ian_fr
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: Connexion drops with firmware 7.7.7 & 7.6.7

Hi,

 

I am using an Airport Extreme + Airport Express to extend the network, everything was working fine.

But after upgrading both firmware to 7.7.7 & 7.6.7, I started to have issues. Connection drops randomly on multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC), need to restart the airports sometime twice a day.

After downgrading to previous version (7.7.3 & 7.6.4) everything works nicely again.

 

Is there any known issue with firmware 7.7.7 & 7.6.7 ?

 

Thanks.

 

Ian

Posted on Oct 1, 2016 12:42 PM

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ian_fr

Q: Connexion drops with firmware 7.7.7 & 7.6.7

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  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Oct 1, 2016 1:55 PM in response to ian_fr
    Level 9 (52,991 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 1, 2016 1:55 PM in response to ian_fr

    When you extend the network by wireless there is always going to be some flakiness.

     

    Is there any known issue with firmware 7.7.7 & 7.6.7 ?

    I think it is more a case of wonder that it worked on (7.7.3 & 7.6.4) and after the downgrade everything works nicely.

     

    Keep the old firmware if it works better for you. There is very little advantage to some upgrades which are done for minor bug fixes.. any major security fix will change the setting for min firmware version and prevent downgrade.

     

    What I would recommend if you want to keep the latest firmware.. is to take more control over the network.

     

    Make sure your wireless names are short with no spaces and pure alphanumerics.. passwords also but 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.

     

    Set channels and setup different names for different bands if you need to.

     

    You set the extend and control it.. and you need to track it. Unfortunately on v6 airport utility that is not easy so I encourage you to use v5 on older OS.. or one of the trick methods with care for the consequences. Just google for how to load 5.6.1 utility into Yosemite.. that works for el capo.. not sure about sierra yet.

     

    I have found the latest firmware is more restrictive. I cannot extend as easily on 5ghz anymore.. it seems to always use 2.4ghz.