Home wireless network trouble

jaydoc · 2010-02-26 07:56:26

I got a new wireless router, Netgear WPN824 from Newegg, a refurbished product. I set up a home wireless network using the online manual on the Netgear website. The router works well for the wired setup. But I could not connect to wireless.

My wireless network shows up on the list of available wireless networks. I can connect to other wireless networks such as that of my neighbour's. I tried connecting to my network using both unsecured and secure WEP / WPA modes. Except once, I could never connect. That one time, as soon as I could connect and verify that I was indeed connected I thought the problem was resolved and so shutdown my system to see if i could connect again - alas, same trouble again. I use NetworkManager to connect, and here's the output for two networks - jaydoc which is my home network, and linksys, that of my neighbour's to which i can always connect.

<info>  Activation (wlan0) starting connection 'Auto jaydoc'
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection 'Auto jaydoc' requires no security.  No secrets needed.
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'ssid' value 'jaydoc'
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'NONE'
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: set interface ap_scan to 1
Feb 26 02:37:04 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  disconnected -> scanning
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  scanning -> associating
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associating -> associated
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associated -> completed
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful.  Connected to wireless network 'jaydoc'.
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 5 -> 7 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCP transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  dhcpcd started with pid 2428
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) started...
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) complete.
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam dhcpcd: version 5.1.5 starting
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  DHCP: device wlan0 state changed normal exit -> preinit
Feb 26 02:37:05 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): DHCP transaction took too long, stopping it.
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam dhcpcd: received SIGTERM, stopping
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: removing interface
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): canceled DHCP transaction, dhcp client pid 2428
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <WARN>  nm_dhcp_manager_handle_event(): Received DHCP event from unexpected PID 2428 (expected 0)
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) started...
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 7 -> 9 (reason 5)
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) failed for access point (jaydoc)
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Marking connection 'Auto jaydoc' invalid.
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) failed.
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) complete.
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 9 -> 3 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:37:51 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): deactivating device (reason: 0).
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) starting connection 'Auto linksys'
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection 'Auto linksys' requires no security.  No secrets needed.
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'ssid' value 'linksys'
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'NONE'
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: set interface ap_scan to 1
Feb 26 02:39:08 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  disconnected -> scanning
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  scanning -> associating
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associating -> associated
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associated -> completed
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful.  Connected to wireless network 'linksys'.
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 5 -> 7 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCP transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  dhcpcd started with pid 2444
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) started...
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) complete.
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam dhcpcd: version 5.1.5 starting
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  DHCP: device wlan0 state changed normal exit -> preinit
Feb 26 02:39:09 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
Feb 26 02:39:17 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: offered 192.168.1.115 from 192.168.1.1
Feb 26 02:39:20 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: acknowledged 192.168.1.115 from 192.168.1.1
Feb 26 02:39:20 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: checking for 192.168.1.115
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: leased 192.168.1.115 for 86400 seconds
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  DHCP: device wlan0 state changed preinit -> bound
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) started...
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>    address 192.168.1.115
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>    prefix 24 (255.255.255.0)
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>    gateway 192.168.1.1
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>    nameserver '167.206.254.2'
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>    nameserver '167.206.254.1'
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) scheduled...
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Get) complete.
Feb 26 02:39:25 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) started...
Feb 26 02:39:26 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 7 -> 8 (reason 0)
Feb 26 02:39:26 Sarvam NetworkManager: <debug> [1267169966.595494] periodic_update(): Roamed from BSSID 00:1D:7E:4E:C1:D7 (linksys) to 00:13:10:43:D7:DE (linksys)
Feb 26 02:39:26 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Policy set 'Auto linksys' (wlan0) as default for routing and DNS.
Feb 26 02:39:26 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) successful, device activated.
Feb 26 02:39:26 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 5 of 5 (IP Configure Commit) complete.

Is the wireless router i got a dud, being refurbished i took my chances and maybe i wasn't so lucky..! Or is it something wrong in my network settings..? I tried shutting down everything and then turning the modem, then the router and finally the PC without the ethernet cable connected. Still I am unable to connect.

Any help is deeply appreciated. I am a total newbie in networking...!

Last edited by jaydoc (2010-02-26 07:57:15)

Sin.citadel · 2010-02-26 08:12:51

according to the log, wlan0 is connected and working, but for confirmation, show the output of

ifconfig wlan0

also, try to ping 192.168.1.1 and see if you can get a reply.

jaydoc · 2010-02-26 08:30:37

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1C:BF:59:3E:8B
          inet6 addr: fe80::21c:bfff:fe59:3e8b/64 Scope:Link
          UP Bwlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1C:BF:59:3E:8B
          inet6 addr: fe80::21c:bfff:fe59:3e8b/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:2274 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:2308 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:1191529 (1.1 Mb)  TX bytes:442362 (431.9 Kb)

That's the ifconfig output when i try to connect to my network, jaydoc, and fail. And no i could not ping 192.168.1.1, as network is unreachable.

@Sin.citadel - that log message in my first post has the output of 2 networks - one is jaydoc, my home network to which i can't connect and the other is linksys, my neighbour's to which i always am able to connect.

wlan0     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 00:1C:BF:59:3E:8B
          inet addr:192.168.1.115  Bcast:192.168.1.255  Mask:255.255.255.0
          inet6 addr: fe80::21c:bfff:fe59:3e8b/64 Scope:Link
          UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST  MTU:1500  Metric:1
          RX packets:2478 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0
          TX packets:2537 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0
          collisions:0 txqueuelen:1000
          RX bytes:1234637 (1.1 Mb)  TX bytes:492445 (480.9 Kb)

And i am able to connect to the wired ethernet connection using my Netgear router.

Last edited by jaydoc (2010-02-26 08:32:27)

Sin.citadel · 2010-02-26 08:56:38

The DHCP request was timed out, it means that your network jaydoc does not have a dhcp server to give out ip addresses and routes for network connectivity, you can either configure a dhcp server for network jaydoc (all wireless access point devices have it) and your network will work fine, or you can statically configure your network.

jaydoc · 2010-02-26 13:37:38

Router Status


Hardware Version     WPN824v3
Firmware Version    V1.0.7_1.0.8NA

Internet Port
MAC Address     00:1E:68:12:EB:1C
IP Address             [i]edited[/i]
DHCP             DHCP Client
IP Subnet Mask     255.255.252.0
Domain Name Server    167.206.254.2
                                167.206.254.1

LAN Port
MAC Address    00:1F:33:FF:97:FF
IP Address            192.168.1.1
DHCP            ON
IP Subnet Mask    255.255.255.0

Wireless Port
Name (SSID)    jaydoc
Region            United States
Channel            1
Mode                b and g
Wireless AP     ON
Broadcast Name     ON

that is what my router status is at the moment. and I am able to connect to the wired network using the router. However I still cannot connect wireless. I did not see any settings in the wireless settings page of the router that ask for DHCP server names/addresses. This is the current logfile output

Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) starting connection 'Auto jaydoc'
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 3 -> 4 (reason 0)
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) scheduled...
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <WARN>  nm_dhcp_manager_handle_event(): Received DHCP event from unexpected PID 2548 (expected 0)
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) started...
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) scheduled...
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 1 of 5 (Device Prepare) complete.
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  completed -> disconnected
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) starting...
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 4 -> 5 (reason 0)
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless): connection 'Auto jaydoc' requires no security.  No secrets needed.
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'ssid' value 'jaydoc'
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'NONE'
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) complete.
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Config: set interface ap_scan to 1
Feb 26 08:30:36 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  disconnected -> scanning
Feb 26 08:30:37 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  scanning -> associating
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associating -> associated
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): supplicant connection state:  associated -> completed
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0/wireless) Stage 2 of 5 (Device Configure) successful.  Connected to wireless network 'jaydoc'.
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) scheduled.
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) started...
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 5 -> 7 (reason 0)
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Beginning DHCP transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  dhcpcd started with pid 2730
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) scheduled...
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 3 of 5 (IP Configure Start) complete.
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) started...
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP6 Configure Get) complete.
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam dhcpcd: version 5.1.5 starting
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: rebinding lease of 192.168.1.115
Feb 26 08:30:38 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  DHCP: device wlan0 state changed normal exit -> preinit
Feb 26 08:30:48 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: broadcasting for a lease
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): DHCP transaction took too long, stopping it.
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam dhcpcd: received SIGTERM, stopping
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam dhcpcd: wlan0: removing interface
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): canceled DHCP transaction, dhcp client pid 2730
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) scheduled...
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <WARN>  nm_dhcp_manager_handle_event(): Received DHCP event from unexpected PID 2730 (expected 0)
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) started...
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  (wlan0): device state change: 7 -> 9 (reason 5)
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) failed for access point (jaydoc)
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Marking connection 'Auto jaydoc' invalid.
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) failed.
Feb 26 08:31:23 Sarvam NetworkManager: <info>  Activation (wlan0) Stage 4 of 5 (IP4 Configure Timeout) complete.

So if its still a DHCP problem, it seems to be affecting only the wireless part. How can I make wireless use the same DHCP servers as the wired..? Or is there something else wrong here..?

Sin.citadel · 2010-02-26 16:59:10

seems like dhcpcd is the culprit, there were a lot of posts here that dhcpcd was not working, they all recommended using dhclient instead of dhcpcd so maybe if if you used that your problem could go away.

if nothing works though, your last option would be to use static ip address for wlan0 interface

Last edited by Sin.citadel (2010-02-26 16:59:39)

jaydoc · 2010-02-27 08:52:24

@Sin.Citadel

well, i have no idea why, but my network is working now..!

i made 2 changes. made my network secure with WPA2, and changed channel 9 to channel 3. i was randomly trying every channel till this one worked. so far the wireless network has been on without breaking link for over 2 hrs.

i still haven't rebooted, and when i do that I will post on whether i was lucky enough to have the problem solved "forever"..!

... and i switched from openbox to GNOME - not that that would change anything...!

jaydoc · 2010-02-28 04:36:54

Ok. I waited to see if this behaviour is persistent, and it is. Everytime I reboot, i have to physically connect to the router, and reapply the wireless settings. After which the wireless network is able to connect without trouble. This is true also when I turn the wireless off and back on.

Is there something I can do abt this..?

Arch Linux

#1 2010-02-26 07:56:26

Home wireless network trouble

#2 2010-02-26 08:12:51

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#3 2010-02-26 08:30:37

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#4 2010-02-26 08:56:38

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#5 2010-02-26 13:37:38

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#6 2010-02-26 16:59:10

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#7 2010-02-27 08:52:24

Re: Home wireless network trouble

#8 2010-02-28 04:36:54

Re: Home wireless network trouble

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