Problems with AE2500 adaptor and E4200 router

[Megabyte355]

Hi

Is anyone here using the Linksys E4200 router with Linksys AE2500 adaptors?

I have some serious connection problems when using these two devices together.

The AE2500 adaptor works fine with the WRT54GL (in wireless G) for me.

But it would not work properly with my new E4200 (in either Wireless G or N).

They connect, but after a while Windows tells me I got "limited access" on the wireless connection. At this point, I cannot browse the internet, nor access other computers via the network.

The only way for me to restore the connection to the router is to unplug the AE2500 from my computer and plug it back.

You can imagine how annoying this is.

My laptop (which has its own wireless N card inside) sometimes gets that problem when connected to the E4200.

Could it be that my E4200 is defective? Or is this a known compatibility issue?

I can't find much info about this specific combination of devices.

Please help.

[Gollum]

As per the scenario that you explained for that first of all upgrade the Router with the latest firmware which can be downloaded from the cisco website (homesupport.cisco.com)... Then Reset the Router and configure it again...

So the Router ( E4200) that you have is Maximum Performance Wireless-N Router...It is Simultaneous dual-band Wireless-N Router... So that it means it has 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies...

As far as wireless settings is concern you can use same wireless network name or even you can use different network name...

For Channel Settings of 2.4 GHz you can make Channel Width to 20 MHz only and Channel to 6, 9, 11..

For Channel Settings of 5 GHz you can make Channel Width to 20 MHz only and Channel to 40 or 161...

After doing all these steps once uninstall the adapter and install the AE2500 once again...

[Megabyte355]

I already updated the router with the latest firmware. I also used the latest drivers for the AE2500.

Yes, I understand it's a dual-band wireless N router. That's why I bought the Linksys AE2500, thinking that it would work well with it.

I've been experimenting with different wireless settings, but none of them really gives me a stable wireless connection.

I found out recently that I can force my USB adaptors to stop functioning and losing connection by copying files from one computer to another. (even if it's a 4MB picture file)

Example...

When attempting to copy & paste a small file (a picture, for instance) from my desktop (using the AE2500 adaptor) to my laptop (which has its own wireless N card inside), the transfer is stuck at "calculating" and does not complete. The AE2500 adaptor stops functioning properly and does not even detect other wireless connections in the area. On the other hand, the laptop doesn't have any problem and still have internet access.

When I try to do that between 2 desktops, both using AE2500 adaptors, both computers lose their wireless connection and internet access. The same behavior occurs. Other wireless connections in the area are not detectable.

Now, if I wire my desktop to the router and attempt to copy a file to my laptop that is connected wirelessly, there is no problem...

I tried testing the AE2500 adaptors with my old Linksys WRT54GL router. Everything works, but I can't test the adaptors in Wirelss N mode.

To summarize...

I don't know if the problem is with my E4200 router or the AE2500 adaptors.

My E4200 router seems to work "okay" with my laptop, but doesn't work well at all with the AE2500 adaptors.

My AE2500 adaptors work fine with my old WRT54GL router in Wireless G mode. I cannot test Wireless N without a Wireless N router.

What should I do?

[jrdoane]

I also have an E4200 and AE2500. I'm encountering the same exact issue.

The following appears to increase the likelyhood of this happening:

Large file transfers to and from any device on wired or wireless.

Bridged connections via ethernet bridge or VLAN bridge.

Appears to happen when there is no activity as well.

What doesn't cause this issue:

All other wireless devices using the 2.4Ghz band have no issues.

A brand new Macbook Pro connected on 5Ghz works fine.

I did however used to have a 2.4Ghz 1x1 MIMO adapter. On the E4200 it would randomly lose the connection, try connecting again and get into this weird connect and disconnect loop for about 30-60 seconds until it normalized out and became stable again. I suspect its an issue with the N spec on the router, even though the Mac works fine.

I'm started to become convinced that it is the E4200 despite similar issues with the AE1000 on other non-E4200 routers.

Could you give us some more information about your wireless configuration? I will throw mine up as well.

Wireless settings:

5Ghz Wireless:

- Network Mode: Wireless-N only

- SSID: Mongoose

- Channel Width: 40 Mhz only

- Channel: 161 (5.805Ghz) (I read that this is very stable channel for 5Ghz.)

- SSID Broadcast is enabled.

2.4Ghz wireless:

- Network mode: Mixed

- SSID: Mongoose

- Channel Width: Auto (20Mhz or 40Mhz)

- Channel: 10 (2.457Ghz) - Which is the most stable for all of our 2.4Ghz devices.

- SSID Broadcast is enabled.

I'm going to try changing some settings to see if it makes a difference in the mean time.

[Gollum]

So the issue still persist... So in that try to update the BIOS of your computer...Identifying your motherboard model number and BIOS version are the key things in determining your BIOS flash needs.... So you can follow steps provided in this link:- http://www.motherboards.org/articles/guides/42_3.html ....

Secondly try to change the USB port and then check the connectivity... As well as try to upgrade the drivers for the Serial Bus Controller...

[jrdoane]

It's not system bios issues. This clearly is an issue across similar hardware.

UDP spamming on wireless doesn't bring wireless down at full speed (300mbit on 5Ghz 802.11N)

[jrdoane]

ICMP flooding from Macbook Pro, Host with the AE2500 and two bridged virtual machines isn't taking down the wireless either. Do you have any sure-fire way to make the AE2500 stop responding with the E4200? I haven't been able to reproduce it yet, it feels rather random.

Edit: Also zero percent packet loss on these ICMP pings.

[Megabyte355]

So far, I know I can purposely make my AE2500 adaptors to stop working by transfering any file wirelessly from one computer to another. I tried this many times and it disconnects every time.

Like I mentionned before, if I try to send a file from my laptop to my desktop computer using the AE2500 adaptor, the desktop loses connection to the router, but the laptop doesn't.

However, if my desktop is "wired" to my router, any file transfer would work.

Besides the file transfers, both my desktops using AE2500 adaptors and my laptop would randomly disconnect from the router.

UPDATE:

I went back to BestBuy to get my E4200 router exchanged. The problem persists!

I also tried different firmwares (1.0.01.010 and 1.0.02.013). Neither works properly.

I also tried playing with the wireless settings, as you suggested. It doesn't seem to help at all.

Could it be my AE2500 adaptor's fault?

I will try some other wireless N adaptors... and I'll let you know if it helps.

[Gollum]

As per your information you have replace the Router but that didn't help you...Could you inform us what ae the settings that you did in the Router....

Have you done the following wireless settings:

For Channel Settings of 2.4 GHz you can make Channel Width to 20 MHz only and Channel to 6, 9, 11..

For Channel Settings of 5 GHz you can make Channel Width to 20 MHz only and Channel to 40 or 161..

[jrdoane]

I think it might be the 5ghz. I have put the two bands on different SSIDs and I'm going to test each band. I'll let you know how it goes.

Edit: I must also note I noticed sluggish performance on the wireless on my Macbook Pro when the AE2500 disconnected. That is what makes me suspect it is the 5Ghz.