topic Apple devices - low throughput in Wireless

Apple devices - low throughput

edgar.bermejo@itesm.mx — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 04:37:53 GMT

Hi guys!

Currently we have reports involving Apple devices. Low throughput is observed randomly. Devices does not disconnect from SSID. In fact, users can work normally until some activity demands more throughput (i.e Zoom or Teams meetings).

WiFi information from, for example a MacBookAir, show RSSI -58 dBm, Noise -90 dBm, Tx Rate 360 Mbps, PHY mode 802.11ac, MCS Index 9 and NSS 2. That information is the same from the perspective of the WLC.

Ran some test with iperf3 (server in same site, just one hop away) and we got around 40Mbps. But, if we repeat that test using a Windows laptop (connected to same AP and SSID with pretty much the same values for RSSI, Noise, NSS, etc) we got around 200Mbps.

After user manually disconnects from SSID and reconnects, throughput is now around 200Mbps. After some time (random), again we have 40Mbps.

SSID does not use FastLane or any other recommended setting for Apple devices. We have a mixed environment of devices and brands, so every device has the same conditions... just Apple devices (with different OS versions) are experiencing this issue.

Site 1 has WLC 8540 with 8.5.161.8

Site 2 has WLC 8510 with 8.5.171.0

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

Scott Fella — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 03:50:42 GMT

You should also include your ap model and your wlan settings so we can see what type of encryption you are using and what features are enabled. Have you tested with a new test ssid that is open and then again with a new ssid that uses PSK. This can help determine if maybe your wlan configuration is the issue.
When you say Apple Devices, you mean iPhone and iPads are having this issue also but no other devices.

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

Leo Laohoo — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 04:11:03 GMT

edgar.bermejo@itesm.mx wrote:

Currently we have reports involving Apple devices.

Only Apple devices? What about other Windows, Android?

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

edgar.bermejo@itesm.mx — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:02:56 GMT

Hi Scott.

We have different APs models, basically 3702 and 3802. Reports came from different areas with different AP models. For tets we are using model 3702.

Here is the WLAN configuration:

SSID	X-1
Status	Enabled
Interface	alumnos-macro
Multicast Interface	Not Configured
Beacon	Enabled
Radio Policy	802.11a and 802.11g only
L2 Policies	WPA2-Encryption: AES	Authentication: Dot1x	Key Caching: PMKID/OKC FT-Adaptive	FT Over DS: Disabled	Wifi Direct:Disabled
L3 Policies	None
Flex Policies	Flex Learn IP address Enabled
AAA Override	Enabled
Exclusion	0
Radius Profiling	Disabled/NA
Local Profiling	Enabled, Methods: HTTP
NAC	Disabled
Max Clients	Radio Max: 200
Session Timeout	43200
User Idle Timeout	Disabled
CHD	Disabled
ACLs	IPv4: unconfigured	IPv6: unconfigured
mDNS	EnabledProfile: default-mdns-profile
AVC	EnabledProfile: None
QOS	Silver
SSID Rate Limiting	Disabled/NA
Client Rate Limiting	Disabled/NA
Wired Tagging	802.1P (Tag=0)
Scan Defer	Priority: 4,5,6	Timer: 100
WMM	Allowed
Multicast Streaming	FALSE
Aironet Extensions	Disabled
Load Balancing	Disabled
Band Select	Enabled
MFP	MFP Client:Optional
Static Tunneling	Disabled
PMIPv6	none
NAS ID	none
Active Clients	35
Mu-Mimo	TRUE
Tunnel Profile	Unconfigured
ATF Policy	0
Lync State	FALSE
Audio QoS Policy	Silver
Video QoS Policy	Silver
App-Share QoS Policy	Silver
File Transfer QoS Policy	Silver

We will setup an open SSID and test, then a PSK SSID and test again.

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

edgar.bermejo@itesm.mx — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:04:30 GMT

Hi Leo. Thanks for answer. At the moment we do not have reports about Windows and Android devices.

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

edgar.bermejo@itesm.mx — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:06:07 GMT

About iPhones and iPads, yes we have reports but not chance to test and verify yet.

Re: Apple devices - low throughput

Scott Fella — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:03:42 GMT

Why do you have idle timer disabled? The idle timer should be kept at default which is 300. The idle timer must be lower than the session timer so having that disable makes the session timer higher. Give that a try when you are testing.
Again,test with an open ssid and the man a psk. You have to isolate the issue.