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Stefano Crocco
Apprentice
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 151
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:00 pm Post subject: wireless range in linux shorter than in windows |
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I'm having problems with connecting my new laptop with a wireless network. I setup everything as described in the Gentoo Handbook and, as long as the laptop is near (about 6 metres) from the access point, everything works correctly. However, if I move the laptop farther than that, it looses contact with the AP and can't find it anymore. At first, I thought that after 6 metres, the signal becomes too weak, but I found out that booting in Windows from the same laptop, I could access the network without problems farther than 6 metres from the AP. So it seems that either I configured incorrectly something (this is the first time I deal with wireless) or there is some limitation with the linux driver for my hardware, in which case I can only wait and hope it gets fixed.
I tried searching google and this forum, but found nothing useful. I also tried tweaking the configuration files in any way I could think of without success. Now I'm asking anyone with more experience in wireless networking than myself for some advice on this issue.
This is my system:
Hardware
- wireless adapter: broadcom BCM4313 802.11b/g/n
- access point: Netgear 2200
Software
- kernel: gentoo-sources-3.3.0, with the brcmsmac driver built as a module
- wpa_supplicant: 0.7.3-r5
- /etc/conf.d/net (the laptop also has an ethernet port, eth0):
| Code: |
modules="dhcpcd wpa_supplicant"
dns_servers_eth0="62.211.69.170 212.48.4.30 192.168.0.1"
dhcp_eth0="nodns"
wpa_supplicant_wlan0="-Dnl80211"
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/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf:
| Code: |
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
ctrl_interface_group=10
ap_scan=1
country=IT
network={
ssid="MYSSID"
key_mgmt=NONE
}
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This is the output from wpa_supplicant when started (with the -d flag) outside the 6-metres radius
from the AP
| Code: |
Initializing interface 'wlan0' conf '/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf' driver 'nl80211' ctrl_interface 'N/A' bridge 'N/A'
Configuration file '/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf' -> '/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf'
Reading configuration file '/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf'
ctrl_interface='/var/run/wpa_supplicant'
ctrl_interface_group='10'
ap_scan=1
country='IT'
filter_ssids=1
Priority group 0
id=0 ssid='NETGEAR09'
netlink: Operstate: linkmode=1, operstate=5
Own MAC address: e4:d5:3d:02:b6:9e
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=5 alg=0 addr=0x46c059 key_idx=0 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=5 alg=0 addr=0x46c059 key_idx=1 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=5 alg=0 addr=0x46c059 key_idx=2 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=5 alg=0 addr=0x46c059 key_idx=3 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
RSN: flushing PMKID list in the driver
Setting scan request: 0 sec 100000 usec
WPS: UUID based on MAC address - hexdump(len=16): f8 ed 5d 95 de 5a 5b a1 a7 6d 0d 42 26 1b cf c7
EAPOL: SUPP_PAE entering state DISCONNECTED
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
EAPOL: KEY_RX entering state NO_KEY_RECEIVE
EAPOL: SUPP_BE entering state INITIALIZE
EAP: EAP entering state DISABLED
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
ctrl_interface_group=10
Added interface wlan0
RTM_NEWLINK: operstate=0 ifi_flags=0x1003 ([UP])
RTM_NEWLINK, IFLA_IFNAME: Interface 'wlan0' added
State: DISCONNECTED -> SCANNING
Starting AP scan for wildcard SSID
Scan requested (ret=0) - scan timeout 10 seconds
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: Scan trigger
CTRL_IFACE monitor attached - hexdump(len=22): 2f 74 6d 70 2f 77 70 61 5f 63 74 72 6c 5f 32 36 31 30 2d 33 32 00
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=10):
49 4e 54 45 52 46 41 43 45 53 INTERFACES
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=18):
47 45 54 5f 43 41 50 41 42 49 4c 49 54 59 20 65 GET_CAPABILITY e
61 70 ap
CTRL_IFACE: GET_CAPABILITY 'eap'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=6):
53 54 41 54 55 53 STATUS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=13):
4c 49 53 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 53 LIST_NETWORKS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
EAPOL: disable timer tick
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: New scan results available
Received scan results (0 BSSes)
BSS: Start scan result update 1
New scan results available
CTRL_IFACE monitor send - hexdump(len=22): 2f 74 6d 70 2f 77 70 61 5f 63 74 72 6c 5f 32 36 31 30 2d 33 32 00
Selecting BSS from priority group 0
Try to find WPA-enabled AP
Try to find non-WPA AP
No suitable network found
Setting scan request: 5 sec 0 usec
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=6):
53 54 41 54 55 53 STATUS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=13):
4c 49 53 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 53 LIST_NETWORKS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
Starting AP scan for wildcard SSID
Scan requested (ret=0) - scan timeout 30 seconds
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: Scan trigger
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: New scan results available
Received scan results (0 BSSes)
BSS: Start scan result update 2
New scan results available
CTRL_IFACE monitor send - hexdump(len=22): 2f 74 6d 70 2f 77 70 61 5f 63 74 72 6c 5f 32 36 31 30 2d 33 32 00
Selecting BSS from priority group 0
Try to find WPA-enabled AP
Try to find non-WPA AP
No suitable network found
Setting scan request: 5 sec 0 usec
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=6):
53 54 41 54 55 53 STATUS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=13):
4c 49 53 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 53 LIST_NETWORKS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
Starting AP scan for wildcard SSID
Scan requested (ret=0) - scan timeout 30 seconds
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: Scan trigger
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
nl80211: Event message available
nl80211: New scan results available
Received scan results (0 BSSes)
BSS: Start scan result update 3
New scan results available
CTRL_IFACE monitor send - hexdump(len=22): 2f 74 6d 70 2f 77 70 61 5f 63 74 72 6c 5f 32 36 31 30 2d 33 32 00
Selecting BSS from priority group 0
Try to find WPA-enabled AP
Try to find non-WPA AP
No suitable network found
Setting scan request: 5 sec 0 usec
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=6):
53 54 41 54 55 53 STATUS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=13):
4c 49 53 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 53 LIST_NETWORKS
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=22):
47 45 54 5f 4e 45 54 57 4f 52 4b 20 30 20 64 69 GET_NETWORK 0 di
73 61 62 6c 65 64 sabled
CTRL_IFACE: GET_NETWORK id=0 name='disabled'
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
RX ctrl_iface - hexdump_ascii(len=4):
50 49 4e 47 PING
^CCTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING - signal 2 received
CTRL_IFACE monitor send - hexdump(len=22): 2f 74 6d 70 2f 77 70 61 5f 63 74 72 6c 5f 32 36 31 30 2d 33 32 00
Removing interface wlan0
No keys have been configured - skip key clearing
State: SCANNING -> DISCONNECTED
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_operstate: operstate 0->0 (DORMANT)
netlink: Operstate: linkmode=-1, operstate=5
EAPOL: External notification - portEnabled=0
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
EAPOL: External notification - portValid=0
EAPOL: Supplicant port status: Unauthorized
No keys have been configured - skip key clearing
CTRL_IFACE wait for attached monitors to receive messages
Cancelling scan request
Cancelling authentication timeout
netlink: Operstate: linkmode=0, operstate=6
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Stefano |
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ppurka
Advocate
Joined: 26 Dec 2004
Posts: 3047
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Did you try the proprietary driver? It is called net-wireless/broadcom-sta. You will need to ensure that you remove brcmsmac from your kernel if you use the proprietary driver.
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Ant P.
Veteran
Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Posts: 1920
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you have crda installed? |
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cach0rr0
Moderator
Joined: 13 Nov 2008
Posts: 4117
Location: Houston, Republic of Texas
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:47 am Post subject: |
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broadcom support under linux sucks. badly.
maybe this is in the process of changing, but broadcom cards have always sucked under linux.
hearing you are seeing better results in windows is not the lease bit surprising. If you were using an atheros or iwlwifi card? I might be surprised, but broadcom no.
YMMV, maybe other posters have had better results with these cards, but historically it's been more negative than positive (to the extent ive specifically avoided buying any hardware with a broadcom card in it, since i know im going to be spending my life in linux)
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Stefano Crocco
Apprentice
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 151
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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ppurka: thanks, your suggestion worked. I already knew of the proprietary driver and had already tried and discarded it because it failed to authenticate with the AP (and also because I prefer using open source drivers when possible). However, it seems that when I tried it I did something incorrectly, because now it works and it also seems to have the same range as with windows.
Ant P.: No, I don't have crda installed. After reading your question I installed it, but I don't know what to do with it now. I looked at its man page and it says it should be automatically used by udev. However, with it installed, nothing changed. What is it suppposed to do? Is there something I should configure to get it working?
cach0rr0: unfortunately, when I bought the laptop I didn't even think that there could be problems with the wireless adapter (actually, I didn't even know how wireless worked).
Thanks everyone for their answer.
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Stefano |
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Ant P.
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Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Posts: 1920
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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| crda is the thing that tells the kernel what power levels/frequencies it's allowed to use. Without it they usually default to some "safe" subset which might've been part of the problem. |
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Stefano Crocco
Apprentice
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 151
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject: [SOLVED] wireless range in linux shorter than in windows |
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Thanks for the information. I don't have time right now to experiment with this, but I'll do so in the future.
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Stefano |
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