Intel 2200BG + MN54GR4 + PSP mode Options

[ocular]

Had this problem with my wireless connection with my ASUS M5200N Notebook/Intel 2200BG when in battery mode where the connection was unstable, Seems it is something to do with Power saving Polling mode. Intel suggests that the access point may not implement this feature properly.

Previously documented problem here

http://www.minitar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1119

See
http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/...205-prd1637.htm

Can the next MN54GR4 Bios address this issue if it is really a MN54GR4 implementation of PSP mode problem.

After 3 weeks of persistence documenting and seeking support from Intel/Asus a google search "2200BG power settings" seemed to bring up the answer.

Thanks for looking into this SM.

[serialmonkey]

Done a bit of googling myself, appears that Intel are claming that multiple AP"s out there that arn't their own are implementing PSP correctly - but I can't find information exactly on what is incorrect. Have you spotted anything a bit more technical that we may be able to forward to the engineer's ?

S.

[ocular]

Apparently CAM and PSP are part of the 802.11 standard but can't find any detail about it.

Can this problem be reproduced by others using 2200BG and a MN54GR4? Need to make sure its not a just a dud 2200BG in my machine.

The intel 21003B uses PSP and it doesn't seem to have any problems with the MN54GR4. I notice that other brands of AP devices can have a centrino certified sticker!

I can ask the Intel techo if they can forward any technical stuff that may help. Does minitar want to jump thru the hoops and become "centrino certified"?

[ocular]

I agree it does seem difficult to find details on wireless standards. WiFi Alliance (http://www.wi-fi.org) seems to run some sort of certification program to encourage interoperability, but this involves more than just goodwill at $25,000US per year to be a member.

[screwball]

hmmm thats just a little too much goodwill for my standards.

However bigger companies with bigger budgets I am sure will be able to afford that.

An no... we will not get a "centrino certified" sticker on our units. Originally when the centrino's came out they worked with nothing but centrino's and it took them a software update before any other companies WLAN would work with them.

So our units work with Centrino gear..it should work with any WLAN gear as long as they follow the 802.1X standard. No Sticker is required for it to work.

SB

[ocular]

OK I have just tested another notebook (Medion 42200 with Intel 2200BG) with two different minitar MN54GR4. This notebook has winxp SP2 and doesn't use Intel Proset.

In battery mode browsing times out on non local sites, changing to AC mode and browsing has no time outs. The pings are 14ms but the connection doesn't seem to drop out, like with my other 2200BG notebook with PSP mode.


Have you guys at Minitar managed to get around to testing a Intel 2200BG equiped notebook with a MN54GR4 and reproduced these findings?

[serialmonkey]

I havn't been able to find anyone with one of those laptops unfortunatly as of yet.

S.

[ocular]

I have continued exploring this issue. Removed my MN54GR4 and managed to get another brand "G" AP device.

With the new AP device , both Centrino notebooks have no difficulty browsing (no page timeouts) and wireless connection is stable.

The ping times are still change from 1ms to 14ms when notebook is in battery mode, but there is no noticeable decline in performance.

Hopefully you can get hold of a centrino notebook with a 2200BG and confirm these findings. This would be appear to be a intel/centrino + MN54GR4 issue rather than a specific notebook brand issue. Dell/Sony/IBM/Asus all have centrinos.

I have limited understanding of how to objectively measure wireless connection stability and performance other than observing ping times/file transfer/browsing speed/connection duration. Any suggestions on ?any software that may help analyse this more objectively.

[ocular]

I have managed to get some information about PSP implementation on Centrino wireless from Intel support
You can have this checked by engineering.

"There are two methodologies of PSP implementation. Both use the same
method for the client to indicate it is going to sleep state - a null
data packet with the power save bit set to indicate to the access point
that it should begin buffering data for the client adapter. Differing
is the signaling to the AP the client has awoken and is desiring the
buffered data to be sent. One way is to interrogate the TIM and use a
PS-poll packet exchange to bring the data to the client should the TIM
indicate data is buffered. The other is to not use a PS-poll packet,
but rather another null data packet with the power save bit not set to
indicate to the access point to transfer buffered data to the client.
Centrino uses the second method (null data packet, not PS-poll packet)
as it is somewhat more efficient. An AP should be able to interoperate
with clients using either methodology. Also realize that even in CAM
mode, PSP is used. When the adapter goes off channel during scanning,
it indicates to the AP to buffer data for it via PSP. And do be aware
that Centrino's PSP mode varies with whether it is on AC mains or
battery power when PSP is set to AUTO. The 2100 adapter is in PSP1 on
AC, and PSP3 on battery. The 2200BG and 2915ABG adapters are in CAM on
AC, and PSP3 on battery. The greater the PSP number, the longer the
adapter is asleep."

Hopefully this can lead to a firmware upgrade.

[serialmonkey]

Thanks for that - it will be passed to the engineers.

S.

[ocular]

Any news about this issue?

[serialmonkey]

Hi ocular,

The last thing I have on my support ticket is that I PM'd you asked for a backup of your router settings (i.e. in a file). Im starting to thing this PM may have gotten lost (most likely like me it gets picked up by a spam filter).

The engineers are still looking into it but if you could email me your router backup settings file it would be great.

Regards,
S.

[ocular]

Backup details sent via email from one of my MN54G4R units. I can send the backup from the other ( work) unit if required.

Thanks for following this up.

[serialmonkey]

Got your email. Thanks.

S.

[ennior]

Have a centrino laptop with Intel 2200BG wireless lan and am experiencing similar problems to those reported by Ocular. Also noticed a few postings on the overclockers.com.au forum indicating others might also be experiencing the problems.

Has there been any progress in resolving the issue?