In/Out errors :(

[firestar]

It would be interesting to setup a FreeBSD 7.0 installation as an access point and try the wifi network for at least a week. This would ensure us it is a problem related to FreeBSD 6.x drivers or anything else in the worst case. Wifi networks are source of trouble. That's why I prefer ethernet cables, though I use pfSense as an AP and I experience this issue. :(
If somebody has enough knowledge to do it, do it a let us know. ;D

[jjstecchino]

pfSense 1.3 should be out soon and we will be able to try freebsd 7.
In the meantime it would be intresting to know from whoever is not experiencing in/out errors what kind of setup they are using so we can compile a list of working/non working components. In particular it would be intresting to know about what motherboard, wireless card and pfsense version and working/non working status.

[KoalaTNR]

Hello,

I had the same problems.

Setup 1

Hardware: Wrap, Compex WLM54SAG23, 1 antenna
Software: PfSense 1.2 Release

iMac –> Mac OS X --> very good WLAN performance and few in/out errors
Dell Notebook with Intel Wlan --> Windows --> very poor WLAN performance and many in/out errors

In/out errors 381789/0 in one day

==> with a second antenna I've the same errors.
==> that's not an problem of antenna-settings but rather problem with the wlan-adapters and freebsd.

Setup 2

Hardware: Wrap, Compex WLM54SAG23, 1 antenna
Software: PfSense 1.2 Release (special Build that based on FreeBSD 6.3 instead 6.2)

iMac –> Mac OS X --> very good WLAN performance and few in/out errors
Dell Notebook with Intel Wlan --> Windows --> very good WLAN performance and few in/out errors

In/out errors 216/0 in one day (If I setup the antenna-settings correctly or connect the second antenna than I get no in/out errors)

The 6.3 based PfSense 1.2 can downloaded here:

http://cvs.pfsense.org/~sullrich/testing_images/6/FreeBSD_RELENG_6_3/pfSense_RELENG_1_2/

Greetings
Thomas

[covex]

If I setup the antenna-settings correctly…

what do you mean by that? could you please post your settings here…

[jjstecchino]

I updated to the image you suggested (released 4-10-2008), unfortunately I am having the same amount of in/out (expecially IN) errors as previously.
The setup is an alix board (3LAN) and the same compex card you have and 2 antennas.
I am glad it worked for you.

Johnny

[jjstecchino]

On a positive note, after some testing, even with a large number of IN errors and few OUTt errors, wireless performance is much better, no disconnections that I can tell and fast speed. The 1.2 with FreeBSD 6.3 has made a difference.

Thanks

Johnny

[covex]

jjstecchino, stupid question… alix-embedded... which image did you use from there

[GoldServe]

Just to report back, 6.3 freebsd based 1.2 works very well! Speed didn't get faster but no disconnections ever! Cheers!!!!!

[jjstecchino]

@covex:

jjstecchino, stupid question… alix-embedded... which image did you use from there

Sorry covex, I failed to mention that I am not running the embedded image but the regular one on a microdrive.

Johnny

[MageMinds]

@covex:

jjstecchino, stupid question… alix-embedded... which image did you use from there

I installed the following file onto a CF on my computer, it is the embedded version of pfSense 1.2 running on FreeBSD 6.3

http://cvs.pfsense.org/~sullrich/testing_images/6/FreeBSD_RELENG_6_3/pfSense_RELENG_1_2/pfSense.img.gz

[covex]

MageMinds, r u sure? this image is 116MB when i'm downloading it… 0_o

[eri--]

Can please the users having errors say if they have traffic shaping enabled?
If yes, deactivating it does make things better?

[covex]

no shaping here…
numerous in errors and 0 out errors

[jjstecchino]

No shaping here as well. Simple AP bridged to LAN.
Still a lot of in errors, mainly due to FIFO buffer overrun.
I have to say that using the 6.3 1.2 image still gives the IN/OUT errors however I do not have the connection/disconnection problem that was making the wireless unusable. Now I am using PFsense as an access point and it is very usable.

Johnny

[sigi]

I have some observations about this too.

First I had some failures because my WRAP had some "out of mbuf blockings"
ifconfig ath0 down && ifconfig ath0 up solved the blocking.

I made a update to the FBSD 6_3 Version and had still mbuf raising.
Then I disabled Traffic shaping to ath0

Further it seems that higher load lowers the error rate.

Here is the Cacti output for this Changes.

[MageMinds]

@covex:

MageMinds, r u sure? this image is 116MB when i'm downloading it… 0_o

That's exactly what I have downloaded, although I have a 25 MB or so file. Try removing the file name from the link and click the file name yourself, it may help.

[deepdish]

@jjstecchino:

On a positive note, after some testing, even with a large number of IN errors and few OUTt errors, wireless performance is much better, no disconnections that I can tell and fast speed. The 1.2 with FreeBSD 6.3 has made a difference.

Thanks

Johnny

I'm confirming this as well. I upgraded my pfsense box to the 6.3 image. I have the D-Link DWL-AG530 card (Atheros 5215 chip) and it works perfectly. No disconnection issues or stability issues. Sure, I have a lot of in and out errors after testing it out for the week ( In/out errors: 35344689/65  ), but they have not affected the performance or stability of the wireless connection, even with a weak signal (1 - 2 bars on iPhone).
I have WPA encryption running and runs like a champ!

Also, I ran an iperf test from my laptop wirelessly to my PC via Ethernet. TCP throughput hovering around 21 - 23mbps at full signal (1 meter away from antenna).

[serialdie]

Did anybody did the upgrade from the webGUI?
If not how?!?
TIA.

[serialdie]

Looks like ill have to rebuild the img in to the CF.. YaY for dd! :)

Thanks

[serialdie]

Please add me to the list of working setups after pfSense 1.2 BSD 6.3 Upgrade.
The errors are still theres but I will ignore them till I get data corruption than I will start a new thread :)
But now all my systems stay up… Specially my iPods iTouch.