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Level 1

10 points

Comcast "traffic management" blocks Extend mode of AirPort Express 'n' ???

In another thread, I posted that I was unable to access the Internet using my AirPort Express 'n' to Extend my AirPort Extreme 'n'. With the AirPort Express 'n' in the Extend mode, computers connected to it, either wirelessly or via the Ethernet port, were unable to access the Internet, even though the Network preferences of the computer showed that it had a valid IP address, and the Network preferences Diagnostics indicated that the connection appeared to be working correctly and showed all green status lights. This problem occurred only in the Extend mode of an AirPort Express 'n', and regardless of whether the AirPort Extreme 'n' being extended was in the 5.0 GHz 'n' only mode, the 2.4 GHz 'n' only mode, or the 'n' (b/g compatible) mode. Both AirPorts were running the latest firmware version 7.3.1, all IP and DNS information was verified to be correct, and OpenDNS addresses were tried with no effect on the problem.

In this previous thread, three other people reported the same problem with the same symptoms, and two people reported that they were NOT having the problem and that they WERE able to access the Internet with their AirPort Express 'n' in the Extend mode. Of the people reporting the same problem, ALL reported that their ISP was Comcast. Of the people reporting that their Extend mode WAS working, ALL reported that their ISP was NOT Comcast.

This seemed like too much of a coincidence to ignore, so I have started this thread to see whether or not other people are experiencing the same problem with their AirPort Express 'n' in the Extend mode and to see what ISP they are using.

Here are the results from the previous thread, and I will keep a running total of any new results reported.

People with Comcast ISP whose Extend mode is NOT working --- 4
GARYsParries
devasolomon
Boston Dog
dannym098

People with Comcast ISP whose Extend mode IS working --- 0

People without Comcast ISP whose Extend mode is NOT working --- 0

People without Comcast ISP whose Extend mode IS working --- 2
cardsdoc
MusicMan0725

For those of you that have not been keeping up with the news reports about the Comcast "traffic management" issue, Comcast has been accused by BitTorrent and the FCC of conducting unfair practices to manage their Internet traffic for the purpose of keeping traffic flowing smoothly. As a result, Comcast has agreed to discontinue these practices by the end of 2008.

MacBook Pro 17" Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Apr 5, 2008 6:43 AM

237 replies

Jun 26, 2008 7:09 AM in response to GARYsParries

Gary

Has anybody picked up any sounds from Apple (however small) that there is an issue here that they are addressing? Seems all fingers point to an problem with the kit (rather than the IPS's specifically).

Regards

Doc.

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 26, 2008 7:29 AM in response to GARYsParries

We have not heard anything on this thread yet, only that Apple is aware of the problem.

Jun 26, 2008 7:31 AM in response to TailOfTheSun

TailOfTheSun,

Would you be kind enough to let the others in the previous thread know that this is the place for the answer. I saw serveral people posting there that could be helped by this thread, but you are the only convert to date.

It has become kinda my mission to find lost souls on the forums and direct them here ever since kirreip found me. Thanks alot for re-directing me here kirreip, while it did not solve my situation as I had spent $600 on gear that is too far gone for return, it did save my sanity. Plus the more people I find that have a similar issue, the more likely it is to get addressed.

Apple has not responded to me regarding the write-up that went to engineering after the Extreme exchange. I have requested status several times with no response.

Jun 26, 2008 10:32 AM in response to GARYsParries

Add me to your Comcast list of NOT working (zip 08234 NJ)....

Returned my Express today...

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 26, 2008 10:51 AM in response to GARYsParries

Justin, did you replace it with a second Extreme (I assume you were trying to extend a first Extreme with an Express)?

Jun 29, 2008 9:25 AM in response to GARYsParries

I just bought an express to extend my extreme network a few floors up. I could not get onto the internet (all green lights...just no internet) until I read this thread and changed from 5 to 2.4 ghz. I am a long-time, disgruntled customer of Comcast, but this seemed to work for me. I am secured with WPA2.

Morgan2

Level 1

66 points

Jun 29, 2008 5:38 PM in response to GARYsParries

Add me as well to the list. I have comcast, but I'm not entirely convinced it's their problem (and I have read the whole thread 🙂 ) but who knows. I did want to say thanks to Gary for keeping this all together. It's been a huge help as I've been pulling my hair out the last few days trying to get this work. I think I'll end up buying a second extreme and use my AXn for a speaker remote.

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 29, 2008 10:06 PM in response to GARYsParries

DC, consider yourself lucky. I can recall only one other Comcast user on this thread that was able to use an Express to extend an Extreme with WPA2 security enabled, and if I remember correctly, he had the Comcast Deluxe plan with 10 Mbps Internet service (as compared to the Standard plan with 6 Mbps Internet service). Am I correct in assuming that you also have one of Comcast's higher speed Internet service plans?

Morgan, that's a lot of reading, but it must have paid off, because you came to the right conclusion, "Who knows?" If it makes you feel any better, I can say from personal experience that an Extreme extending an Extreme is an excellent workaround. While it may cost a bit more than an Express extending an Extreme, you end up with: (1) better signal coverage, and (2) a lot of creative options for using that leftover Express. 🙂

Jun 30, 2008 5:12 AM in response to GARYsParries

I have Comcast's basic internet service. I was monkeying around with my network some more after my last post and realized that I could no longer access the internet if I put my Macbook to sleep. Once I did that, I would have to change a setting on the Extreme (channel, for example) and update it so that it restarted. Obviously, this wasn't going to work for me so I had to set up WDS.

That's about as good as I'm gonna get it, I guess. I don't mind the inferior performance because I don't do much with the computer, but I'll keep watching to see if a solution is offered at some point. Thanks for the thread.

Message was edited by: DC Regulator

Message was edited by: DC Regulator

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2008 8:55 AM in response to GARYsParries

DC, welcome to the club. You are now experiencing the same problems as the other Comcast users on this thread.

FYI, did the Apple product specialist happen to mention that WDS works ONLY at 'g' speeds. 🙂

If you wish to take advantage of the faster 'n' speeds, and utilize the full potential of your equipment, you will have to replace your Express with a second Extreme, and use it to 'Extend' your first Extreme.

Good luck with your setup.

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2008 9:36 AM in response to GARYsParries

DC, I see that you edited your comment and added the part about the inferior performance of WDS, so I guess that you are aware of that issue. Still not sure if you are aware of the workaround of using two Extremes in Extend mode, rather than an Express and Extreme?

Jun 30, 2008 5:25 PM in response to GARYsParries

I'm aware of the 'g' issue now (as you point out by my edit), but I'm a little put out by it. I scanned this very long thread and didn't pick up on it at first. I just swapped my entire network for Apple products thinking it would be a snap. I'm a little annoyed that the product specialist at Apple had me set up WDS calling it a more robust network. I then searched your thread for WDS and then thought of a few choice words for him...after the fact. Since I indicated that I was with Comcast, I find it interesting that he did not even bother to try and get the network extended using 'n'. He went right to the WDS so I have to believe that they are well aware of the problem.

My thought was that when you plunk down the $$ for a new extreme and a new express, the last thing I should have to do is spend even more (seems to be the only alternative for 'n'). Sounds like I got a little closer than some did because I could access the internet...just not consistently. My apologies for the false start due to my failure to read carefully.

I'll stay on here for any updates. Again, this was a great help...just not sure who to blame at this point.

Message was edited by: DC Regulator

Jun 30, 2008 6:28 PM in response to GARYsParries

Has the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme/Express/TC firmware update fixed anything...?

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2008 6:37 PM in response to GARYsParries

Good question, Fabian. I just updated my firmware to 7.3.2 and I can attest to the fact that it didn't 'break' anything. 🙂

As for whether it fixed the 'Extend' problem, I can't say since I exchanged my Express for a second Extreme months ago, but I'm sure we'll be getting plenty of feedback very shortly.

GARYsParries Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 30, 2008 6:39 PM in response to GARYsParries

P.S. I also updated to Mac OS X 10.5.4 just prior to the firmware update.

Comcast "traffic management" blocks Extend mode of AirPort Express 'n' ???