Intel BE200 NGW slow on Linux 6.12.10 in comparison to adjacent WiFi Appliance.

[Lynxes]

Hello,

I purchased an Intel BE200 NGW and installed it on an Arch Linux server.

Here are the prevalent specifications of the Linux server, feel free to ask for more info as needed:

# PC Specs & Configs

 - Kernel version 6.12.10

 - uname -a: `Linux archnemo 6.12.10-arch1-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Sat, 18 Jan 2025 02:26:57 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux`

 - CPU:

```

Vendor ID: GenuineIntel
Model name: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-13500

```

 - Reported dmesg info (dmesg | grep iwlwifi):

```

[root@archnemo lynxes]# dmesg | grep iwlwifi
[ 3.006592] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
[ 3.012822] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: Detected crf-id 0x2001910, cnv-id 0x2001910 wfpm id 0x80000000
[ 3.012898] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: PCI dev 272b/00f4, rev=0x472, rfid=0x112200
[ 3.012902] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: Detected Intel(R) Wi-Fi 7 BE200 320MHz
[ 3.013205] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: Direct firmware load for iwlwifi-gl-c0-fm-c0-93.ucode failed with error -2
[ 3.016943] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: TLV_FW_FSEQ_VERSION: FSEQ Version: 0.182.4.1
[ 3.017283] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: loaded firmware version 92.67ce4588.0 gl-c0-fm-c0-92.ucode op_mode iwlmvm
[ 3.428238] Modules linked in: iwlmvm(+) snd_soc_hda_codec(+) snd_hda_ext_core kvm(+) snd_soc_core crct10dif_pclmul i915(+) mac80211 crc32_pclmul snd_compress polyval_clmulni ac97_bus polyval_generic snd_pcm_dmaengine ghash_clmulni_intel libarc4 snd_hda_intel snd_intel_dspcfg sha512_ssse3 snd_intel_sdw_acpi sha256_ssse3 sha1_ssse3 snd_hda_codec aesni_intel gf128mul snd_hda_core crypto_simd iwlwifi iTCO_wdt cryptd snd_hwdep intel_pmc_bxt drm_buddy spd5118 iTCO_vendor_support i2c_algo_bit snd_pcm rapl e1000e igc ttm mei_hdcp intel_cstate mei_wdt snd_timer ucsi_acpi i2c_i801 mei_pxp wmi_bmof cfg80211 zfs(POE+) drm_display_helper spi_nor intel_uncore ptp snd i2c_smbus typec_ucsi mei_me intel_lpss_pci rfkill mtd cec pps_core i2c_mux soundcore pcspkr intel_lpss typec mei intel_gtt intel_pmc_core idma64 roles spl(OE) intel_vsec pmt_telemetry video wmi acpi_tad pinctrl_alderlake acpi_pad pmt_class mac_hid dm_mod loop nfnetlink ip_tables x_tables ext4 crc32c_generic crc16 mbcache jbd2 nvme nvme_core spi_intel_pci crc32c_intel
[ 3.709427] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: loaded PNVM version 97f4ce1a
[ 3.731800] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: Detected RF FM, rfid=0x112200
[ 3.827467] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: base HW address: [REMOVED]
[ 3.913638] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0 wlp5s0f0: renamed from wlan0
[ 4.605617] iwlwifi 0000:05:00.0: Registered PHC clock: iwlwifi-PTP, with index: 2

```

Versions of potentially relevant packages:

 - linux: 6.12.10.arch1-1

 - linux-api-headers: 6.10-1

 - linux-headers: 6.12.10.arch1-1

 - linux-firmware: 20250210.5bc5868b-1

 - linux-firmware-whence: 20250210.5bc5868b-1

Here are some info about the connection to the Access Point displayed by `iw dev`

```

type managed

channel 52 (5260 MHz), width: 160 MHz, center1: 5250 MHz

txpower 22.00 dBm

```

And also `iw dev wlp5s0f0 get power_save` returns `Power save: off`

Most recently I have also set the `power_level` of the `iwlwifi` driver to `5`,  both after reload the module or restarting the server no difference have been noticed.

Just to make sure I re checked after reboot using `cat /sys/module/iwlwifi/parameters/power_level` which returned `5`.

# Expected Results

I am well aware that theoretical WiFi performances and actual WiFi performances depend on multiple factors, including distance and interference.
However, right next to the Arch PC I have a Windows PC with an integrated `Intel AX201` adapter.
Both the BE200NGW and the AX201 have the same antenna (not shared, but same model), and they are place one next to the other (less than 5 cm distance), meaning they have virtually the same distance and conditions when connecting to the same WiFi 6 access point.

The AX201 on Windows manages to pull around 800 mbps down and up. Meanwhile the BE200 struggles at around 200mbps.

I have even checked the PCIe interface bandwidth, and it's 8gbps.

I have run out of ideas to either debug or fix the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[JohnM_Intel]

Hello Lynxes,

Thank you for raising this concern via Intel Community. for me to better investigate this concern with your BE200 I have some questions below to determine the best course of action:

1. What is the driver's version of the BE200 in your Linux?
2. Have you checked if kernel 6.12.10 supports BE200?

Regards,

John Sergio M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Lynxes]

Hello! Thank you for the prompt reply and sorry for the wait.

By using the command `modinfo iwlwifi | grep version` the only thing I can find is `srcversion: 561400357405AA33153380C`.

As for checking if Kernel 6.12.10 supports the Intel BE200... I suppose it does. According to this page: Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Drivers for Linux* the requirement is to be on Kernel 6.11+.

I got to this page by clicking on "View Details" on the Download tab of the Intel BE200 product specification page: Intel® Wi-Fi 7 BE200.

I have found another link posted somewhere here on the forum, however it seems to be more of a utility than a driver Intel® System Support Utility for the Linux* Operating System (also I'm not sure if it needs a GUI since I'm on a headless system).

Is there anything else I could try?

Thanks in advance!

[JohnM_Intel]

Hello Lynxes,

I have sent you an email regarding the matter we discussed. Please check your inbox, and we can proceed with the next steps via email.

Regards,

John Sergio M.

Intel Customer Support Technician