Getting the Basics Right Before "Bridging" the Comcast Router
It's been a rough week. I've sought advice on configuring a home network that includes Time Capsule, a Mac Mini Sever running Server.app and two iMacs. MrHoffman, Linc Davis and Camelot provided some great advice that I tried to implement without success.
It turns out that the main problem was Comcast -- they inexplicably changed my single Static IP account to a single dynamic IP account. It took several hours for an upper level Comcast technician to restore my Static IP account then restore the Comcast Cable modem (SMC8014) to it's default configuration.
DHCP is now enabled on the SMC8014 for a private network of 10.1.10.xxx. The Time Capsule, Mac Mini Server and both iMacs were manually configured to be part of that 10.1.10.xxx network. The Mac Mini Server and both iMacs can now browse the Internet and receive email. My Mac Mini Server is still not serving to the public, which is what I want it to do.
Some folks (including the upper level Comcast technician) note that the Static IP address can be assigned to the Time Capsule:
<http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21202317-Business-how-to-bridge-a-smc-8014-busi ness-class-modem>
INTERNET
|
/ Gateway IP \
| 173.nnn.mmm.122 |
| 255.255.255.252 |-COMCAST SMC8014
| 75.75.75.75 dns1 |
| 75.75.76.76 dns2 |
\ / |
/ Static IP: \
| 173.nnn.mmm.121 |
| Router IP: |
| 173.nnn.mmm.122 |
| 255.255.255.252 |
| 75.75.75.75 dns1 |
| 75.75.76.76 dns2 |
| |-Time Capsule -- USB Printer
| Private LAN IP | (DHCP)
| 192.168.0.254 |
| 255.255.255.0 |
| 75.75.75.75 dns1 |
\ 75.75.76.76 dns2 /
|
|--------------------------------------------
| | |
/ Mac Mini Server \ / iMac #1 \ / iMac #2 \
\ 192.168.0.19 / \ 192.168.0.17 / \ 192.168.0.13 /
| |
| 255.255.255.0 subnet mask |
| 192.168.0.254 router |
| 192.168.0.254 dns |
|--------------------------------------------
|
HDMI TV
If I understand it correclty the Comcast SMC8014 would provide routing and NAT in the above scenario and Time Capsule would provide DHCP.
But that configuration may not be the best.
Linc Davis recommends putting the Comcast Cable modem in "bridge" mode and using the Time Capsule for DHCP & NAT.
MrHoffman agrees, and notes further that a ZyXEL ZyWALL USG can be used to provide DHCP & NAT as well as additional security. It'll be a few months before I can purchase the ZyXEL.
Changing the Comcast modem to "bridge" mode requires a call to Level 2 support. Changing it back requires another call to them. For that reason I want to proceed with caution before changing it to "bridge" mode.
What would my network topology look like with the SMC8014 in "bridge" mode? The following?:
INTERNET
|
/ | \
| | |-COMCAST SMC8014
| | | (bridged)
\ | /
|
/ Static IP: \
| 173.nnn.mmm.121 |
| Gateway IP: |
| 173.nnn.mmm.122 |
| 255.255.255.252 |
| 75.75.75.75 dns1 |
| 75.75.76.76 dns2 |
| |-Time Capsule -- USB Printer
| Private LAN IP | (DHCP & NAT)
| 192.168.0.254 |
| 255.255.255.0 |
| 75.75.75.75 dns1 |
\ 75.75.76.76 dns2 /
|
|-------------------------------------------
| | |
/ Mac Mini Server \ / iMac #1 \ / iMac #2 \
\ 192.168.0.19 / \ 192.168.0.17 / \ 192.168.0.13 /
| |
| 255.255.255.0 subnet mask |
| 192.168.0.254 router |
| 192.168.0.254 dns |
|-------------------------------------------
|
HDMI TV
How do I configure Time Capsule so that the Mac Mini Server and the two iMacs can access the Internet? In particular, how do I give Time Capsule a Static IP, a Gateway or Router IP and a LAN IP?
Once that works I'll come back to ask:
1) how to direct all queries to 173.13.188.121 to the Mac Mini Server? and
2) how to configure DNS in Server.app on the Mac Mini?
Thanks in advance for your help and continued patience.
Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3), Mac Mini Server (late 2012)