Q: "No DNS servers" and "Internet connection" problems with Comcast?
Hi everyone,
I just bought a new AirPort Express and Comcast is my ISP. I ditched my old Belkin wireless router, connected the Comcast modem directly to my AirPort Express, and it appears to be working great. I can access the internet wirelessly and also play music using AirPlay through my stereo speakers.
However, when I open the AirPort Utility, the utility tells me that I have two problems with my AirPort Express:
- Apparently I have no internet connection (the utility tells me that "Your AirPort base station does not have a valid IP address."), even though I can access the internet just fine.
- I don't appear to have any DNS server addresses (the utility tells me that "This AirPort base station doesn't have any DNS server addresses and might have trouble connecting to the internet.")
Does anyone know if these are serious problems that I need to address, or can they be ignored? I don't want to start tinkering with the AirPort Express's settings until I am better informed, because right now everything is working as far as my access to the internet is concerned.
Thank you in advance for your help with this! Attached is a screenshot of what my AirPort Utility screen looks like:
AirPort Express 802.11n Wi-Fi
Posted on Apr 11, 2012 2:20 PM
Anytime you change networking hardware, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of your networking components.
I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:
- Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
- Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
- While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
- After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
- Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
- Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
- Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
- Power-up your computer(s).
In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.
Posted on Apr 11, 2012 2:25 PM
