WiFi Drops on Compute Sticks Reguarly

[MJano1]

I'm running 7 compute sticks with Ubuntu 14.04 and they all regularly drop wifi connection. No other devices on our network (about 50 or so) have this issue and stay connected throughout the day.

Any thoughts on why this might be happening?

Sticks are STCK1A8LFC

[idata]

Hello mjanofsky,

Could you please let me know the BIOS version you have installed on the Intel® Compute Sticks?

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Sure, the BIOS version is showing as FCBYT10H.86A.0024.2015.0522.1757

Thank you!

[idata]

Thank you for that information.

Let's try updating it to the latest version, 034 is the latest one. See here for the file; https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26502/BIOS-Update-FCBYT10H-86A-?product=86613 Download BIOS Update [FCBYT10H.86A].

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Thanks, Amy! I've updated the BIOS on a unit I've been using for testing and will report back.

[idata]

Alright, keep me posted.

Regards,

Amy.

[KL2]

Upgrade the kernel, or try a newer distro if possible.

Realtek RTL87xxxx devices have been problematic for awhile: http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/realtek-bug-fixed-kernel-4-8-7.html http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/realtek-bug-fixed-kernel-4-8-7.html

I think the one's included in the Compute Sticks are the Realtek RTL8723BS, but I'm not 100% sure...

[idata]

Gize2, thank you for your help. Let's hope it can help /thread/110318 mjanofsky.

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

I'm looking at the Kernel now. I can't quite tell if the BIOS update helped or not, one of three sticks that I upgraded has dropped.

[idata]

Let me know how that goes.

All of them have been updated to the latest BIOS?

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Yes - all of the sticks I'm testing with have the updated BIOS.

[idata]

Do they all share the same Kernel version?

Regards,

Amy.

[idata]

Were you able to check the Kernel version on each Intel® Compute Stick? Do they have the same version?

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Hi Amy,

They are all running kernel 3.16.0-77-generic

Thanks!

[KL2]

I'm being an 'armchair technician' with this reply, since I cannot currently try this, but here is some advice that may help: https://selivan.github.io/2017/01/25/linux-4.4-realtek-RTL8723BE-wifi-fix-hanging.html https://selivan.github.io/2017/01/25/linux-4.4-realtek-RTL8723BE-wifi-fix-hanging.html

I get that the Ubuntu distribution and Linux kernel are newer in the above instructions, but the steps should be similar, if not the same. AFAIK the wireless device in that Compute Stick is the Realtek RTL8723BS. So you'll have to alter the instructions to match.

If you're not worried about messing around with the Ubuntu installation, and the possibility of breaking it, you could try it on one of your Compute Sticks, and see what happens.

There's a bit more info here as to what is probably going on, and more tips that could solve it (keeping in mind that your device might not be the RTL8723BE described therein): http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/ubuntu-trusty-realtek.html http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/ubuntu-trusty-realtek.html

[idata]

/thread/110318 mjanofsky, thanks for that information.

There is a new BIOS version available for your Intel® Compute Stick model. Version 35 can be found here; https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26540/Compute-Stick-BIOS-Update-FCBYT10H-86A-?product=86613 Download BIOS Update [FCBYT10H.86A], please give it a try and share your results. I would also like to know if there is a possibility to try newer distro, just like /thread/110318 Gize2 mentioned above.

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Thanks Amy and Gize2!

I am going to try some of the tips from the articles posted earlier.

Will Intel support upgrading the Distro? It's going to be a painful process as the internal storage is not large enough to support a direct ubuntu upgrade.

Thanks!

[idata]

That would be merely a suggestion in case you are willing to try, but officially it is only supported at stock configurations.

Let me know how it goes with the tips.

Regards,

Amy.

[idata]

/thread/110318 mjanofsky, how did it go with the tips? Any change?

Regards,

Amy.

[idata]

I also would like to share with you that we have been testing this behavior, but at this stage we have been unable to replicate this. During our tests we found a workaround that might address this, please see it below;

Disabling Power Management:

Wireless cards can have Power Management modes. Switching off power-management can sometimes help.

Steps:

• Try running this command in terminal: iwconfig
• If that shows power management: on you need to change it to off by running this command: iwconfig [wifi-id] power off

Regards,

Amy.

[MJano1]

Amy,

Thank you for the information. I've been testing another OS on the sticks that is running a newer Linux Core that seems to have resolved the issues.

I'll try disabling the power management tomorrow on another that I have not upgraded and see what happens.

Thanks!