Issues with Hidden SSID connectivity / Stuck Beacon?

[michael_katzung]

I used to install Ruckus APs for one of Ruckus's bigdogs that uses ruckus aps in hotels (i've done a bunch of the training online, done wireless installs for 4+ years so I'm no expert like Mike, but not new to the subject). Anyways... I started a new job and am trying to get them to switch from using these terrible Engenius aps to using ruckus (since they are awesome).

I'm demoing a 7372 and having a few issues, and hoping to get some help here.

Basic config:
No Zone director
No Vlans
2.4 and 5ghz radios both set to the same SSID
Not broadcasting SSID
WPA2 PSK, AES
ACL to only allow approved MACs (Although the problems I am having I was having BEFORE I implemented this feature so that is unrelated AFAIK)

Issues I'm having, and how I've been working through them.

1) 5Ghz was giving me some invalid channel errors until I changed to 20mhz and set a static channel of 36. (Found that solution on the forums here).

2) 2.4 will work for a second few seconds after boot up, then stop broadcasting, INSSIDer records the MAC, and then the radio stops broadcasting. Cannot connect to SSID
I enable broadcasting of the SSID and it works fine, can connect, can see the SSID.
Switch back to hidden SSID, it's gone again.

3) Shut off 5 ghz radio, can suddenly connect to 2.4 after reboot. Connection appears to work fine for a few minutes but eventually I get limited connectivity that comes and goes.
Switching to static channel on 2.4 doesnt seem to help (Was worried this was a similar issue to the 5ghz.)

Absolutely stumped here guys... Never had any issues like this working with the 7363s...

Did I just get a Lemon AP?

Also, weird error messages in the logs, I've copied pasted below.

Nov 5 21:08:11 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1347445 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1
Nov 5 21:08:12 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 0 measured latest ctl:-101 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-101 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:12 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 1 measured latest ctl:-100 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-99 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:12 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 2 measured latest ctl:0 ext:0 capped median ctl:-55 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:12 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1348679 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1
Nov 5 21:08:13 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 0 measured latest ctl:-101 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-101 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:13 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 1 measured latest ctl:-98 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-99 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:13 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 2 measured latest ctl:0 ext:1 capped median ctl:-55 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:13 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1349914 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1
Nov 5 21:08:14 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 0 measured latest ctl:-98 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-101 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:14 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 1 measured latest ctl:-98 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-99 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:14 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 2 measured latest ctl:-32710 ext:18080 capped median ctl:-55 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:14 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1351148 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1
Nov 5 21:08:15 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: nodestats used greatest stack depth: 7004 bytes left
Nov 5 21:08:15 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 0 measured latest ctl:-99 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-101 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:15 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 1 measured latest ctl:-97 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-99 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:16 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 2 measured latest ctl:0 ext:-16328 capped median ctl:-55 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:16 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1352382 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1
Nov 5 21:08:17 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 0 measured latest ctl:-101 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-101 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:17 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 1 measured latest ctl:-99 ext:-50 capped median ctl:-99 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:17 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: NF Channel 2437 Chain 2 measured latest ctl:-31019 ext:0 capped median ctl:-55 ext:-55
Nov 5 21:08:17 RuckusAP user.warn kernel: wifi0: 1353616 : stuck beacon (missed 11) scanning 0, syncbeacon 0, sc_beacons 1

[michael_katzung]

No, just standard PSK with AES and MAC ACL on the AP

[michael_katzung]

Also, this was not just limited to 1 laptop, I was experiencing the same thing with 2 different laptops.

[michael_katzung]

Ignore the Solid band in the middle, I wanted to show a coworker what a microwave does 😃

[rw_van_der_knoo]

@All,

Maybe some extra information concerning 5 Ghz. and 'hidden SSID' in combination with (channel) 'SmartSelect'.
I discovered on my 7363 that whenever I set the option 'SSID Hidden' and the option 'SmartSelect' is enbabled instead of a fixed channel, e.g. 36, none of my devices (Windows laptops, android devices etc.) can connect.
The moment I disabled the 'hidden' option for SSID, the problem was solved.
This probleem seems unrelated to the firmware version

With kind regards,

R.W. van der Knoop

[keith_redfield]

Interesting..If you can provide a little more detail like:

ZD or standalone?
AP model?
Specific ZoneFlex version?

we'll try to reproduce.

FWIW - I just hid the SSID's on my home 7982 (yeah..there are perks..) under 9.6.1 and turned SSID broadcast off on both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. I have SmartSelect enabled. My Mac was able to re-connect without issue. But my Chromecast, and my Samsung S4 both lost their connection. My Samsung re-connected when I manually added the network. Chromecast will not connect to the hidden SSID. Static channel made no difference.