What is changing my WiFi interface and Why????

[bush5150]

Hello,

I recently upgraded from Linux Mint 17.2 to Linux Mint 18. I'm tracking down my WiFi connectivity issues (which are in a separate post that no one's bothered to answer, yet plenty of views). My connection still remains intermittent when using Mint 18 (even with most up to date kernel). I'm connected for a while, then a sudden drop, even when sitting less than 2 feet from the router!!! Takes several reboots for the network interface to come back up and connect to my router.
I believe I've discovered something relevant. Something is modifying wlan0 to wlp6s0. Why? This didn't happen in Linux Mint 17.2, yet it's happening in v. 18. It appears to be happening during boot or shortly after login. What is going on with this and why is it happening???

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~ $ iwconfig
wlp6s0    IEEE 802.11bg  ESSID:"belkin.b02"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.447 GHz  Access Point: 08:86:3B:31:8B:02   
          Bit Rate=48 Mb/s   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry short limit:7   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=66/70  Signal level=-44 dBm  
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:1  Invalid misc:125   Missed beacon:0

lo        no wireless extensions.

enp2s0    no wireless extensions.

***Note the first line***

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 ~ $ dmesg | grep wlp6s0
[   26.576134] ath5k 0000:06:00.0 wlp6s0: renamed from wlan0
[   42.643312] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp6s0: link is not ready
[   42.653480] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp6s0: link is not ready
[   45.246903] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp6s0: link is not ready
[   46.235137] wlp6s0: authenticate with 08:86:3b:31:8b:02
[   46.239720] wlp6s0: send auth to 08:86:3b:31:8b:02 (try 1/3)
[   46.241144] wlp6s0: authenticated
[   46.244180] wlp6s0: associate with 08:86:3b:31:8b:02 (try 1/3)
[   46.251703] wlp6s0: RX AssocResp from 08:86:3b:31:8b:02 (capab=0x411 status=0 aid=2)
[   46.251824] wlp6s0: associated
[   46.251906] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_CHANGE): wlp6s0: link becomes ready

Here are my specs:
Mint Version

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~ $ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:	LinuxMint
Description:	Linux Mint 18 Sarah
Release:	18
Codename:	sarah

i386 (32-bit)

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~ $ dpkg -l openssl
Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold
| Status=Not/Inst/Conf-files/Unpacked/halF-conf/Half-inst/trig-aWait/Trig-pend
|/ Err?=(none)/Reinst-required (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)
||/ Name                    Version          Architecture     Description
+++-=======================-================-================-====================================================
ii  openssl                 1.0.2g-1ubuntu4. i386             Secure Sockets Layer toolkit - cryptographic utility

Kernel Version

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~ $ uname -r
4.4.0-38-generic

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~ $ lspci -k
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub
	Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
	Kernel driver in use: i915
	Kernel modules: intelfb, i915
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
	Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
	Kernel modules: snd_hda_intel
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
	Kernel modules: shpchp
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
	Kernel modules: shpchp
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 3 (rev 02)
	Kernel driver in use: pcieport
	Kernel modules: shpchp
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller
	Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.1 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller
	Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.2 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller
	Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.7 USB controller: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller
	Kernel driver in use: ehci-pci
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge
	Kernel driver in use: lpc_ich
	Kernel modules: intel_rng, lpc_ich, leds_ss4200
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller
	Kernel driver in use: ata_piix
	Kernel modules: pata_acpi
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) SATA Controller [IDE mode] (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) SATA Controller [IDE mode]
	Kernel driver in use: ata_piix
	Kernel modules: pata_acpi
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family SMBus Controller (rev 02)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation NM10/ICH7 Family SMBus Controller
	Kernel modules: i2c_i801
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8036 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller (rev 16)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation 88E8036 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller
	Kernel driver in use: sky2
	Kernel modules: sky2
06:00.0 Ethernet controller: Qualcomm Atheros AR242x / AR542x Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express) (rev 01)
	Subsystem: AMBIT Microsystem Corp. AR242x / AR542x Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express)
	Kernel driver in use: ath5k
	Kernel modules: ath5k
08:03.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
	Kernel driver in use: yenta_cardbus
	Kernel modules: yenta_socket
08:03.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
	Kernel driver in use: firewire_ohci
	Kernel modules: firewire_ohci
08:03.2 Mass storage controller: Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation VAIO VGN-N21E
	Kernel driver in use: tifm_7xx1
	Kernel modules: tifm_7xx1

[trytip]

in my arch install wlan0 something wps30u or something like that i wouldn't worry about the name unless you use it for conky network monitoring. your intermittent on/off connection can it be cause by your router? when was the last time you cycled the power on it? unplug it for about 40 seconds then wait for a connection. have you deleted your wifi connection and made a new one?

[bush5150]

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it.
I should add that this is a fresh install of Mint 18 after a reformat. I've disabled IPv6 in the settings on a found solution on Ubuntu boards, which I believe helped speed up connection to the router (authentication process seemed quicker).
I've power-cycled the router several times in the past week (that and my modem). No go. My other connections to the router (Android, tablet, Xbox, etc) have no issues. In fact, I browsed for help on my phone while my WiFi Interface was down on the computer.

I've tried ifconfig wlp6s0 down and then waiting a few seconds to follow up with ifconfig wlp6s0 up only to get:

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SIOCSIFFLAGS: Operation not possible due to RF-kill

I believe I fixed it, by:
Checking the RF Kill Hardware switch

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cat /sys/module/ath5k/parameters/no_hw_rfkill_switch

Mine was set to "N", so I:

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echo "options ath5k no_hw_rfkill_switch=Y" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/ath5k.conf

Which changed it to "Y", basically ignoring the hardware rfkill switch.

I rebooted and now I can bring the network interface down and up without the SIOCSIFFLAGS error, but the Network Manager doesn't reflect the change in interface (up or down).

For example, when I ifconfig wlp6s0 down, the Network Manager still reports that I'm connected to the router. I confirm that I'm not by attempting to browse with Firefox: "No Connectivity". Network Manager reflects something inaccurate - I'm not connected when it says I am. When I ifconfig wlp6s0 up, Network Manager still reflects connection to the router; yet, still unable to connect via Firefox. I have to manually reset the connection in my Network Manager in order to connect.

As for WiFi monitoring, yes, I do that, too.

Here's my output for my Network Manager (I'm beginning to think that that is the cause of my woes, the default Network Manager is wonky):

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 $ dpkg -l | grep network-manager
ii  network-manager                              1.2.2-0ubuntu0.16.04.1                     i386         network management framework (daemon and userspace tools)
ii  network-manager-gnome                        1.2.0-0ubuntu0.16.04.4                     i386         network management framework (GNOME frontend)
ii  network-manager-openvpn                      1.1.93-1ubuntu1                            i386         network management framework (OpenVPN plugin core)
ii  network-manager-openvpn-gnome                1.1.93-1ubuntu1                            i386         network management framework (OpenVPN plugin GNOME GUI)
ii  network-manager-pptp                         1.1.93-1ubuntu1                            i386         network management framework (PPTP plugin core)
ii  network-manager-pptp-gnome                   1.1.93-1ubuntu1                            i386         network management framework (PPTP plugin GNOME GUI)

[bush5150]

Update:

So I attempted a different Network Manager "wicd" which royally messed my computer up (it removed cinnamon). However, when I got cinnamon reinstalled (unfortunately, along with network-manager), I booted with both network managers active. There is an issue with the default network-manager for Cinnamon!!! I ran ifconfig wlp6s0 down and wicd responded immediately while network-manager still said I was connected. I brought it back up and wicd responded again, while network-manager didn't. I'm suspecting that there's some buggy coding in network-manager that is leading to soo many dropped connections that are being reported in Mint 18. Again, no issues with wicd in detecting my status (up or down). I can't remove network-manager without removing Cinnamon, so I'm kinda stuck.

Warning to those who may think that just installing wicd will resolve issues... If you follow the instructions on the wicd website, you will remove cinnamon and could potentially give you THIS ISSUE!!!!!!

The issue is still not resolved. Why is my WiFi interface changing from wlan0 (of which I had no issues in Mint 17.2 Cinnamon) to wlp6s0 (which I'm having issues in Mint 18 Cinnamon)? I suspect that the issue may be the name of the interface and how it is interacting with network-manager. I don't know how detailed or interwoven they are, but I can't help but notice the similarities in issues and when I change the Network Manager, I don't have issues.

[JeremyB]

The network renaming is something that we are going to have to deal with as Ubuntu has been using it since Ubuntu 15.10

I used the following command to disable the renaming

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sudo ln -s /dev/null /etc/udev/rules.d/80-net-setup-link.rules

After a reboot, I had wlan0 back

The story about the renaming https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Softwa ... faceNames/

[bush5150]

The network renaming is something that we are going to have to deal with as Ubuntu has been using it since Ubuntu 15.10

Thank you. Now I know the reason. Mint 17.2 was based off Ubuntu 14.04 "trusty". The new changes in systemd renaming hadn't taken place yet. Installing Mint 18, based off Ubuntu 16.04 "xenial", had the changes implemented. Now I know. Thank you for the fix, as well!!!

Now on to figuring out why the default network-manager in Mint 18 is acting flaky when I take the card down and up with ifconfig wlp6s0 and why my network interface shuts down for now apparent reason. It takes many reboots to get it to pull up the wifi networks so I can connect.

[JeremyB]

The instructions for WICD are likely specific to Ubuntu, where Network Manager can be removed without loosing your desktop environment.

If you think WICD might be the answer Network Manager can be disabled with

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systemctl disable NetworkManager.service

And it will be disabled after a reboot. If WICD doesn't work any better you can get Network Manager working with

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systemctl enable NetworkManager.service

Reboot again