I am trying to pass a multicast stream through a wireless PtP link using Nv2 standart. Actually, the link provides about 90mbps in desired direction.
As described in the wiki, if the multicast is sent from the station, the packets are sent at maximum speed with ACK to the AP. Some king as a regular unicast packet.
If the multicast is sent from the AP, the packet is transmited once to ALL stations (like a broadcast packet) without ACK at a basic rate with high power of the radio.
I tested it, and everything is as described in the wiki. But it makes no sense! Or makes sense only for very low multicast traffic, few packet per second.
When the multicast is transmitted from the station, the total bandwidth decreases dramatically to 50 mbps. No matter unicast or multicast. If the multicast is present - the link can not jump more than 50 mbps, even the status is showin negotiation at 150 mbps.
When the AP is transmitting the multicast, the things are even worst. The traffic drops to the almost lowest rate: 1-2 mbps. Actually, it depends of the setup of basic rates. So the maximum basic rate is 54mbs in “a” standart.
So, if you have 80mbps multicast streams - they will nevere pass the through the wireless link, even it is 90 mbps.
If you make the perfect link at 300 mbs - you still not be able to transfer more than 54mbps traffic including multicat.
I will glad to know, if there is any configuration that overrides these “features” described in the wiki and to fill the whole bandwidth with multicast packets ? Doesnt matter who is transmitting the multicast, ap or station, just to do not drop down the wireless speed.