Wireless Connection Dropping

English Network/Internet
#1

Hello All

     I am trying to make my wireless a little more robust. Basically my computer keeps dropping the connection over and over again. The connection will stay alive for about one or two minutes. In that time I can load a couple web-pages then it crashes and has to reconnect. It is successfully reconnecting after a crash so it is not completely unusable, however it is annoying since the reconnection is slowing everything down (not to mention broken pipe errors). I have read that long-term testing of open suse 12.2 maintained a wireless connection for a week or so. So I think there is some thing wrong with my system.

     So let me give some basic computer information.

                   Computer:               ACER Aspire 5516 laptop
                   Operating System:   openSuse 12.2 fresh install
                                                 Note all updates applied as of Dec 29th
                   Desktop:                  KDE
                   Wireless Adapter:    Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY [14e4:4315] (rev 01)

     I have been looking through the forum posts to see what I can do. There are several  fixes that I have tried. Under "manage connections" I have checked the "System connection" box, then when I scan and select my network I checked the "Use the AP's BSSID" box, Mode is "Infrastructure" and the MAC address is cloned as a random address. The mac address clone did make a difference.

     Let me tell you all about some other interesting behavior. The connection will last a number of hours when all the network activity is simple ssh, rsync and other command line utilities. However the crash will happen quickly when it is web browsing and suse software updates. So the crash seems to correlate with the level of network activity. I have no problems with wired connection. I also have no problems when I am running Windows.

     I have installed suse fresh several times trying to see if this was a driver issue. The first install I used the precompiled wl driver from the RPM's. Then I reinstalled suse 12.2 and used the /usr/sbin/install_bcm43xx_firmware script which runs the b43 driver. It seems that both driver have the same problem so it is not a driver issue. One big difference is the b43 driver seems to give more information on dmesg...

     So demsg is giving some interesting messages (see below). I have presented the messages after I executed a network restart myself. This way you can see what is printing when it successfully connects. Then I waited for it to crash and showed the new messages after the crash. It seems to disconnect if it fails to get a response after half a second. Then it will spend about two seconds trying to re-establish a connection. Then the driver will reload the firmware and it seems to connect again. The NetworkManager log ouput seems to parrot the similar messages as the dmesg output. I will post all these messages in the next post.

     Any help would be much appreciated!
#2

Many of the threads ask for the outputs of various commands and logs. So I have listed them here:

lspci -nnk:


02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY [14e4:4315] (rev 01)
        Subsystem: Foxconn International, Inc. T77H030.00 Wireless Mini PCIe Card [105b:e003]
        Kernel driver in use: b43-pci-bridge

lsmod:


Module                  Size  Used by
b43legacy             122626  0
b43                   386979  0
mac80211              555559  2 b43legacy,b43
cfg80211              208286  3 b43legacy,b43,mac80211
rfkill                 26009  2 cfg80211
bcma                   35637  1 b43
ssb                    66990  2 b43legacy,b43
mmc_core              117686  2 b43,ssb
pcmcia                 65856  2 b43,ssb
pcmcia_core            27629  1 pcmcia
fuse                   86852  2
af_packet              39358  4
xt_LOG                 17471  10
xt_tcpudp              12884  2
xt_limit               12711  10
xt_pkttype             12504  3
nf_conntrack_ipv6      14497  3
nf_defrag_ipv6         18107  1 nf_conntrack_ipv6
ip6t_REJECT            12939  3
ipt_REJECT             12541  3
ip6table_raw           12683  1
xt_NOTRACK             12504  4
iptable_raw            12678  1
iptable_filter         12810  1
ip6table_mangle        12700  0
nf_conntrack_netbios_ns    12665  0
nf_conntrack_broadcast    12589  1 nf_conntrack_netbios_ns
nf_conntrack_ipv4      15005  3
nf_defrag_ipv4         12729  1 nf_conntrack_ipv4
ip_tables              27239  2 iptable_raw,iptable_filter
xt_conntrack           12760  6
nf_conntrack           97545  6 nf_conntrack_ipv6,xt_NOTRACK,nf_conntrack_netbios_ns,nf_conntrack_broadcast,nf_conntrack_ipv4,xt_conntrack
ip6table_filter        12815  1
ip6_tables             27207  3 ip6table_raw,ip6table_mangle,ip6table_filter
x_tables               33967  15 xt_LOG,xt_tcpudp,xt_limit,xt_pkttype,ip6t_REJECT,ipt_REJECT,ip6table_raw,xt_NOTRACK,iptable_raw,iptable_filter,ip6table_mangle,ip_tables,xt_conntrack,ip6table_filter,ip6_tables
cpufreq_conservative    13783  0
cpufreq_userspace      13162  0
cpufreq_powersave      12618  0
snd_hda_codec_realtek    81755  1
snd_hda_intel          33312  2
snd_hda_codec         136135  2 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_intel
snd_hwdep              13602  1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm               109282  2 snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
arc4                   12529  2
snd_seq                69746  0
snd_timer              29370  2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device         14497  1 snd_seq
snd                    87206  12 snd_hda_codec_realtek,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
soundcore              15047  1 snd
edac_core              57401  0
powernow_k8            29092  0
sr_mod                 22295  0
sparse_keymap          13890  0
shpchp                 37108  0
atl1c                  45452  0
sp5100_tco             13697  0
k8temp                 12971  0
mperf                  12667  1 powernow_k8
i2c_piix4              13694  0
edac_mce_amd           23303  0
sg                     36394  0
pci_hotplug            35159  1 shpchp
wmi                    19070  0
video                  19345  0
cdrom                  46687  1 sr_mod
snd_page_alloc         18484  2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
button                 13906  0
battery                18691  0
ac                     13097  0
pcspkr                 12718  0
joydev                 17457  0
autofs4                42753  2
radeon                936167  3
ttm                    91974  1 radeon
drm_kms_helper         51052  1 radeon
drm                   272508  5 radeon,ttm,drm_kms_helper
i2c_algo_bit           13413  1 radeon
thermal                22790  0
processor              44907  2 powernow_k8
thermal_sys            24703  3 video,thermal,processor
scsi_dh_emc            17258  0
scsi_dh_alua           17121  0
scsi_dh_rdac           17408  0
scsi_dh_hp_sw          12894  0
scsi_dh                14554  4 scsi_dh_emc,scsi_dh_alua,scsi_dh_rdac,scsi_dh_hp_sw
ata_generic            12899  0
pata_atiixp            13204  0

dmesg:

 After /etc/init.d/network restart


 2222.587118] b43-phy0: Loading firmware version 508.154 (2009-08-18 00:58:22)
 2223.999173] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
 2225.168820] wlan0: authenticate with 00:22:6b:8a:27:15
 2225.176520] wlan0: send auth to 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (try 1/3)
 2225.178143] wlan0: authenticated
 2225.178554] wlan0: associating with AP with corrupt beacon
 2225.179055] wlan0: associate with 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (try 1/3)
 2225.181655] wlan0: RX AssocResp from 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (capab=0x411 status=0 aid=1)
 2225.182596] wlan0: associated
 2225.183555] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
 2225.183717] cfg80211: Calling CRDA for country: US
 2225.208158] cfg80211: Regulatory domain changed to country: US
 2225.208173] cfg80211:   (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
 2225.208182] cfg80211:   (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2700 mBm)
 2225.208190] cfg80211:   (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 1700 mBm)
 2225.208196] cfg80211:   (5250000 KHz - 5330000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2225.208203] cfg80211:   (5490000 KHz - 5600000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2225.208210] cfg80211:   (5650000 KHz - 5710000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2225.208216] cfg80211:   (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 3000 mBm)
 2226.725791] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=84 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=44
 2226.802188] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=497 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=457
 2226.822366] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=313 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=273
 2227.052529] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=497 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=457
 2228.629240] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=375 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=335
 2228.629690] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=163 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=123
 2229.726816] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=84 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=44
 2230.077504] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=485 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=445
 2230.757057] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=461 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=421

After a network crash:


 2235.642042] wlan0: no IPv6 routers present
 2257.729446] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=84 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=44
 2271.211076] ieee80211 phy0: wlan0: No probe response from AP 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 after 500ms, disconnecting.
 2271.214493] cfg80211: Calling CRDA to update world regulatory domain
 2271.231953] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
 2271.231965] cfg80211:   (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
 2271.231973] cfg80211:   (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2271.231981] cfg80211:   (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2271.231987] cfg80211:   (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2271.231994] cfg80211:   (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2271.232001] cfg80211:   (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
 2272.477462] wlan0: authenticate with 00:22:6b:8a:27:15
 2272.485545] wlan0: send auth to 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (try 1/3)
 2272.686034] wlan0: send auth to 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (try 2/3)
 2272.887034] wlan0: send auth to 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 (try 3/3)
 2273.088029] wlan0: authentication with 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 timed out
                 < note that dmesg is showing the begining of a reconnection here 15s after the crash>
 2286.592094] b43-phy0: Loading firmware version 508.154 (2009-08-18 00:58:22)
 2288.016907] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
#3

Another bit of interesting output after a crash:

cat /var/log/NetworkManager


Dec 29 12:17:05 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: completed -> disconnected
Dec 29 12:17:05 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 29 12:17:06 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Dec 29 12:17:07 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> disconnected
Dec 29 12:17:07 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 29 12:17:19 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <warn> (wlan0): link timed out.
Dec 29 12:17:19 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: activated -> disconnected (reason 'supplicant-timeout') [100 30 11]
Dec 29 12:17:19 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): deactivating device (reason 'supplicant-timeout') [11]
Dec 29 12:17:20 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): canceled DHCP transaction, DHCP client pid 30229
Dec 29 12:17:20 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): reset MAC address to 00:24:2C:6C:09:2B
Dec 29 12:17:21 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Clearing nscd hosts cache.
Dec 29 12:17:22 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> disconnected
Dec 29 12:17:22 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <warn> Unknown supplicant state 'interface_disabled'
Dec 29 12:17:22 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: (nm-supplicant-interface.c:451):set_state_from_string: runtime check failed: (state > 0)

New log messages after a reconnect:


Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Auto-activating connection '97home'.
Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) starting connection '97home'
Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none') [30 40 0]
Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Dec 29 12:17:48 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): set MAC address to AA:6A:76:DB:5C:19
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <warn> Unknown supplicant state 'interface_disabled'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: (nm-supplicant-interface.c:451):set_state_from_string: runtime check failed: (state > 0)
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0/wireless): access point '97home' has security, but secrets are required.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none') [50 60 0]
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none') [60 40 0]
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection '97home' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: added 'ssid' value '97home'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: added 'bssid' value '00:22:6b:8a:27:15'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: added 'psk' value '<omitted>'
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Config: set interface ap_scan to 1
Dec 29 12:17:49 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> associating
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associating -> associated
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associated -> 4-way handshake
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: 4-way handshake -> completed
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful.  Connected to wireless network '97home'.
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: config -> ip-config (reason 'none') [50 70 0]
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCPv4 transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Dec 29 12:17:51 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> dhclient started with pid 30691
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed nbi -> preinit
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed preinit -> reboot
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   address 192.168.1.112
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   prefix 24 (255.255.255.0)
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   gateway 192.168.1.1
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   nameserver '24.226.1.93'
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   nameserver '24.226.10.193'
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   nameserver '24.226.10.194'
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info>   domain name 'cgocable.net'
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Configure Commit) scheduled...
Dec 29 12:17:52 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Commit) started...
Dec 29 12:17:53 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Clearing nscd hosts cache.
Dec 29 12:17:53 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: ip-config -> activated (reason 'none') [70 100 0]
Dec 29 12:17:53 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Policy set '97home' (wlan0) as default for IPv4 routing and DNS.
Dec 29 12:17:53 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) successful, device activated.
Dec 29 12:17:53 pilotLaptop NetworkManager[27284]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Commit) complete.
Dec 29 12:17:55 pilotLaptop nm-dispatcher.action: Script '/etc/NetworkManager/dispatcher.d/nfs' exited with error status 2.
#4

On 12/29/2012 06:16 PM, pilotmm wrote:
>
> After a network crash:

One complaint: A crash is when your computer cannot continue. You merely had a
network connection dropout. That is quite a different thing.

> Code:
> --------------------
>
> 2235.642042] wlan0: no IPv6 routers present
> 2257.729446] SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT IN=wlan0 OUT= MAC= SRC=fe80:0000:0000:0000:a86a:76ff:fedb:5c19 DST=ff02:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:0000:00fb LEN=84 TC=0 HOPLIMIT=255 FLOWLBL=0 PROTO=UDP SPT=5353 DPT=5353 LEN=44
> 2271.211076] ieee80211 phy0: wlan0: No probe response from AP 00:22:6b:8a:27:15 after 500ms, disconnecting.

Here is the indication that the network is disconnecting. For some reason, the
handshaking between your AP and the BCM4312 was lost.

FYI, those “SFW2-INext-DROP-DEFLT…” messages are to/from UDP port 5353 and are
multicast DNS messages. Are there Windows boxes on your network?

One output that was not shown is the strength of the connection, which can be
gotten from ‘sudo /usr/sbin/iwlist scan’ or ‘/usr/sbin/iwconfig’ when the
connection is up.

The BCM4312 is unlikely to be stable enough to keep the connection up for a
week, but it should be better that you are seeing. The fundamental problem is
that Broadcom has never released any specifications for their devices. The only
reason that there are any open-source drivers for them is a complicated
reverse-engineering process, which has not been highly successful for the LP PHY
found in that device.

It has been some time since I used my BCM4312, but I will give it a trial again.

#5

On 12/29/2012 06:59 PM, Larry Finger wrote:
> It has been some time since I used my BCM4312, but I will give it a trial again.

I have tested my BCM4312 by running a ping session for almost 15 hours. During
that time, not a single packet was dropped. With iwconfig, My signal strength is

Link Quality=70/70 Signal level=-35 dBm

When you reply, please list the full ‘iwlist scan’ output. Perhaps there is
strong interference.

#6

Hello lwfinger

            Thanks a tonne for your help. I am pleased that your bm4312 has been working so well. My lack of responses is a from my traveling. I only use the Internet when I have access to a wired connection. 

            Here is my output for iwconfig:


eth0      no wireless extensions.

lo        no wireless extensions.

wlan0     IEEE 802.11bg  ESSID:"MetcalfeHome3"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.437 GHz  Access Point: 34:EF:44:5F:5B:79   
          Bit Rate=12 Mb/s   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry  long limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=70/70  Signal level=-10 dBm  
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:47   Missed beacon:0
#7

Then this is the output from iwlist:


wlan0     Scan completed :
          Cell 01 - Address: 34:EF:44:5F:5B:79
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=70/70  Signal level=-5 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"MetcalfeHome3"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a64fe10fc1
                    Extra: Last beacon: 72ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000D4D657463616C6665486F6D6533
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B0C12961824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
          Cell 02 - Address: 34:EF:44:22:DC:81
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=18/70  Signal level=-92 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL774"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000003a584175c27
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1127ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C373734
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0102
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
          Cell 03 - Address: 54:04:A6:8F:A5:D2
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=67/70  Signal level=-43 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"Little Green Frog"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a65183c14f
                    Extra: Last beacon: 992ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00114C6974746C6520477265656E2046726F67
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AEE1117FFFF0000010000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1601000700000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3E0100
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101830003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B05040040127A
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4307000000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555300010B10
                    IE: Unknown:  DD8F0050F204104A0001101044000102103B00010310470010BC329E001DD811B286015404A68FA5D2102100154153555354654B20436F6D707574657220496E632E1023000A57505320526F757465721024000752542D4E3536551042000830303030303030301054000800060050F20400011011000F415355532057505320526F75746572100800020084103C000101
          Cell 04 - Address: B8:A3:86:51:45:C4
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=28/70  Signal level=-82 dBm  
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"dlink"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a68536cfdf
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1107ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0005646C696E6B
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1E
                    IE: Unknown: 200100
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AEF1103FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000406E6E70D00
                    IE: Unknown: 331AEF1103FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000406E6E70D00
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1601001500000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 341601001500000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 4A0E14000A002C01C800140005001900
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101820003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: DD0900037F01010000FF7F
                    IE: Unknown:  DD810050F204104A0001101044000102103B00010310470010B9687C481DD111B294748B07111777A810210006442D4C696E6B1023000D442D4C696E6B20526F75746572102400074449522D363135104200046E6F6E651054000800060050F2040001101100074449522D363135100800020084103C0001011049000600372A000120
          Cell 05 - Address: D8:6C:E9:12:C9:EB
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=23/70  Signal level=-87 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL762"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a64ffa0153
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1088ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C373632
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B14
                    IE: Unknown: 33082001020304050607
                    IE: Unknown: 33082105060708090A0B
                    IE: Unknown: DD270050F204104A0001101044000102104700102880288028801880A880D86CE912C9EB103C000101
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0106
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A6E1016FFFFFF0001000000000000000000000000030000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1601000600000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 4A0E14000A002C01C800140005001900
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B05010017127A
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4300000000
          Cell 06 - Address: 00:22:2D:76:3F:19
                    Channel:2
                    Frequency:2.417 GHz (Channel 2)
                    Quality=28/70  Signal level=-82 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"XOXOOM"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a64ef90c02
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1025ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0006584F584F4F4D
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030102
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A6E1017FFFF0000010000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1602000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3E0100
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : TKIP CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B050000D3127A
                    IE: Unknown: 4A0E14000A002C01C800140005001900
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4304000000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B10
          Cell 07 - Address: 28:10:7B:61:1E:0C
                    Channel:3
                    Frequency:2.422 GHz (Channel 3)
                    Quality=26/70  Signal level=-84 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BPCA"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000003384d8a1143
                    Extra: Last beacon: 1004ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000442504341
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030103
                    IE: Unknown: 32048C98B060
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555349010B1E
                    IE: Unknown: DD130050F204104A00011010440001021041000100
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010002
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0106
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AEE1117FFFF0000010000000000000000000000000C1846470900
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1603050000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 4A0E14000A002C01C800140005001900
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B0500000D127A
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4317000000
          Cell 08 - Address: 68:7F:74:5C:90:27
                    Channel:3
                    Frequency:2.422 GHz (Channel 3)
                    Quality=23/70  Signal level=-87 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"deadarm"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s
                              36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a651008001
                    Extra: Last beacon: 997ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00076465616461726D
                    IE: Unknown: 010482848B96
                    IE: Unknown: 030103
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 200100
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A6E001EFFFF000001000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 32080C1218243048606C
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1603050400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD1E00904C336E001EFFFF000001000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD1A00904C3403050400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : CCMP TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101030003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: DD050050F20500
                    IE: Unknown: DD0E0050F204104A0001101044000102
                    IE: Unknown: DD050009860100
          Cell 09 - Address: D8:6C:E9:0F:A9:F6
                    Channel:4
                    Frequency:2.427 GHz (Channel 4)
                    Quality=34/70  Signal level=-76 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL197"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=00000146a7205145
                    Extra: Last beacon: 518ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C313937
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030104
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B14
                    IE: Unknown: 33082001020304050607
                    IE: Unknown: 33082105060708090A0B
                    IE: Unknown: DD270050F204104A0001101044000102104700102880288028801880A880D86CE90FA9F6103C000101
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010006
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A6E1016FFFFFF0001000000000000000000000000030000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1604050000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 4A0E14000A002C01C800140005001900
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B05000008127A
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4300000000
#8

iwlist output continued:


          Cell 10 - Address: 90:F6:52:AE:28:8C
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=38/70  Signal level=-72 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"JWMAIN"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=00000013accd0ec2
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00064A574D41494E
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A4C101BFFFF000000000000000000000100000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606000400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 11 - Address: 00:25:3C:A1:25:39
                    Channel:7
                    Frequency:2.442 GHz (Channel 7)
                    Quality=41/70  Signal level=-69 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL081"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a64faf0181
                    Extra: Last beacon: 448ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C303831
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030107
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
          Cell 12 - Address: 92:F6:52:AE:28:8C
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=39/70  Signal level=-71 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"JWGUEST"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=00000013accd2351
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00074A574755455354
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A4C101BFFFF000000000000000000000100000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606000400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 13 - Address: 0A:72:CF:4F:6C:D5
                    Channel:5
                    Frequency:2.432 GHz (Channel 5)
                    Quality=20/70  Signal level=-90 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"WNN Free WiFi Secure"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              11 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000046ff1cadf
                    Extra: Last beacon: 820ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0014574E4E2046726565205769466920536563757265
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B0C12961824
                    IE: Unknown: 030105
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0102
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101850002A4400027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
          Cell 14 - Address: 92:F6:52:AE:28:7E
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=33/70  Signal level=-77 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"JWGUEST"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=0000000b439f3d86
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00074A574755455354
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A4C101BFFFF000000000000000000000100000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606000400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 15 - Address: 00:18:F8:5E:37:1F
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=31/70  Signal level=-79 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                              24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a652665183
                    Extra: Last beacon: 364ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0006000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 2F0104
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
                    IE: Unknown: DD090010180201F5000000
          Cell 16 - Address: 34:EF:44:F9:D9:09
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=34/70  Signal level=-76 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL674"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a64fc1c181
                    Extra: Last beacon: 362ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C363734
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
          Cell 17 - Address: B8:C7:5D:07:8A:3D
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=34/70  Signal level=-76 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"Sameer and Patrick's Network"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a65065d19d
                    Extra: Last beacon: 460ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 001C53616D65657220616E64205061747269636B2773204E6574776F726B
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 050400030000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1E
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AAD511BFFFFFF0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606001100000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101010003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: DD0700039301750320
                    IE: Unknown: DD070017F203020180
                    IE: Unknown: DD0E0017F20700010106B8C75D078A3D
          Cell 18 - Address: 90:F6:52:AE:28:7E
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=34/70  Signal level=-76 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"JWMAIN"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=0000000b439f1df3
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00064A574D41494E
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A4C101BFFFF000000000000000000000100000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606000400000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 19 - Address: BA:C7:5D:0A:0E:20
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=26/70  Signal level=-84 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"Redline's Guest Network"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000c894eb1803
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00175265646C696E652773204775657374204E6574776F726B
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1E
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AAD511BFFFFFF0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606001300000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101020003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: DD1700039301750008000EB8C75D0A0E2D06B8C75D0A0E2E95
                    IE: Unknown: DD070017F203020180
#9

iwlist continued:


          Cell 20 - Address: B8:C7:5D:0A:0E:2D
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=26/70  Signal level=-84 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"Redline Management's Network"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000c894ee9cad
                    Extra: Last beacon: 428ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 001C5265646C696E65204D616E6167656D656E742773204E6574776F726B
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 050402030008
                    IE: Unknown: 0706434120010B1E
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AAD511BFFFFFF0000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1606001300000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101010003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: DD1700039301750120000EB8C75D0A0E2D06B8C75D0A0E2E95
                    IE: Unknown: DD070017F203020180
          Cell 21 - Address: 00:0F:66:A5:8B:92
                    Channel:6
                    Frequency:2.437 GHz (Channel 6)
                    Quality=30/70  Signal level=-80 dBm  
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"linksys"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                              24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a6524d5672
                    Extra: Last beacon: 620ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00076C696E6B737973
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
                    IE: Unknown: 030106
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 2F0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
                    IE: Unknown: DD06001018020305
          Cell 22 - Address: 68:7F:74:D5:EF:54
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=46/70  Signal level=-64 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BoobooBG"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                              24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a6511db257
                    Extra: Last beacon: 112ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0008426F6F626F6F4247
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0102
                    IE: Unknown: 2F0102
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
                    IE: Unknown: DD7A0050F204104A00011010440001021041000100103B000103104700100313AB028C82AA15E99EB8C511AD51FF10210005436973636F1023000D4C696E6B7379732045333030301024000776312E302E30311042000234321054000800060050F20400011011000D4C696E6B737973204533303030100800020084
                    IE: Unknown: DD090010180201F0040000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 23 - Address: 68:7F:74:D5:EF:56
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=31/70  Signal level=-79 dBm  
                    Encryption key:off
                    ESSID:"Booboo-guest"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                              24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a6511dfc5c
                    Extra: Last beacon: 95ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000C426F6F626F6F2D6775657374
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B962430486C
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0102
                    IE: Unknown: 2F0102
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C121860
                    IE: Unknown: DD090010180201F0040000
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101800003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
          Cell 24 - Address: 00:22:2D:18:10:59
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=34/70  Signal level=-76 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"Tully"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 22 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s
                              36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a651040b58
                    Extra: Last beacon: 109ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000554756C6C79
                    IE: Unknown: 010582848B962C
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0103
                    IE: Unknown: 32080C1218243048606C
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : TKIP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
          Cell 25 - Address: AC:81:12:EE:C0:B4
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=30/70  Signal level=-80 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"BELL092"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=000000a6377bd5c9
                    Extra: Last beacon: 130ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 000742454C4C303932
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 33082001020304050607
                    IE: Unknown: 33082105060708090A0B
                    IE: Unknown: 050400010000
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0106
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A0C0017FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D160B000500000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 0B05020042127A
                    IE: Unknown: DD1E00904C330C0017FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD1A00904C340B000500000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4304000000
          Cell 26 - Address: 00:22:6B:6B:F1:57
                    Channel:11
                    Frequency:2.462 GHz (Channel 11)
                    Quality=25/70  Signal level=-85 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"MnM"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 9 Mb/s
                              18 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:6 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 24 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=0000002452fa165f
                    Extra: Last beacon: 74ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 00034D6E4D
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B961224486C
                    IE: Unknown: 03010B
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0104
                    IE: Unknown: 32040C183060
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1AEC0117FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D160B000700000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3E0100
                    IE: WPA Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : TKIP CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : TKIP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (2) : TKIP CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F2020101000003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 7F0101
                    IE: Unknown: DD07000C4307000000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B10
                    IE: Unknown: DD1E00904C33EC0117FFFF0000000000000000000000000000000C0000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD1A00904C340B000700000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD820050F204104A0001101044000102103B000103104700102880288028801880A88000226B6BF1571021000C4C696E6B73797320496E632E102300095752543136304E76321024000776322E302E3032104200033030381054000800060050F2040001101100114C696E6B737973205752543136304E7632100800020084103C000101
#10

Hi lwfinger

       So once again thanks a tonne for all the help. Note that I am in a different location now than when I first posted, however I am getting the same problems. When I first posted there were only 3 other networks and I was at a desk with the access point underneath. At the location I am at now there are a lot more access points, but the one I am connecting to is above my head. 

       Thanks for testing your wireless card. With my computer I can perform pings for hours at a time. It seems to be more intensive network activity that throws it off. ssh and rsync will last an hour or so. Where as web pages and other html will last a minute or two. Could you test your adapter loading web pages? Thanks!!

pilot

#11

Hi lwfinger (and others)

       I am curious whether my problems have something to do with drivers. There seems to be three ways to get this  adapter working. There is the wl manufacturer driver, then the b43  driver that you get once you run the install_bm43xx_firmware, then there  is the ndis wrapper approach. Could you please tell me what you used for a driver (and what you recommend). If you get better connections with your adapter I would like to copy your set-up.

Thanks a tonne!
pilot

#12

On 01/01/2013 04:16 PM, pilotmm wrote:
>
> Hi lwfinger (and others)
>
> I am curious whether my problems have something to do with
> drivers. There seems to be three ways to get this adapter working.
> There is the wl manufacturer driver, then the b43 driver that you get
> once you run the install_bm43xx_firmware, then there is the ndis
> wrapper approach. Could you please tell me what you used for a driver
> (and what you recommend). If you get better connections with your
> adapter I would like to copy your set-up.

I am the one that does the reverse engineering for the BCM43xx adapters. I would
NEVER run either wl or ndiswrapper as long as an open-source driver is
available. Why would I want to taint my kernel?

#13

Summarizing your iwlist posting:


Cell 01  Channel:6 Signal level=-5 dBm  ESSID:"MetcalfeHome3"
Cell 02  Channel:1 Signal level=-92 dBm  ESSID:"BELL774"
Cell 03  Channel:1 Signal level=-43 dBm  ESSID:"Little Green Frog"
Cell 04  Channel:1 Signal level=-82 dBm  ESSID:"dlink"
Cell 05  Channel:1 Signal level=-87 dBm  ESSID:"BELL762"
Cell 06  Channel:2 Signal level=-82 dBm  ESSID:"XOXOOM"
Cell 07  Channel:3 Signal level=-84 dBm  ESSID:"BPCA"
Cell 08  Channel:3 Signal level=-87 dBm  ESSID:"deadarm"
Cell 09  Channel:4 Signal level=-76 dBm  ESSID:"BELL197"
Cell 10  Channel:6 Signal level=-72 dBm  ESSID:"JWMAIN"
Cell 11  Channel:7 Signal level=-69 dBm  ESSID:"BELL081"
Cell 12  Channel:6 Signal level=-71 dBm  ESSID:"JWGUEST"
Cell 13  Channel:5 Signal level=-90 dBm  ESSID:"WNN Free WiFi Secure"
Cell 14  Channel:6 Signal level=-77 dBm  ESSID:"JWGUEST"
Cell 15  Channel:6 Signal level=-79 dBm  ESSID:"\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00"
Cell 16  Channel:6 Signal level=-76 dBm  ESSID:"BELL674"
Cell 17  Channel:6 Signal level=-76 dBm  ESSID:"Sameer and Patrick's Network"
Cell 18  Channel:6 Signal level=-76 dBm  ESSID:"JWMAIN"
Cell 19  Channel:6 Signal level=-84 dBm  ESSID:"Redline's Guest Network"
Cell 20  Channel:6 Signal level=-84 dBm  ESSID:"Redline Management's Network"
Cell 21  Channel:6 Signal level=-80 dBm  ESSID:"linksys"
Cell 22  Channel:11 Signal level=-64 dBm ESSID:"BoobooBG"
Cell 23  Channel:11 Signal level=-79 dBm ESSID:"Booboo-guest"
Cell 24  Channel:11 Signal level=-76 dBm ESSID:"Tully"
Cell 25  Channel:11 Signal level=-80 dBm ESSID:"BELL092"
Cell 26  Channel:11 Signal level=-85 dBm ESSID:"MnM"

There are a lot of APs in your neighborhood! The most I ever see is 12 or 13,
and 5 of them are mine.

My thoughts are as follows:

  1. That -5 dBm from your AP “MetcalfeHome3” is very strong. I have not seen
    those kind of strengths. For example, my strongest AP has a strength of -24 dBm,
    and it is only 2 feet from my computer. I worry that that signal might get
    distorted.

  2. You have a lot of interference on channel 6. You might not know, and a lot of
    your neighbors clearly do not, but wifi channels are not like TV. The channels
    are 5 MHz apart, but each transmission covers at least 20 MHz in width for
    802.11g, and 40 MHz for 802.11n. If you do the math, cells 6-21 all interfere
    with you. Most of them are weak, but that is a lot of interference.

I suggest the following two actions: (1) Try reducing the strength by moving the
computer a little bit further from the AP, and (2) switch to channel 11 to
reduce the interference.

#14

I am also having a similar problem on my Dell Latitude e6530.


Linux hostname 3.7.1-2-desktop #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Dec 27 09:08:21 UTC 2012 (ae1c592) x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux



03:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4313 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [14e4:4727] (rev 01)
        Subsystem: Dell Device [1028:0015]
        Kernel driver in use: bcma-pci-bridge

Here’s my AP from iwlist


          Cell 01 - Address: "AP MAC"
                    Channel:1
                    Frequency:2.412 GHz (Channel 1)
                    Quality=24/70  Signal level=-86 dBm  
                    Encryption key:on
                    ESSID:"MyNetwork"
                    Bit Rates:1 Mb/s; 2 Mb/s; 5.5 Mb/s; 11 Mb/s; 6 Mb/s
                              9 Mb/s; 12 Mb/s; 18 Mb/s
                    Bit Rates:24 Mb/s; 36 Mb/s; 48 Mb/s; 54 Mb/s
                    Mode:Master
                    Extra:tsf=0000014049337acf
                    Extra: Last beacon: 5077207ms ago
                    IE: Unknown: 0005454C414E32
                    IE: Unknown: 010882848B960C121824
                    IE: Unknown: 030101
                    IE: Unknown: 200100
                    IE: IEEE 802.11i/WPA2 Version 1
                        Group Cipher : CCMP
                        Pairwise Ciphers (1) : CCMP
                        Authentication Suites (1) : PSK
                    IE: Unknown: 2A0100
                    IE: Unknown: 32043048606C
                    IE: Unknown: DD180050F20201010A0003A4000027A4000042435E0062322F00
                    IE: Unknown: 2D1A8C131BFFFF000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 3D1601080800000000000000000000000000000000000000
                    IE: Unknown: DD0900037F01010000FF7F
                    IE: Unknown: DD0A00037F04010000000000
                    IE: Unknown: 0706555320010B1B

Works fine on small loads on the adapter, but if I start downloading updates or a large file, the wireless adapter will sometimes stop moving any data and I have to reconnect to my AP. This happens frequently enough that I now update over a wired connection, because I have to reconnect at least 6 or 7 times to get through a large “zypper up”.

I don’t give it time to disconnect itself from the AP, I just disconnect it through KDE’s NetworkManager and then immediately reconnect.

Eric

#15

The reported RSSI " Signal level=-86 dBm" is probably the cause here, especially if there are competing signals around. For reference, mine is typically -52dBm, and my closest neighbour’s wifi at around -89dBm. Significant interference, or weak signals will substantially drop throughput or cause the connection to drop.

#16

I am not buying it. I have a Latitude E6500 with an Intel Wifi Card that can sit right next to the laptop having connection problems and have no issues, even doing the same updates at the same time since they are both running 12.2 and have the same repos configured. Something else is wrong. It even happens if I am sitting two feet away from my AP.

My Nintendo WII, Nintendo DS, Windows Laptop (Dell Latitude 5410) with an Intel Card in it, and my Dell Latitude E6500 (running 12.2) with an Intel card and the two smart phones my wife and I use have no problems with the wifi at my house, just the laptop with the broadcom card and running 12.2.

Eric

#17

My HP Compcaq 6710b laptop uses the following wireless chipset:

10:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Broadcom Corporation BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n [14e4:4328] (rev 03)
        Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Controller [103c:1367]
        Kernel driver in use: b43-pci-bridge

With openSUSE 11.4, I used the wl driver without any issues, and since upgrading to 12.2, I’m now using the b43 driver without any issues at all. FWIW, I work as a field engineer for a wireless internet company, and frequently have to connect to 802.11a,b, and n networks with my laptop. I don’t experience the problems you’re describing, albeit that I’m using a different chipset.

#18

One other suggestion: You could experiment a little by changing channels on your AP to see if that makes a difference.

#19

@Eric Davis: This b4313 thread thread may be of interest to you. Perhaps the wl driver is worth trying. You’ll need to install the broadcom-wl package and follow the steps to blacklist the other driver first.

#20

Hi lwfinger

          Thanks for your help and answering all my questions. I appreciate your efforts to improve wireless drivers for the Linux kernel.

          I have adjusted the channel for the AP and it did make a difference. However I am still loosing a connection every second or third web-page load. I can still browse web pages without too much annoyance. I just do not get that snappy response I am use to. I guess that is the best I can expect out of my adapter. 

          I am curious what software controls the handshaking routine. Is that all in the driver or is there a wireless module that is driving the module? It seems strange that the device has to be reconnected when it misses a hand-shaking? Could it not be re-programmed to retry the hand shaking routine? Just some curiosities.

Take Care
Mike