IP Address vs. Router Address

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Level 1

8 points

IP Address vs. Router Address

I've been trying to set up my iMac (OSX 10.4.1) with a qwest ethernet router. It was originally configured to a different computer, so I had trouble getting it to recognize the new mac, but was finally able to get the ethernet connected. However, even though my status says "connected," when I try to open firefox is gives me "failed to connect" messages. I was told this has to do with the fact that my IP address is different from the router address when I check them in the network preferences. (also, there is no "subnet mask," although I don't know what that means.) Can anyone tell me how to get the IP address and router address to be the same, or if this is indeed the problem? Thanks!

Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Sep 11, 2008 11:37 AM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Sep 11, 2008 12:07 PM in response to hop_along

They can not be the same - each and every device must have a unique IP address and there must be a subnet mask

Although you need to get specific instructions from your ISP, the normal case today is that both the router and your Mac will use DHCP to get their addresses and you will not have to do anything (in fact most routers and your mac come with DHCP as the default so usually you just plug things in (Quest modem first, router second and then your mac

LN

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Answer 2

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,857 points

Sep 11, 2008 2:36 PM in response to LarryHN

I think you're a bit confused about addresses.

When a router and computer don't talk, it's usually because the router is tied to a specific MAC address, the hardware address that belongs to your network interface, whether Ethernet or AirPort.

However, power cycling the router usually fixes that issue, which means the next problem is you aren't getting an IP address from the router.

I don't know much about the Qwest router you're using - what kind of router is it?

If we know that, I or someone else here may be able to help you further.

In theory, the router after a power cycle should just recognize your new machine and assign it an IP address, but if you go far enough back in time some ISPs required you to register the computer you were using with the ISP and their device would only issue an IP address to that device.

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Answer 3

hop_along Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 12, 2008 1:29 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Thanks for helping. The router is a Qwest Actiontech M1000. It's a single black box with input for the phone line and an ethernet cord, so I'm guessing it's a router and not a modem.

I called Qwest ISP and they said all my settings looked good "on their end." They recommended that I contact Apple to have them help me with IP address and subnet mask problem. Apple won't talk to me because my computer is too old.

I appreciate your help.

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Answer 4

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,857 points

Sep 12, 2008 2:28 PM in response to hop_along

First of all, I know it's hard to update without the Internet, but are you really running Mac OS X 10.5.1 or have you just not updated your Discussions profile settings?

Also, what are the IP addresses you see for your router and for your Mac?

Does your Mac have an address that starts with "169."?

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