Any difference in letting DSL modem distribute IPs versus Airport Extreme?

Just switched offices, hooking up to new DSL account. Previous setup was exactly the same: AT&T DSL, Actiontec modem, AE router, but with different account. With that setup I remember turning off several features on the modem and letting the AE do the work: DHCP as well as the PPoE login.
With the new setup, we wound up resetting the modem so I lost those settings. When the DSL came on I got a DOUBLE NAT error and orange light on the AE; turning off DHCP on it and allowing the modem to handle PPoE and the IP distribution worked ( basically put it in Bridge mode) and everything is hunky dory. So my question is, is there any difference in whether the AE or the modem spits out IP addresses for the office? So far everything seems to be OK and I don't want to mess it up by trying to revert to that older setting...
TIA, JVK

Bob, a few questions:
1. Can you tell us some of the things we miss besides the Guest Network if we bridge the ActionTech DSL modem?
2. On my ActionTec I can let it do the PPPoE and turn off the DHCP/NAT and turn both on in Time Capsule. Would you call that "semi-bridge" mode? Is this advisable? Is there any reason why it would be better to let Time Cap do the DHCP stuff and not the Action Tech? Maybe better speed or performance? What is the better router... Time Cap or the ActionTec DSL.
Al

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DSL Modem to Router to Airport Express ??

I am trying to setup a network at home. I recently bought a D-Link DI-604 wired router to plug into my DSL modem so I could connect my eMac with an ethernet cable and my MacBook Pro with Airport Express. I have it setup so the DSL modem is connected to the D-Link router and then their are two cables running from the router. One is going to the emac directly and the other is going to the Airport express.
If I don't use the router then I have no problems surfing the net with the DSL modem to Airport Express on my MacBook Pro. The problem I'm having is when I split the connection with the D-Link router. After running the connection wizard built into the router, I can surf the net on both computers temporarily but when I turn both computers off and then back on again a few hours later I've lost the net connection and I have to reboot the router and run the wizard again.
I didn't do much research before I set this up because I assumed it wouldn't be a problem. However, now I'm beginning to suspect that connecting a router (DLink) to another router (Airport Express) might be the problem.
If anyone can address this issue I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
MacBook Pro 2Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hey there Other Tim,
Welcome to the forums!
I'd recommend setting up the D-Link router with only the eMac connected. Once it's up and running, join the Airport express to it. I would recommend resetting the AEX:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
Once you've got it going, go into Airport admin in the Utilities folder, click configure, and disable "Distribute IP addresses" under the Network tab.
I'm pretty sure that will work.

Any recommended modem to connect to airport extreme?

I'm looking for a "simple" modem hook up to my new airport extreme. I don't want to have to try and put my excisting westell 327w dsl router/modem into bridge mode. I'm not to sure if its possible or if I'll be able to do it successfully. Is there any modems that that are a easy setup with the airport extreme. Thanks for any help.

Welcome to the discussions, CooteyBug!
The only real reason to configure the modem as a simple "bridge" with the AirPort Extreme is if you need to be able to activate the Guest Network feature. Otherwise, the AirPort Extreme will work just fine in bridge mode to provide a dual band wireless network. If you don't need the wireless provided by the Westell gateway, you can turn it off, or perhaps use that as a Guest Network if you need that feature.
If you decide that you need a simple modem, It's always a good idea to start with your service provider to see if they offer a "bridge only" device. Often, they will provide a modem at no charge in return for a commitment of a year or more of continued service. This way, you can be assured that the provider will support the product in case you have internet connection difficulties.
If your provider does not offer a simple DSL modem, the Motorola AT&T 2210 should work with virtually any DSL service line. It will take a few minutes to configure the modem properly as a "bridge", but this is not difficult with the web based setup page(s) for the device.
In turn, the AirPort Extreme will need to be configured to "Connect Using PPPoE" with the modem in bridge mode. This is easily accomplished with AirPort Utility, the setup application for the AirPort Extreme.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

The connection between a Westell 6100 DSL modem and my new Apple Extreme is not stable.

My new airport extreme and a Westell 6100 DSL modem are connecting, but the wifi is now slow and unstable. How do I configure the modem and Airport Extreme so that they function together better?

The resason that the password shows long key length after clicking save settings is just for security purpose so that password can not be rechecked .....so you don't have to worry about the lenght of your DSL password ....it is correct even after saving the settings.....
Now as you said that Modem is already under bridge ..... & you are trying to use PPPOE settings on router .... in that case you should get Internet Ip address under status tab of router after clicking connect .....as you are getting the error message "cannot get an Ip from PPPOE server" ..... i assume that Modem is not configured under 100% Bridge Mode.....
Check once again with your Internet service provider if the modem is in Bridge mode or not....

Modem for use with airport extreme?

I know that the AirPort Time Capsules do not have a built in modem and I need an external one.
I also have ADSL internet as opposed to Fibre so I need to find something suitable to sit between the Time Capsule and the interent. I realise that I could simply use the modem / router supplied by my ISP and switch off the wi-fi on that and just use the modem aspects, but this uses an additiional power source.
My question is: Is there a suitable modem that will sit between the AirPort Time Capsule and an ADSL internet connection that does not need and additional power source?
If not (and I suspect there isn't as I can't find one), then is there any benefit in having a independent modem only device over using the ISP supplied modem / router and switching the router aspects off?
Thanks for any advice as I am having a real nightmare setting up my third party modem / router to work with an Apple network with some additional non-Apple devices and feel that going down the all Apple route of an AirPort would just make my life so much simple...

PPPOA is the big issue..
You cannot bridge to a modem running that authentication. There is no client that will work so the Apple has to be in bridge.. or some dicey double NAT setup.
The Thomson/Technicolor offers a dhcp spoofing but it goes through the NAT and it also causes heaps of issues.. Thomson modem routers have the worst possible NAT called full cone. You must manually bind all UDP ports to the NAT to get access.. and even that is not workable for many functions.
So you are quite right.. it is a mess.
Hence my thought to switch to an Apple router as it automatically opens relevant ports and recognises Apple devices. I have no idea (at this stage) how to set up a router / modem or bridge or other device to sit between the Apple AirPort Time Capsule and the ADSL internet connection.
Using the Apple router to open ports, is not going to help.. because you cannot bridge the modem.
So where do you end up.
The reason I am struggling with my Asus DSL-55n modem is that it is just too complex for me to get to grips with and there is little in the way of support documentation from Asus to assist me is overcoming the specific difficulties I have been having.
What issues are they?
I do not particularly like Asus modems.. they are generally poor firmware.. but have you loaded in the latest firmware.. check for updates because they have been improving.
A solution might be the Draytek 120 modem.. it has a neat little trick where you do PPPoE to PPPoA on the modem.. there are a few that can do it but the only readily available now that I know of is the draytek.
There is a mode in the Thomson called PPTP to PPPoA relay.. this also works very well but Apple do not support these more esoteric connections.. it is better used on a third party router.
If it makes any difference at all, my ISP allocates me a static external IP address which I have paid for and is automatically pushed to whatever router I seem to use.
It is only significant if the authentication method is IPOA .. where you use the IP as static on the router and have no authentication.. but static IP for PPPOA simply means your public IP doesn't change.. useful and helpful but not a solution to this problem.
http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor120.html
Look at the setup for pppoa bridge.
http://www.draytek.co.uk/support/kb_vigor100_setup.html

Recommended Modem to use with Airport Extreme

I currently have AT&T DSL. It is connected to AT&T's really crummy 2Wire 2701HG-B modem/router combo. I want to ditch the 2Wire and replace it with the Airport Extreme router, but I am told that I will also have to buy a modem to hook up to the router.
Any recommendations on a good modem that is compatable with AT&T DSL, and plays nice with the Airport extreme?

Best to check first with ATT for modems that are compatible with their service and will be supported in the event of connection difficulties.
http://www.att.com/equipment/
It looks like the Motorola 3360 might do what you need.
I have the previous version model....a Motorola 2210.....that has worked just fine for 4+ years with my AirPort Extreme.

Cable Modem to Router to Airport Extreme with Dynamic IP?

I have a basic networking question. I have set up a small home network with a few computers. I have a cable modem going to a router with 5 ports. Four of the ports go directly to desktops and the fifth port goes to an Airport Extreme Base station (round one) to provide wireless.
I have set up the router so it is distributing IPs via DHCP. All the desktops are recieving IPs and working fine. The Airport Extreme seems to get an IP and then lose it and the status light on the router goes off.
This made me think that I need to assign static IP addresses to all the computers. I was wondering if anyone could verify whether a wireless router connected to a router needs to recieve a static IP to work or will it work with a dynamic IP too?
Thanks in advance:)

This is the discussion area for Apple's AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) and wireless networking. Your question has nothing to do with that.
You may want to post your question in the Mac OS X discussion area.

Do I need to replace my modem/router to improve Airport Extreme performance?

Hi all.
Until recently my home network consisted of an ISP-supplier Thomson TG585 wireless router supporting both a MacBook Pro & iMac.
The config. worked to a point. Both machines could get to the web fine, but frustratingly would rarely "see" each other via the router. No problem when directly connected via LAN cable.
I have an external office some 20m or so away from the house and therefore need to use the MacBook at a distance. The TG585 failed to give the range required so I improved coverage by adding an Airport Extreme as a bridge (the Macs now see each other fine).
Whilst a great improvement in coverage, on occasion though it slows right down and even drops out.
I've loaded iStumbler to do some checks and whilst there's a number of domestic networks in the neighbourhood, none are on the same channel and all are running at 2.4Ghz, so presumably the Airport should be fine given its dual frequency capability?
iStumbler's indicating though that at the range I'm operating the signal range drops to between 15-25% and even with the MacBook right beside the Extreme it only gets to 61%. Both seem a bit low.
I'm no network expert, but this seems to suggest to me that it is the level I'm getting, rather than any interference which is the issue?
My first thought was to try and boost the MacBook's reception capability with an external USB aerial (looking through the forums the Asus USB-N10 seems to be a good choice).
In discussing this with local retailer however, he suggested this is the wrong idea. My problem apparently is the poor capability of the TG585 which is providing a reasonably weak/variable signal to the Extreme. Instead, I should be swapping out the TG585 for a more sophisticated router (his suggestion the Linksys E2000). With the base router providing a strong 5Ghz input then this enables the Extreme to perform at its best.
My question (finally!) is whether this is indeed the case (i.e. modem replacement req.)? If so, I don't want to replicate the Airport Extreme's spec. so I'm interested in any suggestions on a suitable modem(router) for this instance? If I have to splash out on a dual freq. modem/router in addition it starts me questioning the wisdom of my choice to buy the Extreme.
PS: Sorry it's a long one; thanks for taking the time to read.

I am afraid that the interference that you are picking up is coming from outside sources. Unfortunately, you will not be able to do much about this other than try different locations for the AirPort Extreme.
I'm assuming that your AirPort Extreme is not located close to a televison or other electronic device. If it is, try to move it as far away as possible. Also try to keep it as far away from any outside walls or windows in the apartment as possible.
I was helping a friend recently who moved into a a new high rise apartment/condo development and we found that he simply could not use 2.4 GHz wireless reliably in his area due to the number of other networks and interference issues. That is likely the case in many other situations due to the explosion of wireless networks in the last few years.
For your reference, the most accurate way to judge signal quality is Signal to Noise or SNR.
Hold down the option key on your Mac and click on the Apple icon in upper left corner of the screen
Select System Profier.
Look down the list for the Network heading and then click on AirPort to highlight it
Look in the window to the right for the name of the wireless network, then look for the Signal / Noise readings. These will be negative numbers. Example: Signal / Noise -60 dBm / -80 dBm
SNR = Signal minus Noise, so -60 dB - (-80) dB = 20 dB
Then use the reference chart posted by expert user Tesserax to get a general idea of the connection quality
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
With only 10 feet between the computer and router, you definitely should see 40 dB+ readings under normal conditions
How does your signal look if you use this method?

Which non apple modem/router work with airport extreme

Hi
My old modem needs replacing. It currently feeds into my airport extreme and an airport express extends the network to my office in the garage. Ideally I want an 'n' speed modem/router and use the airport extreme to extend the network in the garage, doing away with the airport express's slower speeds.
Are there any non apple modem/routers that will work with the airport extreme to extend the network.
Many thanks

+Are there any non apple modem/routers that will work with the airport extreme to extend the network.+
Not if you are planning to "extend" using wireless only.
If you are planning to extend the network by connecting to your new modem/router using an ethernet connection, you have some configuration options to choose from in that case. Post back if you need more details about this.

ADSL2 gigabit modem to go with airport extreme?

Just about to go back to using an Airport Extreme, but as I'm in the UK I need an ADSL modem for it. I usually just use the router that came with my O2 broadband and just switch off it's wifi. But ideally I'd like to find an ADSL2 gigabit modem. Tried googling, but all the ADSL2 modem's seem to be 10/100 ethernet, and I don't see the point in buying a gigabit ADSL2 wireless router. Any suggestions?

chirhodesign wrote:
Just about to go back to using an Airport Extreme, but as I'm in the UK I need an ADSL modem for it. I usually just use the router that came with my O2 broadband and just switch off it's wifi. But ideally I'd like to find an ADSL2 gigabit modem. Tried googling, but all the ADSL2 modem's seem to be 10/100 ethernet, and I don't see the point in buying a gigabit ADSL2 wireless router. Any suggestions?
I'd think a 100 Mbps port would be faster than just about any ADSL data stream. Gigabit would be overkill. The usefulness of a gigabit router would presumably be in transferring data between devices on the LAN.

Using an X-Modem M3 with an Airport Extreme and having iChat video problems

Hi,
I have been posting on the iChat section over the last week or so regarding a big problem I have with iChat4 Video. I have been getting some great help over there, but it has been mentioned to me that I may be able to pick up some help in this Topic regarding any more detailed known issues on the X-modem M3 or Airport Extreme.
I am still very new to this Discussion board use, so I hope it's ok to jump in like this and post a link to my ongoing discussion in iChat. See below.....
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1323485&tstart=0
I didn't want to copy all of my message again into here as I thought it best that if you can help you could use the link.
If anyone can help throw some light on this, then many thanks.

The X-Modem in the default modem mode has no influence over the data being transferred. It is a modem not a router so it does not block any communication ports. Your iChat problems must be either on the Airport or the computer.
Seeing as how iChat works fine when the modem is connected to the computer via Ethernet it shows that the modem is working fine and that your ISP doesn't seem to be doing any blocking that would prevent iChat from working.
It really looks like the Airport Extreme is the culprit, perhaps the firewall on the computer is not properly allowing iChat to tell the Airport what ports it should open. Have you tried switching the firewall off completely at both ends ? Seeing as how the computers are behind Airports there is no need to worry about turning the firewall off for testing.

Regarding the product time capsule...is the modem the same as airport extreme and is the disk drive always running? I'm worried about it lasting for at least five years.

Regarding the product Time Capsule... is the modem the same as the Airport extreme and is the disk drive always running??? I'm worried about it lasting at least five years.

John,
I'd pay good money to bet it wouldn't last 5 years... I don't rate the in built power supply and as for "server grade hard disk" - Hmmmm..... The failure rate of all HD's on the market after 3 year is 60%.
Regards,
Shawn

Comcast Arris Modem/Router interfering with AirPort Extreme?

Constantly getting knocked off the internet. Using an Arris Modem/Router TG862G
and an Apple Airport Router.
3 feet separate each router.
Am I getting knocked off the internet; because my AirPort Extreme is "confusing" my Arris Modem? Could interference cause internet disconnections?
Or is it likely something else?
Thanks

I had this same exact issue occur when I connected a printer to my Time Capsule, literally unplug everything from the router i.e. printer, computer, etc. etc. and wait a few minutes. Then re-plug all the peripherals (try different ports, except the LAN ) and see if that solves your wifi issue. If not, then unplug the router and just "give it a rest" then re-plug everything. If that doesn't work then defineitely try a hard reset or see if one of your connected devices is interfering with the network. In my case it was the printer that screwed up my connection and not the modem. I would also try switching LAN ports on the modem and see if that helps.
Hope this helps!

What's the best ADSL modem to use with Airport Extreme?

My current set up includes an 802.11n Airport Extreme (that I use in conjunction with my Apple TV and MacBook) connected to my Netgear DG834G wireless router (wifi is switched off). The Netgear router is connected by ethernet to 2 Macs, a Skype phone, and my laser printer.
I want to upgrade my LAN to gigabit, and I'm not sure whether I would be better to use a Gigabit switch instead of connecting everything via the router, or whether I should buy a new router which supports gigabit?
Also, I've just been reading about the DrayTek Vigor 100 ADSL2+ Ethernet Modem, and it suggests that it's better to have a separate modem rather than a router. All I know is that in the early days of broadband the USB modems connected to one computer were very unreliable, and that a router was far better.
What is the best way to configure such options? When I first got my new Airport Extreme I found that both it and the router were 'competing' with each other. Is there anywhere to turn to so I can get a better understanding of how to configure these things.
PS. I know my Airport Extreme doesn't have gigabit - but I've just ordered the newer version that does.
Message was edited by: bilbo_baggins

I use the Linksys ADSL2MUE - which I managed to buy for £12.
I configured it in bridged mode - leaving the Apple Extreme do all the firewall and DHCP stuff.
It's not pretty but does the job.

Is there any way to disable wireless management access on the Airport Extreme?

I know that Linksys routers allow you to disable accessing any of the management features over a wireless connection.
Is there any way to do this on the Airport Extreme? It seems like a security hole to not be able to shut this down and something that should be a feature of a $180 router.

Technically that's not true; brute force is always an option (though I use a key that's somewhere around 30+ characters, so it's unlikely).
I'm aware that having a serious amount of entropy in both the router password and the WPA key is enough to stop the vast majority of attacks.
All of that aside, I still prefer the ability to completely shut down this option.
I'm aware now that this router doesn't have that feature, but I'm hopeful that perhaps this thread shows up on Apple's radar somehow and they add the feature in the future.
I appreciate your replies.

Any difference in letting DSL modem distribute IPs versus Airport Extreme?

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