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[rob_t]

I have 2 N mode access points - a DAP-1522 which runs on 5GHz and a Buffalo (don't remember the model number, maybe GRZ300N?) on 2.4GHz. Both access points use the same SSID and WPA2 with AES encryption (and the same PSK). (Ie this is setup to allow wireless roaming between the 2 access points).

With the previous firmware, the DSM-750 reliably connected to the 5GHz access point, although the signal strength reported by the DAP-1522 is only 50%.

I just updated my wireless DSM-750 to firmware 1.02. I noticed I now get 2 items in the station list with my SSID (where I'm sure there used to be only 1 before). By experimenting I determined that the top item was the 2.4GHz Buffalo. I was able to connect to that with no problem. I could tell which access point I was connected to be which had the flashing lights while watching a movie (I also yanked the ethernet cable out the back to prove the point...)

As I have some 802.11g devices I wanted to get the media player back on the 5GHz band where it used to be. I tried selecting the second station with my SSID, but I just couldn't get it to connect.

The DAP-1522 shows:

Dec 18 00:49:26    [Wireless]4-way handshake success:STA 00:18:E7:51:52:43
Dec 18 00:49:26    [Wireless]Association Sucess:STA 00:18:E7:51:52:43

in the log, but the DSM-750 never managed to make the connection to the DHCP server, and never gets an IP address. The DSM-750 eventually timed out. I tried setting the DSM-750 to static addressing and configured the IP addresses for my network and it still times oud, and if I selected "retry" it timed out immediately instead of waiting the minute or so.

I switched off the Buffalo access point and then the DSM-750 was able to make a connection and is now running OK. (I had tried at least 10 times to connect before, and the failure was "solid", so I don't think it's coincidence that shutting off the Buffalo made a difference). I have since restarted the DSM-750 while both access points were on, and it seems to maintain it's connection to the DAP-1522 now. (One is on 2.4GHz the other 5GHz, so this is not a wireless interference problem, and I didn't have this problem in the previous firmware.)

By the way - this configuration does show one problem. With the wireless settings page it is impossible to tell access points apart, and as the player does not seem to "roam" to the fastest automatically, it would be helpful to be able to tell which is which in the listing. (Wireless configuration on some multi-band D-Link wireless cards shows the band and channel of the access points which would be a nice feature for the DSM-750).

[ECF]

I assume you have the SSID the same on both access point for your roaming setup. I could see how this could be an issue for the DSM-750 if they are both broadcasting the same SSID as this device does not support roaming. I would recommend powering down you buffalo AP (as you did) then associate the DSM-750 with the DAP-1522 so it can associate with the MAC address and store this information then power on the buffalo AP perhaps you will not see weirdness in your connection. It seems the DSM-750 stores the Mac address and SSID and will connect to that address each time it is started it does not support roaming as this device is designed to be stationary.

[leeladisky]

Whether the device (DSM-xxx's) is designed to be stationary or not is a bit irrelevant.  Point being that there are OTHER devices in the OP's network (and mine) which NEED roaming (i.e., wireless laptops, IPODs, Mobile phones, etc.) that are NOT stationary and, therefore, use roaming.  For the DSM-750 to NOT support roaming means that other devices will have issues when an entire physical/logical configuration needs to be changed to support a single device.  The N standard clearly should be adopted in whole, not in part, to maintain functionality with other devices in the infrastructure.

-=> Stepping down from the soap box.

L

[rob_t]

Actually, after a bit more usage, it's not "weirdness" it's plain broken!

Since installing the 1.02 firmware I have seen the wireless configuration screen too many times! I am fed up with entering my (long and secure) wireless password to only have the unit not able to connect. When connected the connection drops out again for no apparent reason, even when just sitting idle.

By the way, the fact that the unit doesn't support roaming is not a problem, so long as it can coexist properly in an environment that uses roaming (ie multiple access points in view with the same SSID and passwords) , but if it's binding to a MAC address, I'd like to be able to see that on the screen where I pick the access point (it's only showing the SSID which is not unique in a roaming environment).

I wonder how the people who have D-Link's dual band routers are managing? They don't have an easy option for turning off the 2.4GHz radios...

[ECF]

Thank you for your information and pointing this out I will forward this to be investigated by product management to see if it can be improved in the next firmware update. As for the D-Link dual band routers you can disable either band if you want on them and typically you do not broadcast the same SSID on the 2.4Ghz band and the 5Ghz band. One is used for Media steaming and the other data so haven't seen an issue with this device and the dual band routers.