UncleSkippy

Q: AT&T 1GB Service/Extending a Network

I just recently upgraded to AT&T's 1GB service.  They installed a Pace 5268AC router.  I have a time capsule connected to it via ethernet so I turned off the wireless on the Pace and am creating my wireless network through time capsule.  I am 2 airport extremes that extend the wireless network throughout my house.  And here is where the problem comes.

 

I have read so many articles on the correct setup and it seems I can't find the "secret sauce".  If I set up my router in bridge mode, give it a public IP address through the Pace and allow the DMX plus mode on it, I get the 1 gb download speed.  However, my extended network is awful.  If I take a laptop into another part of the house, it can not switch over and connect to the closest airport extreme there and the connection drops.  Streaming from my Apple TV's is hit and miss.

 

If I scratch all that and decide to run Double NAT and let my Time Capsule give out the IP addresses to my wireless devices, my wireless network works like a charm.  My devices connect cleanly to the closest extremes, my Apple TV's play wonderfully.  But, my top download speed drops to about 120 mb.

 

I would like to have the best of both worlds.....top download speeds and a wireless network that works.

 

If anyone else has a solution to this, I would be very appreciative.

Posted on Aug 13, 2016 6:12 PM

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Q: AT&T 1GB Service/Extending a Network

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  • by UncleSkippy,

    UncleSkippy UncleSkippy Aug 15, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 11:51 AM in response to Tesserax

    The roaming network is giving me the same results with the TC in Bridge mode.  The problem is my Pace is in a upstairs bedroom closet behind a metal door (that's where the junction box is).

  • by Bob Timmons,Apple recommended

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 15, 2016 3:02 PM in response to UncleSkippy
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 3:02 PM in response to UncleSkippy

    Then, I am afraid that thing might be the way that things will be.  Kind of like a Catch 22 in that you need to run the TC in DHCP and NAT for network stability, but the Double NAT really takes a toll on speed.

     

    As I said above, the best that the TC will ever do in DHCP and NAT mode would be about 340 Mbps, but the Double NAT cuts that in half and a bit more. So, in theory, about 170 Mbps would be the top speed that you could ever achieve.

     

    If you want to experiment, you could try the DHCP Only mode on the TC, but that gets really complicated, with no assurance of improvement. We can tell you how to do this if you want to give it a try.

     

    You will need to get the ATT router to assign a "static" private IP address to the TC in order to try this out.  I have not worked with the Pace router that ATT is using, so not sure if it has that type of capability.

  • by UncleSkippy,

    UncleSkippy UncleSkippy Aug 15, 2016 3:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 3:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks to you & Tesserax for taking time to help me.  What I finally decided to do was put my TC in Bridge Mode, not use my AEs and position by Pace router from AT&T in such a way where it's wireless capability covers my entire house.  I think I may have found it and everything is working great.  Fast speed and coverage throughout the house.

  • by cdplay,

    cdplay cdplay Aug 17, 2016 3:14 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 17, 2016 3:14 PM in response to Tesserax

    Hello.  Sorry for jumping in but i have the same issues with Pace,  two airport extremes and 1 airport express.  i was hoping you could provide me with the step by step instructions.  my major issue is that the Pace RG keeps dropping my extremes.  currently running in bridge mode.  using apple wireless network which i need tbecause my 3 apple TVs and sonos and thermostats all run through that network.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 17, 2016 3:47 PM in response to cdplay
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 17, 2016 3:47 PM in response to cdplay

    We have already provided the correct instructions above for the AirPorts running in Bridge Mode.

     

    There are no "correct" instructions if you are asking about trying to run one of the AirPorts in Router Mode and then have the other AirPorts connect to the "main" AirPort. This type of setup will produce a Double NAT error with unpredictable results, since it breaks the rules of fundamental networking advice.

     

    If you have the time to experiment, and the PACE is able to provide a "static" IP address to the "main" Airport, then the DHCP Only mode might be worth a try.  I don't have a PACE product here, so I don't know if it has this capability or what the results might be.

     

    Probably best to wait for a response from another user who is using the same PACE product, so see if they have some advice based on experience.

     

    Unfortunately, more and more, we are finding that newer routers by other manufacturers just don't work that well with the AirPort routers from Apple. Used to be that you could mix and match without issues. That is not the case now.

  • by UncleSkippy,

    UncleSkippy UncleSkippy Aug 18, 2016 7:34 AM in response to cdplay
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 18, 2016 7:34 AM in response to cdplay

    cdplay,

     

    Your story sounds the same as mine was.  But what worked for me was that I found the Pace wireless covered my entire house where my Apple Time Capsule could not and so I had to extend my network.  So what I did was disabled the wireless on the time capsule and put it in Bridge Mode.  Then I unplugged the Airport Extremes and didn't use them.  Then, I went into the Pace router and changed the wireless network name and password/passphrase to exactly what I was running when my time capsule was running the wireless network.  You have to do this for both the 2.4 and 5 wireless settings.

     

    This worked perfectly for me and I have such a more reliable network now.

     

    Good luck.

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