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#1 2011-09-05 12:11:11

cjparsons1
Member
Registered: 2011-09-05
Posts: 4

Flaky wireless network access with repeated arp requests

I'm finding that the responsiveness of web browsing on the internet is intermittent when my laptop is connected to my company's wireless network. The problem may be theirs but I think it's more likely to be mine.

I'm running a Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8191SEvB Wireless LAN Controller. Behaviour seems the same whether I'm using wicd or wpa_supplicant for the association management.

The device can associate and then behaves normally but very often web page requests will hang, apparently waiting for a response from the server.

If I do a "ping" then a sporadically get "destination unreachable".

I ran tshark and I see repeated ARP requests for the IP address of the default gateway for the interface.

If I check the arp cache using the "arp" command or by cat /proc/net/arp then I get something like

10.1.240.1       0x1         0x2         00:15:60:ec:11:40     *        wlan0

I checked this while the repeated ARP requests are being sent out and the entry is apparently in the cache even at  the time ARP requests are being sent out. The requests seem to be sent out most of the times I request a web page and are repeated about once per second.

Here are a sample of the tshark lines, showing just my ARP requests and the responses when they come

 10.470010 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
 11.473418 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
 12.476658 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
 15.469953 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
 15.471957 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
 15.472006 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
 94.483318 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
 95.486612 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
101.843308 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
102.846644 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
103.849969 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
105.836610 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
106.839988 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
107.843325 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
108.849991 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
109.853321 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
110.856655 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
113.853277 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
114.856654 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
115.859986 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
118.859942 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
119.863323 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
120.866654 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
123.863321 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
124.866657 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
124.878552 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
124.878607 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
226.896619 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
227.899952 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
228.903306 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
230.086647 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
231.089973 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
232.093323 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
233.099956 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
234.103301 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
235.106636 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
237.686662 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
238.689979 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
239.693318 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
240.699982 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
241.703375 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
242.706642 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
243.766628 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
244.769964 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
245.773291 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
246.896637 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
247.899965 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
248.903297 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
249.909959 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
250.013340 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
313.136655 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
314.139943 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
315.143307 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
317.126664 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
318.129947 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
319.133321 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
320.140040 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
321.143318 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
322.146642 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
323.793307 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
324.796636 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
325.799978 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
327.893307 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
328.896649 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
329.899978 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
331.359968 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
332.363307 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
333.366644 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
334.826597 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
335.829965 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
336.833288 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
338.293303 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
339.296650 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
340.299974 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
343.353300 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
344.356646 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
345.359986 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
345.712781 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
483.989935 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
484.993256 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
485.996610 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
487.146599 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
488.149941 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
489.153277 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
490.186576 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
491.189941 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
492.193268 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
493.199905 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
494.203266 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
495.206602 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
496.606600 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
497.609936 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
498.613271 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
499.979940 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
500.983268 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
501.986603 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
503.153237 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
504.156601 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
505.159938 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
508.209945 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
509.213267 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> Broadcast    ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153
509.233385 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
509.233443 HewlettP_ec:11:40 -> LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 ARP 60 10.1.240.1 is at 00:15:60:ec:11:40
588.256594 LiteonTe_bb:2b:43 -> HewlettP_ec:11:40 ARP 42 Who has 10.1.240.1?  Tell 10.1.240.153

Obviously many of the ARP requests are not replied to, but I guess the router may have filtering enabled that doesn't respond to the same host within a given period?
During the time when the repeated ARP requests are being sent I see other traffic in wireshark for other hosts, so I don't think the whole link is going down in the period when the repeated ARP requests are being sent (but I guess the Tx part of the link might be).

I'm using Linux 3.0.4-1

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#2 2011-09-06 11:36:18

cjparsons1
Member
Registered: 2011-09-05
Posts: 4

Re: Flaky wireless network access with repeated arp requests

Update: I think the problem is flaky wireless Tx and Rx, which just manifested itself with repeated ARP requests visible in wireshark. I'm hoping a future kernel driver update will help.

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#3 2012-08-06 07:31:12

raintonr
Member
Registered: 2012-08-06
Posts: 2

Re: Flaky wireless network access with repeated arp requests

FWIW I have this exact same experience with an X220 (1x1 b/g/n Realtek adapter) laptop that am travelling with. I can boot into Win7 and connect to most WiFi access points, but find the Linux driver (FC17, latest kernel) to be very problematic. This is annoying as obviously I'd rather be in Linux big_smile

Same as the OP, I see multiple ARP transmissions asking for 'who has <gateway IP>?'. Interestingly trying to manually adjust ARP table has no real effect.

Why would the Realtek driver in Linux be so bad when in Windows this device works perfectly? sad

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#4 2012-08-13 16:24:14

cjparsons1
Member
Registered: 2011-09-05
Posts: 4

Re: Flaky wireless network access with repeated arp requests

FWIW I no longer have this problem. I only ever had it with one network, my personal laptop on the visitor network at work. They made an update to the firmware on the wireless access points and things got a lot better. I'm not sure if they're perfect (I got work laptop so don't need my personal one as much). I'm using kernel 3.4.7.

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#5 2012-08-13 21:40:33

raintonr
Member
Registered: 2012-08-06
Posts: 2

Re: Flaky wireless network access with repeated arp requests

Oh well sad

I'm glad your issue is solved but I cannot blame hardware in either the laptop or router as things work well under Windows. I only found this topic through Google and will post a report on the Fedora Bugzilla. For anyone who stumbles across this here it is:

https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=847875

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