Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

AirPort Extreme Static IP

So, I've just purchased a brand new AirPort Extreme. In configuring the device I have a question concerning using the AirPort Extreme with at static IP. I have connected the AirPort Extreme to my wired router that has been arranged to set static IPs to the internal LAN. Each device I have connected to my router has a static IP.

I have given the AirPort Extreme a static IP and subnet and it's wired to my router. I would like to have the AirPort Extreme be used so that any wireless device accessing it would require a static IP as well.

I've noticed in the Airport Utility, version 5.5.1, in the Internet section there are two tabs. The Internet Connection tab allows the user to set the Connect Using and the Connection Sharing. Which settings should I use? Should I set the Connect Using to Ethernet and the Connection Sharing to Off (Bridge Mode) or some other setting?

There is another tab, the TCP/IP tab. There are several entries to populate in this tab:
Configure IPv4:
IP Address:
Subnet Mask:
Router Address:
DNS Server(s):
Should I set the Configure IPv4 to Manually or Using DHCP? I have the rest of the information, but do I need to input the rest of the IP information in the TCP/IP tab? I've already given the router a static IP and subnet at setup. Why would I need to populate that information again? Do I need to provide the DNS Server(s) IP addresses as well (I do have them)?

Any suggestions would be helpful and I thank you in advance.

Message was edited by: IrritatedOne

Windows 7

Posted on Aug 18, 2010 5:29 PM

Reply
9 replies

Aug 18, 2010 7:31 PM in response to IrritatedOne

The Internet Connection tab allows the user to set the Connect Using and the Connection Sharing. Which settings should I use? Should I set the Connect Using to Ethernet and the Connection Sharing to Off (Bridge Mode) or some other setting?


The first option, "Connect Using" is typically set to "Ethernet" unless your ISP require PPPoE for authentication.

The second option, "Connection Sharing" is basically a switch for the AirPort's NAT & DHCP services as follows:
o Share a public IP address = NAT & DHCP enabled
o Distribute a range of IP address = NAT disabled & DHCP enabled
o Off (Bridge Mode) = NAT & DHCP disabled

In most network configurations where the Extreme is the main router, you would typically choose "Ethernet" & "Share a pubic IP address" ... and these are the defaults. When the Extreme is downstream of another router that provides NAT & DHCP, you would want to choose "Ethernet" & "Off (Bridge Mode)."

The second Connection Sharing option, "Distribute a range of IP addresses" would be for those situations where your ISP has provided you with a range of static IP addresses, and you want the Extreme to distribute these to clients on the local network.

Should I set the Configure IPv4 to Manually or Using DHCP?


This setting controls, whether or not, the Extreme is a DHCP client. If your goal is to the the Extreme use a static Private IP address that is on the same subnet as the wired router, then you will want to set this to: "Manually."

I have the rest of the information, but do I need to input the rest of the IP information in the TCP/IP tab? I've already given the router a static IP and subnet at setup. Why would I need to populate that information again? Do I need to provide the DNS Server(s) IP addresses as well


If you go with the "Manually" option, then all of these fields need to be populated. Remember these would have been provided if the Extreme was a DHCP client and the wired router has its DHCP server enabled.

Aug 18, 2010 7:37 PM in response to IrritatedOne

IrritatedOne wrote:
So, I've just purchased a brand new AirPort Extreme. In configuring the device I have a question concerning using the AirPort Extreme with at static IP. I have connected the AirPort Extreme to my wired router that has been arranged to set static IPs to the internal LAN. Each device I have connected to my router has a static IP.

I have given the AirPort Extreme a static IP and subnet and it's wired to my router. I would like to have the AirPort Extreme be used so that any wireless device accessing it would require a static IP as well.

I've noticed in the Airport Utility, version 5.5.1, in the Internet section there are two tabs. The Internet Connection tab allows the user to set the Connect Using and the Connection Sharing. Which settings should I use? Should I set the Connect Using to Ethernet and the Connection Sharing to Off (Bridge Mode) or some other setting?


In your case the best setting is probably "Bridge Mode". In that case your router will still be in charge of assigning IP addresses.

There is another tab, the TCP/IP tab. There are several entries to populate in this tab:


Should I set the Configure IPv4 to Manually or Using DHCP? I have the rest of the information, but do I need to input the rest of the IP information in the TCP/IP tab? I've already given the router a static IP and subnet at setup. Why would I need to populate that information again? Do I need to provide the DNS Server(s) IP addresses as well (I do have them)?


There are two ways your AirPort Extreme can learn its IP address: (1) Via DHCP. (2) Via static configuration. If your router can tell your AirPort Extreme via DHCP the values it needs, then you're done. Otherwise you'll need to enter then into that panel.

Aug 19, 2010 2:31 AM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

I want to make sure I get this correct, so, if I set the Configure IPv4 to Manually in the TCP/IP tab, I do understand that I would have to provide all of the IP information in the empty fields, which I do have. But if I set Configure IPv4 to DHCP, am I to understand that DHCP would be gathering that IP information from the wired router??? Wouldn't I also lose the static IP I've set for the AirPort Extreme? I thought too that if I set it to DHCP, the AirPort Extreme would be dynamically assigning IP addresses to all of my wireless devices instead of me assigning those wireless devices a static IP address. I'm still a little confused on this setting.

Aug 19, 2010 8:18 AM in response to IrritatedOne

But if I set Configure IPv4 to DHCP, am I to understand that DHCP would be gathering that IP information from the wired router???


Yes.

Wouldn't I also lose the static IP I've set for the AirPort Extreme?


Yes.

I thought too that if I set it to DHCP, the AirPort Extreme would be dynamically assigning IP addresses to all of my wireless devices instead of me assigning those wireless devices a static IP address.


The AEBSn is both a DHCP Server and DHCP Client. The "Configure IPv4" setting is basically a DHCP Client "on/off switch." Similarly, "Connection Sharing" controls its DHCP Server function.

Aug 19, 2010 10:22 AM in response to IrritatedOne

IrritatedOne wrote:
Wouldn't I also lose the static IP I've set for the AirPort Extreme?


How are you "setting that static IP for the AirPort Extreme"? If you're reserving that address in your other router, then you have two choices for configuring the AirPort Extreme: (a) Have your router communicate that IP address (and all the other related settings) via DHCP) or (b) Configure your AirPort Extreme manually, which means you have to supply all those values to the AirPort Extreme. If you're not reserving an address for the AirPort Extreme in the other router, then you're asking for trouble, such as duplicate IP addresses.

I thought too that if I set it to DHCP, the AirPort Extreme would be dynamically assigning IP addresses to all of my wireless devices instead of me assigning those wireless devices a static IP address.


The AirPort Extreme setting of DHCP in the TCP/IP controls "upstream" configuration, that is, the IP address that the Extreme has in its connection to your router. It has nothing to do with "downstream" operation regarding configuration of client wireless devices. If you use the setting of "Bridge Mode" the Extreme won't act as a DHCP server.

Aug 19, 2010 2:22 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

The IP address of the AirPort Extreme isn't actually reserved in my wired router, the IP address was input when I first ran the AirPort Utility to setup the AirPort Extreme. I don't remember at exactly what point in the Utility setup process though.

Just for a test, in the TCP/IP tab, I changed the Configure IPv4 from Manually to Using DHCP. DHCP did indeed see my AirPort Extreme IP settings, however, when I clicked the Update button, the AirPort Extreme didn't like it. The status light went from Green to Yellow and the AirPort Utility couldn't locate the AirPort Extreme. I had to change my computer's NIC settings to Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically, connect directly to the AirPort Extreme, unplug the AirPort Extreme from my wired router, press the AirPort Extreme reset button and then I could Revert the AirPort Extreme to my previous settings. Once I finished that, I then had to place the comptuer's IP values back in, unplug my computer from the AirPort Extreme, plug the AirPort Extreme back into my wired router and basically off I went from there.

Note to self: DO NOT change the TCP/IP tab's Configure IPv4 to Using DHCP. Keep the setting to Manually and input the required IP information. This is with the Internet Connection tab Connect Using Ethernet and Connection Sharing Off (Bridge Mode).

Aug 19, 2010 7:07 PM in response to IrritatedOne

IrritatedOne wrote:
The IP address of the AirPort Extreme isn't actually reserved in my wired router, the IP address was input when I first ran the AirPort Utility to setup the AirPort Extreme.


So is all the equipment on your LAN configured for manual IP address? That might work, but isn't the usual way things are done.

Now that that issue is settled, please restate any remaining problem(s) you're having, as well as describe how the Extreme is set for "Connection Sharing".

Aug 20, 2010 1:40 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

I have set every piece of equipment on my LAN to have a static IP.

I'm not really having any problems at this point now. I was just very confused on how the AirPort Extreme was to be setup in the configuration that I wanted it/needed it to be. Connection Sharing has been set to Off (Bridge Mode).

I appreciate all of the help. Thank you.

Aug 20, 2010 2:51 PM in response to IrritatedOne

IrritatedOne wrote:
I was just very confused on how the AirPort Extreme was to be setup in the configuration that I wanted it/needed it to be. Connection Sharing has been set to Off (Bridge Mode).


Since you have another router providing NAT services and none of your equipment is depending on DHCP services, "Bridge Mode" would seem to be the best setting for your AirPort Extreme.

AirPort Extreme Static IP

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.