Airport express ethernet troubleshooting with Belkin Powerline HD

Dear All,

Equipment:
x3 Airport Express stations (G generation not N)
x3 Belkin Powerline HD (up to 1000mbit)
x1 iMac plugged (connected via ethernet)

I have three airport express devices around my house in order to play music in those rooms from itunes.

The Expresses never worked well wirelessly so I decided to buy Belkin Powerline hd devices that create ethernet bridges between my router and the three Airport express devices through the mains supply.

i. The lights go green when I plug in the ethernet cable on the Airport Expresses
ii. The Belkin Powerline hd boxes have the solid blue light indicating excellent connection
iii. The Airport expresses are set on "ethernet"

but the *airport express devices do not come up on my itunes and not in Airport Utility* on my iMac.

I have tried the following:
i. Unplugging one of the airport express devices from the Belkin Powerline hd and plugging my laptop in to the ethernet - and the internet works - so there is a connection between the Belkin Powerline hd devices.
ii. I have tried resetting the Airport expresses, giving them fixed ip addresses.
iii. I have used a regular ethernet between the airport express and my laptop and it registers perfectly.
iv. Tried putting all three Belkin Powerline hd mains devices in mains sockets in the same room.. but still doesn't pick up the airport expresses.

So it's highly confusing... internet works across the Belkin Powerline hd mains devices, the airport express lights come up green - but the airport expresses do not register in itunes or Airport utility. (for accuracy - it does come up for a few minutes when plugged in then disappears).

Please help... Belkin are just as perplexed as I am on this.

Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 7:25 AM

25 replies

Jan 23, 2011 2:59 PM in response to chickendance

I can confirm similar issues. I'm trying to use the Belkin HD product to bridge across the house from one Airport Extreme to another in order to extend the wireless network. Having consistent issues with connectivity, the remote Extreme will boot up, be fine and then just drops off the network. What's odd is that I can see it's still there from my Macbook which I have iStumbler running on to see the wireless performance. I'll be returning my Belkin products and maybe trying a different vendor.

Jan 24, 2011 7:22 AM in response to jameslondonmacair

Belkin have recognised the problem we have been having with Apple network products. A problem which has been reproduced by their engineers. There is a new firmware that is going through final testing that will solve these problems.

To be fair to them, they have done everything they can to try and get to the root of the problem. The new firmware which will be released imminently should rectify these issues.

The choice is to return the product or to remain patient for a little while.

Jan 24, 2011 7:23 AM in response to jameslondonmacair

Waiting for new Belkin firmware.

adhesiv

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2011 5:13 PM in response to jameslondonmacair

Belkin has released new firmware noting the following fixes:

Post Date: 09/02/2011
1. Fixes Xbox NAT issue (Being Strict)
2. Fixes I-Tunes issue which would not allow a wired client to see a wireless shared library
3. Many general performance and reliability improvements (Especially at longer ranges)

http://en-us-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/515/~/f5d4076-gigabit-po werline-hd-starter-kit---firmware-update

However I am still unable to see my iTunes Homeshare on my Apple TV 2 or any other machine for that matter. Why is something that's supposed to be so simple so difficult???

Mar 8, 2011 7:11 PM in response to chickendance

ha ha! fixed!!

Belkin release a firmware update for the powerline HD - version 2.0.22.

However, it did not happen automatically, and my belkin upgrader software kept saying i was on the most recent firmware with 2.0.16. i actually had to go an upgrade the belkin upgrader software first from the belkin site. Then, when i ran the upgrader software again, it found the 2.0.22 software and installed immediately. Once both adapters were uipgraded, itunes saw the apple tv right away.

thanks for following through on that one belkin! appreciate it!

Mar 9, 2011 2:43 AM in response to chickendance

I've updated to the latest firmware, but still have the problem being reported.
If i connect to ethernet on mac via powerline HD/AV it all works perfectly.
As soon as i attach an Airport Express and connect to the Airport... i get no internet connection... and cannot see the rest of my network.

If i connect to my primary router, i cannot see the airport express.

Definitely believe there still is some sort of filtering issue related to apples wireless products.

Has anyone else resolved this issue via the latest updated????

Ravsta

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2011 1:24 AM in response to jameslondonmacair

Folks,

RESOLVED. Been trying to fix the sharing issue and glad to report the issue has been resolved. I upgraded the firmware to v2.0.22 on BOTH my Powerline HD adaptors. My MBP & PC's can see my NAS now through iTunes.

Download the Belkin updater software from the Belkin site (UK Users) http://en-au-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2007 . Note the updater software is Windows only (I know!). Make sure you update ALL your adaptors on your network.

Hope it works for all.

Rav.

Apr 12, 2011 6:25 PM in response to chris_vav

I've updated and still experiencing the problem of Airport Express not functioning. As soon as any device attempts to connect to the Airport Express over wireless, the internet connection disappears from the Express as well as the Express no longer appears in Airport Utility.

This is a separate issue from not being able to see AppleTV, AirSharing, etc. The update definitely fixed that problem. So it just seems that using a Express as an access point via the Powerline adapters is still broken.

maxez

Level 1

0 points

May 11, 2011 10:28 AM in response to Brian Yamanaka

I am still experiencing the same problem as well. TC connected to main router via Powerline HD. TC in bridge mode. Wired clients connected to TC work fine. Wireless clients do not work at all. This really blows!! Because the Belkin Powerline HD seem to be working really fast and great (MUCH better than my previous Linksys PLS300 200mb), and they are really cheap too. Running both adapters upgraded to 2.0.22 by the way.

I believe (but I might be wrong about this), that the problem MIGHT be related to IPv6. I really hate the fact that you cannot turn IPv6 off on TC. Local Link is NOT off, it just says "you can use IPv6 only with the clients connected directly to you".

I really tried everything I could fathom and still no solution. I am a very experienced programmer and fairly experienced networker.

I got these adapters yesterday, but I really don't wont to return them. They work SO fast, and I don't think there is any other Powerline HD product near this price range anywhere.

Please let me know if somebody figures something out!

Jul 11, 2011 7:04 PM in response to maxez

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I have been using D-Link powerline adaptors and they work flawlessly. I even recently added one with a built in wi-fi extender and it works great.

I'd highly recommend them. $80 for a starter kit of two powerline adaptors from bestbuy. You can buy extras for $40 each, and the one with built in wi-fi extender is only $89.

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Airport express ethernet troubleshooting with Belkin Powerline HD