Configuring the Optus Speedstream 4200 for WiFi
Well its no surprise that when it comes to offering tech support to Mac users, ISP's are unashamedly unprepared or resentful of the fact that because you own a Mac, they must deviate from their stock standard response to most queries because they've been written with XP or Vista users in mind. Well this week my ISP, Optus took that to an all new level of incompetence.
The modem that I had been using for several years decided not to work with my brand new 1 TB Time Capsule. Optus tech support decided to send me a new modem free of charge. An offer I eagerly accepted. They had an Optus branded Siemens SpeedStream 4200 modem couriered out to me. Upon receiving it, I set it up as per the Optus instructions enclosed in the pack. These instructions were confusing to follow at best, were not accurate (read on to see why) and when you called up tech support for clarity the operator was about as useful as the manual seeing as they simply just quote directly from it. These instructions were also completely manual in keeping with the ISP's unwritten "Lack of Support Policy Government Mac Users" hence, no set up disks were provided to guide one through the process. Not much of an impediment to me given that I've been around computers long enough to understand them - but what about those people who are completely computer illiterate?
Ok so here's the tech support part. If you own any of Apples network devices like a Time Capsule, Airport Express or Airport Extreme and wish to use it with the Optus/Siemens Speed Stream Modem ensure you select "NAPT" and not "Optus Bridge" in the "Mode" page after you visit the web configuration screening for the modem by entering http://10.1.1.1/ into your internet browsers address bar. Who really cares what NAPT stands for - just remember its the one you need to select when you use it with a router or any computer running Windows Vista!
NB: Ensure that the browser you use is either Mozilla Firefox (this is the only half-decent browser available for Macs after Safari). Also, I could not get the site indicated by the aforementioned address to work properly in Safari with block up popper enabled. It may also help to turn off any internet security features you may have activated in System Preferences.
Ok, now here's the other part. Make sure that when you're following the set up process in Airport utility you select the option that says "I have a DSL/Cable modem that connects using PPP" or something similar to that. PPPoE is the chosen means of connecting to the internet, the Airport device you're using will then allow the modem to assign a DHCP address.
Hope this helps! If there is anyone out there in the same situation as me, I hope this is useful to you so that you don't have to go through the same 3 day ordeal as I did playing around with configurations and settings.
The modem that I had been using for several years decided not to work with my brand new 1 TB Time Capsule. Optus tech support decided to send me a new modem free of charge. An offer I eagerly accepted. They had an Optus branded Siemens SpeedStream 4200 modem couriered out to me. Upon receiving it, I set it up as per the Optus instructions enclosed in the pack. These instructions were confusing to follow at best, were not accurate (read on to see why) and when you called up tech support for clarity the operator was about as useful as the manual seeing as they simply just quote directly from it. These instructions were also completely manual in keeping with the ISP's unwritten "Lack of Support Policy Government Mac Users" hence, no set up disks were provided to guide one through the process. Not much of an impediment to me given that I've been around computers long enough to understand them - but what about those people who are completely computer illiterate?
Ok so here's the tech support part. If you own any of Apples network devices like a Time Capsule, Airport Express or Airport Extreme and wish to use it with the Optus/Siemens Speed Stream Modem ensure you select "NAPT" and not "Optus Bridge" in the "Mode" page after you visit the web configuration screening for the modem by entering http://10.1.1.1/ into your internet browsers address bar. Who really cares what NAPT stands for - just remember its the one you need to select when you use it with a router or any computer running Windows Vista!
NB: Ensure that the browser you use is either Mozilla Firefox (this is the only half-decent browser available for Macs after Safari). Also, I could not get the site indicated by the aforementioned address to work properly in Safari with block up popper enabled. It may also help to turn off any internet security features you may have activated in System Preferences.
Ok, now here's the other part. Make sure that when you're following the set up process in Airport utility you select the option that says "I have a DSL/Cable modem that connects using PPP" or something similar to that. PPPoE is the chosen means of connecting to the internet, the Airport device you're using will then allow the modem to assign a DHCP address.
Hope this helps! If there is anyone out there in the same situation as me, I hope this is useful to you so that you don't have to go through the same 3 day ordeal as I did playing around with configurations and settings.
Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.4)