topic Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption in M and MSM Series

MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

Jussiu — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:31:24 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to figure out why we are having rotten performance in accessing our internal fileserver with the following setup:

6xMSM422 access points

1xMSM710 controller

Running 5.7.0.3

About 50 mac clients (plus iphones, ipads etc).

All controllers+clients+aps in the same subnet. Two vsc's (internal and guest) with the guest network only allowed to talk to the system gateway. n/a on radio 1, b/g on radio 2, wpa2 preshared key, band steering etc.

We were getting very nice performance to the external network, and there are no issues with that. Clients connect mainly to the n-network (thanks to band steering) and an appropriate ap.

But we just cant get any performance to the local fileserver. 3MB/s seems to be the best I can get (testing from a mac client iperf to the servers iperf server).
We tried all kinds of shenanigans, starting with droppng one ap to autonomous mode and methodically going through most settings. And I noticed that if I disabled WPA (so running with no authentication / encryption) I could easily get 12-15 MB/s performance. While still not 300Mbit/s, it's a very different proposition to work with files from the server if the link is 15MB/s than 3MB/s.

My question is: what am I doing wrong? I understand that enabling encryption will add some overhead, but 500% seems excessive to me. Surely WPA is not expected to perform this badly, so I am doing something wrong? Would I need to run a radius server for the wireless?

Any hints or ideas are welcome. I can post more info on the VSC settings tomorrow, but there really is nothing special there. I even ran the same tests with the default VSC from the AP when i moved to autonomous mode (just enabling/disbaling the wireless protection), and the results were the same.

/jussi

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

tschaps — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:57:10 GMT

You've done pretty good troubleshooting but I'd do two more things next:

1- it sounds like you've only tested this with Mac clients. I'd do a few tests with Windows just to rule out it being anything to do with Macs (IT folks tend to use that tired old excuse if they don't know how to solve a problem).

2- get an older version of the software for the APs (i.e. 5.5.3) and load that on the autonomous AP and repeat your tests. I have a major issue with 5.7.0.3 right now that is immediately resolved by reverting an autonomous AP to 5.5.3. Though my issue is different from yours, it sounds like 5.7.0.3 might have more problems.

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

Jussiu — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:24:19 GMT

Hi,

downgrading the FW did not help

Tests without WPA2:

corebook:~ jussi$ iperf -c XX.XX.XX.XX -f M -t 30 -i 3
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.XX, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 4] local XX.XX.XX.XX port 60668 connected with XX.XX.XX.XX port 5001
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bandwidth
[ 4] 0.0- 3.0 sec 53.9 MBytes 18.0 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 3.0- 6.0 sec 57.2 MBytes 19.1 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 6.0- 9.0 sec 54.4 MBytes 18.1 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 9.0-12.0 sec 57.1 MBytes 19.0 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 12.0-15.0 sec 56.2 MBytes 18.8 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 15.0-18.0 sec 55.6 MBytes 18.5 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 18.0-21.0 sec 53.6 MBytes 17.9 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 21.0-24.0 sec 54.8 MBytes 18.2 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 24.0-27.0 sec 44.5 MBytes 14.8 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 0.0-30.0 sec 542 MBytes 18.1 MBytes/sec

Tests with WPA2-psk enabled.

corebook:~ jussi$ iperf -c XX.XX.XX.XX -f M -t 30 -i 3
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.XX, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 4] local XX.XX.XX.XX port 60816 connected with XX.XX.XX.XX port 5001
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bandwidth
[ 4] 0.0- 3.0 sec 9.50 MBytes 3.17 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 3.0- 6.0 sec 9.38 MBytes 3.12 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 6.0- 9.0 sec 9.12 MBytes 3.04 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 9.0-12.0 sec 9.00 MBytes 3.00 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 12.0-15.0 sec 9.00 MBytes 3.00 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 15.0-18.0 sec 5.38 MBytes 1.79 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 18.0-21.0 sec 4.12 MBytes 1.38 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 21.0-24.0 sec 7.62 MBytes 2.54 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 24.0-27.0 sec 9.25 MBytes 3.08 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 27.0-30.0 sec 9.25 MBytes 3.08 MBytes/sec
[ 4] 0.0-30.0 sec 81.8 MBytes 2.72 MBytes/sec

No other changes were done between the tests.

I'll continue troubleshooting, testing with a Radius-server etc.

/jussi

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

Jussiu — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:26:40 GMT

Here is the output when I test iperf from the AP to the fileserver:

------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.XX, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 16.0 KByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 5] local XX.XX.XX.XX port 32774 connected with XX.XX.XX.XX port 5001
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bandwidth
[ 5] 0.0-10.0 sec 37.1 MBytes 31.0 Mbits/sec

/jussi

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

cenk sasmaztin — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:46:59 GMT

hi please test..

one cable client on your network mac/windows etc.

running

iperf -s command with iperf server

connect two mac or windows clientes only one 422 (autonoumus mode non authentication)

each wireless client running same time iperf -c iperfserverip -P 1 -i 2 -p 5001 -f m -t 500

command and start file transfer from iperf server to wireless client.

please say me iperf result...

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

cenk sasmaztin — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:48:30 GMT

file size must be 1,5-2GB

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

Jussiu — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:06:01 GMT

This is the output with WPA off, machine 1:

iperf -c XX.XX.XX.20 -P 1 -i 2 -p 5001 -f m -t 500
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.20, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 3] local XX.XX.XX.89 port 49165 connected with XX.XX.XX.20 port 5001
[ ID] Interval       Transfer     Bandwidth
[ 3] 0.0- 2.0 sec 3.62 MBytes 15.2 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 2.0- 4.0 sec 11.8 MBytes 49.3 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 4.0- 6.0 sec 9.38 MBytes 39.3 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 6.0- 8.0 sec 8.00 MBytes 33.6 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 8.0-10.0 sec 6.38 MBytes 26.7 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 10.0-12.0 sec 5.75 MBytes 24.1 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 492.0-494.0 sec 7.25 MBytes 30.4 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 494.0-496.0 sec 8.00 MBytes 33.6 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 496.0-498.0 sec 7.25 MBytes 30.4 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 498.0-500.0 sec 7.25 MBytes 30.4 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 0.0-500.0 sec 2079 MBytes 34.9 Mbits/sec
Done.

This is the output with WPA off, machine 2:

iperf -c XX.XX.XX.20 -P 1 -i 2 -p 5001 -f m -t 500
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.20, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 4] local XX.XX.XX.185 port 55612 connected with XX.XX.XX.20 port 5001
[ ID] Interval       Transfer     Bandwidth
[ 4] 0.0- 2.0 sec 12.0 MBytes 50.3 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 2.0- 4.0 sec 6.50 MBytes 27.3 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 4.0- 6.0 sec 6.00 MBytes 25.2 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 6.0- 8.0 sec 13.2 MBytes 55.6 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 8.0-10.0 sec 30.9 MBytes   129 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 10.0-12.0 sec 31.6 MBytes   133 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 484.0-486.0 sec 21.8 MBytes 91.2 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 486.0-488.0 sec 22.4 MBytes 93.8 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 488.0-490.0 sec 24.6 MBytes   103 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 490.0-492.0 sec 26.2 MBytes   110 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 492.0-494.0 sec 25.8 MBytes   108 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 494.0-496.0 sec 24.6 MBytes   103 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 496.0-498.0 sec 24.8 MBytes   104 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 0.0-500.0 sec 6129 MBytes   103 Mbits/sec
Done.

Same test with WPA2 on, machine 1:

iperf -c XX.XX.XX.20 -P 1 -i 2 -p 5001 -f m -t 500
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.20, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 3] local XX.XX.XX.89 port 49187 connected with XX.XX.XX.20 port 5001
[ ID] Interval       Transfer     Bandwidth
[ 3] 0.0- 2.0 sec 1.12 MBytes 4.72 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 2.0- 4.0 sec 1.50 MBytes 6.29 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 4.0- 6.0 sec 1.75 MBytes 7.34 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 6.0- 8.0 sec 2.12 MBytes 8.91 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 8.0-10.0 sec 1.88 MBytes 7.86 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 10.0-12.0 sec 1.75 MBytes 7.34 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 12.0-14.0 sec 2.12 MBytes 8.91 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 486.0-488.0 sec 1.62 MBytes 6.82 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 488.0-490.0 sec 0.75 MBytes 3.15 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 490.0-492.0 sec 1.38 MBytes 5.77 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 492.0-494.0 sec 0.75 MBytes 3.15 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 494.0-496.0 sec 1.62 MBytes 6.82 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 496.0-498.0 sec 2.12 MBytes 8.91 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 498.0-500.0 sec 2.12 MBytes 8.91 Mbits/sec
[ 3] 0.0-500.1 sec   434 MBytes 7.28 Mbits/sec
Done.

Same test with WPA2 on, machine 2.

iperf -c XX.XX.XX.20 -P 1 -i 2 -p 5001 -f m -t 500
------------------------------------------------------------
Client connecting to XX.XX.XX.20, TCP port 5001
TCP window size: 0.13 MByte (default)
------------------------------------------------------------
[ 4] local XX.XX.XX.185 port 56096 connected with XX.XX.XX.20 port 5001
[ ID] Interval       Transfer     Bandwidth
[ 4] 0.0- 2.0 sec 5.50 MBytes 23.1 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 2.0- 4.0 sec 4.62 MBytes 19.4 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 4.0- 6.0 sec 4.75 MBytes 19.9 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 6.0- 8.0 sec 4.12 MBytes 17.3 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 8.0-10.0 sec 4.12 MBytes 17.3 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 10.0-12.0 sec 4.25 MBytes 17.8 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 12.0-14.0 sec 3.62 MBytes 15.2 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 490.0-492.0 sec 2.88 MBytes 12.1 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 492.0-494.0 sec 3.88 MBytes 16.3 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 494.0-496.0 sec 2.75 MBytes 11.5 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 496.0-498.0 sec 2.88 MBytes 12.1 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 498.0-500.0 sec 2.88 MBytes 12.1 Mbits/sec
[ 4] 0.0-500.0 sec   800 MBytes 13.4 Mbits/sec
Done.

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

cenk sasmaztin — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:13:43 GMT

Tank you for test I have some performance issue MSM product (430-460)

I want ask a few questions

1-your machine mac or windows

2-can you transfer iperf server to client 2GB file on each machine

Re: MSM422 / MSM710 / Bandwidth issues / WPA2 encryption

cenk sasmaztin — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:03:24 GMT

I want ask a few questions

1-your machine mac or windows

2-can you transfer iperf server to client 2GB file on each machine