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    Apple devices intermittently drop connection and cannot find DHCP server.

    DHCP and DNS
    apple mac ios dhcp not found
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    • GertjanG
      Gertjan @Alex 5
      last edited by

      With this phrase :

      @alex-5 said in Apple devices intermittently drop connection and cannot find DHCP server.:

      I have statically assigned IPs for some offending devices, has not helped

      you have some what eliminated a DHCP issue.

      There is a second way to check that DHCP isn't the issue :
      Connect a wired device to pfSense, login, an look at the DHCP logs.

      Now, connect a wireless device.
      Do you see DHCP requests coming in from that device ? You shiuld see it's MAC address, and some DHCP negotiation.

      If it isn't there : you have a solid proof the traffic from that device doesn't reach pfSense.

      So, change cables, switches and/or access points.

      No "help me" PM's please. Use the forum, the community will thank you.
      Edit : and where are the logs ??

      A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • A
        Alex 5 @Gertjan
        last edited by

        @gertjan Yes, I can see a request and a packet sent to devices on both Wired and wireless connection.

        If there is some kind of interference, I presume that that could cause the device to lose connection, (not actually disconnect from the AP / wifi) and then may be unable to communicate to the DHCP server.

        Is that you you think is likely happening? Are there any settings on my Ruckus devices that I could change to mitigate this?

        mr.roshM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • mr.roshM
          mr.rosh @Alex 5
          last edited by

          is fast roaming enabled on AP's

          A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • B
            bcruze
            last edited by

            if you can't ping the gateway address (which is what it is trying to find)

            i don't see how this is a Pfsense or firewall issue. this sounds like a configuration issue with the wireless access points

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • S
              SteveITS Galactic Empire @Alex 5
              last edited by

              @alex-5 What wireless APs are you using? This sounds similar to what I ran into with my eero system at home after iOS 14.5. If WPA3 is enabled in the eero settings, the iOS devices can't connect when they would switch APs. eero says it has to do with how iOS is handling private MACs. Disabling WPA3 fixes it, otherwise the workaround I found was to toggle the private MAC setting on the device (either to off or on). IOW it seems like the eero blocks the MAC for a bit and switching MACs fixes it for a while.

              Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
              When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
              Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

              A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • JKnottJ
                JKnott @Alex 5
                last edited by

                @alex-5 said in Apple devices intermittently drop connection and cannot find DHCP server.:

                127.0.0.1

                That implies there's a DNS server on whatever device that is. Is there?

                PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
                i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
                UniFi AC-Lite access point

                I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • A
                  Alex 5 @mr.rosh
                  last edited by

                  @mr-rosh No, I disabled 802.11.r FT roaming and 11.k neighbour list report as some devices could not join with those enabled.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • A
                    Alex 5 @SteveITS
                    last edited by

                    @steveits I am running Ruckus R650s, and unfortunately am using WPA2. I have turned off private Mac address on my iPhone, so will see if this makes any improvement. Thanks you @SteveITS

                    A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • A
                      alexm2019 @Alex 5
                      last edited by

                      @alex-5
                      Apologies for the old thread revival. What you describe matches my issue almost exactly. Did you ever find a good solution?

                      A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • A
                        Alex 5 @alexm2019
                        last edited by

                        @alexm2019
                        Hi
                        In the end it was because my switch was not delivering enough power to the APs, even though it was technically possible.
                        The R650s draw a lot of power, so I ended up installing dedicated poe injectors. Disabling the 5 Ghz radio also works, but obviously not ideal.

                        A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • A
                          alexm2019 @Alex 5
                          last edited by

                          @alex-5
                          Thanks. That’s got to be the only thing I haven’t tried yet. Separate poe unit ordered and on the way.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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