hxj
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: "No Internet Connection" via AirPort Extreme bridged to Time Capsule

Hello,

 

We have a fairly large and odd home network consisting of a Comcast cable modem connected to a Netgear router, a Time Capsule wired to that one floor down (serving up WiFi and DHCP), and a new AirPort Extreme wired one floor below that, extending the WiFi network of the Time Capsule and set to bridge mode.

 

On one MacBook Pro (and possibly others, haven't had them available to test yet), trying to connect to WiFi while downstairs (i.e. to the AirPort Extreme) yields a strong wireless connection, but "no Internet connection"; checking via network diagnostics or the Network panel reveals that the MacBook Pro has no IP address. This seems odd, as it happens even if the connection is first made on the 2nd floor to the Time Capsule, where a valid IP is retrieved, and then carried downstairs; even though the same IP address should be valid, the laptop's WiFi menubar icon starts cycling again and eventually shows the "!" and reports no Internet connection.  Checking the Network panel reveals no IP address via DHCP.  However, if I let it sit for a minute or two, the IP address comes back (the same one!) and all is well, at least for a while.

 

I've tried switching to a manually-assigned static IP as a workaround, and that works perfectly well, but I'd like to get DHCP working properly if I can, for convenience's sake. Is there any reason why I should be having trouble with getting DHCP from the Time Capsule via the AirPort Extreme?

Posted on Oct 3, 2013 8:25 AM

by Tesserax,Solvedanswer
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,906 points)
Wireless
A:

Unless it was by design you will want the Time Capsule (TC) to also be in bridge mode as I am assuming that your Netgear router is providing both the required NAT & DHCP services in order to gain Internet access. With all of the router interconnected by Ethernet you have the basis of a roaming network.

 

With this type of network all routers / wireless access points would be bridged except the "main" router that is directly connected to the Internet modem.

Posted on Oct 3, 2013 8:42 AM

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hxj

Q: "No Internet Connection" via AirPort Extreme bridged to Time Capsule

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  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Oct 3, 2013 8:42 AM in response to hxj
    Level 9 (54,906 points)
    Wireless
    Oct 3, 2013 8:42 AM in response to hxj

    Unless it was by design you will want the Time Capsule (TC) to also be in bridge mode as I am assuming that your Netgear router is providing both the required NAT & DHCP services in order to gain Internet access. With all of the router interconnected by Ethernet you have the basis of a roaming network.

     

    With this type of network all routers / wireless access points would be bridged except the "main" router that is directly connected to the Internet modem.

  • by hxj,

    hxj hxj Oct 3, 2013 9:16 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 3, 2013 9:16 AM in response to Tesserax

    Actually, yeah, my predecessor explained that he was running DHCP on the Time Capsule instead of the Netgear because he hadn't needed DHCP prior to the adding of a WiFi point (all other nodes were on Ethernet), so it had always been turned off on the Netgear. But your suggestion makes a lot more sense, of course, so I've put the Time Capsule into bridge mode as well and started the DHCP server on the Netgear. Seems to be working with my iPhone, though that was always working okay. I won't have access to the laptop to test it until later this afternoon, but I have high hopes. 

     

    Thank you!

  • by hxj,

    hxj hxj Oct 4, 2013 1:57 PM in response to hxj
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 4, 2013 1:57 PM in response to hxj

    After putting the Time Capsule in bridge mode and configuring DHCP on the Netgear router, all seems fine.  Thank you!