AX210 unable to host AP for 6GHz in US region

[kchak]

I am trying to enable 6 GHz AP with AX210 through PCIe interface. The desktop I am using is HP EliteDesk 800. I am in US region, and AX210 also found using it's firmware initial scan, that i am in US region.

I am using Ubuntu 22.10 as well as 22.04 with default 5.19 kernel as well as 6.0 kernel. The driver I am using from https://github.com/intel/backport-iwlwifi.git

I found the firmware get loaded in AX210 is iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-77.ucode and the pnvm used is iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0.pnvm.

Can you provide me answers of the following questions?

1. There are a lots of firmware i can see in the firmware directory. like iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-78.ucode as well as iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-79.ucode belongs to what?

2. I also found ax-softap-testmode-iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-77.ucode.  can you let me know what this firmware used for?

3. I see all 6 GHz channels are having "No IR", I am in US region and US region 6 GHz is available. So, why i am getting No IR for 6 GHz channels. Is there any patch or new firmware you have which can be use?

I also tried to host softAP using Windows 11, but softAP only shows me hosting AP in 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band. not in 6 GHz band.

Seeking for your response.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

kchak, Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support.

For this scenario, first, it is important to mention that Ubuntu 22.10 was not validated as an officially compatible Operating System for your Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 card. For that reason all the drivers that we have available belong to Windows:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/search.html?ws=idsa-suggested#q=ax210&sort=relevancy&f:@tabfilter=[Downloads]

Regarding the 6GHz band not being available in Windows, please verify the details in the following link that explains, if possible, how to enable it:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000059385/wireless/intel-wi-fi-6e-products.html

Still, we will do further research on this matter to try to answer your questions. For us to be able to do that, please attach the SSU report so we can verify further details about the components in your platform, check all the options in the report including the one that says "3rd party software logs":

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18895/26735/intel-system-support-utility-for-the-linux-operating-system.html?

Any questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[kchak]

Hi Albert,

Thanks for your response. I am looking for enabling Mobile hotspot in 6 GHz either under windows (no matter windows 10 or windows 11) or under Linux. I followed your suggested instructions as per link you shared for windows, but i am still do not see any option under networking -> Mobile hotspot to select 6 GHz band, i do see 2.4 or 5 GHz band selection.

Can you confirm on this?

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hi kchak, You are very welcome, thank you very much for sharing those details.

We are sorry to hear the issue persisted after checking the information provided previously.

For us to be able to do further research please provide the SU report either from:

Windows*:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-?product=91600

Or Linux:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18895/26735/intel-system-support-utility-for-the-linux-operating-system.html

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[kchak]

Hi Albert,

Thanks for your reply.

Please find attached files from ubuntu as well as from Windows11. I also attached a snapshot of windows 11 showing missing 6 GHz.

Looking for your response.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hi kchak, You are very welcome, thank you very much for sharing the files.

We will do further research on this matter and provide a response as soon as possible.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[kchak]

Hi Albert,

Did you receive any update on this?

[kchak]

Hi Albert,

Any update did you receive?

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello kchak, I just received an update on this matter.

After reviewing the case, it is important to mention that Firmware iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-78 or iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-79 is for Wi-Fi 6E AX210 and currently it may be installed thru backport-iwlwifi.

The ax-softap-testmode-iwlwifi files are limited to certain customers only, for more information please get in contact directly with your Intel representative FAE (Field Application Engineer) to work on this topic. You can contact our Intel® Authorized Distributors to request a FAE for assistance on this matter:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html#sort=relevancy

The SoftAP capability in 6GHz relies on Operating System support, based on that we recommend to get in contact directly with your Linux distro or Microsoft for additional details.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005511/wireless.html

On top of needing to add this capability to the OS, the SoftAP capability in 6GHz may be still prohibited by wireless regulations in some countries:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005687/network-and-i-o/wireless.html

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005846/network-and-i-o/wireless.html

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[kchak]

Hi Albert,

Thanks for your replay. Please find my comments below.

1. iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-78 and iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-79 is not able to load using backport-iwlwifi, system is crashing. Though iwlwifi-ty-a0-gf-a0-77 able to load using back port-iwlwifi and no system crash. Can you provide us what system settings used( like kernel, Ubuntu version etc for version 78 and 79)?

4. I am in US and AX210 detect region is US too. As per my understanding US Wi-Fi 6E is already available. May I know if intel does not support 6E softAP in US region, what is the plan to get release which can support softAP in US region for AX210?

Regards,
Kchak

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hi kchak, You are very welcome, thank you very much for your reply.

In reference to your questions, I will double-check those details and provide all the information as soon as it becomes available.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello kchak, I just received an update on this matter.

After reviewing the case we determined that the best thing to do for this scenario will be to get in contact with a FAE (Field Application Engineer) for further assistance on this matter. You can contact him/her through our Intel® Authorized Distributors:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician