high ping on local AirportExpress network

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Level 1

6 points

high ping on local AirportExpress network

Hi,

since long time, I've had latency issues with my Airport Express on the local network. When I ping any computer on my LAN, I'm getting very high latency:

$ ping 192.168.0.10

PING 192.168.0.10 (192.168.1.10): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=0 ttl=64 time=220.702 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=141.248 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=62.517 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=289.441 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=4 ttl=64 time=210.207 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=5 ttl=64 time=130.668 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=6 ttl=64 time=358.600 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=7 ttl=64 time=278.971 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=8 ttl=64 time=506.731 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=9 ttl=64 time=120.634 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=10 ttl=64 time=347.701 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=11 ttl=64 time=79.923 ms

When I ping the AirportExpress directly, the latency is fine:

$ ping 192.168.1.2

PING 192.168.1.2 (192.168.1.2): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=0.415 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.197 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.182 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=0.196 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=0.197 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=0.188 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=6 ttl=255 time=0.192 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=7 ttl=255 time=0.189 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=8 ttl=255 time=0.195 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.2: icmp_seq=9 ttl=255 time=0.176 ms

My AirportExpress is running the version 7.5.2. I tried hard resetting it but it doesn't help. Is this a known issue of the AirportExpress ?

cheers,

Tex

Posted on Oct 9, 2011 2:31 AM

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Answer 1

lupunus

Level 4

1,000 points

Oct 9, 2011 2:38 AM in response to Tex-Twil

Tex-Twil wrote:

Hi,

since long time, I've had latency issues with my Airport Express on the local network. When I ping any computer on my LAN, I'm getting very high latency:

What computer? What OS? What protocol on the wireless? Whitch OS X version(s) Ping from which to what computer?

All systems in the same name space? For instance Windows use "workgroup" Mac's using "local"

Lupunus

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Answer 2

Tex-Twil Author

Level 1

6 points

Oct 9, 2011 2:49 AM in response to lupunus

All computers (iMac, MBP and MacBook) are running OSX Lion. I tried using both wired and wireless connections but this does not seem to be the problem:

Ping from iMac to Airport is OK : iMac <-- wire -- > Airport

Ping from iMac to MacBook Pro is NOT OK : iMac <-- wire -- > Airport <-- wireless -- > MacBook Pro

Ping from MacBook Pro to Airport is OK : MBP <-- wireless -- > Airport

Ping from MacBook Pro to iMac is NOT OK : MBP <-- wireless -- > Airport <-- wire --> iMac

Ping from MacBook to Airport is OK : MB <-- wireless -- > Airport

Ping from MacBook to iMac is NOT OK : MB <-- wireless -- > Airport <-- wire --> iMac

Ping from MacBook to MacBook Pro is NOT OK : MBP <-- wireless -- > Airport <-- wireless --> MacBook Pro

I've had this problem also in Leopard, Snow Leopard and other operating systems (tried with Windows 7 and Linux) so I don't think this comes from the OS. I believe the Airport Express has a problem.

cheers,

Tex

PS: how can I insert some "code" in this post to make it more readable ?

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Answer 3

lupunus

Level 4

1,000 points

Oct 9, 2011 3:12 AM in response to Tex-Twil

Tex-Twil wrote:

All computers (iMac, MBP and MacBook) are running OSX Lion. I tried using both wired and wireless connections but this does not seem to be the problem:

You will get, due to technical reasons, a short delay on the transition from wired to wireless but not in such numbers as in your reports.

Eventually try first a different radio channel. That channel should have at least a 5 channel gap to the strongest wireless in the neighborhood.

As radio beams are not like X-Ray's, obstacles may decrease the signal strength.

Try to have as much "line of sight" (free air) between your Express and the stations. If possible, place your Express as high as you can and not close at the wall or close to cordless phone stations. Do not hide the Express in corners or behind furniture. Eventually use a extension cord and a (removable) adhesive tape to fix the Express on a good place.

Did all your Lion systems get a clean install or did you upgrade some from 10.6.8?

If so, try the following on the upgraded systems, because some configuration files may get damaged or corrupt by time, after updates or upgrades and should get deleted occasionally.

Switch off wifi on the machine.

Then go on and delete the files mentioned below.

Cause you are using Lion, the Library is hidden. You have to use (menu bar) "go to" -> "go to folder" on finder to access them.

You will find the files on your system drive (not your home folder):

/library/preferences/com.apple.preferences.accounts.plist

/library/preferences/com.apple.preferences.sharing.plist

/library/preferences/SstemConfiguration/preferences.plist

/library/preferences/SstemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

If there are files in this folders with the same name but additional .orig at the end, delete them too.

It is possible that not all files get found on your system. That will be ok.

The files will became newly created by system on reboot.

For that reboot the machine.

Join your wireless again.

Lupunus

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Answer 4

antugnas

Level 1

0 points

Dec 16, 2011 9:32 AM in response to Tex-Twil

Hi Tex-Twil,

I'm having exactly the same problem. Ok ping to AE inside wired area, if I ping to an iMac connected by air, I get terrible pings. The opposite instead is ok.

Have you got any solution on this? I see that you have some postings from years ago!

Thanks,

antugnas.

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