Wlan with blackberry playbook

wallabybob

I suggest you try a recent snapshot build of pfSense 2.1 because it will include much more up to date device drivers than are in pfSense 2.0.2.

Your run interfaces are reported "no carrier" even though in hostapd mode. Because the interface is not "UP" (in ifconfig) I suspect it is not enabled in pfSense.

coyote

A recent snapshot?it is not a test system regardless that I named the wlan's ssid TEST. If this dev release is stable enough, i will try it.

I tested a laptop's wlan card with this wlan interface and the connection was perfect. So I opened an incident at blackberry's support to investigate if there is a problem on their side.

coyote

I have recently upgraded to pfSense 2.1-BETA1. it's the same behavior like on pfsense 2.0.2. I think there are two different issues, one with pfsense and one with playbook.

1. playbook:
the connection resets every 1-2 minutes when it is on WPA/WPA2 mode. this must be an blackberry issue.

2. pfsense:
the wlan interface disappeares. i tested this with my laptop's internal wlan card to download an ubuntu image and it was fine - encrypted and without encryption - but a few minutes after the download was ready and I disconnected myself the internal wlan card. trying to connect again after some minutes it was not possible.

pfsense before and during connection:

usbconfig
ugen0.1: <ohci root="" hub="" amd="">at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=FULL (12Mbps) pwr=SAVE
ugen1.1: <ehci root="" hub="" amd="">at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=SAVE
ugen1.2: <802.11 n WLAN Ralink> at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON

/etc/rc.banner ; ifconfig
*** Welcome to pfSense 2.1-BETA1-nanobsd (i386) on xxx ***

WAN (wan) -> vr1 -> v4: xxxx/24
LAN (lan) -> vr0 -> v4: xxxx/24
DMZ (opt1) -> vr2 -> v4: xxxx/24
WLAN (opt2) -> run0_wlan1 -> v4: xxxx/24 vr0:

flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=8280b <rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate>…
vr1: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=8280b <rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate>...
vr2: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=8280b <rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate>...
enc0: flags=41 <up,running>metric 0 mtu 1536
pflog0: flags=100 <promisc>metric 0 mtu 33200
pfsync0: flags=0<> metric 0 mtu 1460
syncpeer: 224.0.0.240 maxupd: 128 syncok: 1
lo0: flags=8049 <up,loopback,running,multicast>metric 0 mtu 16384
options=3 <rxcsum,txcsum>...
ovpns1: flags=8051 <up,pointopoint,running,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=80000 <linkstate>...
run0: flags=8a43 <up,broadcast,running,allmulti,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 2290
ether 00:aa:bb:00:11:22
media: IEEE 802.11 Wireless Ethernet autoselect mode 11g <hostap>status: running
run0_wlan1: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
ether 00:aa:bb:00:11:22
inet6 fe80::2aa:bbff:fe00:1122%run0_wlan1 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0xa
inet xxxx netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast xxx.255
nd6 options=1 <performnud>media: IEEE 802.11 Wireless Ethernet autoselect mode 11g <hostap>status: running
ssid TEST channel 7 (2442 MHz 11g) bssid 00:aa:bb:00:11:22
country US authmode WPA2/802.11i privacy MIXED deftxkey 3
AES-CCM 2:128-bit AES-CCM 3:128-bit txpower 0 scanvalid 60
protmode OFF dtimperiod 1 -dfs</hostap></performnud></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></hostap></up,broadcast,running,allmulti,simplex,multicast></linkstate></up,pointopoint,running,multicast></rxcsum,txcsum></up,loopback,running,multicast></promisc></up,running></rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></ehci></ohci>

I assume then, pfsense reboots on its own because it is not possible to log in on to the web interface for short. pfsense looks later like this:

usbconfig
ugen0.1: <ohci root="" hub="" amd="">at usbus0, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=FULL (12Mbps) pwr=SAVE
ugen1.1: <ehci root="" hub="" amd="">at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=SAVE
ugen1.2: <802.11 n WLAN Ralink> at usbus1, cfg=0 md=HOST spd=HIGH (480Mbps) pwr=ON

/etc/rc.banner ; ifconfig
*** Welcome to pfSense 2.1-BETA1-nanobsd (i386) on xxx ***

WAN (wan) -> vr1 -> v4: xxxx/24
LAN (lan) -> vr0 -> v4: xxxx/24
DMZ (opt1) -> vr2 -> v4: xxxx/24
WLAN (opt2) -> run0_wlan1 -> vr0: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric

…
vr1: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=8280b <rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate>...
vr2: flags=8843 <up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=8280b <rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate>....
enc0: flags=41 <up,running>metric 0 mtu 1536
pflog0: flags=100 <promisc>metric 0 mtu 33200
pfsync0: flags=0<> metric 0 mtu 1460
syncpeer: 224.0.0.240 maxupd: 128 syncok: 1
lo0: flags=8049 <up,loopback,running,multicast>metric 0 mtu 16384
options=3 <rxcsum,txcsum>....
ovpns1: flags=8051 <up,pointopoint,running,multicast>metric 0 mtu 1500
options=80000 <linkstate>...</linkstate></up,pointopoint,running,multicast></rxcsum,txcsum></up,loopback,running,multicast></promisc></up,running></rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></rxcsum,txcsum,vlan_mtu,wol_ucast,wol_magic,linkstate></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></up,broadcast,running,simplex,multicast></ehci></ohci>

I can not recognize anything in the logs.

finally, is it worth further trouble to investigate, or not? it would be helpful if someone gives me an advise which - usb device -I can use.

pfsense_2.1_wireless.jpg
pfsense_2.1_wireless.jpg_thumb

wallabybob

One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far in this topic is that the run devices need to have firmware loaded. If the device is recognised on startup the driver can't load the firmware because the file system isn't mounted at that time. Adding the line```
runfw_load="YES"

coyote

ehm, sorry, but how do I make the filesystem writable?

wallabybob

See http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Remount_embedded_filesystem_as_read-write

I don't have experience with the nanoBSD version but I expect you could use Diagnostics -> Edit File

coyote

*** yeah! ***
the issue with pfsense is fixed!
configuring a /boot/loader.conf.local with that value and that was it. the wlan interface doesnt disappear any more. I had at the beginning two to three strange reboots of pfsense, but now it is running fine for about three hours.

the playbook still has the continuous wlan connection resets, but this is rather a blackberry problem. I will call the support these days

coyote

oh man,
the blackberry support isn't very knowledgable. They say, there is only one solution: 2,4 Ghz: 802.11 g/b
ouaahh! That was the only information I didnt mention. ::) I am sure, that's an answer of the 1st line support.
Anyway…I will contact them again...

Now, in the wireless logfiles it is displayed that the playbook loses the connection and instantly reconnects, but I can't see the reason why. Additonally, I have put the logfile from playbook (debug mode), but there I can't see the reason, too.

playbook:


--------- beginning of /dev/log/system
03-23 00:31:52.427 W/InputManagerService(68710433): Window already focused, ignoring focus gain of: com.android.internal.view.IInputMethodClient$Stub$Proxy@7a1ff980
03-23 00:31:52.440 D/Binder  (67772443): Generated cookie e9e80055 for dup message of fd 139, to pid 68710433 chid 1
03-23 00:31:54.283 I/QNXNavigatorClient(68710433): onActive: cid=30350483597 false
03-23 00:31:54.342 I/QNXNavigatorClient(68710433): onWindowState: cid=30350483597 state=thumbnail
03-23 00:31:54.344 W/Lowmemorykiller(67739672): android_monitor_thread: window state changed to 1
03-23 00:31:54.790 I/QNXNavigatorClient(68710433): leaveGroup: 0
03-23 00:31:54.791 D/qnx.Launcher(68710433): launching uri android://com.qnx.android.app.launcher/?activity-name=com.qnx.android.app.launcher.LaunchActivity
03-23 00:31:54.794 I/ActivityManager(68710433): Starting: Intent { act=android.intent.action.MAIN cat=[android.intent.category.HOME] flg=0x10000000 cmp=com.qnx.android.app.launcher/.LaunchActivity (has extras) } from pid 68710433
03-23 00:31:54.807 D/wifi    (68710433): status: wifi-state=7
03-23 00:31:54.821 D/WindowManager(68710433): Enabled close button: Window{7a25c818 com.qnx.android.app.launcher/com.qnx.android.app.launcher.LaunchActivity paused=false}
03-23 00:31:54.832 D/WindowManager(68710433): Enabled close button: Window{7a25c818 com.qnx.android.app.launcher/com.qnx.android.app.launcher.LaunchActivity paused=false}
03-23 00:31:54.845 D/Binder  (67772443): Generated cookie e9ea0056 for dup message of fd 124, to pid 68710433 chid 1
03-23 00:31:54.883 W/IInputConnectionWrapper(68714644): showStatusIcon on inactive InputConnection
03-23 00:33:08.057 I/wifi    (68710433): network status changed: wifiEvent = 2: connected = 0, power_on = 0, ip_ok = 0, ip_address = 0x0, gateway = 0x0, nameservers = [0x0,0x0], searchdomain = "", proxy = "", interface_name = ""
03-23 00:33:08.060 D/wifi    (68710433): stop
03-23 00:33:08.066 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:08.120 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:13.122 D/WifiStateTracker(68710433): Reset connections and stopping DHCP
03-23 00:33:13.122 D/WifiStateTracker(68710433): Disabling interface
03-23 00:33:13.130 W/MobileDataStateTracker(68710433): Ignoring feature request because could not acquire PhoneService
03-23 00:33:13.131 W/MobileDataStateTracker(68710433): Could not enable APN type "default"
03-23 00:33:14.849 I/wifi    (68710433): network status changed: wifiEvent = 1: connected = 1, power_on = 1, ip_ok = 1, ip_address = 0xc0a8325b, gateway = 0xc0a832fe, nameservers = [0xc0a832fe,0x0], searchdomain = "", proxy = "", interface_name = "ti0"
03-23 00:33:14.849 D/wifi    (68710433): scanHotspot
03-23 00:33:14.850 D/wifi    (68710433): connectHotspot
03-23 00:33:14.853 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.853 D/wifi    (68710433): setScanResultHandling command: 1
03-23 00:33:14.854 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.856 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.858 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.862 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.864 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.866 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.867 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.869 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.871 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.873 D/wifi    (68710433): waitForEvent
03-23 00:33:14.877 D/wifi    (68710433): status: wifi-state=7
03-23 00:33:14.879 D/wifi    (68710433): getWifiInterface command
03-23 00:33:14.880 D/wifi    (68710433): getHttpProxy command
03-23 00:33:14.881 W/BluetoothHeadset(68710433): Proxy not attached to service
03-23 00:33:14.882 W/BluetoothHeadset(68710433): Proxy not attached to service
03-23 00:33:14.883 D/wifi    (68710433): setPowerMode command
03-23 00:33:14.884 D/WifiStateTracker(68710433): DhcpHandler: DHCP request started
03-23 00:33:14.895 D/wifi    (68710433): setPowerMode command
03-23 00:33:14.902 D/wifi    (68710433): status: wifi-state=7
03-23 00:33:14.904 W/NetworkStateTracker(68710433): net.tcp.buffersize.wifi not found in system properties. Using defaults
03-23 00:33:14.906 D/WifiWatchdogService(68710433): (android.server.ServerThread) BlackBerry WiFi Network (00:1f:ca:fe:ca:fe) does not require the watchdog
...

I've read somewhere that the playbook has some problems with WPA/WPA2 certificates and therefore reconnects all the time. Can this be? But this was for OS 1.x, now we have OS 2.x.

I've experimented a little bit with the Key Rotation and the Master Key Regeneration of pfsense and the wireless connection and they have effect on the loss of connection. But it's not predictable with different values from the initially given when the connection is lost. Sometimes the connection persists for about 5 minutes and sometimes it is not able to connect at all.

pfsense_wireless_log.jpg_thumb

coyote

can I raise the log settings of the System -> Wireless log? are there other options than described at http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Log_Settings ?

coyote

Blackberry answered that they have no other solution than the "2,4 Ghz: 802.11 g/b". Great…
I think they do not want to investigate regarding a system like I have now: alix board, pfsense and the techniclan usb stick.
I think I send the usb stick back... :(

greenpoise

wait hold on a sec. I had problems with my playbook and another router. I was able to accomplish stability by tweaking ACK Timing settings. I remember mine disconnecting as you describe. I had to change the settings to 0 in that box. If PFsense has something similar give it a try. I also manually added the channel in the playbook and that worked.

coyote

thanks for the suggestion, but what is this ACK Timing settings? In pfsense there isn't something like that or it has another name(?). I've set the wlan channel to a fixed one on pfsense but the behavior of playbook didn't change.

The only thing that has an effect on frequency of reconnecting is the Key Rotation and the Master Key Regeneration (yes, it still reconnects) but it cant be set to 0. I've set both to 9999 for testing and the connection is more stable but - I guess - to slow for e.g live streaming and sometimes even for normal "googleing". The browser can't load then the appropriate ste.

I don't know what else to do.

greenpoise

@coyote:

thanks for the suggestion, but what is this ACK Timing settings? In pfsense there isn't something like that or it has another name(?). I've set the wlan channel to a fixed one on pfsense but the behavior of playbook didn't change.

The only thing that has an effect on frequency of reconnecting is the Key Rotation and the Master Key Regeneration (yes, it still reconnects) but it cant be set to 0. I've set both to 9999 for testing and the connection is more stable but - I guess - to slow for e.g live streaming and sometimes even for normal "googleing". The browser can't load then the appropriate ste.

I don't know what else to do.

did you do a manual connect through the blackberry? and did you try both the 2.4Ghz and 5?? did you try setting G only in the router (if there is such option).. I am intrigued cuz I was thinking about doing a box for home and I also own a playbook

coyote

manual connect through the blackberry? = yes
did you try both the 2.4Ghz and 5? = my pfsense router or rather my stick support only 2.4GHz
did you try setting G only in the router? = yes, you can select only between 11b and 11g

I also set my playbook with a static IP; that should at some routers help to a persistent connection: no chance.
Next, I want to try one or two different sticks with different chipsets. the techniclan usb stick was with rt2870 + rt3070. If that doesnt help, then I'll leave as it is, without wlan. I dont want a 3rd box for the internet.

Which router do you have now?

greenpoise

@coyote:

manual connect through the blackberry? = yes

did you try both the 2.4Ghz and 5? = my pfsense router or rather my stick support only 2.4GHz

did you try setting G only in the router? = yes, you can select only between 11b and 11g

I also set my playbook with a static IP; that should at some routers help to a persistent connection: no chance.
Next, I want to try one or two different sticks with different chipsets. the techniclan usb stick was with rt2870 + rt3070. If that doesnt help, then I'll leave as it is, without wlan. I dont want a 3rd box for the internet.

Which router do you have now?

I see.. I have a Buffalo WZR-300HP2..I bought a couple of these..and they have been great..it comes with DDWRT in it..in fact I was just actually talking to an employee who affirms that opening applications that require SQL was faster under the old setup (Buffalo)..now I have everything here running on PFsense. At home my playbook didnt like the Buffalo but blackberry did an upgrade and it worked perfectly without having to tweak the settings..But going back to rt2870, I have had similar usb sticks before with Ralink and it is a hit and miss type of thing…I always have good luck with Atheros they just seem to work in my setups and actually buffalo is atheros at least on this one