Dell 3300 - AC8265 - Suggested Intel PROset / Driver ?

[asafayan1]

I've inherited an environment which, unfortunately, was very poorly architect'ed.  While we look long term at redesigning it - I'm going to start with the Dell Latitude 3300s which have Intel AC8265 WLAN adapters running Windows 10. 

My question is -  has anyone found a stable PROset / driver version for this Intel adapter that gives our clients the best possible wireless stability?  

[marce1000]

  https://www.dell.com/community/Dell-Community/ct-p/English

  M.

[asafayan1]

I didn't ask for a link to the Dell community forums. I've already posted there. Your response is unhelpful. Go elsewhere.

[marce1000]

 https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html

 M.

[patoberli]

We use the latest drivers of the last around 12 months for this adapter without any issues. In other words, I don't know of a bad release in the last 12 months, all of them seem to be working well.
What issues are you facing on your clients?
What software version is installed on the WLC/AP? There were a few bugs in the past with some Intel adapters, that were fixed in the somewhat current WLC software releases.

[asafayan1]

Hi Patoberli,

If you are using the AC8265 - would you mind sharing what PROset version / driver version you have standardized on?  We are seeing exactly the same symptoms identified in this blog:

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Issues-with-new-Intel-Wireless-AC-8265-card-in-a-Dell-XPS-13/m-p/7326589#M30490

[patoberli]

I work at a university, so there are probably around 20 different releases in use :) No complaints in the last 12 months that I can remember.

On the somewhat newer devices (that we manage), we usually install the current version from the laptop manufacturer at the current time of installation. So far working well for use.



Important, your WLC software should be somewhat up to date, which release are you using?

[asafayan1]

We had a previous engineer who convinced management to migrate our wireless environment to Fortinet (MERU). So we replaced most of our Cisco WLC / APs with a Fortigate running v.6.05.

[patoberli]

Ah okey, then I can't really help.

Things to consider, 802.11k/v/r are known to cause issues, if the firmware of the AP and driver of the WLAN adapter is not in good condition. It's always a good test to disable those and check if everything works well.