looks to me whatever @qosmio is cooking is working well.
Yeah, that sounds much better. I have been using wifi analyser on Android to verify the power and when it drops from 27dBm to 16dBm I don't see that drop in the app. I am wondering if the power reporting in Status is wrong. But I still have lots of re-connections...so maybe not.
Quote:
FWIW, the main router and the nodes reboot within 20 - 25 seconds on OpenWRT and that's pretty impressive. On the stock, it used to take about a min or so. How about in DD-WRT?
I can reboot in less than 1 minute, but I've not actually timed it. Probably 35 seconds. What is impressive, the 802.11s on the other side (mr7350) is always available once booted...when power cycling them at the same time.
EDIT: I am set at 30dBm and achieve 28dBm on 5ghz. 2.4 can change to 16dBm 15 minutes after a reboot, up to 12 hours. _________________ - Linksys EA8500: I-Gateway, WAP/VAP 5ghz only. Features: VLANs, Samba, WG, Entware - r60xxx
- Linksys EA8500: 802.11s Secondary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: 802.11s Primary w/VLAN Trunk over 5ghz. 2.4ghz WAP/VAP only - r60xxx
- Linksys MX4300: (WAP/VAP (7)) Multiple VLANs over single trunk port. Entware/Samba r60xxx
- Linksys MR7350: WDS Station for extended Ethernet r60xxx
- Linksys MR7500, MX8500: None in production. Just testing. r60xxx
- OSes: Fedora 40, 10 RPis (2,3,4,5), 23 ESP8266s: Straight from Amiga to Linux in '95, never having owned a Windows PC.
- Forum member #248
I've been running OpenWrt for almost 2 months now, about 20 devices, across 3 AP. i have monit setup and sometimes see couple of devices not pinging. I've compared mx4300 with RBR50 (installed in the same place) and results were very close.
This begs the question. What is the highest transmit power OpenWRT allows for each radio and are you actually achieving it?
I see 23-26 dBm right now - 5 radios across on 2 APs
Edit: I'm using "driver default" setting. Tried changing max to 30dBm but it still stays at 26dBm
1 AP has uptime 37d, another - week+. Not sure whether tx power goes up and down, if I find a way to export it to prometheus I will.
Turn on band-steering options and my phone gets disconnected from the network "access point temporarily full", I increase more users for DHCP but still got the same issue. Has anyone experienced the same issue?
I have 2 MX4300 connecting LAN-LAN.
I experienced similar problems with band steering enabled, but I didn't think they were DHCP related. Maybe that was a generic client error you received?
My laptop, phone and other devices correctly got addresses, but had no connectivity outside the local network. After a few seconds the devices usually bounced to another frequency and connectivity was restored. I've since disabled band steering and all devices have connectivity regardless of which band they happen to connect on.
Maybe Ill try re-enabling band steering but disabling prefer AX, since it seemed to mainly affect wifi-6 devices for me. Just a random shot in the dark though. There's not much literature on the subject here.
EDIT: After trying it enabled again, I can see my laptop (a problem device) is connected to BOTH APs simultaneously on different bands. How? No idea. I'm remote right now, so cant confirm from the laptop itself.
Maybe, I am overthinking it but something looks off, imo.
I am using around 500MB RAM (or 26%) with 7 VAP/WAPs. Not too bad I'd think.
My biggest issue with these routers is the transmit power auto reducing to 16dBm. Are you seeing this issue at all with OpenWRT? What is the best power you can achieve for both 2.4 and 5ghz over a long period of time (ie 12-24hrs)?
I am literally about to pull both of my mx4300 production routers out (WAPs only) and put the R7800 and R6400v2 back into service. My IoT shit is all over the place now and it's fscking irritating as hell! It literally seems to be getting worse over time, but I have two other routers in testing and maybe they are interfering, even though they are nowhere near the same wifi channels.
EDIT: Here is one example of what I am seeing. This is a 2.4ghz ESPHome device 30 feet away in open air (no walls). This is happening with pretty much everything. Where you don't see blue lines, it was disconnected.
Darn it, I am also experience the drops, which i thought were dchp, but not like you. i will have to look at the power dropping but mine seems to drop for just a few seconds and comes back on. I thought, what a great idea, I can look at my temp monitor and see the same thing, but nope, I use switch bot so it stores all the data and updates it. But i am experience a drop in connection for only a few seconds...would love suggestions on how to track to see when and how often its happening. When i am using the laptop connected to this router, it seems like once every couple hours it drops. Since I have it manually connected to try and track, I can connect it back in a minute, and it isnt the router rebooting, its just disconnecting which i was thinking is the weird dhcp issue.
I thought about running ping nonstop to track but am open so something better. When it drops using the laptop i dont see a log entry, so I dont know why that would be...but I do know that watching the switchbot light on the bridge, its disconnection more frequently.
The router is a wap connecting to a main 7800 but used mostly to serve the devices. Im connecting the laptop to it to try and see when/whats happening. My devices dont seem to be out as long as yours via your graph, only for maybe a minute or 2 but i cant verify that yet.
I'll start with ping and see what I find out, but some voodoo is going on cause so far I am not seeing the signal drop, but I wasnt looking either. Mine seems to drop for a minute or two and come back, not router reboot...
I run all my weird devices like switchbot thru the vap, but its is also happening on the 5 ghz back channel, have not tried on the regular channel yet but scroll up to see the logs of the vap disconnecting.
