P2P_GROUP_ADD fails for 5 GHz operating channel, "Cannot force GO on channel we are already using"

[Jouni Malinen]

On Tue, Nov 05, 2013 at 09:32:28PM +0000, Hunt, Preston wrote:
> I am trying to start an autonomous P2P group owner in a 5 GHz operating channel. After setting the country (US), regulatory class (115), and channel (44), I try "P2P_GROUP_ADD", but it fails with the following:
> 1.  1741360106.467972: P2P: Set GO freq based on configured frequency 5220 MHz
> 2.  1741360106.467994: wlan27: Determining shared radio frequencies (max len 1)
> 3.  1741360106.468011: wlan27: Shared frequencies (len=0): completed iteration
> 4.  1741360106.468019: wlan27: Shared frequencies (len=0): valid for P2P
> 5.  1741360106.468026: wlan27: Determining shared radio frequencies (max len 1)
> 6.  1741360106.468032: wlan27: Shared frequencies (len=0): completed iteration
> 7.  1741360106.468038: wlan27: P2P: num_unused_channels: 1
> 8.  1741360106.468043: P2P: Cannot force GO on any of the channels we are already using. Use one of the free channels
> 9.  1741360106.468049: P2P: The selected channel for GO (5220 MHz) is not supported for P2P uses
> (I uploaded the full wpa_supplicant log here: http://pastebin.com/RNLqAuNP)

The driver you are using does not seem to allow AP/GO mode operations to
be started on the 5 GHz band. This sequence works fine for me with a
device that is provisioned with local settings that enable AP mode on
the 5 GHz band.

> I'm confused by this error message because (1) the NIC is not currently associated or otherwise in use (as far as I know) and (2) the log indicates "num_unused_channels: 1".

The "P2P: Cannot force GO on any of the channels we are already using.
Use one of the free channels" message is admittedly quite confusing one
for a case where there are no channels in use. I guess one could claim
it to be correct strictly speaking, but anyway, confusing. The part that
shows the real issue here is this: "P2P: The selected channel for GO
(5220 MHz) is not supported for P2P uses". The full log confirms this,
i.e., there was no channel list update event from the driver when the
country code was set and the channel list fetched from the driver
enabled P2P only for the 2.4 GHz band.

> Is there anything special that I would need to do in order to support a 5 GHz operating channel? This works fine in 2.4 GHz (e.g., reg class 81, channel 1). I would sincerely appreciate any tips!

You would need to use a card that is configured for a country that
allows AP mode operation on 5 GHz band. I'd assume that the one you were
using here was configured for world roaming and as such, was mandating
passive scanning for 5 GHz. Such channels are removed from P2P use since
they do not allow GO to be started.

-- 
Jouni Malinen                                            PGP id EFC895FA