obiwon4luke
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Q: Airport Extreme needs ethernet to laptop?

Ive been using a new cable modem and Im having intermittent problems connecting to the internet and getting server not connection requiring me to call the Cable company and unplug in the modem and then it works. I have done this several times in one week, then had a service call from cable company who stated he could not find any problem but the cable modem was a white motorola model ( not sure which) that is known to have problems, so I allowed him to sell me a new one.

When I check my wifi using disk utility there is usually a delay from base station, which has a green light, to internet which is delayed before it turns green.
IS that normal? No I also need to use the ethernet cable from my Macbook Pro, which I was not doing, to my airport extreme. ( Latest tower model). How can I assess if its a cable company issue?

AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Gen), OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 5, 2014 4:57 PM

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obiwon4luke

Q: Airport Extreme needs ethernet to laptop?

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  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Aug 5, 2014 8:11 PM in response to obiwon4luke
    Level 9 (50,545 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 5, 2014 8:11 PM in response to obiwon4luke

    It's a little confusing because Disk Utility is not appropriate for checking your Wi-Fi connectivity.

     

    Read OS X: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity

     

    The following may also be useful: About Wireless Diagnostics

  • by obiwon4luke,

    obiwon4luke obiwon4luke Aug 5, 2014 8:39 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2014 8:39 PM in response to John Galt

    Hopefully the new Modem that Cox sold me due to the rep saying the white one is known to have problems. When I check my airport utility the airport extreme has the green light on and there is always a bit of a delay for the internet to be green. IS that typical and is is necessary to use the ethernet cable? previously I never plugged it in.
    Thanks for any ideas John. Its working now so not sure anything needs to be done.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Aug 6, 2014 6:22 AM in response to obiwon4luke
    Level 9 (50,545 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 6, 2014 6:22 AM in response to obiwon4luke

    When I check my airport utility the airport extreme has the green light on and there is always a bit of a delay for the internet to be green. IS that typical

     

    From my experience, yes. There is a delay of a few seconds while AirPort Utility determines a viable Internet connection exists, as opposed to the mere presence of a wireless signal from the Extreme.

     

    An Ethernet connection is only required if you don't want to use wireless.