PPPoE error on Time Capsule

Question

PPPoE error on Time Capsule

Hi

I am having intermittent problems with my Netgear Router and Time Capsule. Around 2 or 3 times a day I lose my internet connection to my Mac. The green light on the Time Capsule starts flashing orange and when i check in Airport Utility I get an error message stating that no PPPoE server can be found. The internet light on the Netgear Router (model no. DG834GT, running in modem only mode) is still solid, as is the light for the ethernet connection to the TC. I then turn the Router and Time Capsule off for 30 seconds and power them back on, and once both have fully restarted all works well again.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be going or how i might troubleshoot this issue?

thanks

nick

mac pro, Mac OS X (10.5.7), 2 x 3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 8GB RAM

Posted on Jun 28, 2009 1:11 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 28, 2009 2:20 AM in response to nick_harambee

I should add that my ISP is talktalk in the UK (ADSL).

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Answer 2

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Jun 28, 2009 4:37 AM in response to nick_harambee

You dont need to be using PPPoE.

Your netgear is your modem/router which connects to talktalk.

Setup your TimeCapsul in bridge mode. To do that goto your airport utility.app in your /Applications/Utilities

Select your Time Capsule. Choose manual setup.

Click on the 'internet icon' in the toolbar.

on the 'connection sharing' drop down menu select 'Off Bridge Mode'

then update.

Then on your mac goto SystemPreferences-->Network

look on the list of available ports and delete any that have PPPoE reference.

Then apply.

Now try connection to your wireless network.

At this point you may want to login to your netgear router and turn off its wifi. As your TimeCapsule is your wireless access point.

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Answer 3

Jun 28, 2009 4:42 AM in response to Tim Haigh

hi tim, thanks for your response. the reason for setting things up the way i have is that i want to be able to use Back to My Mac feature, and I don't think it will work with the Netgear Router, so that's why I set it to modem only mode and used the TC as a router.

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Answer 4

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Jun 28, 2009 7:50 AM in response to nick_harambee

You have a problem then as the best way to use ADSL in the UK is using PPPoA. PPPoE was introduce later on UK networks and does not work very on every BT exchange.

The problem is that the router and apple base station don't have a PPPoE client built into them. You only find PPPoA clients in ADSL routers such as your Netgear.

By far the most efficient way to use the TC is to use the netgear as a router and the base station as an access point/switch. This does not affect the way you can use a TC as a TimeMachine backup. You can still use back to my mac with your netgear if you open the correct ports.

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Answer 5

Jun 28, 2009 9:02 AM in response to Tim Haigh

thanks again tim.

ok, i will switch the netgear back to router mode, and use the TC as a switch. what ports will i need to open to get BTTM working with the netgear router?

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Answer 6

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Jun 28, 2009 12:21 PM in response to nick_harambee

It states on the Back to My Mac: Supported router devices that the netgear DG834 on firmware 5.03.08 or higher is supported.

You can use UPnP.

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Answer 7

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Jun 29, 2009 5:50 AM in response to Tim Haigh

The problem is that the router and apple base station don't have a PPPoE client built into them. You only find PPPoA clients in ADSL routers such as your Netgear.

I should have said

....that the router and apple base station don't have a PPPoA client built into them

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