Realtek 8186 based CPEs

[babyface]

I have opened this thread to discuss the issues about realtek 8186 based CPEs. Usually, firmwares of 8186 products are derivated from the open source driver published by Realtek, so much of these products shows the same behaviours. I expect that we can solve the questions related to 8186 and routerOS working together .

[babyface]

Let’s go. I have two problems, at least are the only that I have detected for now. Routerboards are equiped with Compex WLM54AG23 and 17db/90º sector antennas.

1. WPA2 encryption doesn’t work. Log shows handshake timeout constantly, so I must use WPA PSK.

2. Very low signal levels in the connections. To use 802.11g is impossible, but 802.11b solves partially the problem. If I replace routerboard for a Linksys WRT54GL or Conceptronic C54APM, signal levels are much higher and the links are established at 24-48 mbps without stability problems.

For the second problem, MT support has recommended me to change ACK-timeout to indoors, and possibly Monday I will try it.

[broken]

I have many of RTL8186 Access Point Clients directly connected to MT (Atheros 5414) - many of them like Ovislink 5450/5450, Edimax EW-7206/7209, Minitar’s etc.etc works perfectly. I’ve never had any problems with MT based on Atheros. In early versions of firmware for Ovislink and Planet there was a bug with authentification and encryption (WPA-PSK), in the latest i’ve never expirenced such problems.

[babyface]

Today I have resolved the problems with WPA/WPA2.

If the the security profile has WPA and WPA2 selected, only WPA TKIP PSK can be used in CPE. So I have created a WPA2 AES CCM only profile and works apparently wothput problems.

broken, do you use 8186 cpes for long distance links or only indoors?

[oz_gr]

@broken

I have many of RTL8186 Access Point Clients directly connected to MT (Atheros 5414) - many of them like Ovislink 5450/5450, Edimax EW-7206/7209, Minitar’s etc.etc works perfectly. I’ve never had any problems with MT based on Atheros. In early versions of firmware for Ovislink and Planet there was a bug with authentification and encryption (WPA-PSK), in the latest i’ve never expirenced such problems.

@babyface

broken, do you use 8186 cpes for long distance links or only indoors?

just seen your topic while searchin, i use edimax 7206 , low cost , easy to configure , use them outdoors with pigtails within simple boxes. Never disappointed me! few days ago had a almost 4 miles link to hotspot; 60cm offset dish , 11dbi feed and DIY PoE =) signal is 21 , and the internet works quite good!

[2jarek]

True 802.11b works fine but 802.11g Edimax >> disconnect extensive data loss (SNR 30db)