HT201184: Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting

Learn about Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting
Rob Conway
Level 1 (5 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Wireless network keeps dropping connection

I have an issue with a network at home. I have just moved to a new house and we have joined the owners wifi network.

 

They have a (non apple) router with a wifi connection but it does not stretch though all the rooms so I have:

Joined their network with an apple express

Connected an apple time capsule by ethernet and set up another network

 

This second network keeps dropping connection. I thought it might be an ip issue but now I am not so sure.

Settings:

Static IP address

Router mode: DCHP only with ip addresses 100-200 so there is no conflict with ip addresses given our by the original router.

 

My issues are:

Randomly seems to drop the internet connection. This is sometimes fixed by me changing the static ip address on the airport.

Only a few devices can connect some connect to the network but no internet whilst others connect with internet and their ip addresses appear unique

 

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening?

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.2), null

Posted on Jul 31, 2016 8:09 PM

by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,018 points)
Wireless
A:

By default, the Time Capsule will use the 10.0.1.x range when it is providing DHCP and NAT services.  If another router is already using the same range, then there will be a conflict.

 

Change the DHCP range on the Time Capsule to a different setting......like 10.0.10.x for example.  Then, all of the devices connected to the Time Capsule will receive 10.0.10.x addresses and the conflict will go away....since the Time Capsule will be on a different subnet.

 

The example below shows the normal default setting for the Time Capsule of 10.0.1.2 to 200.  Change that to read 10.0.10.2 to 200.

 

Screen Shot 2016-08-01 at 3.12.10 PM.png

Posted on Aug 1, 2016 1:15 PM

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Rob Conway

Q: Wireless network keeps dropping connection

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 31, 2016 8:21 PM in response to Rob Conway
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 31, 2016 8:21 PM in response to Rob Conway

    Try setting up the Time Capsule  in a Router Mode of DHCP and NAT.  You will see a Double NAT notice when you do this, but don't worry about that for now.

     

    This is the setting that I use when I'm traveling, the hotel only provides a wireless connection, and I want to set up my own private network in the hotel room for multiple devices using the AirPort Express to receive the wireless signal and provide Ethernet to the AirPort Extreme.  DHCP and NAT works much better than DHCP Only in my experience.

     

    See how the network works with DHCP and NAT. If things improve, there is an option in AirPort Utility to click to "ignore" the Double NAT notice, and the Time Capsule will display a green light.

  • by Rob Conway,

    Rob Conway Rob Conway Aug 1, 2016 1:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 1, 2016 1:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks. I have tried this and the following error message comes up:

    "The DHCP range you have entered conflicts with the WAN IP address of your base station"

     

    I'm missing something simple I think, any ideas?

  • by Rob Conway,

    Rob Conway Rob Conway Aug 1, 2016 1:13 PM in response to Rob Conway
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 1, 2016 1:13 PM in response to Rob Conway

    Found this:

    "DHCP range conflict with WAN IP Address of Apple Wi-Fi base station" help?

  • by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 1, 2016 1:15 PM in response to Rob Conway
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 1, 2016 1:15 PM in response to Rob Conway

    By default, the Time Capsule will use the 10.0.1.x range when it is providing DHCP and NAT services.  If another router is already using the same range, then there will be a conflict.

     

    Change the DHCP range on the Time Capsule to a different setting......like 10.0.10.x for example.  Then, all of the devices connected to the Time Capsule will receive 10.0.10.x addresses and the conflict will go away....since the Time Capsule will be on a different subnet.

     

    The example below shows the normal default setting for the Time Capsule of 10.0.1.2 to 200.  Change that to read 10.0.10.2 to 200.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-08-01 at 3.12.10 PM.png

  • by Rob Conway,

    Rob Conway Rob Conway Aug 1, 2016 8:27 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 1, 2016 8:27 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks, seems to work now.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 1, 2016 8:53 PM in response to Rob Conway
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 1, 2016 8:53 PM in response to Rob Conway

    Suggest that you give things a day or two to see if the connection will remain more stable and consistent.

     

    Post back if you need to know how to change the blinking amber light to solid green.