KudosToNelson

Q: Airport Extreme Invalid IP Address

I've researched the heck out of this problem and have tried a number of solutions but to no avail: I just bought an Airport Extreme to replace my current router for our home wireless network, and from the get-go plugging it in to my Motorola SB5102 modem has caused it to report an Invalid IP Address. Yet, this computer, which is wired to the Airport, can connect to the internet (I'm on it right now). However, I cannot get other computers onto the internet through WiFi on the Airport. I've tried leaving both the modem and the Airport powered down overnight to reset the system but that hasn't done anything (granted, I haven't tried a full 12 hours power down). It's on bridge mode because I can't seem to get any of the other modes to work; I initially figured I'd want the Airport to distribute a range of IP addresses seeing as it's for a home network and I want to get other computers online, but Airport Utility told me that my modem was apparently already doing something like this.

AirPort Extreme, Windows 7, AirPort Utility, Motorola SB5102

Posted on Jul 1, 2011 3:02 PM

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Q: Airport Extreme Invalid IP Address

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  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2011 3:27 PM in response to KudosToNelson
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2011 3:27 PM in response to KudosToNelson
    I initially figured I'd want the Airport to distribute a range of IP addresses seeing as it's for a home network and I want to get other computers online

    The correct setting would be "Share a public IP address".

     

    Distribute a range of IP addressess would only be used if your service provider has furnished you with a list of "static" IP addresses. This would be very unusual in a home setup.

     

    Suggest that you reset the cable modem as follows:

     

    Push the reset button (if present)

    Power down the modem

    Pull the battery (if easily accessible)

     

    Perform a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Extreme as follows:

     

    Pull the power plug from the back of the AirPort Extreme

    Hold in the reset button and keep holding the reset button for 10-12 seconds in while you plug the power back in to the AirPort Extreme

    Release the reset button and let the AirPort Extreme restart

    Power off the AirPort Extreme

     

    Leave the modem and AirPort Extreme powered down for at least 15 minutes

     

    Connect the modem to the WAN port (circle of dots icon)  on the AirPort Extreme

     

    Power up the modem first, and let it run for 5 minutes by itself

    Power up the AirPort Extreme next and let it run for 5 minutes as well

    Power up each computer or other devices one at a time about a minute apart

     

    Open AirPort Utility and click Continue to follow the guided setup

     

    In general, you will name the device and establish a device password, set up the wireless and guest network settings, configure the Internet connection using "Ethernet" and Configure IPv4 "Using DHCP" (no other settings will be required on the Internet page), accept and Update.

     

    Please post on your results.

  • by KudosToNelson,

    KudosToNelson KudosToNelson Jul 1, 2011 4:22 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2011 4:22 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Wow, it worked! Looks like it helped starting the network from scratch with factory defaults as opposed to just leaving everything powered down for the night and then turning it on again. And yeah, you were right about sharing a public IP as well, the AirPort Utility chose that option for me automatically. Good stuff, thanks for the help!

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 1, 2011 6:01 PM in response to KudosToNelson
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 1, 2011 6:01 PM in response to KudosToNelson

    Glad that you got things going!

  • by joshnieten,

    joshnieten joshnieten Feb 14, 2016 10:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 14, 2016 10:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    This kind of worked for me too. When I say "kind of", I mean following these steps did indeed help me overcome my issue. I followed the steps precisely yet somehow my Airport Extreme did not reset to factory, so I had to reset it again. I am thinking that my main problem may have come from my modem, so resetting that definitely helped. I was able to create a new network and then extend my network again with my older Airport Extreme. give

     

    Just to give everyone the context of what I was struggling with, our UVERSE went out with a "network update" so our modem had to be replaced. They of course set us up with the standard "2WIRE..." network name and goofy network key directly from our modem/router, bypassing our Airports completely. So this required my setting up my home network again.

     

    When doing so, I could not for the life of me get an IP to pull from my modem to my router preventing me from being able to authenticate into my Airport with the new password that I had just set. Kept giving me an "invalid password" error even though I knew what it was because I had just created it (no, I was not typing it incorrectly). Resetting the modem cleared up the IP issue and then everything set up as it should! Thank you! These are just great troubleshooting steps period, so thank you for laying them out so clearly!