Issues Setting Up Ad-Hoc Network with Orin Nanos Jetpack 6.0 – BSSID Mismatch

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing a BSSID mismatch when attempting to set up an ad-hoc (IBSS mode) network between two Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano devices using JetPack 6.0. The issue arises during the configuration of the network, specifically while sending UDP packets between the two devices.

The symptoms include:

• Both devices are operational and configured with the same SSID ("AdhocTest").
• Despite the correct setup, the BSSIDs of the two devices differ.
• Users have manually assigned static IP addresses to both devices.
• Commands such as iw dev wlan0 info and iw dev wlan0 link indicate that the network interfaces appear functional, yet connectivity issues persist.

The problem seems to occur consistently when users attempt to establish an ad-hoc network without a wired connection, impacting their ability to communicate over UDP.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for the BSSID mismatch and connectivity issues have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: Differences in hardware versions or defects may prevent proper communication between devices.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Issues within JetPack 6.0 or conflicts with other installed software could lead to unexpected behavior in network configurations.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect commands or parameters during the setup process may result in mismatched BSSIDs.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible drivers for the wireless interfaces might affect their ability to form a proper ad-hoc network.

• Environmental Factors: Interference from other wireless networks or devices could impact connectivity and lead to mismatches.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Mistakes in command execution or misunderstanding of network settings could contribute to the observed issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To address the BSSID mismatch and connectivity issues, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Hardware Setup:

   • Ensure both Jetson Orin Nanos are functioning correctly and are equipped with compatible wireless hardware.

2. Update Software:

   • Run the following commands on both devices to ensure all software is up-to-date:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get upgrade
     

3. Check Network Interface Status:

   • Confirm that the wireless interface is active:

     sudo ip link set wlan0 up
     

4. Set Up Ad-Hoc Network:

   • Use the following commands on both devices to configure the ad-hoc network:

     sudo iw wlan0 set type ibss
     sudo iw wlan0 ibss join "AdhocTest" 2462
     sudo ip addr add 192.168.1.1/24 dev wlan0  # Adjust IP for second device accordingly
     

5. Confirm Network Configuration:

   • Check the configuration using:

     iw dev wlan0 info
     iw dev wlan0 link
     

6. Static IP Address Configuration:

   • Ensure static IP addresses are properly assigned and that there are no conflicts. If needed, refer to Jetson AGX Orin FAQs for guidance on setting static IPs.

7. ARP Resolution:

   • Verify that ARP is correctly resolving MAC addresses by running:

     sudo arp -s 192.168.1.x [MAC address]  # Replace with appropriate values
     

8. Test Connectivity:

   • After completing the above steps, test connectivity between devices using ping commands:

     ping 192.168.1.x  # Replace with the other device's IP address
     

9. Review Environmental Factors:

   • Check for interference from other networks or devices that may affect communication.

10. Documentation and Support:

    • Consult Nvidia’s official documentation for additional troubleshooting tips and updates related to JetPack and networking configurations.

Recommended Approach

If multiple users reported success with specific steps, such as ensuring both devices are updated and correctly configured with static IPs, consider these methods as a primary approach for troubleshooting.

Unresolved Aspects

Further investigation may be needed into potential software bugs within JetPack 6.0 or specific hardware compatibility issues if problems persist after following these troubleshooting steps.