Wifi works for some devices but not others on same access point

[gsk]

Hi All,

 

I have a Ruckus network with 10 ZF7363 APs and a ZoneDirector 1100. All of which are out of support. I have a number of laptops now that won't get an IP address when connected to certain access points and won't communicate to the AP if I assign the laptop a static IP address.

 

Even though the laptops don't pick up DHCP addresses, I can see on the ZD that their mac address is associated to the correct AP. If I walk down the corridor it will automatically roam (which the ZD logs) and pick up an address and be ok. Then when I go back to the affected AP it drops out again and loses its IP. This is affecting 3 laptops so far. They have a mixture of wireless cards - Centrino N 2200, Intel 8265ac, and Intel 9260ac. All three laptops are running Windows 10 1903 with updates completed. All are Intel i3, 4th Gen, 7th Gen and 8th Gen.

 

I'm typing this from a MacBook connected to one of the affected APs, while a PC next to me is plugged in to the APs pass-through ethernet and a number of other devices around me are connected and working fine.

 

If anyone can help figure out what's going on, I would appreciate it.

[mavhc]

So there's 1 or more APs that have this problem, but not with all laptops? And no updates on anything recently?

 

You could run wireshark on the laptop for clues, but it's tricky.

 

Have you swapped 2 APs a working and dodgy one, to check it's not the cable/power to the AP in that location?

[chazzy2501]

Not familiar with the Rucus system but I've had similar issues with our APs not forwarding multicast packets properly. Check to see if you're blocking Multicast or broadcast packets on that AP or the switch leading to the AP. Make sure the switch hasn't assigned that port as a client device. (STP / Port fast setting)

 

edit: correction

Edited March 2, 2020 by chazzy2501

[gsk]

So there's 1 or more APs that have this problem, but not with all laptops? And no updates on anything recently?

 

You could run wireshark on the laptop for clues, but it's tricky.

 

Have you swapped 2 APs a working and dodgy one, to check it's not the cable/power to the AP in that location?

 

I've tried putting a new r510AP up which has fixed the problem for 1 of the three affected devices. I thought about wireshark and then remembered I don't have a clue how to do anything useful with it.

[gsk]

Not familiar with the Rucus system but I've had similar issues with our APs not forwarding multicast packets properly. Check to see if you're blocking Multicast or broadcast packets on that AP or the switch leading to the AP. Make sure the switch hasn't assigned that port as a client device. (STP / Port fast setting)

 

edit: correction

 

The PoE switch was swapped recently as the old one was over its power budget and was making APs go down one after the other and then come back online in rotation! I'll check your suggestion. It is running the stock config though.

 

Thanks,

[SpaceInvader83]

I know you've probably looked at this but you've got the port for the AP's tagged up correctly for all your wireless SSID vlans?

[gsk]

I'm not back on-site until tomorrow, but will check the above suggestions then. That site doesn't have any VLANs. It's a small network and they don't have any CCTV or VOIP phones.

[chazzy2501]

if its a small network and you're using a cheapo switch with no VLANs sometimes the ARP tables can saturate and the switch can get all kinds of funny. Read the switch event logs.