Hello. I got recently a Flint 2 that I am using as main router with the FTTH 2.5/1 Gbps. I don’t have room to wire the house, so, to connect the pc that is 5 meters away from the main router, in another room, I would like to buy another Flint 2, and set it as Extender or WDS. The idea is to connect the 2 Flints via wifi and then connect the pc to the LAN of the second flint, I don’t need any other wifi on the second flint.
By using Extender or WDS, can I have the 2 flints to connect between themsevels in MIMO at 4x4 @ 160, having hence a potential maximum of 4804/4804 for the Wifi? Should I use Extender or WDS to get MIMO 4x4 at 160MHz? Is it better to use 36 or 100 as channels? I live in an area that is not congested, so both the options works.
Hi
I think the MIMO 4x4 at 160 MHz should be fine for both Extender or WDS mode.
However, please note that the negotiation rate may not be able to fix at the maximum, since the wireless interference will cause the Wi-Fi devices to try using a lower modulation and coding scheme (MCS).
Hello,
Thank you.
I need a very precise clarification regarding the Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) wireless capabilities in Extender and WDS mode. Your previous answer stated that:
“MIMO 4x4 at 160 MHz should be fine for both Extender or WDS mode.”
However, I need to understand the actual MIMO configuration used on the STA (client) side.
My question: When two Flint 2 units are connected together over Wi-Fi (one as AP and the other as Extender or WDS), does the STA (client) side operate in 4×4 or 2×2?
More specifically:
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Does the Flint 2 STA interface really support 4×4 MIMO at 160 MHz,
or is the STA-side limited to 2×2 MIMO due to mt76 driver behavior?
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In real-world tests, the negotiated PHY rate between two Flint 2 units never exceeds 2402 Mbps, which corresponds to 2×2 / 160 MHz, not 4×4.
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Several community tests and discussions indicate that MediaTek Filogic 830 + mt76 driver only supports 4×4 in AP mode, but limits the STA mode to 2×2.
**So the core question is:
Is the Flint 2 STA (Extender/WDS client) truly 4×4, or is it operating as 2×2?**
This is extremely important to know, because:
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If STA is 4×4, the AP ↔ Extender link could reach 4804 Mbps PHY.
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If STA is 2×2, the maximum is 2402 Mbps PHY, even if both devices are 4×4-capable.
I would be very grateful for a clear, technical confirmation:
Does the mt76 driver in the Flint 2 allow 4×4 MIMO on the STA side,
or is it limited to 2×2 MIMO when connecting to another AP?
Thanks a lot for your assistance — this clarification will help me design the correct wireless backbone between two Flint 2 units.
We performed preliminary testing on Flint 2 using firmware versions v4.8.3 and v4.8.3-op24.
Based on the negotiated wireless rates:
Please note that our office environment has significant wireless interference from hundreds of nearby access points, which results in lower MCS levels.
Thank you very much, I can buy the second one and do the wifi bridge!
The first bridge is router and the second can be WDS or Extender? Or shall I use only one specifically?
Both WDS and Extender should function properly.
Typically, WDS only works well on chips of the same model/manufacturer, but since you will be using two MT6000 units, this should not be an issue.
Maybe take some times to test both modes after receiving the devices, in order to determine which performs better in your specific environment.
It should also be reiterated that due to wireless interference in the environment, the router may not always be able to utilize 4x4 MIMO + 160MHz + high-order MCS.
It may drop down to 3x3 MIMO / 2x2 MIMO / SISO + 80MHz + low-order MCS, etc.
Thank you for the clarifications.
Yes, I want to do some tests, I am not sure that I will be able to use 4x4 MIMO + 160MHz + high-order MCS, since depends on the walls in between, people passing infront, etc…
Currently I have a Zyxel NWA50Pro with Openwrt connected via wifi to the Flint 2, and I get around 1900/1400 as wifi connection (Panama and 28dBm)… considering the zyxel is 2x2 MIMO, I have reasonable hopes that by using 2 flint 2 I would do better. But I do agree that the only way to see the final result is to test.
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