12.04 wifi slow w/drop outs

[ssloanie]

I've tried googling and trying a few things myself (ignoring IPv6, turning off power management), but to no avail. I've gone from not even being able to load speedtest.net, to getting my advertised speed in spikes. I moved this weekend and have a new wireless router, but have never had trouble with wifi before on 12.04 and am getting good speed with my W7 partition. Wireless is either completely dropping out for minutes at a time before randomly coming back at decent speeds, then slowing down again before it drops entirely, rinse and repeat. Any ideas?

cat /etc/lsb-release; uname -a

DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=12.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=precise
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 12.04 LTS"
Linux ---------- 3.2.0-24-generic #39-Ubuntu SMP Mon May 21 16:52:17 UTC 2012 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux


lspci -nnk | grep -iA2 net

02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Atheros Communications Inc. AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express) [168c:002b] (rev 01)
Subsystem: AzureWave AW-NE785 / AW-NE785H 802.11bgn Wireless Full or Half-size Mini PCIe Card [1a3b:1089]
Kernel driver in use: ath9k
--
04:00.5 Ethernet controller [0200]: JMicron Technology Corp. JMC250 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller [197b:0250] (rev 03)
Subsystem: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Device [1043:1905]
Kernel driver in use: jme


lsusb

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 04f2:b1e5 Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd


iwconfig

lo no wireless extensions.

wlan0 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:"Gotham"
Mode:Managed Frequency:2.437 GHz Access Point: 00:1D:D2:45:67:30
Bit Rate=1 Mb/s Tx-Power=15 dBm
Retry long limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:on
Link Quality=46/70 Signal level=-64 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:1020 Invalid misc:26 Missed beacon:0

eth0 no wireless extensions.


rfkill list all

0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no


lsmod

Module Size Used by
bnep 18281 2
rfcomm 47604 0
bluetooth 180104 10 bnep,rfcomm
parport_pc 32866 0
ppdev 17113 0
snd_hda_codec_hdmi 32474 1
snd_hda_codec_conexant 62128 1
snd_hda_intel 33773 3
snd_hda_codec 127706 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_conexant,snd_hda_ intel
snd_hwdep 13668 1 snd_hda_codec
snd_pcm 97188 3 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_intel,snd_hda_codec
binfmt_misc 17540 1
snd_seq_midi 13324 0
snd_rawmidi 30748 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 14899 1 snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 61896 2 snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_timer 29990 2 snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 14540 3 snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
arc4 12529 2
joydev 17693 0
uvcvideo 72627 0
videodev 98259 1 uvcvideo
snd 78855 16 snd_hda_codec_hdmi,snd_hda_codec_conexant,snd_hda_ intel,snd_hda_codec,snd_hwdep,snd_pcm,snd_rawmidi, snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
ath9k 132390 0
mac80211 506816 1 ath9k
v4l2_compat_ioctl32 17128 1 videodev
i915 468764 9
ath9k_common 14053 1 ath9k
ath9k_hw 411112 2 ath9k,ath9k_common
psmouse 87692 0
serio_raw 13211 0
soundcore 15091 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 18529 2 snd_hda_intel,snd_pcm
drm_kms_helper 46978 1 i915
drm 242038 5 i915,drm_kms_helper
ath 24067 3 ath9k,ath9k_common,ath9k_hw
cfg80211 205544 3 ath9k,mac80211,ath
intel_ips 18089 0
i2c_algo_bit 13423 1 i915
jmb38x_ms 17646 0
memstick 16569 1 jmb38x_ms
mei 41616 0
video 19596 1 i915
mac_hid 13253 0
asus_laptop 24493 0
sparse_keymap 13890 1 asus_laptop
input_polldev 13896 1 asus_laptop
lp 17799 0
parport 46562 3 parport_pc,ppdev,lp
jme 41259 0
sdhci_pci 18826 0
sdhci 33205 1 sdhci_pci

[wildmanne39]

Hi, I suggest turning power management off permanently and please do:

echo "options ath9k nohwcrypt=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/ath9k.conf
sudo modprobe -rfv ath9k
sudo modprobe -v ath9k
Thanks

[ssloanie]

That seems to work temporarily. When it's connected, it's almost as speedy as I'm used to, but it still goes through drops where it takes a minute to load a page. Speedtest.net shows the download speed dropping and spiking the entire time (down as low as 0.02 mbs, to as high as 5.00 mbs - avg of 0.69 mbs), and even the highest spike isn't close to the speed I'm paying for (30 mbs).

[wildmanne39]

Hi, set your setting to match the screenshots.

Make sure your ethernet is unplugged or it will over ride the wireless connection.
Thanks

[ssloanie]

It's taking over a minute to load pages. No ethernet cable is plugged in, I'm just connected to wifi.

[wildmanne39]

Hi, please do:


sudo iwconfig wlan0 rate auto

gksudo gedit /etc/pm/power.d/wireless

(this will create or edit a configuration file that will override the default powermanagement behavior) and enter the following:
#!/bin/sh


/sbin/iwconfig wlan0 power off

above exit0, then save gedit, close and reboot.
Thanks

[ssloanie]

Did that, still slow (pages load very, very slowly; pidgin won't connect to any services, get a "connection reset by peer" error; dropbox loses connection repeatedly). For some reason


#!/bin/sh
/sbin/iwconfig wlan0 power off

was already there, I just had to add 'exit0' below it.

[wildmanne39]

Hi, please post the contents of:

gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/ath9k.conf
and output of:

sudo cat /var/log/syslog | grep -e ath -e firmware -e wpa -e wlan -e etork | tail -n55
Thanks

[ssloanie]

gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/ath9k.conf

options ath9k nohwcrypt=1


sudo cat /var/log/syslog | grep -e ath -e firmware -e wpa -e wlan -e etork | tail -n55

Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: unmanaged -> unavailable (reason 'managed') [10 20 2]
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): bringing up device.
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): preparing device.
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): deactivating device (reason 'managed') [2]
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan kernel: [ 16.543899] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlan0: link is not ready
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan dbus[948]: [system] Activating service name='fi.w1.wpa_supplicant1' (using servicehelper)
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan dbus[948]: [system] Successfully activated service 'fi.w1.wpa_supplicant1'
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> wpa_supplicant started
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: starting -> ready
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: unavailable -> disconnected (reason 'supplicant-available') [20 30 42]
Jul 29 21:51:50 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: ready -> inactive
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) starting connection 'Gotham'
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none') [30 40 0]
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none') [40 50 0]
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection 'Gotham' has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Jul 29 21:51:52 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: inactive -> scanning
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan wpa_supplicant[1160]: Trying to authenticate with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 (SSID='Gotham' freq=2437 MHz)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.488509] wlan0: authenticate with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 (try 1)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan wpa_supplicant[1160]: Trying to associate with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 (SSID='Gotham' freq=2437 MHz)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.490853] wlan0: authenticated
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.491164] wlan0: associate with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 (try 1)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> associating
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.500201] wlan0: RX AssocResp from 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 (capab=0xc11 status=0 aid=1)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.500206] wlan0: associated
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan wpa_supplicant[1160]: Associated with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan kernel: [ 19.507716] ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlan0: link becomes ready
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associating -> associated
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan wpa_supplicant[1160]: WPA: Key negotiation completed with 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 [PTK=CCMP GTK=TKIP]
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan wpa_supplicant[1160]: CTRL-EVENT-CONNECTED - Connection to 00:1d:d2:45:67:30 completed (auth) [id=0 id_str=]
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associated -> completed
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful. Connected to wireless network 'Gotham'.
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: config -> ip-config (reason 'none') [50 70 0]
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCPv4 transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed nbi -> preinit
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan dhclient: Listening on LPF/wlan0/74:f0:6d:34:1c:22
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan dhclient: Sending on LPF/wlan0/74:f0:6d:34:1c:22
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan dhclient: DHCPREQUEST of 10.0.0.3 on wlan0 to 255.255.255.255 port 67
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): DHCPv4 state changed preinit -> reboot
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Configure Commit) scheduled...
Jul 29 21:51:53 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Commit) started...
Jul 29 21:51:54 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): writing resolv.conf to /sbin/resolvconf
Jul 29 21:51:59 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> (wlan0): device state change: ip-config -> activated (reason 'none') [70 100 0]
Jul 29 21:51:59 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Policy set 'Gotham' (wlan0) as default for IPv4 routing and DNS.
Jul 29 21:51:59 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) successful, device activated.
Jul 29 21:51:59 sarahsloan NetworkManager[1063]: <info> Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IPv4 Commit) complete.

[ssloanie]

It seems it might be just that network? I am able to connect to a wireless hotspot from my phone just fine.

I tried giving the solution in this thread a go, but it didn't work, so I put it back as is:
http://208.74.204.149/t5/Home-Networking-and-Router-Help/Problems-Connecting-on-Ubuntu/td-p/1297015

[wildmanne39]

Hi, that is possible, and encryption should be wpa2 if possible and not mixed or wep, and try channel 1 or 11, that is all I know to do.
Thanks

[gordintoronto]

Install and run inSSIDer to get a map of channel usage at your new location. If someone in the next apartment has a router on the same channel as yours, there will be issues....

Can you turn off your phone, then turn on your router and your computer, and see if that makes any difference?