R8000 - DD-WRT extremely poor performance

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gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
R8000 - DD-WRT extremely poor performance

Hi All,

I just bought R8000 and tried both stock and DD-WRT f/w

With stock I could get up to 800Mbps, however right after flashing router with dd-wrt f/w - I could not get over 250Mbps

Tried to play with the channels, features, but could not get anything better than this

I need SSH functionality so that was a reason I flashed it with dd-wrt, however stock seems way better

Anyone having the same issue?

Also I am comparing Asus AC2400 ac-87u with Netgear R8000 - seems as Asus is in way better condition, but still cannot decide which one I want to keep
I've got a big house and hoped new technology will provide me with the coverage. I also understand that R8000 is AC3200 whether Asus is AC2400. Is that a real implementation and I should keep R8000 or Asus is better and more stable?

Your response is highly appreciated as I need to return either of those routers soon back to the store 

Subhra
Subhra's picture
To get better performance you
  1. To get better performance you have to configure the wireless interface properly. Could you please share your wireless setting (Wirless interface name, Wireless Network Mode, Channel Width, Wireless Channel)?
  2. SSH functionality works with ddwrt firmware.
    For this you have to enable this from ddwrt WebUI (Services->Services->Secure Shell).
    If you want to have Remote SSH access (from wan side) you have to enable it additionally from ddwrt WebUI(Administration->Management->Remote Access->SSH Management).
gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Subhra

Hi Subhra
Thanks a lot for your response
Just to make an introduction - I am a network engineer with over 20 years of field experience, so we can move straight to the technical things
2.4Ghz - Channel 9/600Mbps/WPA2-PSK/AES
5Ghz - both channels merged with Smart Connect having the same SSID
First 5Ghz channel seats on 44/1300Mbs
Second 5Ghz channel seats on 153/1300Mbps
Both are WPA2-PSK/AES
No QoS
So on Stock f/w I am getting up to 702Mbps on my macbook pro retina 2014 (i believe that equipped with 3x3)
When I go to DD-WRT from Tathagata Das - I am barely getting 150Mbps on 5Ghz
That is the reason why I had to move back to stock release
I flashed dd-wrt as per instructions resetting NVRAM twice before and after flash
I also read somewhere that people suggested to wait for Kong release and not to install Tathagata release, however they didn't reasoned why
I do need SSH as I am running tunneling and used it with Merlin and Tomato on Asus
Right now I am in trials with both Asus ac-87u and R8000 - I'd appreciate if you can help me to decide which one is better for me
I have a lot of TV streaming, iphones, laptops as well as I have a relatively big house 3 floors around 5000sq and need the overall coverage
Thanks and please let me know if you need more info

Thanks a lot

Subhra
Subhra's picture
You have mentioned about
  1. You have mentioned about wireless settings for Stock firmware. Could you please elaborate on the settings that you are running in DDWRT firmware ?
  2. Have you been able to run ssh functionality in DDWRT firmware ?
gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Subhra

Hi Subhra

1. Same settings as I've listed for stock - exactly same channels, etc.
2. SSH was never an issue on DD-WRT. All what I have mentioned is that stock does not have SSH so that was a reason why I had to move to DD-WRT

Subhra
Subhra's picture
I would suggest you to read

I would suggest you to read this tutorial. It demonstarte the procedure to configure 5GHz wireless interface in DDWRT for R6300. Though it is written for a differnet router model, you can refer it for configuring wireless interface in R8000 also. 

Try to configure 5GHz wireless interface once again and see if performnace improved or not.

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Subhra

Hi Subhra
I appreciate your help
So finally i followed all suggestions on this site:
1. While being on stock f/w I reseted it 4 times
2. Right after flashing R8000 with DDWRT f/w - I resetted it 3 times before applying configuration

So here is what I have found out:
1. I cannot enable SSH Management. Either any prerequisite required or it simply disabled in code
2. Some of the pages like Mac control - crushing httpd and I need either wait for long or reboot the router
3. For some reason WAN IP has been resetted - I had to restart router again
4. While running internet speed check - got very poor (about 70Mbps download) on LAN, nevertheless I have 250Mbps from ISP. Actually on stock f/w I had over 300Mbps
5. Checking 5Ghz on both channels - I got barely 170Mbps whether on Stock F/W I had 702Mbps!
6. There is no such option for Wireless Network Mode - AC and N, so I selected N only
7. What about implicit/explicit beamforming - which one I need to select?
8. Do I need select optimization of multicast traffic as well?
9. When I am on 80Mhz - I cannot select channels, so I selected lowerlower for one and upperupper for another

I am not to criticize too much here, but seems as that is half-cooked release or my router is special...
I appreciate your help as I need to fix it ASAP to keep working as well as I just need to decide either I will keep R8000 or will swap it to ASUS ac87u as I did not have such dramatic issues with Merlin
Thanks

Subhra
Subhra's picture
If you want to use Remote SSH

If you want to use Remote SSH access, you have to enable both the following options.

  • Services->Services->Secure Shell
  • Administration->Management->Remote Access->SSH Management

Have you enabled both?

Regarding wireless performance, following are the steps I have used to configure "wl0" interface of my R8000 loaded with ddwrt firmware,

  • Go to "Wireless->Basic Settings" page
  • Wireless Network Mode: AC-Only -> save
  • Channel Width: VHT (80+80 MHz) -> save
  • Extension Channel: lower upper -> save
  • Wireless Channel: 40 - 5.200 GHz -> save (You may use higher channel also)
  • Wireless Network Name (SSID): R8000-wl0 -> save
  • left other configurations untouched
  • Apply Settings

With this steps I am getting a good wireless performance.

If you are stiil having problem with wireless performance, execute following command in router terminal and share the output of the command,

  • wl -i eth1 status
gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Thanks a lot, Subhra

Thanks a lot, Subhra
I will certainly try the suggested configuration, however few comments here:
1. I cannot leave wireless without security so I must enable WPA2-Personal
2. Does it matter the SSID name or I can make it mine
3. Do we have an advantage of stock feature - Smart Connect here to combine both radios extending the throughput?
4. I cannot use AC-only as i have non-AC devices? Will they get connected on this mode or that is only for AC-capable clients?
5. Could you please point me to the place I configure FTP and Share? Same as on stock version?

Thanks again

Subhra
Subhra's picture
Is SSH Management working at
  1. Is SSH Management working at your end?
  2. Yes you can use a different ssid. You can use a security for your wireless interface. If you don't have an AC device then you should use N-Only option.
  3. You can configure ftp from "Services->NAS->ProFTPD" in ddwrt WebGUI.
gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Thanks for the response

Thanks for the response
I could not test SSH as due to the extremely poor performance I had to move back to stock f/w
Regarding wifi settings - with my customization - that is exactly what i did
could the performance issue can come from the fact that both radios are on the same ssid? That is how they suggested to replicate smart connect
thanks

Subhra
Subhra's picture
You have to use same SSID

You have to use same SSID name for 5GHz but different channel to replicate the smart connect feature in ddwrt.

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Thanks a lot for your timely

Thanks a lot for your timely response, Subhra

So I will go back today to flash it again with this firmware as hard to believe that I am the only one who experiencing the problems

Few more questions:

1. If you compare ddwrt with stock firmware  - have all features from stock were implemented in DDWRT?

2. Do you have any suggestions of positionning router withing the house - How should i point and play with 6 antennas to achieve the best results for 2 floors coverage?

3. Is there any specific DDWRT installation instructions that I should be following, except just resetting before and after DDWRT flashing?

4. From my previous messages - is the performance issue I am experienceing is something well-known among people you worked with or that is only my specific isolated case?

Thanks a lot for your support and help,

Subhra
Subhra's picture
I am not sure whether you are

I am not sure whether you are the only user who is facing this problem. However, still now I haven't seen any user's posting relating to this problem.
DDWRT and Stock firmware has different feature set and different reasons for their popularity . It is not expected that all the features of Stock would be replicated in DDWRT firmware. However, basic features will be available in both of them.
I believe the problem you are facing is for improper wireless configuration and it is not related to DDWRT installation procedure. However, you can refer this tutorial for flashing DDWRT in your router.

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Subhra said: I am not sure

Subhra said: I am not sure whether you are the only user who is facing this problem. However, still now I haven't seen any user's posting relating to this problem. DDWRT and Stock firmware has different feature set and different reasons for their popularity . It is not expected that all the features of Stock would be replicated in DDWRT firmware. However, basic features will be available in both of them. I believe the problem you are facing is for improper wireless configuration and it is not related to DDWRT installation procedure. However, you can refer this tutorial for flashing DDWRT in your router.

Hi Subhra

I just followed the instructions and here is what I am getting

Mac and R8000 Status

Here is come my R8000 configurations

 

5Ghz - first interface

Here is the second 5Ghz interface

5Ghz - Second interface

You said I need to configure it properly - please let me know my mistakes

Bottom line - on stock I am getting over 700Mbps on the same Mac, however on ddwrt - not even close...

Thanks a lot,

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
gennadiv said:

gennadiv said:

Subhra said: I am not sure whether you are the only user who is facing this problem. However, still now I haven't seen any user's posting relating to this problem. DDWRT and Stock firmware has different feature set and different reasons for their popularity . It is not expected that all the features of Stock would be replicated in DDWRT firmware. However, basic features will be available in both of them. I believe the problem you are facing is for improper wireless configuration and it is not related to DDWRT installation procedure. However, you can refer this tutorial for flashing DDWRT in your router.

Hi Subhra I just followed the instructions and here is what I am getting Mac and R8000 Status Here is come my R8000 configurations 5Ghz - first interface Here is the second 5Ghz interface 5Ghz - Second interface You said I need to configure it properly - please let me know my mistakes Bottom line - on stock I am getting over 700Mbps on the same Mac, however on ddwrt - not even close... Thanks a lot,

 

 

Forgot to mention:

For all interfaces I am using WPA2 - AES

Here is another screen from internet speed test - I am getting around 100Mbps whether when I am on stock - 320Mbps

And I am sitting next to the router so there is no distance whatsoever

Speed Test

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Subhra, et al.

Hi Subhra, et al.

Seems as I figured out the problem here:
1. Same SSID for both 5GHz does not work for me
Once I gave them the different names - got 1300Mbps
2. Implicit beamforming degrading wifi performance dramatically or even hide SSID
3. Explicit one degrades the performance as well
Could you please reply with your explanation of how explicit or implicit beamforming can improve wireless
I also tried both SSH and FTP - nice implementation
BTW - some of 5GHZ devices, like ROKU 3 - cannot see the second 5Ghz radio SSID which configured on channel 52, but does see the first one on channel 161
Thanks a lot for your assistance

Subhra
Subhra's picture
If I haven't misunderstood

If I haven't misunderstood your words,
* You are able to get good wireless performance if you use different SSID on two 5GHz interfaces.
* SSH and FTP are working at your end.

I would advice you to set the "Wireless Network mode" to AC-Only (if you have "ac" capable client) or N-Only.

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Subhra,

Hi Subhra,

There are few more things:
1. No matter what configuration applied - router resetting wireless interfaces... I am long-term Tomato user and had never seen applying NAS user kicked me out from the wireless. I checked with most functions- the same behavior

2. In a lot of cases when new configuration has been applied and router has resetted the interfaces - no WAN address! Meaning I need to go and manually reboot both Modem and R8000 and then I am getting WAN. WAN release/renew does not help - still getting zeros. Sometime it's take up to 10min to get WAN, but in some cases - never and I need to reboot the router

3. When resetted wireless interfaces - wl2 takes a good deal of coming up that my laptop will see its SSID broadcasted

Will keep add to your list :)
Thanks

Diskey
Diskey's picture
I am having the exact same

I am having the exact same thing very very slow wifi been using ddwrt for years never had this much of a hard time if I let the transmite at 71 no wifi 3 ft away. If I set it to 40 get some conection about 100M link and throput is very bad!!!

Diskey
Diskey's picture
Having same problem very poor

Having same problem very poor wifi been using ddwrt for year now never had it this bad. the transmite seting of 71 has to be lowered to 50 or no wifi at all and even then its very very very slow links at 100 and transfers at 50 or less... will try the setting posted here see if that helps!

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi Dickey,

Hi Dickey,
As an workaround - do not use the same SSID for both 5Ghz radios, which is mimicking stock feature - Smart Connect... This one seems not properly implemented or tested on ddwrt.
Instead use different SSID for all 3 radios, as well as different channels.
For 5Ghz - for 1 radio use lowerlower - channel 36 and for the second one use upperupper with the channel 161
That might do the work. Still stock firmware for some reason has better throughput as I am getting over 320Mbps (ISP provides me 250Mbps), however with ddwrt - I am getting to 240Mbps max

aruffell
aruffell's picture
This thread is focused on

This thread is focused on wireless settings to maximize speed, however I have a very similar issue on my wired network. Prior to upgrading my R8000 to DD-WRT I was measuring close to 1 Gbps up/down internet speeds (no not speeds on my internal network) but after the upgrade to DD-WRT I am barely getting to 300 or 350Mbps. I have seen dramatic decreases when ATT has had issues so this may be premature... however I have always seen a near full gigabit on Sunday evenings so I am suspecting there is a firmware issue. If tomorrow the speed is unchanged I will have to revert back to stock to see if the issue goes away.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to maximize ISP WAN speed? I have another thread on this forum that got no replies or views as if it were hidden... I think it may be viewable now so if this is not the right place to respond to me given my issue is not on the wireless side, please do so there.

Thanks!

cableguy187
cableguy187's picture
aruffell said: This thread is

aruffell said: This thread is focused on wireless settings to maximize speed, however I have a very similar issue on my wired network. Prior to upgrading my R8000 to DD-WRT I was measuring close to 1 Gbps up/down internet speeds (no not speeds on my internal network) but after the upgrade to DD-WRT I am barely getting to 300 or 350Mbps. I have seen dramatic decreases when ATT has had issues so this may be premature... however I have always seen a near full gigabit on Sunday evenings so I am suspecting there is a firmware issue. If tomorrow the speed is unchanged I will have to revert back to stock to see if the issue goes away. Does anyone have suggestions on how to maximize ISP WAN speed? I have another thread on this forum that got no replies or views as if it were hidden... I think it may be viewable now so if this is not the right place to respond to me given my issue is not on the wireless side, please do so there. Thanks!

Has this speed issue been confirmed and if so, has it been addressed?

 

I am thinking about flashing but don't want any headaches..

aruffell
aruffell's picture
Hi Cableguy187,

Hi Cableguy187,

 

I have not heard back one comment on the issue so nobody has confirmed the issue however I had another router that I had been using for a long time with DD-WRT and a 50 Mbit connection and never had any issues with speed. When I installed 1Gbps internet connection that router was only able to handle up to 300Mbps so I thought it was due to the couple year old router (top of the line, but from a few years ago). I purchased the R8000 and I was able to get speeds of up to 980 Mbps or so however as soon as I installed DD-WRT the speed crashed down to 300Mbps or so... therefore I am left to assume that the issue is related to DD-WRT and not the hardware.

You can always save your current config, install DD-WRT, test it out and revert back to stock if you get the same performance I do, however if your ISP speed is less than 300Mbps then you will likely not see any performance degradation.

My ISP is ATT Uverse and the service I have is GigaPower (1Gbps up/down)

cableguy187
cableguy187's picture
aruffell said: Hi Cableguy187

aruffell said: Hi Cableguy187, I have not heard back one comment on the issue so nobody has confirmed the issue however I had another router that I had been using for a long time with DD-WRT and a 50 Mbit connection and never had any issues with speed. When I installed 1Gbps internet connection that router was only able to handle up to 300Mbps so I thought it was due to the couple year old router (top of the line, but from a few years ago). I purchased the R8000 and I was able to get speeds of up to 980 Mbps or so however as soon as I installed DD-WRT the speed crashed down to 300Mbps or so... therefore I am left to assume that the issue is related to DD-WRT and not the hardware. You can always save your current config, install DD-WRT, test it out and revert back to stock if you get the same performance I do, however if your ISP speed is less than 300Mbps then you will likely not see any performance degradation. My ISP is ATT Uverse and the service I have is GigaPower (1Gbps up/down)

Thanks for the reply..

 

I am only 100mbit so if the problem exists, i would not be able to confirm..

 

I'll give it a try and post what I find, the main reason for WRT is for the filtering and access control for the kids.

 

Thanks

cableguy187
cableguy187's picture
Can someone with both 5ghz

Can someone with both 5ghz channels working with one ssid please post their settings?

I can't get the bonding to work..

gennadiv
gennadiv's picture
Hi,

Hi,
There is not much to do - all what you should be configuring is the same SSID for both 5Ghz radios, however channels should be different
You should not expect your performance will jump up, as all what it does is giving you way wider range for your devices
I didn't test it on the latest release, however on the very first one i had crazy downgraded performance so I stopped to use it
I suggest instead to use one 5 radio for most important connectivities as IPTV, etc and the second one use for others
then you won't have tons of the devices on the same radio

Hope it helped

mcauduro
mcauduro's picture
Anyone did a test in the last

Anyone did a test in the last release ? Does the performance issues still happens ?

Diskey
Diskey's picture
I am having the exact same

I am having the exact same thing very very slow wifi been using ddwrt for years never had this much of a hard time if I let the transmite at 71 no wifi 3 ft away. If I set it to 40 get some conection about 100M link and throput is very bad!!!

Diskey
Diskey's picture
Having same problem very poor

Having same problem very poor wifi been using ddwrt for year now never had it this bad. the transmite seting of 71 has to be lowered to 50 or no wifi at all and even then its very very very slow links at 100 and transfers at 50 or less... will try the setting posted here see if that helps!

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