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Forum Discussion
RAX50 unstable after wireless config changes
I picked up the RAX50 a week ago and have been using it in Access Point Mode (5GHZ only, 2.4 turned off). It appears to work fine until I make some type of wireless change like: - a channel change ...
What firmware version are you at?
The one I returned that was trouble was at .64 (latest back in July). Could have been firmware, could have been hardware but it was easier to just return it, I didn't really need it other than to try something newer.
I bought another RAX50 a month later seeing that the latest firmware then was now at .66 with a long list of fixes AND it was on sale again but $100 cheaper. This one started off pretty stable so I kept it.
I updated had it updated first to .66 and then running as an AP (5GHZ only, DFS channel 100, 2400mbps mode, UPNP off, that's all) for 3 weeks straight, daily internet audio and video streaming from multiple devices, plus routine local LAN full computer backup every other day (multiple devices).
Friday (2 days ago), one Wifi 5 tablet got the connected/no internet (connected but couldn't reach any local addresses like the RAX50 ip either). No problem with any other device, and the tablet had no problem connecting and getting internet through the main router. Seeing that firmware .72 just came out, now was a good time to install and reboot. So far so good. the only issue I see still is that it still can't sync time with the NTP server, whether the default or an alternate I tried. Not a big deal for me as I don't do any scheduling or anything, but it's outstanding through a few firmwares already.
Router is running firmware version: V1.0.2.66_2.0.42
When I check for a firmware update it tells me that there are no newer versions available.
Manually installed the update.. Still getting really low 5GHz speeds...
If it's 5GHZ signal strength that you are concerned about, there are a lot of environmental factors that can affect that so you may need to offer up some more details if anyone can offer any insight for you on that.
In general though, 5GHZ doesn't go very far, best line of sight, or maybe 1 or 2 drywall type walls. Stone or brick walls, forget it. Antenna orientation, placement in room like as high as possible or in a spot with very little furniture obstructions.
Also it's mostly the clients that dictate the range, especially battery powered devices that might scale back on power output at times to save battery life.At the router level, you can try to use a fixed channel like 149, don't use AUTO (it might depend on the router and make but some of the lower channels might be using only half to a quarter of the max power output, especially DFS channels).
If you have any Android devices, get apps like Wifi Analyzer (open source) or Netspot and walk around your place to check for interference from neighbors using the same channels, and your signal strength in various locations. (I'm sure there are Apple equivalents around as well if you don';t have any Android devices).
Immediately in front of the router with the high power channels should show you power levels in the -30 dbm range and go up from there the further you walk away from the router. Don't look at client link rates as that all depends on the client (1x1, 2x2, Wifi 4, 5, or 6). For example a 1x1 wifi 5 client might only net you something like a 433mbps link rate at best.
All I can say is with my current RAX50, I have no problem with signal strength degrading over time with any of my clients in fixed areas, and I use the above apps to make sure I have good router placement and no overlap in channels with any neighbors or any of my other routers and APs in my place.