Airport utility showing: No PPPoE server can be found; no valid IP address; and no ethernet cable connected

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Level 1

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Airport utility showing: No PPPoE server can be found; no valid IP address; and no ethernet cable connected

I came back from a break and found that my AirPort Express router is not working. The error messages on Airport Utility says the following:

1. Nothing is connected to the Ethernet WAN port. (But the ethernet cable is connected to it)

2. This AirPort base station is set up to connect to the internet using PPPoE but no PPPoE server can be found. (I reconfigured the AirPort base station today using PPPoE.)

3. Your AirPort base station does not have a valid IP address.

Do you have any insights as to why the AirPort Express is not working properly? The ethernet cable connected to my mac directly works fine. My modem is Motorola 2210.

A note: The AirPort base station did recognize the cable for a little bit and the wireless connection worked fine at first for a few minutes. The second time I reconfigured the station, it worked for another few minutes. Perhaps this is a hardware issue...Any thoughts would be appreciated.

AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Gen)

Posted on Aug 17, 2012 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,096 points

Aug 17, 2012 12:21 PM in response to Namapp

If the AirPort is configured to Connect Using = PPPoE, then the Motorola modem should be configured either in Bridge Mode or....if it is available.....the PPPoE is on the computer or router mode.

In theory, when the modem is in its normal factory default mode (PPPoE is on the modem) and it senses a PPPoE connection attempt from the AirPort, it is supposed to automatically switch to Bridge Mode to acommodate the router service.

I have found that this type of setup is far from reliable, and would not recommend this type of setup if this is the way that you are trying to connect.

Can you clarify how you have the modem setup at this time?

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Answer 2

Namapp Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2012 3:40 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hello,

There was a problem with the modem recently, since I posted the question, and it was hard reset. It is PPPoE is on the modem now. Since it was hard reset I have not tried to set up AirPort yet.

"I have found that this type of setup is far from reliable, and would not recommend this type of setup if this is the way that you are trying to connect."

I am not quite sure what you mean by this. When I first had the trouble with AX, I followed one of your posts to reconfigure my AX (I forget which one of your many posts it was). But it did not help.

Thank you for taking the time to look into this matter!

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,096 points

Aug 17, 2012 5:37 PM in response to Namapp

The Motorola modem can be configured to provide the PPPoE connection service. That would be in the setup under the "PPPoE is on the modem" setting.

This setting was designed to operate when the modem was connected directly to a single computer, not really with a wireless router.

If you configure PPPoE on the modem, you cannot configure the Express to also Connect Using PPPoE. In other words, you cannot have two devices both providing the PPPoE connection credentials.

If the modem is configured to provide the PPPoE service, then the AirPort must be configured to Connect Using Ethernet. This will produce what is known as a Double NAT error, which should be avoided if possible.

If the modem is in Bridge Mode....as it should be....then the AirPort should be configured to Connect Using PPPoE.

In other words....PPPoE service can be configured on either the modem or the AirPort. But, PPPoE cannot be configured on both the modem and AirPort.

The correct way to configure things is to have the modem in Bridge Mode and PPPoE service setup on the AirPort. That's the configuration that I use here with a Motorola 2210. It's been rock solid for years.

AT&T also recommends this type of setup as well whenever the modem is used with a non AT&T router.

Info is here:

http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB401764&cv=801,902&title=Connecting +a+non-AT%26T+provided+router+to+your+AT%26T+Internet+connection#fbid=sKWDSEOlK7 v

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