RT-AX86 log issues Hi, As you may recall, I’ve finally updated the RT-AX86U router to the latest firmware and all seems to work although had noticed some strange log activity. Initially, I turned...

[kev2021]

Hi,

As you may recall, I’ve finally updated the RT-AX86U router to the latest firmware and all seems to work although had noticed some strange log activity.

Initially, I turned off roam assist which reduced a lot of the issues but I’ve been noticing some more issues.

Mainly, I’m seeing repeated issues with the same MAC address continuously switching from eth6 to eth7.  I’m basically seeing the below lines:-

eth6: MAC address Auth

eth6: MAC address reassoc

eth6: MAC address deauth

eth6: MAC address deauth

eth7: MAC address disassociate

eth7: MAC address Auth

eth7: MAC address reassoc

eth7: MAC address deauth

eth7: MAC address deauth

eth7: MAC address disassociate

kernel: Wl0: random key value: <random string of characters>

 

then it repeats… how can I resolve this one?

 

On a separate/linked note:-

I have just updated my RT-AX86S as everything seemed to largely go ok with the RT-AX86U so decided to go ahead, however on that one I’m seeing a issue with another MAC address on eth5 which I thought was port 5 of which the MAC is different so I’m assuming eth5 on the RT-AX86S is in fact WIFI (maybe 2.4) it too keeps associating and disassociating. Now this is a slight concern as the RT-AX86S by default after a reboot on the router is using 75% of RAM and this appears to be slowly going up and the log is constantly repeating the same lines.  Not a issue on the RT-AX86U as memory is only at 49% so plenty of head room but the RT-AX86S is virtually hitting 80% now so bit more of a concern as I don’t want to need to reboot it every day or so.

On the plus side, everything seems to be working as before, I haven’t been able to pin down the MAC address to what it is as it doesn’t show in list of connected devices, not even when it is Auth and associated.  I thought it was port 4 on router so I unplugged it btu it still kept reporting eth5 so eth5 cant’ be port 4 on the back of the router. So slightly lost as to what it is.  I’ve checked my mobile/tablet devices, its not the Nest or sockets I have so not sure what it is. That one though isn’t switching between different eth ports, it continue connects and drops from eth5 and I’ve not changed any passwords, SSIDs etc.. as everything else has re-connected as before just this one entry.  Also mentioned hostapd I think I the log in relation but I tried to look that up and didn’t get too far. I’ve turned off roam assist on the 86S too so try make them both match as much as possibly but the AX86U has some diff settings to the 86S so can’t make totally like for like as some options don’t exist.

Any suggestions at all?

Thanks

Kevin

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Error on RT-AX86S in log is:-

eth5: Auth

eth5: Assoc

hostapd: eth5: STA <mac address> IEEE 802.1X: authentication failed – EAP type: 0 (unknown)

eth5:deauth

then repeats….

Thanks

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

kev2021 wrote:

Mainly, I’m seeing repeated issues with the same MAC address continuously switching from eth6 to eth7.  I’m basically seeing the below lines:-

Have you enabled ‘ Wireless MAC filter’ as eth6 and eth7 are your radios I think ?

kev2021 wrote:

hostapd: eth5: STA IEEE 802.1X: authentication failed – EAP type: 0 (unknown)

Try typing nvram get sta_phy_ifnames CMD as see what this tells us about which  ‘ethx’ ports are your actual wifi ports ?

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Hi,

No Wireless MAC filter enabled for either 2.4 to 5ghz.

I’ll check on the vmram as I have a desktop PC so not connected wirelessly so command doesn’t work.

I’ll try it on a laptop when i get a chance and see what it says, most of my wireless stuff is IoT or phones/tablet.

Thanks

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

kev2021 wrote:

I’ll check on the vmram as I have a desktop PC so not connected wirelessly so command doesn’t work.

I’ll give that a try myself in the morning via ethernet, as I would have thought it does not matter how you connect to router ?

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

So dug out my DSL-AX82U and was able to Telnet (SSH is an option also) to the DSL-AX82U via both a wired and wireless connection and run the nvram get sta_phy_ifnames CMD

maybe you have not fully enabled Telnet under Administration > System > Service

 

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Hi,

Thanks, SSH wasn’t enabled…

So for the AX86U, it shows eth6 eth7.

Will check on the 86S and let you know.

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

On the AX86S, it shows eth5 eth6.

So I guess it is wireless and not the port 4 on the router..

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

kev2021 wrote:

So I guess it is wireless and not the port 4 on the router..

Does look that way, as AX86S shows eth5 eth6 which are your radios

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

Liked by:

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Thanks, certainly interesting :)

So no nearer to solution for why it keeps jumping lol

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

To recap. (I forget easily)

AX86S shows eth5 eth6 for radios

AX86U shows eth6 eth7 for radios

kev2021 wrote:

Mainly, I’m seeing repeated issues with the same MAC address continuously switching from eth6 to eth7.  I’m basically seeing the below lines:-

So now we know for the RT-AX86U which ethx ports are the radios, this verifies that the duplicate MAC address is wifi radio related, does this happen with any other devices and what is this actual device (iPhone maybe) ?

Also, does the log give any indication as to IP address or addresses of the device that seems to be switching between wifi radios.

Also, double check the duplicate MAC Address hitting eth6 eth7  are exactly the same as both Android and iOS does have a security feature called MAC Address Randomization.

https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1044277/

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

The other consideration I suppose is do you have a repeater installed anywhere as this can cause issues via WDS ? but a long time ago since i last seen an issue with WDS ?

I wonder also if you are using  ‘smart connect’ as this would allow the jumping between wifi radios if the device is on the move etc.

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Hi,

Smart connect is off on both routers.

AX86U = no repeater, just a separate access point (Netgear) that’s out of range of wifi.

AX86S = no repeater or anything, just the router is all.

Yes are same mac addresses as mentioned it literally hits one eth then disassociates and then assoc to tother eth and repeat.

For the ax86U = this was a watch, for the AX86S I’ve not been able to find the mac address it listed on any mobile/tablet device and my nest stuff is all connected and the smart sockets so I’m not too sure what exactly that device is.

But it doesn’t show in the table of connected devices so can’t find much about it.  Also can’t see a obvious way to determine if its trying to connect to my Guest WIFI or main WIFI.

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[UK Sentinel]

No idea. but I seem to remember you have or are going to have a complicated main network and 2nd wifi network configured, 2nd wifi network which connects to home assistant via virtual server etc. and maybe a switch (HP) ?

As long as you are getting no disconnects etc, lost cause that one for myself

Share the knowledge

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

You need to login in order to vote

[kev2021]

Hi,

Thats the plan but in reality none of it has happened lol.

Setup for AX86U is:-

AX86U:-

Can’t remember exactly what ports are conencted but effiectively:-

Port 1 connects to 1 x HP switch, all ports in house patch to the HP switch

Port 2 connects to a Humax TV box (used to be BTView box but got rid of it)

port 3 connects to VOIP gigaset box (100mb max)

Everythign else conencts wirelessly on AX86U

1 cable from HP switch has a Netgear AP connected for where the AX86U doesn’t reach to provide wifi.

 

AX86S

1 cable to HP switch, all lan ports conenct to that in property

1 cable to VOIP gigaset box

everything else connects wireless to the AX86S, no other accesspoints etc.

 

So in terms of setup, pretty basic setup.

From what i can tell RE the VLAN idea, I’d have to buy the AX86 Pro (or different router with VAN capability).  One option would be to sell the AX86S and replace with the Pro but had a quick look on ebay and doesn’t seem like they are going for an awful lot (auctions wise) and judging by I’ve not bought them that long ago, can’t really justify the cost to buy it. Need to check also if the 86 Pro does do vlans as in can assign port 2 to a diff vlan etc or if its planned but not implemented yet.

Kev

Share the knowledge

You need to login in order to vote

[Author]

Posts