I've changed this on my two AP setup which operate on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz (so both wlan0 and wlan1), there's a neighbour list (of one as expected) on one of the networks on one of the APs, but not on any of the other three which show up empty. I've taken a look at umdns and each AP has a corresponding record for the other one.
Have you set the broadcast IP correctly in the config file?
Yes, both set to the same thing (and correct). Actually it turns out what I'm seeing is that one of the neighbour lists is always populated. The other three are sporadic. They are populated for short periods of time, and then there are longer periods of time when they are empty. There's no evidence of packet loss, and there should be plenty of bandwidth between the two APs.
Check time synchronization. Not sure if it will help, but...
ntpd -d -q -n -p 0.openwrt.pool.ntp.org
Yeah, they are both setup using chrony and within ms of each other.
2 Likes
Could some check my steps I have done to set dawn up?
Maybe someone will also be confused by those two different instructions in wiki and github readme.
Or someone from the wiki and github can add missing steps.
- Set up two Wireless Networks with same SSID and same Password. One in 5GHz and one in 2,4 GHz radio.
- Connect through SSH to OpenWrt
- Remove wpad completely
#opkg list-installed | grep wpad
wpad-basic-wolfssl
#opkg remove wpad-basic-wolfssl
- Install wpad-wolfssl (no need to install wpad alone if you have wpad-wolfssl)
#opkg update & opkg install wpad-wolfssl - Add settings to WiFi Networks (#new)
#vi /etc/config/wireless
New wireless config:
config wifi-device 'radio0'
option type 'mac80211'
option path 'pci0000:00/0000:00:00.0'
option band '5g'
option htmode 'VHT40'
option channel '108'
option cell_density '0'
option country 'DE'
config wifi-device 'radio1'
option type 'mac80211'
option path 'platform/ahb/18100000.wmac'
option band '2g'
option htmode 'HT20'
option channel '10'
option cell_density '0'
option country 'DE'
config wifi-iface 'wifinet0'
option device 'radio0'
option mode 'ap'
option ssid 'MyWiFiSsid'
option encryption 'psk-mixed'
option key 'MyWifiPassword'
option ft_psk_generate_local '1'
option network 'lan'
option bss_transition '1' #new
option wnm_sleep_mode '1' #new
option time_advertisement '2' #new
option time_zone 'GMT0' #new
option ieee80211k '1' #new
option rrm_neighbor_report '1'#new
option rrm_beacon_report '1' #new
config wifi-iface 'wifinet1'
option device 'radio1'
option mode 'ap'
option ssid 'MyWiFiSsid'
option encryption 'psk-mixed'
option key 'MyWifiPassword'
option ft_psk_generate_local '1'
option network 'lan'
option bss_transition '1' #new
option wnm_sleep_mode '1' #new
option time_advertisement '2' #new
option time_zone 'GMT0' #new
option ieee80211k '1' #new
option rrm_neighbor_report '1'#new
option rrm_beacon_report '1' #new
- Install dawn
#opkg update && opkg install dawn
#/etc/init.d/umdns restart
- Config dawn:
#cp /etc/config/dawn /etc/config/dawn.old -p
#vi /etc/config/dawn
Changed option broadcast_ip the ip to my subnets IP (#change1) and option duration from 0 toi 100 (#change2)
and deleted all 'config metric' and 'config times' sections (#deleted).
New dawn config:
config local
option loglevel '0'
config network
option broadcast_ip '192.168.0.255' #change1
option broadcast_port '1025'
option tcp_port '1026'
option network_option '2'
option shared_key 'Niiiiiiiiiiiiick'
option iv 'Niiiiiiiiiiiiick'
option use_symm_enc '0'
option collision_domain '-1'
option bandwidth '-1'
config hostapd
option hostapd_dir '/var/run/hostapd'
#deleted config times section
config metric 'global'
option min_probe_count '3'
option bandwidth_threshold '6'
option use_station_count '0'
option max_station_diff '1'
option eval_probe_req '0'
option eval_auth_req '0'
option eval_assoc_req '0'
option kicking '3'
option kicking_threshold '20'
option deny_auth_reason '1'
option deny_assoc_reason '17'
option min_number_to_kick '3'
option chan_util_avg_period '3'
option set_hostapd_nr '0'
option duration '100' #change2
option rrm_mode 'pat'
#deleted config metric '802_11g' section
#deleted config metric '802_11a' section
- Restart dawn and install Dawn for Luci
#/etc/init.d/dawn restart
#opkg install luci-app-dawn
- Reboot
#reboot
Please set to something non zero : 100 for example
otherwise bss_transition_request will not work
You mean in config metric 'global'?
That is original. Ok, I will change my configuration (and my post) to
option duration '100'
Thank you! Anything else?
Another Question. What about
option time_zone 'GMT0'
in WiFi Config? Must I change this to the TimeZone of my Router (which I have left on UTC as default) or to my Smartphone Device (Which is GMT+1)?
Wondering if there’s a chance/any plans to show love/enhance to the luci-app?
Believe it or not it is probably the second most visited page on my setup (after summary). So quite useful.
The main things/wish lists:
- Showing device names instead/in addition to MAC. This would be extremely useful.
- Formatting/UI; Specifically on mobile as its currently really a mess there.
- If possible, capabilities of the clients (eg 802.11r/v/etc)
1 Like
I'm curious why you removed the 802_11a/g sections in the dawn config?
This is the current settings that I'm using and they are working fairly well:
config metric '802_11g'
option initial_score '10' #changed
option ht_support '0' #changed
option vht_support '0' #changed
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '0' #changed
option rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi_val '-80'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '0'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '4' #changed
option rssi_center '-70'
config metric '802_11a'
option initial_score '100'
option ht_support '0' #changed
option vht_support '0' #changed
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '0' #changed
option rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi_val '-80'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '0'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '4' #changed
option rssi_center '-70'
My reasoning for each change:
- I removed the ht_support/vht_support from 5 to 0 because that is currently broken between access points
- I lowered the 2.4Ghz band starting score to 10, because I want the 5Ghz to be highly preferred
- I set the rssi additional score of 15 to 0 so that it would not give the 2.4Ghz band an extra boost in score
- I set the rssi weight to 4, so only an rssi difference of 5 will cause a move
That combined with bandwidth_threshold '200', set_hostapd_nr '2', min_number_to_kick '2', kicking '1' under global settings.
For the first time ever, OpenWRT roams all my devices at the drop of a hat! Occasionally I'll find after a device roams around 4 or 5 times, it will stop roaming for a few minutes.
It might also be worth noting that if you are using layer 2 security, such as DAI/DHCP snooping (dynamic arp inspection), you will have to disable 802.11r or it will roam and then not be able to communicate. I'm using DAWN with WiFi routers hooked to an active directory radius server on the backend with dynamic VLAN tagging, and it is working!
4 Likes
I removed it as it is written in the dawn read.me configuration instruction:
vi dawn # Delete all 'config metric' and 'config times' sections
Here to find:
https://github.com/berlin-open-wireless-lab/DAWN/blob/master/CONFIGURE.md#resetting-dawns-configuration
Thats why I was asking this community if the instructions are correct. Because there are two instructions and both have different missing steps.
But to be honest, it works pretty well for me without the metrics part. Never tried if with config metrics.
You are amazing. Tried you configuation and it works instantly! Why are the instructions mentioning to remove just the metrics part? It feels now stupid that I removed it, but the both different instruction are very confusing.
One more question, what do you mean by
How can that be broken? Should I keep it to 5? This is my actual dawn configuration:
config local
option loglevel '0'
config network
option broadcast_ip '192.168.11.255' #changed
option broadcast_port '1025'
option tcp_port '1026'
option network_option '2'
option shared_key 'Niiiiiiiiiiiiick'
option iv 'Niiiiiiiiiiiiick'
option use_symm_enc '0'
option collision_domain '-1'
option bandwidth '-1'
config hostapd
option hostapd_dir '/var/run/hostapd'
config times
option con_timeout '60'
option update_client '10'
option remove_client '15'
option remove_probe '30'
option remove_ap '460'
option update_hostapd '10'
option update_tcp_con '10'
option update_chan_util '5'
option update_beacon_reports '20'
config metric 'global'
option min_probe_count '3'
option bandwidth_threshold '200' #changed
option use_station_count '0'
option max_station_diff '1'
option eval_probe_req '0'
option eval_auth_req '0'
option eval_assoc_req '0'
option kicking '1' #changed
option kicking_threshold '20'
option deny_auth_reason '1'
option deny_assoc_reason '17'
option min_number_to_kick '2' #changed
option chan_util_avg_period '3'
option set_hostapd_nr '2' #changed
option duration '0'
option rrm_mode 'pat'
config metric '802_11g'
option initial_score '10' #changed
option ht_support '0' #changed
option vht_support '0' #changed
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '0' #changed
option rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi_val '-80'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '0'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '4' #changed
option rssi_center '-70'
config metric '802_11a'
option initial_score '100'
option ht_support '0' #changed
option vht_support '0' #changed
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '0' #changed
option rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi_val '-80'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '0'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '4' #changed
option rssi_center '-70'
Best topic ever
I hope Dawn will get more updates and not abandoned...
Few bugs I noticed:
Disappearing AP from Hearing Map
Signal is not correct
Thanks for the developers and all who have hand with this.
i have scoured this thread and have condensed the suggestions to the following uci commands:
uci set dawn.@network[0].broadcast_ip='192.168.1.255' # modify for your wlan subnet
uci set dawn.802_11g.initial_score='10'
uci set dawn.802_11g.rssi_weight='4'
uci set dawn.802_11g.ht_support='0'
uci set dawn.802_11g.rssi='0'
uci set dawn.global.bandwidth_threshold='200'
uci set dawn.global.set_hostapd_nr='2'
uci set dawn.global.kicking='1'
uci set dawn.global.min_number_to_kick='2'
uci set dawn.global.duration='100'
uci commit dawn
/etc/init.d/dawn restart
please correct and amend these commands if i have misrepresented.
thx
Fast Roaming with DAWN is working very well here across 3 AX6S dumb APs and an AX3600 router all running snapshot - with log showing FT for devices that support it (Apple household).
My key wireless config:
Summary
option dtim_period '1'
option rsn_preauth '1'
option max_inactivity '15'
option encryption 'psk2+ccmp'
option ieee80211r '1'
option mobility_domain '1111'
option reassociation_deadline '20000'
option ft_over_ds '0'
option ft_psk_generate_local '1'
option pmk_r1_push '1'
option ieee80211k '1'
option time_advertisement '2'
option time_zone 'EST5EDT,M3.2.0,M11.1.0'
I stumbled upon rsn_preauth in one specific post and noticed that most documentation seems to leave it out. I have also read that it may be a poor man's roaming for devices lacking support.. Not sure, but every bit helps.
And DAWN config:
Summary
config metric 'global'
option min_probe_count '3'
option bandwidth_threshold '6'
option use_station_count '0'
option max_station_diff '1'
option eval_probe_req '0'
option eval_auth_req '0'
option eval_assoc_req '0'
option kicking '1'
option kicking_threshold '15'
option deny_auth_reason '1'
option deny_assoc_reason '17'
option min_number_to_kick '3'
option chan_util_avg_period '3'
option set_hostapd_nr '2'
option duration '0'
option rrm_mode 'pat'
config metric '802_11g'
option initial_score '80'
option ht_support '5'
option vht_support '5'
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '15'
option rssi_val '-50'
option low_rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '-15'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '0'
option rssi_center '-55'
config metric '802_11a'
option initial_score '100'
option ht_support '5'
option vht_support '5'
option no_ht_support '0'
option no_vht_support '0'
option rssi '15'
option rssi_val '-50'
option low_rssi_val '-60'
option low_rssi '-15'
option chan_util '0'
option chan_util_val '140'
option max_chan_util '-15'
option max_chan_util_val '170'
option rssi_weight '0'
option rssi_center '-55'
Given the number of APs, I'ver chosen to go more agressive with my DAWN settings.
In addition, I found that it's important to:
- Drop the signal strength at each AP as much as possible to help the devices choose to roam
- Turn off 2.4ghz on most APs except at the 2 furthest points. I did this to help devices choose to get on the 5.4ghz band instead of 2.4ghz which has longer range.
- Each setup is different, so have to play with signal strength, rssi values in the DAWN config that best suits your case/needs.
3 Likes
Given your mention of being an Apple household, have you considered modifying dtim_period to 3? I believe this is still Apple's recommendation. More details here: https://www.sniffwifi.com/2016/05/go-to-sleep-go-to-sleep-go-to-sleep.html
Also, I have option mbo '1' set on my wifi-ifaces (multiple RT3200 'dumb APs'). I can't remember exactly where I read about enabling it, but the description of it is here: What exactly is MBO for?
Ah! Interesting about mbo…. Will read a bit and likely add that.
In terms of dtim, although most devices are apple, I have a few iot devices. If I recall correctly back when I was running an r7000 on tomato, a couple of the cheap iot devices started acting weird when I raised dtim…
It’s been a while so my memory is foggy on that…. Might try it again. 
Great point, though I can say confidently I have multiple IoT devices as well and haven’t considered the dtim interval with them to-date. Everything has been running smoothly here. But definitely a YMMV situation, no doubt.
Best of luck with any new settings!
Found this commit re mbo... Maybe best to leave as default (or at least turn on knowing) as of "today":
Fri Feb 24 02:39:19 2023 daemon.notice hostapd: wlan2g: BEACON-RESP-RX ac:d6:18:0d:47:4d:3e 04 0000000000000000000000008000000000000000000000000000
Fri Feb 24 02:39:19 2023 daemon.info dawn: Received NULL MAC! Client is strange!
Why it always occuring?