Help ! How Do I Replace Old Router w. Extreme Base Station?

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Level 1

23 points

Help ! How Do I Replace Old Router w. Extreme Base Station?

My current network consists of my G4 and Dell laptop hooked to a Linksys router via ethernet, which in turn connects to the cable modem. I was able to get Airport Extreme base station working by running in bridge mode, with the G4 connected to Airport, Airport to router, router to modem. The laptop is still connected directly to the router. What I want to do is remove the router entirely, and connect both computers to Airport with ethernet; using wireless connectivity only from my PS3. Can someone point me to specific, detailed instructions which will tell me what to change in Airport Utility (using manual configuration) and Network Preferences? I need something more specific than "open Airport Utility and follow the on-screen instructions". I've tried various base station settings combined with various network preferences and I can't get any of them to work without using the router. Free router to anyone who can help me get this thing working....

G4 Quicksilver, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jan 27, 2008 12:37 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,441 points

Jan 27, 2008 10:37 PM in response to shieldsmo

Hello shieldsmo. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

AirPort Extreme Base Station Setup (AEBS) - Cable Setup
Perform a "hard" reset of the AEBS (optional)
(Ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107451)

Modem/Router Power ReCycling (optional)
o Power-off the Cable modem, AEBS, & computer(s); Wait at least 15 minutes.
o Power-on the Cable modem; Wait at least 5 minutes.
o Power-on the AEBS; Wait at least 5 minutes.
o Power-on the computer(s)

To set up the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) for Cable Internet, either connect to the AEBS's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the LAN port of the AEBS, and then, using the AirPort Admin Utility (located in the \Applications\Utilities folder), make these settings:

AirPort tab
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o AirPort Network Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Create a closed network (unchecked)
o Wireless Security: Not enabled
o Channel: Automatic
o Mode: 802.11b/g Compatible

Internet tab
o Connect Using: Ethernet
o Configure: Using DHCP
o WAN Ethernet Port: Automatic

Network tab
o Distribute IP addresses (checked)
o Share a single IP address (using DHCP & NAT) (enabled)

Once you verified that you can get Internet access for all of your computers, you should secure your wireless network.

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Answer 2

shieldsmo Author

Level 1

23 points

Jan 28, 2008 9:14 PM in response to Tesserax

Tesserax, when I launch the AirPort Admin Utility, select the base station and click on Configure, a dialog pops up saying "Configuration Error This version of Airport Admin Utility does not support this base station. You can't update the software for this base station, but you may be able to make configuration changes to it. Please go to www.apple.com/support to locate a newer version of the AirPort Admin Utility." There's a Continue button but clicking it has no effect, the dialog won't go away and it's blocking the utility window and won't let me proceed any further. I also checked "No longer warn me for this base station" and got the same result. The AirPort Admin Utility is version 4.2 (420.31). To verify that I'm running the correct utility, it is AirPort Admin Utility that I want, not AirPort Utility, correct? I was unable to locate a newer version of AirPort Admin Utility.

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

148,441 points

Jan 29, 2008 7:22 AM in response to shieldsmo

when I launch the AirPort Admin Utility, select the base station and click on Configure, a dialog pops up saying "Configuration Error This version of Airport Admin Utility does not support this base station. You can't update the software for this base station, but you may be able to make configuration changes to it. Please go to www.apple.com/support to locate a newer version of the AirPort Admin Utility."

You posted in the AirPort Extreme Discussions area so I assumed that you have the 802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) (dome-shaped). Do you actually have the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) (rectangular-shaped) instead? If so, then you must use the newer AirPort Utility that comes with that base station.

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Answer 4

shieldsmo Author

Level 1

23 points

Jan 29, 2008 11:27 AM in response to Tesserax

Yes! It works! Thank you VERY much for your help, the G4, Dell and PS3 are all working fine with the router eliminated. Sorry for not being more specific in the original post. I am using the new rectangular AEBS. Where can I mail your free router (Linksys BEFW11S4 2.4 GHz 802.11b wireless)? Or should I just chuck it?

One other question - in the Internet tab there is an option to share a public IP address, distribute a range of IP address, or off (when running in bridge mode). I am sharing a public IP address. When, if ever, would I need to distribute a range of IP addresses?

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Answer 5

Henry B.

Level 9

78,713 points

Jan 29, 2008 11:46 AM in response to shieldsmo

"Distribute a range of IP addresses" is a function that Apple suggests you use "if your ISP gives you a range of IP addresses".

This is a function that I have never seen anyone describe making use of in these discussion forums. Practically speaking, every home and small business user of the Airport Base Station uses it to share a single public IP address with multiple devices on their private LAN. So the simple answer - it is extremely unlikely you would ever make use of this selection and if you did, you would already know why.

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Answer 6

Tesserax

Level 10

148,441 points

Jan 29, 2008 12:56 PM in response to shieldsmo

Where can I mail your free router (Linksys BEFW11S4 2.4 GHz 802.11b wireless)? Or should I just chuck it?

Thanks for the offer, but that would be totally unnecessary. I suggest that you donate it to your local church or school as a good home for it.

One other question - in the Internet tab there is an option to share a public IP address, distribute a range of IP address, or off (when running in bridge mode). I am sharing a public IP address. When, if ever, would I need to distribute a range of IP addresses?

For the situation where your ISP had provided you with a number of static IP addresses. This would be typical for a business situation where you host multiple applications (i.e., email, web, etc.) on different devices that needed to be "reachable" from the Internet.

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