chadmac1960

Q: arris ab6183 and airport extreme

Just bought a new cable modem Arris AB6183 and need the correct steps in connecting it to my airport extreme.  My ISP is comcast/xfinity.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 26, 2016 9:35 AM

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Q: arris ab6183 and airport extreme

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 26, 2016 9:49 AM in response to chadmac1960
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 26, 2016 9:49 AM in response to chadmac1960

    Unfortunately, the Arris SB modems.....while good products....and the Apple AirPorts....while good products.....do not seem to get along well together at all. The SB6183 is a new model, so we don't have a long track record on that one, but you can get an idea of issues with the popular SB6141 here.

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/search?q=sb6141

     

    Do you want to try to go ahead and set up the SB6183 anyway?

  • by chadmac1960,

    chadmac1960 chadmac1960 Jan 26, 2016 9:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 9:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I have the modem connected to comcast successfully and can surf the internet via my mac.  I'm having issues getting my airport configured correctly.  I've tried to reset back to defaults a couple of time unsuccessfully.  It appears that the airport is still remembering my old settings when I was using the comcast modem. 

  • by chadmac1960,

    chadmac1960 chadmac1960 Jan 26, 2016 10:01 AM in response to chadmac1960
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 10:01 AM in response to chadmac1960

    In addition, I've tried turning off the modem then back on.  Right after that I turned my airport back on while connected to the modem.  My first question is should I try and configure the airport after default reset before I connect to the modem?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 26, 2016 10:01 AM in response to chadmac1960
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 26, 2016 10:01 AM in response to chadmac1960

    I have the modem connected to comcast successfully and can surf the internet via my mac.

    I understand. The issue is communications between the modem and AirPort Extreme. They don't seem to get along very well together.

     

    Do you want to try to go ahead and set up the SB6183 and AirPort Extreme anyway?  There are no guarantees, but we will try if you want.

  • by chadmac1960,

    chadmac1960 chadmac1960 Jan 26, 2016 10:06 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 10:06 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Sure, I was hoping a default reset would work.  I'm thinking there an issue with my steps.

  • by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 26, 2016 10:18 AM in response to chadmac1960
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 26, 2016 10:18 AM in response to chadmac1960

    The following steps will give you the best chance to get things working. Please follow them very closely.

     

    Power off the modem by pulling the power cord from the back of the device

    Disconnect the co-ax cable and Ethernet cable

    Leave the modem powered off for at least 30 minutes.....60 would be better

     

    During the time that the modem is powered off, power up the AirPort router if it is not already on

    Hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort for 5 to 6 seconds and then release

    Allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

    Power off the AirPort by pulling the power cord from the back of the device

     

    After the modem has been powered off for at least 30 minutes....recommend 60 if you can.....

    Connect the co-ax cable to the modem

    Connect the Ethernet cable to the modem

    Power up the modem and let it run for at least 10 minutes by itself

     

    Connect the Ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort router

    Power up the AirPort router and let it run for 2-3 minutes

    Set up the AirPort again

     

    Please report on your results

  • by chadmac1960,

    chadmac1960 chadmac1960 Jan 26, 2016 10:21 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 10:21 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    I surely will and thanks Bob.

  • by chadmac1960,

    chadmac1960 chadmac1960 Jan 26, 2016 11:12 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 11:12 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Ok, so the third time to reset the airport extreme was the charm I think.  I followed your steps and was able to connect the router and modem successfully.  The only thing I had to do was create the network name and password for the wifi.  Once I connected the router to the modem and waiting a few seconds, the solid green light came on and the wireless network appeared.  I was able to connect my printer, iphone and ipad to the wireless network.  All is well!!!!

     

    Thanks for your assistance and providing the steps!

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 26, 2016 11:17 AM in response to chadmac1960
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 26, 2016 11:17 AM in response to chadmac1960

    The "trick" was the extended power down for the modem.  The SB modems usually take a good 15-20 minutes to fully reset.....that is why I recommended at least 30.  If the modem does not completely reset....then you won't get a good Internet connection....even if everything else is OK on the AirPort router.

     

    The real test will be to see if the AirPort will maintain its Internet connection over time. If you find that you have to power off and restart the AirPort to get the Internet back up.....that is an indication that the modem and AirPort are not communicating together correctly.....which is unfortunately a common issue with the SB modems and AirPort routers.

     

    Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones.

  • by king0044,

    king0044 king0044 Apr 2, 2016 6:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 2, 2016 6:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob, I followed your instructions with the appropriate time intervals and had success.  Then I had to set up the airport/time capsule again.  Thanks for helping when Time Warner couldn't.

  • by machz990,

    machz990 machz990 May 21, 2016 5:21 PM in response to king0044
    Level 1 (29 points)
    May 21, 2016 5:21 PM in response to king0044

    I went through the same installation frustrations today with an Arris (Motorola) SB6183.  Tried to set up new internet service with Comcast (Xfinity) using the Arris modem and an Airport Time Capsule, 2nd Generation.  First tried the 30 minute reset of the modem and then reconnected to the Airport Time Capsule.  Still no internet.  Here is the step that fixed it for me:  While still connected to the modem I did a factory reset of the Airport Time Capsule.  When the Time Capsule came back up I set it up wirelessly from my MacBook Pro using Airport Utility.  After I went through the initial setup and gave the Time Capsule a name and the wireless network a name and password the light turned green and the internet connection came up green as well.  Working fine now.

  • by yonas,

    yonas yonas Sep 16, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 16, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    This totally worked for me Bob, thank you for posting the solution. It worries me a little bit that I may have to do this again if there are any connectivity issues, but I'm gonna commit to the router and see how it goes!