Use Livebox as modem and TC as router: ethernet connection error

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Level 1

7 points

Use Livebox as modem and TC as router: ethernet connection error

Hi there,

I'm a bit technical, but not very much, and this problem is really frustrating me! I recently bought a 500GB Time Capsule. I would like to use it to replace my Orange Livebox, but from what I can gather, I need to use the Livebox as a modem and connect it to the TC via Ethernet, as the TC is a router only, not a modem.

The problem is that the TC does not seem to be getting an internet signal via the Ethernet line, and I keep getting the message (in Airport Utility): "Ethernet Unplugged. Nothing connected to the Ethernet WAN port." I am using the correct port on the back of the TC (the one with the circle above it.) As part of (I am assuming) the same problem, the little light on the 'WAN' port does not light up when I plug the Ethernet cable in. I have tried putting the other end of the Ethernet cable in all the available sockets on the Livebox, but to no avail (I think it's supposed to go in the red one).

I have tried looking at the Livebox configuration, but it is beyond my limited technical capabilites. Is it something to do with port forwarding? I really can't tell whether I need to change something on the Livebox or on the TC.

Finally, the Ethernet cable I am using works fine. Even though I knew that it worked fine, I tried another cable that is also fine, and that didn't work either, so I don't think it's a cable problem.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance.

13" Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 500GB Time Capsule (recent model); Orange Livebox

Posted on Apr 19, 2009 11:12 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,058 points

Apr 19, 2009 11:56 AM in response to leight79

I assume if you connect your MacBook directly, via Ethernet, to the Livebox gateway that it is able to access the Internet ... correct? If so, you should be able to get the TC to do the same when it's connected directly.

The trick may be that you just need to do two things:
o Perform a complete power-recycle of your network components to allow the Livebox to "recognize" the new device (TC) attached to it for proper communication, and
o Reconfigure the TC as a bridge to allow the Livebox to continue to provide both NAT & DHCP services for the entire network.

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Answer 2

leight79 Author

Level 1

7 points

Apr 19, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Tesserax

Thanks for this Tessarax.

Actually, the Ethernet ports don't seem to be working on the Livebox. In my Livebox configuration, it shows that the 'Ethernet interface' is not connected, even though it clearly is! I can't find a way of disabling or enabling these. Am I being an idiot?

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,058 points

Apr 19, 2009 2:02 PM in response to leight79

Ok, I don't have a Livebox to verify and am only going by what I can find on the Internet but hopefully I can help. Most routers, like the Livebox, do not have a means to enable/disable their Ethernet port(s). These are typically "live" at all times. From what I can gather, you need to make sure that you are connecting the MacBook (or the TC) to the Red Ethernet port on the side of the Livebox unit itself.

When connecting the MacBook, you should be able to access the Livebox administration page, by running Safari and entering 192.168.1.1 for the web address. When properly connected, you should get a login dialog box where the default username/password is admin. You should then get the Livebox main page displayed. I believe, you would need to click on the Configuration link in order to get to the Livebox's configuration information. Sorry, I can't be more help here.

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