Multiple Wireless-AC 8260 cards break Windows 10 dead

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We do Intel processor based appliance with multiple PCIe/M.2 interfaces, and one of pour prospect clients asked us to populate appliance with Intel Wireless-AC 8260 radio cards and install Windows 10 Pro 64-bit. As long as we have a single 8260 card in a system everything looks ok, but installing 2 or more immediately breaks the system to the point that we can not boot it anymore in a normal mode. Fully updated Windows 10 is used along with the latest Intel 64-bit drivers for 8260 (we managed to install everything while having only one card populated). We also run multiple Linux distribution on the same board (like Kali Linux and Ubuntu Server and Desktop), and multiple cards installation goes just fine.

Can somebody from Intel advise us? Again, question is very simple - system with x2 or more 8260 M.2 cards breaks Windows 10 Pro 64-bit run-time and boot.

Cheers,

Alex

ALFTEL Systems Ltd.

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One more thing - when system has two or more 8260 cards installed, Windows 10 installation fails as well - we had to remove all cards or leave just one in order to install Windows 10.

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Hello Alex,

The behavior you report is expected, since Intel software and drivers only support a single adapter installed on one computer, as noted in the following advisory:http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000006057.html Frequently Asked Questions about Intel® Wireless AdaptersIt is worth to mention that Linux Driver development and support is done in the open-source Linux community, so some features may vary between OS's.We would like to inform that support for system manufacturers and embeded designs should be engaged through your Sales representative or http://locate.intel.com/ Authorized Intel® Technology Provider.Also, keep in mind that the installation or use of Intel® Wireless Adapters is subject to regulations and approvals depending on the countries they are used:http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/network-and-i-o/wireless-networking/000005687.html Regulatory Information Regarding Hardware Installation or UpgradeLet us know in case you require have any further questions.Regards,Jonathan

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Hello Jonathan,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Your answer came somewhat as a surprise, so what are you saying is that driver is written such a way that allows only a single card per system, for both WiFi and BT parts? This sounds very odd. Is it purely software issue or hardware limitation? Was it explicitly written like this? What is a rationale behind? I don't see how company can limit only single network card installation on PCIe bus - I am just trying to find a logic here. Is it applicable to any Intel cards, like 7260, 7265 etc. or it is specific to 8260? We definitely can approach you through Avnet, but we need to know if this is a dead end or there is a hope to have multiple cards under Windows 10.

BTW - is it applicable to Windows 10 only or the same behavior is expected under any Windows flavor?

Cheers,

Alex

[idata]

Hello Alex,

The limitation of one device per computer is present with any adapter and Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers version. This is valid accross the different versions of Windows*.We would like to remind you that Intel® Customer Support does not provide embedded design support, therefore, the rest of the information you requested is out of our scope.We advise you to check with your distributor and engage our account engineering team; they will be able to address any Embedded design inquiries you may have.Regards,Jonathan

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Hello Jonathan,

Before replying to our customer we need to understand the following:

1) Is it software or hardware problem?

2) Was your driver explicitly written to handle a single card only?

3) Can you driver be modified to handle multiple cards in a system?

4) Is single card concept applicable to ANY Intel wireless card?

5) Is single card concept applicable to Windows 10 only or any Windows platform?

6) Is it ANY way to have multiple Intel radio cards under Windows? Is it completely dead end or there is a hope?

Cheers,

Alexander Zakharov

Principal

ALFTEL Systems Ltd.

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Alex@ALFTEL,

As much as we would like to provide you assistance regarding your questions the answers to your questions is beyond our scope of support. Since we don't handle embedded design. Please contact your distributor in order so they can contact a field application engineer for additional support.Best regards,Aleki