4 Replies Latest reply: Oct 5, 2012 3:48 PM by SDTCNA
SDTCNA Level 1 Level 1 (0 points)

I need my computer to use a public IP address rather than the normal LAN IP 10.0.1.x which an Airport Extreme generates.

 

I'd also appreciate knowing how to set-up an Airport Extreme to a LAN Switch such as a Netgear GS108.  If I connect my cable modem to the LAN Switch rather than direct to the Airport Extreme and then connect the Airport Extreme to the switch, the Airport Extreme does not connect to the internet.

 

Thank you.


MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)
  • Bob Timmons Level 10 Level 10 (81,465 points)

    how do I make an airport extreme generate a public ip address?

    This is not possible with Apple routers.

     

    You can change the range of the "private" IP addresses to 192.168.x.x values if you wish, but they will still be "private" LAN addresses, not public.

     

    Other than personal taste, there is no reason or advantage to use one range over another.  Apple uses the 10.0.x.x range by default while some other manufacturers use 192.68.x.x.

     

    Given this information, we are not sure how to answer your other questions since there may not be an answer.

     

    If I connect my cable modem to the LAN Switch rather than direct to the Airport Extreme and then connect the Airport Extreme to the switch, the Airport Extreme does not connect to the internet.

    The cable modem can only generate one IP address. If you have more than one device connected to the switch, it will be a matter of chance as to which device receives the correct IP address. The other device will not be able to connect to the Internet.

     

    The correct sequence of devices on a network would look like this:

     

    Cable Modem > Router > Switch > Devices

     

    Not like this:

     

    Cable Modem > Switch > Router > Devices

  • SDTCNA Level 1 Level 1 (0 points)

    Thank you for your informed response.

     

    Can I purchase a router that is not a switch and then connect the Airport Extreme to it?

  • Bob Timmons Level 10 Level 10 (81,465 points)

    Yes, you could. But, the "new" router would then be handling all of the IP addressing on the network.  The AirPort Extreme would need to be configured in Bridge Mode to operate correctly on the network.

     

    If you want the AirPort Extreme to be in charge of routing....it must be connected directly to the cable modem.

  • SDTCNA Level 1 Level 1 (0 points)

    Your responses are excellent, very succinct.

     

    The reason I'm going thru this is because I'm trying to publish a FileMaker Pro database using FMP's Instant Web Publishing service.  To do this, I have to leave my MacBook Pro "on" with the FMP application running so that my clients can access the FMP database.  In order to do this, I have to give them a Public IP address.

     

    When I connect both the cable modem and MacBook Pro to the switch I get the Public IP address I need but then I can't connect my Airport Extreme which feeds a Mac Mini and Apple TV connected to my flat screen TV.

     

    Thus my consternation.