AP losing connection constantly via pfSense.

Networking Networking Software
, ,
1

Hello All,

This has been troubling me for 3 days and after scouring the internet and trying multiple suggestions, I have resorted to reaching out to you all from help.

Hardware setup:

  • Server: HP Z640 workstation with 2 1GBe ethernet ports.
  • Switch: TP-Link TL-SG105E 5-port smart switch.
  • WAP1 : TP-Link Archer AX10 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router
  • WAP2 : TP-Link AX5400 an old router provided by previous ISP.
  • Endpoints_WAP1: Windows and Android
  • Endpoints_WAP12: Smart lights, TV, hubs, etc.

Network setup:

  • pfSense CE 2.7.1 virtualised on Proxmox CE 8.1.3 running on bear metal.
  • NBN modem connected directly to the server and bridges to pfSense.
  • pfSense with PPPoE config on WAN port. (no connectivity issues/dropouts at all)
  • Port1 of switch trunked with port2 and port3. Connected to the server and bridged to pfSense with correct Vlan tags.
  • port2 on VLan20 and port3 on Vlan40.
  • port2 connected to WAN of WAP1
  • port3 connected to WAN of WAP2

IP setup:

  • LAN: 10.52.0.0/24
  • WAP1: 10.20.0.0/24. Set to a static IP both in pfSense and WAP.
  • WAP2: 10.40.0.0/24
  • DNS is AdGuardHome on pfSense.
  • DHCP server is pfSense only.

Issue:

  • Devices connected to WAP whether wired or wireless only stay connected for ~5 mins.
  • Devices lose all conectivity to internet as well as LAN and other interfaces.
  • After 30 secs they get connected again but the connection stays up for 5 mins only.
  • This is loop that both WAPs are in constantly for the last 3 days.

Key Points:

  • This setup has been working flawlessly for the last 2 months.
  • This majorly started to happen after updating pfSense to 2.7.x
  • I have tried setting static IPs to the endpoints, still the same. Ruling out DHCP issue.
  • I have tried changing the DNS to 8.8.8.8, still the same. Ruling out DNS issue.
  • I want to focus on fixing the wired connection for now. I believe wireless will also get fixed.

Workaround:

  • Connected an old router to NBN modem.
  • Connected server and pfSense WAN from LAN of the old router
  • Changed pfSense WAN config from PPPoE to DHCP.
  • This is to ensure that pfSense still keeps receiving internet.
  • Connected essential devices to the old router for internet connectivity. However, not very happy as they do not go via pfSense or AdGuardHome.

Any help/advice is highly appreciated. Please feel to ask in case I have missed out on any information.
TIA.

2

Did you ever figure the issue out? I am currently troubleshooting another issue to figure why it appears that backend bsd is randomly locking up with no rhyme or reason.