All,

I've had this problem for some time now and was wondering how many others have also run into it. Essentially, running an 802.11n AP and a MacBook client, the MacBook keeps dropping out every few minutes.

This only occurs using Mac OS X 10.6.3 (Snow Leopard) or above, on Broadcom-based AirPort cards. Running Windows via Boot Camp OR using an Atheros card OR an older version of Mac OS X OR 802.11g - and the problem doesn't show.

I've tried:

• R2N and an R52N
• RouterOS 4.3 to 5.0b2
• various different RB411 (411A, 411AH, 411U)
• 2.4/5GHz
• tuning various settings on the AP

It works nicely for a few minutes then just stops responding. It's still associated with the AP and doesn't appear to time out, but no data is exchanged. The only way to get it working again is to turn off AirPort on the Mac and turn it on again, then it works for a few minutes, etc...

Any ideas?

same here!
I thing 10.6.3 is the problem.
until mac os 10.6.2 - all had works gerat.

velvet

Same here until I changed to 5Ghz

Transfer is also 2-3 times faster

RGDS

what do you see in the registration table - retransmits when you try to send the pings to that client?
Maybe you could sniff the wireless data from another N wireless interface at that moment when it stops working and send that file to us, we could maybe check what happened.

uldis,

Thanks - I'll investigate again. I'm almost certain it's a client issue rather than an AP issue but you never know.

Cheers,
Chris

I have similar problem with iMAC (where broadcom is used), however Macbook (Atheros) worked fine. We are investigating the problem. The problem started after I upgrade to 10.6.3 version, 10.6.2 and 10.6.1 worked fine on iMAC.

I have similar problem with iMAC (where broadcom is used), however Macbook (Atheros) worked fine. We are investigating the problem. The problem started after I upgrade to 10.6.3 version, 10.6.2 and 10.6.1 worked fine on iMAC.

Sergejs,

Brilliant! I'm glad you guys have seen it too. Do you still need me to investigate further or are you happy taking this on yourselves? What you describe is exactly what I found.

Can you let us know if/how this progresses?

Thanks,
Chris

We will made few tests and then let you know what can be done (or what cannot be done). Perhaps we will need your help to test the issue too.

Has there been any further development on this?

10.6.4 is available to Apple developers... perhaps we can get someone to test?

Same problem over here. Will this be fixed in the next version ?

I've just tried this on 10.6.4 with 5.0beta6 and still get the problem. Is there any more news on this?

It's a real shame I can't use my R2N properly and have to disable 802.11n...

Thanks,
Chris

I've had this issue on every version. But I put this down to OSX powersaving - i.e. when the network isn't in use, it cuts out the wireless card and only reconnects it as when packets need to be sent.

Any updates to this solution?

Having the same issue still... Macbook Air 11. RouterOS 4.16, and 5.0rc8. Streaming itunes and browsing web after 2-3 minutes stops passing data. This is not a sleep issue. Have we got any update to this?

Works fine in G only mode for hours. Set to b/g/n and just using one chain and it hangs every time I try after 2-3 mins. Registration is still active. Please please please someone give me an idea as to when this will be fixed or a solution. Really holding up deploying N AP's for businesses.

we have found that some macbook models which have the broadcom wireless chipset (as opposed to atheros, which is in the majority of Apple products), there are such problems. we are working on it right now.

Thank you! And damn fast response.

Please email support to get the fixed release!

It seems we have fixed the problem.
Fix should be available at 5.0rc9, please contact support for the packages (support@mikrotik.com).

It's amazing, but yes - so far, my MacBook has stayed online on 802.11n all afternoon without a problem.

THANK YOU!

Yes, this seems to be working for me as well been over an hour, my HTC Evo is working on N too. What type of timeframe would we have for release and with this make it to 4.x or is this only for Version 5. thanks so much !

Hi All,

Just been tearing my hair out over what would appear to be the same issue. We are running 60 Macbooks and 60 Windows machines at a school and whenever the Macbook puts the wireless under load (which is always as we run re-directed folders) overall CCQ drops to 4%-16% and throughput goes down to 800kbps or so. Windows Machines seem to run fine.

I'll try upgrading to 5.0 also and see what a difference it makes.

....Insert Time Here....

So, half an hour later, I've upgraded my license, upgraded to 5.1 and I have the same issue. With windows machines performing exceptionally.

Please see attachments, one prior to load, the other during copy of a 200MB file.

We've just finished testing with Ubiquiti Pico Station and are able to get 20Mbps throughput from both Mac Book Pro and Windows.

I'm a big Mikrotik Fan and suspect this issue lies more with Broadcom / Snow Leopard than Mikrotik, but testing shows me that I have to replace 12xRB800 and 24xR52n with Ubiquiti pico stations because I don't have a working solution and the school we support has just gone an entire term without being able to use their laptops.

This also leads me to wonder if all the Mac OS X issues I have on my public Hotspot are related? It would be good to have a real firm solution from MT. If you need some more detail let me know and I'll submit, or if I've done something stupid, tell me!! I'd rather be stupid than have to crawl through the roof of every classroom and replace the AP's.

Thanks

P.S. Sorry to all for posting in R52N forum, but school is R52N and my testing rig is only R52, but same issue regardless.

P.S. Sorry to all for posting in R52N forum, but school is R52N and my testing rig is only R52, but same issue regardless.

The issue in this thread only occurs with 802.11n. I could overcome it on my R52N cards by putting them in 802.11b/g mode.

Hi, I'm seeing the same results regardless of g/n or b/g/n or just b/g.

I can replicate on all settings and also on an R52 as per my testing rig.

Cheers

this means you don't have the mentioned problem, the issue must be elsewhere. you should contact mikrotik support to get quicker response.