No DNS and Double NAT

Hello, I've recently encountered a very frustrating bug in my system that I could use some help troubleshooting. I've read several similar posts, some are resolved while others are not, however none of the resolutions have worked for my situation. Here it goes:


I have an old macbook pro, a new macbook air, a white macbook and 2 iPhone 4s's all connected to the internet via WiFi through an AirPort Extreme. The AE is connected to a cable modem which has internet service through Cablevision in NY. There is also an AT&T Microcell hooked up to the AE to boost my cell signal. All of this equipment has been working flawlessly together for a long time. Until recently. It could have started after an update, there have been several lately on all of the equipment including the firmware in the AE. Anyway, I'll be connected without any issues - all lights green and happy - when suddenly, the internet will drop off and the AirPort Utility will pop up and warn me that:


1) On the "internet" icon, it will say "disconnected"

2) On the AE icon, it says "No DNS server and Double NAT"


After a few minutes and nothing done on my part, the lights turn green, the internet reconnects and all is well again.


This happens frequently and is really beaching a nuisance. Due to the frequency of the disconnection, I can no longer download a large file, update, or anything. Streaming video is impossible.


So far, I have tried bridge mode and cycled the power in the order recommended to no avail. When I do that, the AE turns green, but the internet says "not connected". I have also read that there might be too many IP addresses which is not sitting well with my ISP, so I disconnected everything including unplugging the Microcell. Lastly, there are no other wireless phones or devises in the house. All to no avail.


I should also mention that this began occurring on my Time Capsule, which I replaced with the AE in an attempt to fix this issue.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Joe

AirPort Extreme-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Mar 24, 2012 3:14 AM

Reply
9 replies

Mar 25, 2012 1:10 PM in response to JoeCirig

Sounds very similar to what I've been trouble shooting for 2 months now, only I have DSL from AT&T and I don't see the Double NAT warning. My last post on the problem is here.


My only emergency solution for getting by day to day on the internet is to unplug the AE and connect one Mac directly to the DSL modem. There's no shared connection or WiFi. I looked at hosting WiFi from the Mac, but the only security available with that is WEP which isn't considered secure. Even with this set up, I think (seat of the pants) that there are quality of service problems.


I've replaced the Airport Extreme with 2 different new units and the DSL modem with a new unit to no avail. The Genius Bar and Apple phone support couldn't solve this, nor have 2 calls to AT&T support and one visit from an AT&T repairman.


I would like to know how to better test or quantify the poor quality of connection that seems to be the problem.

Mar 25, 2012 8:14 PM in response to JoeCirig

If not already, I would recommend the following wiring configuration:

  • Connect an Ethernet cable between the modem's Ethernet port and the WAN (circle-of-dots) port on the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn)
  • Connect a second Ethernet cable between one of the available LAN (opposing arrows) ports and the AT&T microcell's Ethernet (not Computer) port.

Sep 9, 2012 9:25 AM in response to focusshift

This has been resolved for me! After several visits by larger and larger Cablevision/Optimum trucks, the Senior Tech, while on the phone with the tech support supervisor, determined that my modem was not able to handle the number of IP addresses in my house. I guess it was an older modem and in my house there are 3 apple laptops, 3 iPads, 3 iPhones, a blackberry, apple tv, an AT&T AirCell, cable and telephone all talking to my modem and it couldn't handle it. They swapped it out with a new 3.0 version and the problem was rectified!

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No DNS and Double NAT

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