Network recognized but no internet connection

Question

Network recognized but no internet connection

Hello!
I purchased an AX to create a wireless network from a DSL modem (ZyXEL) with four ethernet ports. Currently, one of the modem's ports (port 1) connects directly to an older iMac that doesn't have a wireless card, and internet access is flawless.

I connected the AX to another of the modem's ports (port 2), and though the indicator light on the AX is green, the DSL modem shows that port 2 is active, and the AX network is recognized on my laptop and shows full strength, I can't get to the internet with the AX network on the laptop.

What am I missing?
Thanks!

MacMini 2.53/2x2G; MacBook 13.3 2GHz Aluminum, Mac OS X (10.6.3), 20" Cinema Display; iPhone 3G 16GB; iPod Photo 40 GB;

Posted on Oct 18, 2010 7:32 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,345 points

Oct 18, 2010 8:39 PM in response to David Elliott

Most likely your DSL modem is actually a combination modem & router. As such the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) should be reconfigured as a bridge in order to work in this configuration.

To set up the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a "bridge," using the AirPort Utility, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:

Internet > Internet Connection
o Connect Using: Ethernet
o Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
o Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
o Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)

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Answer 2

Oct 19, 2010 8:06 PM in response to Tesserax

Some additional information:

Before trying the set Bridge Mode, I connected the AX to port 1 of the DSL modem (which had the desktop connection via Ethernet), and the wireless network functioned flawlessly for internet access. I called the ISP and was told that only port 1 of the modem is for Internet connection; that port 2 is for TV.

Does that make sense? Functionally it seems valid, as I couldn't get internet access through port 2 (but did get the local network, as the AX through port 2 was found on my laptop wirelessly).

If only port 1 has internet access, then is there any way to use that port simultaneously for the wired desktop and the wireless AX network?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

148,345 points

Oct 20, 2010 8:34 AM in response to David Elliott

. I called the ISP and was told that only port 1 of the modem is for Internet connection; that port 2 is for TV.

Does that make sense?

Yes.

If only port 1 has internet access, then is there any way to use that port simultaneously for the wired desktop and the wireless AX network?

Unfortunately, you can't ... at least not with your current hardware. If you need to support both wired and wireless clients, you would need a router with a built-in Ethernet switch ... like the AIrPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) or a similar product from another vendor.

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Answer 4

Oct 20, 2010 8:58 PM in response to Tesserax

How does an Ethernet switch work? Is there an actual switch requiring manual setting for wired or wireless clients, or is this done automatically? And would it be possible with the AWBS or similar to use the wired and wireless clients simultaneously?
Thanks!

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

148,345 points

Oct 20, 2010 9:11 PM in response to David Elliott

You can think of the AEBS as a device composed of three basic networking components: 1) An Internet router, 2) A Wireless Access Point, and 3) An Ethernet switch. Your AirPort Express, on the other hand, has the first two items, but not the third.

Wireless clients connect wirelessly to the Wireless Access Point, whereas, wired clients connect to the Ethernet switch. Both gain access to the Internet (simultaneously) via the Internet router component.

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Answer 6

Oct 21, 2010 5:53 PM in response to Tesserax

This is tremendously helpful, and it seems that the AEBS is what I need.

A few questions about the AEBS:

1. Does it support wireless use of an external HD AND a printer, or an external HD OR a printer? There's just one USB port, but Apple's write-up (and a diagram) seems to suggest that BOTH are possible simultaneously.

2. If the printer AND/OR HD are connected to the AEBS, would they be accessible by both the wired (desktop) and wireless (laptop) clients?

3. The desktop is an iMac G4 700 MHz running Tiger, and everything else we want to connect to the network is running Leopard/Snow Leopard. Any problem for the AEBS to support the different versions of OSX?

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Tesserax

Level 10

148,345 points

Oct 21, 2010 9:42 PM in response to David Elliott

1. Does it support wireless use of an external HD AND a printer, or an external HD OR a printer?

The AEBS' USB port supports an external USB HDD or an USB printer. In addition, by employing a USB hub, it can also support multiple HDDs and printers simultaneously.

2. If the printer AND/OR HD are connected to the AEBS, would they be accessible by both the wired (desktop) and wireless (laptop) clients?

Yes, both wired or wireless clients on the same network (or over the Internet) could access these attached devices.

3. The desktop is an iMac G4 700 MHz running Tiger, and everything else we want to connect to the network is running Leopard/Snow Leopard. Any problem for the AEBS to support the different versions of OSX?

The AEBS is capable of basically operating a wireless network which the G4 can connect to, even if the G4 is only equipped with the original AirPort Card. That is because the AEBS can operate in both the 2.4 & 5 GHz radio bands and supports all of the current Wi-Fi standards: 802.11a/b/g/n.

You could also connect the G4 to the AEBS by Ethernet for better bandwidth. The only issue that you will come across is that you will need a minimum of OS X 10.5.7 in order run the version of the AirPort Utility (v5.5.1) required to administer the AEBS. This utility is NOT required to access the AEBS, only to administer it.

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Answer 8

Oct 22, 2010 6:04 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you! I'd hoped that I wouldn't have to buy an AEBS, but you've clarified that it's exactly what I need for this client configuration. I can use the AX for a different network elsewhere.

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