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[furlong]

I've got two DAP-1360 APs: One is in bridge+AP mode (AP1), the other in bridge mode (AP2). AP1 is in mixed 11n and 11g 802.11 mode, AP2 in 11n only mode. Whenever there's traffic from a single 11g client (connected to AP1), traffic on the wireless bridge will slow down to a crawl - I'm talking 1-2 mbps average throughput in sporadic bursts. There are 5 to 8 second gaps of complete stops between bursts. Interestingly, streaming TV under the same circumstance works much better: e.g. 5-6 mbps continuously (no gaps) when watching live TV over the bridge.

I've tried various combinations of 802.11 mixed modes and it's made no difference. 11g performance degrades less than 11n (data goes in large, swooping waves). Also, if there's no 11g client traffic, the bridge works wonderfully, with 49-50mbps continuous throughput.

Is there any way 11n performance can be improved in mixed 11n/11g mode? Also, why does streaming video work when I can't even transfer files?

DAP-1360 h/w B1 f/w 2.11
11g client: Atheros AR5007EG (had to update win driver before it would even work with the DAP-1360)

[FurryNutz]

Does the client work on the AP2 if you change it to mixed G and N?

Turn off AP1 and test client on AP2.
Is this the only client that exhibits this?

ny other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?

[furlong]

Sorry, I should have clarified: There's a second, wired client connected to AP1. It is this client that's having problems receiving data from a separate LAN connected to AP2. The wireless client is working ok. I haven't tested with other wireless clients.

[FurryNutz]

Turn off all anti virus and firewall programs on this PC while testing. 3rd party firewalls are not generally needed when using routers as they are effective on blocking malicious inbound traffic.

Ensure the NIC drivers are up to date for this PC as well. If the NIC is removable, try a different NIC. Try this PC wired to the other AP1?

[furlong]

Ok, I updated the NIC drivers for the wired PC and it has made a difference: Throughput has improved (8-9mbps average), although data still arrives choppy. Gaps are almost gone. Sending data works flawlessly with 45-46mbps continuous throughput. There's a huge difference in speed between sending and receiving data which I can't explain.

[FurryNutz]

I would swap out APs and see if the same thing happens with the other, if so, then you can rule out the APs and look at your PC. If only this one PC exhibits this problem then something on this PC has to be the problem maker. 

[furlong]

Ok, I swapped AP1 and AP2 (taking the 11g client along with AP1), and the situation has reversed: Now the wired PC can receive data at a high rate without interruptions but can only send in measly spurts. It seems the AP in bridge+AP mode (AP1) is not able to handle incoming 11n traffic when the 11g client is connected. I tested with the latest f/w 2.14 and get the same results.

[FurryNutz]

This G client, does it connect to AP2 and work as expected after you swapped APs?

Can the G client be upgraded to N by chance? If this is a laptop, they do have internal WiFi cards that you could upgrade and install. Or use a USB wireless N device like D-Links DWA 130, 131 or 160. If this is a desktop PC, DLink has some DWA-552's I think that are PCI cards. Might try getting way from using G on that particular client and go with N if you can.

[furlong]

I actually only swapped the APs' places on my last test, so AP2 was still in bridge only mode. Out of curiosity though I did just swap their functions and got exactly the same results. I'm pretty sure I could change the wireless client's internal wifi card, although I prefer to keep it original. I will, however, consider getting an 11n USB device for it. I wonder if this situation will persist with other 11g clients (e.g. Broadcom-based ones). I'll do more testing whenever I get my hands on one. Thanks, FurryNutz, for trying to help out.

[FurryNutz]

I presume this has been working up to a certain point?

Keep us posted on how it goes. Hope we can help narrow down the problem.

[furlong]

Update: I'm losing all traffic on the bridge after heavy traffic on the g client at this point: Can't connect anything between the network segments, even after g traffic stops, even after g client disconnects. The only solution is a reboot on the ap+wds after every use of the g client. Very disappointing

Happy holidays.