Connecting to AT&T / sbcglobal.net

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Level 1

103 points

Connecting to AT&T / sbcglobal.net

My in-laws have DSL via sbcglobal.net (which is owned by AT&T). Visiting them now, I can use their service on my MacBook by hard-plugging in.

However, I brought along my Airport Extreme (retired since I upgraded to the new square-shaped model), hoping I could set it up and have wireless in the house.

Yes, I can set it up and establish a network, but when I plug the cable from the DSL modem to the WAN socket, I don't get connected. I did enter my father-in-law's username and password properly, but that is apparently not good enough.

After waiting forever on AT&T's online chat, I was informed that I had to PAY to get support for Airport. The only instructions they provide online are for plug-in Ethernet connections. Jeez!

Has anyone else successfully hooked up via Airport to this DSL? If so, please advise.

DR

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 4, 2008 1:58 PM

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Answer 1

bhata

Level 1

4 points

Sep 4, 2008 6:23 PM in response to Darryl Rehr

Can you clarify?

When you say "I can set it up and establish a network", what do you mean?

When you say "Plug the cable from the DSL modem to the WAN socket", do you mean the WAN socket of a wireless router?

You should also determine where the PPPoE is defined. In the modem? Router? Computer?

I have AT&T with the PPPoE defined in modem. I have connected a PowerBook:
1. Directly (cable) to the modem
2. Directly (cable) to wireless router which is connected to the modem
3. Wirelessly to the router which is connected to the modem

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Answer 2

Darryl Rehr Author

Level 1

103 points

Sep 5, 2008 4:26 AM in response to bhata

DSL modem is plugged in to WAN socket of Airport Extreme, which IS a wireless router.

Airport was configured using my MacBook. Username and password for AT+T/sbc were entered in the appropriate places. I can't tell you whether that means the PPPoE is defined in the router or computer. I THINK it would mean the router.

At the moment, I am using the AT+T/sbc service by plugging the DSL modem directly into my Macbook.

The MacBook is receiving the Airport's signal and shows that it is connected to the network I established in the previously-mentioned setup. However, when I plug the Ethernet cable into the WAN socket of the Airport (instead of the MacBook), I get no Internet connection. Something must be missing in the setup that I am not aware of.

I hope that clarifies the situation for you.

Thanks,

DR

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Answer 3

bhata

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2008 7:37 AM in response to Darryl Rehr

My guess is you have to configure your AirPort Extreme with something like the Airport Utility. Download the appropriate document from http://support.apple.com/manuals/#airport to get further info.

Also when you say "when I plug the Ethernet cable into the WAN socket of the Airport ... I get no Internet connection", are you trying to do with your MacBook connected to one of the Airport's Ethernet connection? I would try this first before attempting wireless since it's the easiest way to validate the Airport's functionality.

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Answer 4

Darryl Rehr Author

Level 1

103 points

Sep 5, 2008 7:47 AM in response to bhata

I DID configure the Airport Extreme with Airport Utility (using my MacBook).

I don't understand your question:

"are you trying to do with your MacBook connected to one of the Airport's Ethernet connection? " I think you left a word out of the sentence.

Once again:

1) Airport Extreme wireless router was configured using Airport Utility on my MacBook.

2) The network I established is received by the MacBook's airport card, so I know the Airport Extreme is working.

3) The ethernet cable is plugged from the DLS modem into the WAN socket on the Airport Extreme wireless router.

4) DSL username and password were entered correctly during the Airport Utility setup.

5) I should be getting an internet connection wirelessly but I do not.

DR
4) Username and password were correctly entered

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Answer 5

bhata

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2008 8:02 AM in response to Darryl Rehr

Sorry... I just read your previous posting about TWC and realized that you are aware of the Airport Utilty while you were posting your reply...

One possibility is a conflict of where the Username/Password is supposed to be stored and sent from (PPP location). It could be stored in either the Modem or the Router. I don't have an Airport Extreme so I am not familiar with it's options. However check the bottom of the Modem. There may be a URL and code to allow access to it's setup. If such URL exists, using your browser, it should indicate whether the "PPP" is located on the modem or on the computer/router/gateway.

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Answer 6

bhata

Level 1

4 points

Sep 5, 2008 12:33 PM in response to Darryl Rehr

I forgot to clarify my statement of "are you trying to do with your MacBook connected to one of the Airport's Ethernet connection? "

What I was trying to ask was have you tried connecting your MacBook to the Airport with an ethernet cable. If you did and it did not work, it would eliminate the wireless as being the problem. If it did work then it would point to an issue with the wireless.

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