I can't get rid of 169 ip addresses on devices

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I can't get rid of 169 ip addresses on devices

I am having problems with computers and iOS devices using a 169.x.x.x address instead of the DCHP address supplied by Charter. This started just recently. The only thing that has changed is I installed Lion a few weeks back.

I have gone through three modems or modem/router combos. Two different motorola modem/routers and now the rented modem only motorola from Charter. None of that made a difference.

I have removed all AppleTV’s from the network. I have replaced a hub switch with another one. I have reset computers, renewed leases, started with one device and added more and tested each one. Nothing really seems to work.

This is what I have right now. My main work computer is hard wired to the modem via the switch and is connected to the internet. The family computer is also hard wired and is getting the 169 address. I have two network printers that both are not working. You can see them but you can’t print to them. My iphone and ipad are not working right now because I took the Airport Xtreme router offline to solve the problem.

Now I am at the end of my rope. Any thoughts on these last two ideas.

1. Get a static IP from charter and assign my own addresses.

2. Use my Airport Extreme as the next device after the modem and in place of my switch.

Any thoughts?

Shawn

Posted on Sep 7, 2011 9:03 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 7, 2011 9:22 AM in response to AidansDad

I had issues in the past trying to use an

Ethernet switch with a cable modem and ended up

using a router. Currently my system is set up

with my cable modem (Comcast is my provider by the way)

feeding an Airport Extreme Base Station. I have a 2010

MacMini hardwired. My early 2009 iMac, 2011 Macbook Pro,

and 3rd gen iPod Touch are connected to it via wireless.

This set up worked well under Snow Leopard and with all

my machines on Lion now, things are still working great.

Eventhough most cable modems can provide limited DHCP,

it seems they don't work well with switches and any

"disturbance" on the connected computers can cause

problems. That is why I had changed over to a router

years ago, and that was back with Tiger.

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Answer 2

AidansDad Author

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Sep 7, 2011 9:28 AM in response to AidansDad

Sorry for the confusion, it's blowing my mind as well. I have never had this problem before.

No, I don't have a static ip I was just wondering if that would be a solution. It is all DHCP from Charter. The working computer has an ip address of 71.12.176.x. The subnet mask is 255.255.248.0.

When a computer or iOS device gets the 169 address it is something like 169.254.136.120 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. There is no router address. I took this from the other computer on the network. I just checked my networked Brother laser printer and the ip address was changed to a 169 number as well.

Same thing goes for the iOS devices. I don't have wireless up and running but when I did, instead of a correct address I would bet a 169 address as well.

Does that clear it up?

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Answer 3

Sep 7, 2011 9:44 AM in response to AidansDad

#2 is the right idea. You need to reconnect AirPort Extreme even if you're not using Wi-Fi.

Your computers and printers used to get their LAN IP addresses from AirPort Extreme. With that out of the picture, those systems and peripherals self-assign 169.* addresses.

For Charter to be happy, only one device should request an IP address from the cable modem. In your configuration, that should be your AirPort Extreme. Whenever you change the device that's plugged into the modem, you may need to power down your modem for as long as 30 minutes to get it to recognize the new configuration.

Here's how things should probably be wired:

AirPort Extreme WAN port->cable modem

AirPort Extreme LAN port->LAN switch

Desktops, AppleTV, printers, etc.->LAN switch / Wi-Fi

If you have enough Ethernet ports on your AirPort Extreme to accommodate all your devices, skip the switch and do this:

AirPort Extreme WAN->cable modem

Desktops, AppleTV, printers->AirPort Extreme LAN ports / Wi-Fi

If these arrangements seem not to work, reset your AirPort Extreme to its factory settings, cycle power on the cable modem and AirPort Extreme and try again.

Best of luck to you.

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Answer 4

AidansDad Author

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Sep 7, 2011 9:47 AM in response to AidansDad

My modem at this moment is a Motorola SB5101 that I got from Charter. I have also used an SBG900 and an SBG6580 this week with the same problems. These last two have routers with the modem.

The modem (SB5101) feeds directly into a D-Link DES1105 switch. It was a Netgear GS608 switch but I changed it this morning to see if I could get it to work.

The computers and printers are connected to the switch via Cat-5 ethernet cable. That is it right now.

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Answer 5

AidansDad Author

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Sep 7, 2011 10:10 AM in response to AidansDad

Great! I am going to get some more work done while I still have internet but here is one more question. Is there anywhere down the line that I can use the switch? Right now I have seven devices running off ethernet. Two computers, two laser printers, two apple tv 2's and a Tivo box. Could I use that switch somewhere down the line? My laser printers are a good place.

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