wifi network drops during the day - AIR-AP2802I-Z-K9

[remacamelo]

Deal All,

      I would like your help regarding a problem that has been going on for a long time. Many users at the company have complained that the WiFi connection on their laptop drops several times during the day. I have been monitoring some of these users and I see that their laptop is connected to a certain Access Point with many other users and only this laptop loses the connection and the others remain connected and after a while another user loses the connection to this same Acces Point.

Today we use Access Points model AIR-AP2802I-Z-K9. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be happening?

[balaji.bandi]

Do you have WLC (if yes, what WLC model and what Code running on it?)

AIR-AP2802I-Z-K9  - how is your network ? Only 1 AP  or several AP

is the issue only certain area ? all the users ?

what device model end  device Laptop, did you updated latest drivers, what frequency it connects ?

how about phone, they are ok ?

did the site have done site survey and postioned in the AP correct location.

check some troubleshooting tips :

https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless-mobility-knowledge-base/wifi-troubleshooting-cheat-sheet/ta-p/3108889

[sysadmin@cwcmh.org]

So you noticed that one AP is causing the drops right? Is one laptop dropping connection to that specific ap? or more than one user?

[Leo Laohoo]

If all the 2800/3800/4800 are rebooted, do the problem go away (for a few days/weeks)?

What is the wireless NIC of the laptops?  Are they Intel-based AX2xx or Realtek RTL88x?

[remacamelo]

Good day for all

@balaji.bandi sysadmin@cwcmh.org and @Leo Laohoo 

I am having this kind of problem is all offices (we have 3 offices). I have a lot of complaining from some users about this issue but I believe that the most of them got tired and no longer complain because I am not finding the real issue.  Follows below the reply about the @balaji.bandi questions:

Do you have WLC (if yes, what WLC model and what Code running on it?)

Yes, I do. The WLC is Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller and Software Version is 8.5.161.0

AIR-AP2802I-Z-K9  - how is your network ? Only 1 AP  or several AP

I have lot of APs according below:

Office 1- 39 APs

Office2- 22 APs

Office3- 8 APs

is the issue only certain area ? all the users ?

All users

what device model end  device Laptop, did you updated latest drivers, what frequency it connects ?

We have Dell laptops according below:

Latitude 5420 - NIC--> Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz

Latitude 5430 and 5440 - NIC--> Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX211 160MHz

how about phone, they are ok ?

We don't have physical phones in the office. 

did the site have done site survey and positioned in the AP correct location.

I hired Logicalis for one office, the others I had help from my internal network team.

[Rich R]

@remacamelo you did not answer some of the questions!

> what device model end  device Laptop, did you updated latest drivers, what frequency it connects ?
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19351/intel-wireless-wi-fi-drivers-for-windows-10-and-windows-11.html?wapkw=AX200
Are the clients connecting on 2.4GHz or 5GHz band (frequency)?
Have you run debugs on any of the affected clients to see what the WLC reports?

> Do you have WLC (if yes, what WLC model and what Code running on it?)
> Yes, I do. The WLC is Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller and Software Version is 8.5.161.0
Cisco 5500 could be 5508 (very old, end of support) or 5520 (newer)?
If 5508 you should upgrade to 8.5.182.11 (link below), if 5520 then should upgrade to 8.10.190.0 but depends on what AP models you are using.  Check the compatibility matrix link below.  What model are the APs?

Have you been through the best practice guide - particularly tuning the data rates (disable 802.11b completely)?
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-6/b_Cisco_Wireless_LAN_Controller_Configuration_Best_Practices.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-7/b_wireless_high_client_density_design_guide.html
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/technotes/8-3/b_RRM_White_Paper/rrm.html
This is tailored to Apple devices but much of it applies equally to all clients:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/access-points/enterprise-best-practices-ios-ipados-wp.html

[remacamelo]

Hello All,

I was oriented to disable the option "Fast Transition" in the SSID that I have problems to try solve the wifi drops issue. Do you think that this option can be causing the issue?

Is there any topic in this community relating any similar issue?

Thank you. 

[Rich R]

Yes that absolutely can cause problems so you can try disabling FT.

[remacamelo]

Hey @Rich R ,

Thank you for the reply. I will disable this option this weekend and monitoring the users during the week.

  I let you know the results.