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Forum Discussion
The gig is up -- the new AX12 will be D.O.A.
The AX12 appears to have NO DFS channel support.
This is according to Netgear's own product page (no DFS mention; whereas routers with DFS support mention that), and FCC documents (PY317300397)...
Not uncommon new technology systems were initially coming with limited DFS/TPC capabilities. Nothing to do with the subject chosen. Vendors - and I'm talking about the SoC/radio chipset makers here, too - are commonly going over a second certification round for DFS support, it's often specific to the markets and regulatory areas as the requirements are not exactly the same.
Until DFS channels are added, any device today is D.O.A. and not worth the price.
So buyer beware -- because Netgear has routers where DFS channels were never added later!
schumaku, I understand that in the past it was common for a second round for DFS certification, but for Netgear -- in 2018 -- can you provide any examples of when Netgear did that (filed initial FCC application without DFS, then made permissive change to add DFS later)?
In 2018, all I can find for Netgear is FCC applications with DFS reports in the initial application...
...except for the RAX120 (AX12-Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WI-FI 6 Router). It was filed without DFS certification -- that is a strong clue that something happened (like maybe it did not pass initial DFS tests?).
The 'cousin' model (RAX80) FCC application was filed to the FCC with DFS reports.
The AX8 and AX12 are (to my knowledge) complete different hardware platforms. So at the time of filing with the FCC, obviously DFS wasn't ready. Now a good part of the RF security code isn't implemented by the router and AP vendors Much more it's code operating on the embedded radio devices, provided by the chip/radio maker. The control and influence on this code is limited.
Instead of the AX8 has it blablah it would be much more interesting to see if the competitors implementing similar SoC and radios as in place on the AX12 are able to do any different.Cannot go by what a product announcement is before it is actually on the shelves. Lots can change including FCC approval of the DFS support. Even if not first ship I am sure it will be included with a firmware update.
> a second certification round for DFS support
But that is NOT what Netgear does. Netgear does not add full DFS support. For 80 Mhz channels... There are two non-DFS channels (42, 155) and four DFS channels (58, 106, 122, 138). When Netgear adds "DFS support" later, they only add three DFS channels (leaves out channel 138).
Compared that to Netgear's direct competation (ASUS, using the same chip sets as Netgear, who do add all four DFS channels).
For full DFS channel support in an AP/router, avoid Netgear.
Did you know that Netgear released the R7800 with firmware that allowed channel 138 to be used. But Netgear never filed the proper paperwork with the FCC to use channel 138. And rather than re-filing the proper paperwork, Netgear in a firmware update removed channel 138 (http://kb.netgear.com/000059692). That sucks.
