Beacon-Rate

[xytsrm]

What is the default beacon-rate of the subject router, and can it be changed?

[xytsrm · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information. While it does show a typical beacon interval for that router, it might still be applicable to my router.

Thanks again for your time, I'm going to try and contact Network technical support.

[FURRYe38]

What is seen for your model router Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings?

[xytsrm]

I've previously checked in the setting you suggest, I don't see any reference to beacon or DTIM. Attached are the 2.4GHz setting (5Ghz not enabled).

[FURRYe38]

I presume one reason those are not seen maybe that those are automatically handled now days as those are seen much anymore in router UIs. Older routers had those features. Also maybe that due to wifi chipset used, something that isn't needed or used. CTS can be changed however default is recommended. Ive seen 64 used in newer generation routers as default, however seems to cause problems for some. 2347 seems to be the norm and works best. 

[xytsrm]

The question remains; if the beacon rate is not adjustable, what is it set at?

[FURRYe38]

Not sure if this applies to NG routers:

https://askinglot.com/what-is-beacon-in-wireless-network

Since its not seen in the UI, hard to tell what NG is using.

[michaelkenward]

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@xytsrm wrote:

What is the default beacon-rate of the subject router, and can it be changed?

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Very few manuals mention "beacon rate". None Netgear's routers have it, which suggests that, if it exists, you can't change it.

You will find this mentioned mostly in a few older specialist Wireless Access Points.

Perhaps you could tell people what you hope to achieve with this. Maybe one of the experts here can advise you on alternative options.

[xytsrm]

All routers, whether user adjustable or not, transmitt a beacon containing the router SSID and additional information at regular intervals they can vary from router to router, but are usually in the 100-200ms range. It's necessary for specific clients, that need to sleep between beacons to conserve power, to know when to wake-up to maintain connection.

[FURRYe38]

I found this, though a different router model, it shows what NG uses for what your looking for:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-Routers-with-WiFi-6-AX/RAX120-Fan-Settings/m-p/2148177/hi...

[xytsrm · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the information. While it does show a typical beacon interval for that router, it might still be applicable to my router.

Thanks again for your time, I'm going to try and contact Network technical support.

[schumaku]

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@xytsrm wrote:

It's necessary for specific clients, that need to sleep between beacons to conserve power, to know when to wake-up to maintain connection.

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Product manufacturers need to provide support and reliable operations of their wireless access points resp. routers, they preset it to the usual rates and don't allow users using changes leading to problems with normal wireless clients. It's not a secret the Arlo does apply this trick, but because this isn't compatible with normal WiFi clients Netgear and Arlo gave up the support to co-locate the classic Arlo clients (not talking of "real" or "normal" Arlo WiFi devices) along with normal WiFi devices on the same access point. 

If you need a lab or development environment, for supporting just certain battery powered equipment, change to something allowing more granular controls, like the ubiquitous open source solutions.

[xytsrm]

Thanks, I currently have development support for my systems. My systems were not the issue, the issue was the lack of information about the Netgear R6400v2. After contacting the Netgear PRO technical support group I was able to get the answers I needed. The R6400v2 beacon-rate is fixed at 100ms, and is not user adjustable. However, the beacon-rate of the unit is firmware adjustable from 1ms to 65535ms.

[schumaku]

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@xytsrm wrote:

The R6400v2 beacon-rate is fixed at 100ms, and is not user adjustable.

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Yes, for the obvious reason of standards compliance and interoperability under the WiFi label.

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@xytsrm wrote:

However, the beacon-rate of the unit is firmware adjustable from 1ms to 65535ms.

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Please be aware that if using "exotic" beacon rates are calling for troubles, failures, and interop issues.

[xytsrm]

No Problem, as I mentioned in 12:

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@xytsrm wrote:

The R6400v2 beacon-rate is fixed at 100ms, and is not user adjustable.

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@xytsrm wrote:

However, the beacon-rate of the unit is firmware adjustable from 1ms to 65535ms.

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I have no access to adjusting the firmware. It is curious that Netgear does provide such a wide variation in firmware.

However, it's not likely any Netgear technician would set the beacon rate to once every minute - lol.

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