RAX120 160MHz + MacBook Pro M2 Max only connect at 216Mbps, MCS Index 2

[xuzhe]

As the title said, I've got a new MacBook Pro M2 Max, which support 160MHz Wi-Fi 6, I can connect it to my RAX80 at 2401Mbps with no problem, but with RAX120, it can only get a 216Mbps speed and MCS Index 2.

Dose anyone else have the same issue?

For more informations:

1. the MacBook Pro has macOS 13.2 and updated to 13.2.1 today without any improvement

2. the distance between MBP and RAX120 is like 1 meter

3. RAX120v1 firmware version: v1.2.8.40

4. It can get 1200Mbps, MCS Index 11 when switch the RAX120 to 80MHz

[schumaku]

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@xuzhe wrote:

new MacBook Pro M2 Max, which support 160MHz Wi-Fi 6,

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According to the formal Apple specs

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/deployment/dep2ac3e3b51/webNote: The RAX120 as well as the RAX80 are don't have 6GHz radios, only 2.4GHz and 5 GHz

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@xuzhe wrote:

I can connect it to my RAX80 at 2401Mbps with no problem, but with RAX120, it can only get a 216Mbps speed and MCS Index 2.

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I can imagine on how this 2401 Mbps is possible, it's out of what Apple does confirm. 

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@xuzhe wrote:

It can get 1200Mbps, MCS Index 11 when switch the RAX120 to 80MHz

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This is what I would expect, still reads like an interop issue. 

Keen to hear what Netgear does think about these two notes @DarrenM 

[Kitsap]

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@xuzhe wrote:

As the title said, I've got a new MacBook Pro M2 Max, which support 160MHz Wi-Fi 6, I can connect it to my RAX80 at 2401Mbps with no problem, but with RAX120, it can only get a 216Mbps speed and MCS Index 2.

Dose anyone else have the same issue?

For more informations:

1. the MacBook Pro has macOS 13.2 and updated to 13.2.1 today without any improvement

2. the distance between MBP and RAX120 is like 1 meter

3. RAX120v1 firmware version: v1.2.8.40

4. It can get 1200Mbps, MCS Index 11 when switch the RAX120 to 80MHz

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You may be running into problems with the channel number you are using.  Not all channels can be set to the 160 MHz width.

Some background reading:  https://www.duckware.com/tech/wifi-in-the-us.html

Go to section 10 to start.  If you are not in the US, some regions and countries have stricter requirements for the 5 GHz channels.

[xuzhe]

Thank you for your reply. 

The channel in MacBook Pro Wi-Fi details says: 40 (5 GHz, 160 MHz)

so I think it actually connected as 160 MHz mode?

The RSSI is around : -42 ~ -49 dBm which is also not so bad I think. 

The only problem is Tx Rate only get 216 Mbps or 204 Mbps. and MCS Index only 2.

When I connected to my RAX80 (RAX120 turned off to avoid signal interference), and another brand's Wi-Fi 6 router, it gets 2400 Mbps via 5 GHz, 160MHz mode. (actually 2401 Mbps Tx Rate showing in Apple's Wi-Fi details ).

So I think maybe it's an issues of RAX120v1 ? 

If someone also have an M2 Pro/Max device and a RAX120, it would be helpful if you can give it a try.

[Kitsap]

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@xuzhe wrote:

Thank you for your reply. 

The channel in MacBook Pro Wi-Fi details says: 40 (5 GHz, 160 MHz)

so I think it actually connected as 160 MHz mode?

The RSSI is around : -42 ~ -49 dBm which is also not so bad I think. 

The only problem is Tx Rate only get 216 Mbps or 204 Mbps. and MCS Index only 2.

When I connected to my RAX80 (RAX120 turned off to avoid signal interference), and another brand's Wi-Fi 6 router, it gets 2400 Mbps via 5 GHz, 160MHz mode. (actually 2401 Mbps Tx Rate showing in Apple's Wi-Fi details ).

So I think maybe it's an issues of RAX120v1 ? 

If someone also have an M2 Pro/Max device and a RAX120, it would be helpful if you can give it a try.

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When you are doing your testing, are you using the same Wi-Fi channel on both the RAX80 and the RAX120?

When the MacBook connects to either router, do the details indicate a160 MHz connection for each router?

Do you have IPv6 enabled on both routers?

What is the firmware version number on the RAX120.  "The Latest" is not an answer.  It does not allow verification.

What are the differences in the configuration of each router?  QoS enabled, traffic meter enabled, etc.??

[xuzhe]

• When you are doing your testing, are you using the same Wi-Fi channel on both the RAX80 and the RAX120?

Yes. And also tested the both (even an other brand router ) on DFS channel and non-DFS channel.

• When the MacBook connects to either router, do the details indicate a160 MHz connection for each router?

All of my three router (RAX80, RAX120, third party router) shows 5GHz, 160MHz

• Do you have IPv6 enabled on both routers?

Yes, IPv6 is set to Passthrough

• What is the firmware version number on the RAX120.  "The Latest" is not an answer.  It does not allow verification.

RAX120v1 firmware version: v1.2.8.40

RAX80 firmware version:

• What are the differences in the configuration of each router?  QoS enabled, traffic meter enabled, etc.??

OFDMA in 5GHz : both Enabled

WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia): both Enabled

Security: RAX120 set to WPA3, RAX80 set to WPA2/WPA3

[Kitsap]

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@xuzhe wrote:

• When you are doing your testing, are you using the same Wi-Fi channel on both the RAX80 and the RAX120?

Yes. And also tested the both (even an other brand router ) on DFS channel and non-DFS channel.

• When the MacBook connects to either router, do the details indicate a160 MHz connection for each router?

All of my three router (RAX80, RAX120, third party router) shows 5GHz, 160MHz

• Do you have IPv6 enabled on both routers?

Yes, IPv6 is set to Passthrough

• What is the firmware version number on the RAX120.  "The Latest" is not an answer.  It does not allow verification.

RAX120v1 firmware version: v1.2.8.40

RAX80 firmware version:

• What are the differences in the configuration of each router?  QoS enabled, traffic meter enabled, etc.??

OFDMA in 5GHz : both Enabled

WMM (Wi-Fi multimedia): both Enabled

Security: RAX120 set to WPA3, RAX80 set to WPA2/WPA3

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On the IPv6 configuration, you could test DHCP.

I do not have enough experience with the WPA3 vs WPA2/WPA3 configuration to offer a comment.  From a terminology perspective, WPA2/WPA3 is referred to as transitional.