iChat can't connect iMac to iMac

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iChat can't connect iMac to iMac

Problem:
Trying to video iChat with Mom, who lives in a different city. Can't audio or video iChat connect.

Error message:
Message received at both ends is: "Did not receive a response from ______......"

Background:
I recently bought two refurbed iMacs from local Apple reseller store.
Mine - iMac 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
Mom's - iMac G5 1.8 Ghz

Upgraded both to OS 10.5.5
Upgraded both to iChat 4.0.5
Both iChats operate from AIM.
Both have Firewalls set to "allow all incoming connections."

At home I have a AT&T DSL with Netopia modem (2241N), and a Linksys WRT54G wireless router. Internet service is 3mps.
I set up both computers side by side, Mom's receiving internet through ethernet, mine receiving wireless. Booted iChat, and started a video chat. iChat instantly worked.

Later I packed up Mom's iMac, and flew out to her house and set up her iMac. Her internet service is 3mps and consists of:
AT&T DSL with Motorola modem (2210), and a Netgear RP614 gateway router. Firewalls on both units have been disabled. (Although I'm not sure about the NAT on the Netgear.)

Flew back home and have not been able to iChat connect with her.

Things I've tried:
1/ In iChat prefs, have changed ports on both computers to 443.
2/ Have tried ethernet direct from my modem. (bypassing wireless)
3/ Have had Mom try ethernet direct from her modem. (bypassing Netgear)
4/ Netopia does not seem to have a firewall enable/disable option. NAT appears to be disabled.
5/ Have read chat threads extensively on various forums.

Is port forwarding the next logical step to try?? If so, does it need to be done at both locations on all devices?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Bret

IMac 5.1 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Jan 22, 2009 8:57 PM

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Answer 1

Defcom-UK

Level 6

15,494 points

Jan 23, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Bretpw

Whats the v? number of the Netgear RP614,

As there is a know problem with it below v9.

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Answer 2

Jan 23, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Bretpw

Also the Netopia may route.
You have not said how the ports iChat needs are open in this or the Linksys

The Linksys can do UPnP (In the Administration page)
The Linksys also blocks Internet Pings in the Security Page.

I am fairly sure the Motorola Routes and will need ports open.
The Netgear will certainly route and the question then is which is the DHCP Server ?

9:55 PM Friday; January 23, 2009

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Answer 3

Bretpw Author

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Jan 24, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Defcom-UK

That's on my Mom's end, I will find out and report back.

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Answer 4

Bretpw Author

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Jan 24, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Thanks for the response Ralph....

Looks like there may be alot of routing going on on both ends. Seems as though the thing to do would be to narrow down the devices on each end. I'll have Mom connect directly to the Motorola modem, bypassing the Netgear, and I'll connect directly to the Netopia, bypassing my Linksys wireless. Right now that config doesn't work and sounds like we need to tweek the configs on the modems on each end. Once we can get that set up to work, maybe we can then re-include the other devices and see what we get.

Ralph, forgive me, but what am I looking for to determine how the ports are open in my Netopia to see if they are the ones iChat needs? Even in the "expert" menu mode, there isn't a whole lotta port info. One note, however, there is a click box to enable UPnP on the Netopia. Good starting place?

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Answer 5

Jan 25, 2009 12:08 PM in response to Bretpw

If the Netopia has UPnP then use that.
It has some benefits in simplicity of set up and with the amount of NAT (Network Address Translation ) ichat has to go through when you use multiple devices

Doing UPnP mean you will not have to do any Port set up.
It allows the App to open the ports it needs and they close after a period of Non use.

This Netopia has been branded for Eirecom an Irish ISP
In the Firewall it needs to be at Low Or Off as in this Pic

This is because the DoS (Denial of Service) features and SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) are included in the higher settings.

This site is good for Pics (Based towards Port Forwarding) and the Access Info to use with a Web Browser.
This can be good enough in most cases to see where you should be looking and What it looks like (although some can be a bit light on the Pic Front)

This site may also help.
It is an Emulator for a Netgear DG834G
In the left hand menu you will find, under Advanced, the WAN option
In here (for this device and most Netgears) you will find the DOS Setting (to be disabled) and the "Respond to Ping on the WAN Port", again to be changed to Allow (Some Models say SPI where this one says DOS).
IN the left hand menu further down you will find UPnP and this is normally On by default in Netgears.

The Linksys will have UPnP in the Administration tab across the top.
In the Security tab it will have the Firewall (default is Off) and the Respond to Anonymous/Internet Pings) To be allowed.

This is the Port Forward.com page for the Motorola.
This is branded for AT&T and in the first pic you will see it also is named as a Netopia.

You will see to set Port Forwarding you have to go to the Firewall tab.
In that, although not mentioned in the Instructions, SPI (Stateful Inspection) is Off
I would check in Local Network to see if it does UPnP as it is not mentioned in the Port Forwarding/NAT/Firewall bits.
Motorolas on the whole don't do UPnP but Netopias do.

As you suggested I would get the base modems working first.

There are other issues about networking when working at one end when both the modem and the router can do DHCP (issue IPs to the computers and other routers).
You only want one on any LAN.
I will get to this once we have solved the first set of Ports.

8:06 PM Sunday; January 25, 2009

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Answer 6

Bretpw Author

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Jan 26, 2009 10:36 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Thanks for all the helpful info. I found a link to a simulator on another chat thread for the Motorola modem 2210-02 which will helpful in guiding Mom through the changes to the set up. Here it is for your info:

http://att-training.net/simulator/2210se/index.html

The simulator does indicate that there is a UPnP option for the Motorola (as you suggested) under the "local" tab, under the advanced button. So assuming the simulator is accurate, it looks like I can get the Motorola modem re-configed for UPnP, Firewall "low level" or "off," and NAT "disabled" (correct?)

As for the Netopia modem (mine), it is actually branded as "BellSouth Fast Access Internet," and is completely different than the "eircom broadband" set up pages.I can't find any settings for Firewall security, even under the "advanced" menu. Is it possible that there are none?

Will continue snooping around for more info on that, and will also try a test Tuesday (Jan 27) eve with Mom with her revised modem settings, and my modem with UPnP enabled. Fingers crossed.....

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Answer 7

Jan 26, 2009 12:18 PM in response to Bretpw

Hi,

Thanks for the new Link.

Yes UPnP, Low or Off firewall. The NAT thing may be best left On if there are multiple computers.
You may need to turn Off the DHCP Server in this device when you add the router (there will be settings on the Router to change.) and then you may get away without NAT.

Which Netopia is it you have ?
I checked a couple in this List but most seem to be similar to the page I showed you.
It is possible that if it has Branded Firmware it may not be the same.

8:18 PM Monday; January 26, 2009

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Answer 8

Bretpw Author

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Jan 31, 2009 6:29 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Greetings,
Finally was able to get Mom to log in to her Motorola modem only to find the set up pages are different than the simulator I was using. (the link I sent you earlier). Had her send me some screen grabs from her modem set-up windows, and then was able to match it up with another simulator I found. Apparently there are two different config softwares between the Motorola Southeast and the Southwest here in the US. The one I was using was from the Southeast, she is in the Southwest.

Here is the link to the Southwest version simulator for your files:

http://att-training.net/simulator/2210sw/index.htm
(Note the "sw" in the address)

The bad news is that from her description and from looking at the above simulator, I can't see anywhere an option for UPnP, or for that matter any settings for Firewall, or port forwarding. Is that possible? Have a look at the simulator and tell me what you think?

Starting to run out of ideas, and getting bummed out..........

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Answer 9

Feb 1, 2009 4:25 AM in response to Bretpw

Hi,

It does not seem to have UPnP as you say.

It does say that (If these are the defaults) that it is doing a PPP (it will be PPPoE) login to the ISP and that this can is fact be passed to the Next Device (they6 say Computer but it can be a Router.

If it were the Mac then "Using DHCP" in the System Preferences > Network Settings would have to be changed to PPPoE and the Login info the modem uses entered (it's an item at the Bottom in Leopard and Creates an entry on the left but asks for Login and Password info)

On the emulator it is in PPP and Connection Configuration that you can change variants of this.
If it is doing PPPoE then all the ports will be open which is why there is no place to open Ports (Port Forwarding, UPnP or others)

Also if on the Status Page (Connection Information) that the DNS servers are listed, copy these across to the Mac's Network Settings if they do not show up.

12:25 PM Sunday; February 1, 2009

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