WAN connectivity failure

I think the problem is broader than just the SB6141.. most of the modem only surfboard series have issues with the new AE.

An interesting result came up lately..

The route table was full..

Could you open your network utility on the Mac (apple has hidden it lately so just type network utility in the search area of finder)

And run the netstat scan for routing table. Nothing on this is going to be an issue to your security.. Here is mine. You can just copy and paste the actual results rather than screenshot of it.. whichever is easier.. but I would like to see what it is like. With a fairly normal number of computers, phones ipads etc it should look something like this.

I'll be happy to help you find the SNR values, but you may want to consider that the cable modem may be the issue here. The "power levels" that Comcast are referring to is with their service to the modem. I would suggest that you have them replace the modem to see if this resolves the issue you are having with consistent connectivity.

As far as making SNR measurement, check out the following AirPort User tip. Please post back your results. Note: You will need a Mac laptop for this and be present to take the measurements.

It's the SB6141s that seem to be incompatible with the Apple routers.

One test would be to just connect your Mac directly to the modem by Ethernet. If you are still experiencing the connectivity drop-outs, the I would definitely suspect the modem. If not, then, you may be right in that it could be the AE. Which exact model of AE do you have? If it's more than 5 years old, it could be on its "last legs."

DaveF333 wrote:

I'm not at the condo now. Won't be there for a few weeks. I did run wireless diagnostics and have the log stored in my MacBook would that help? Let me know what I would need to post. Thanks

Wireless is unlikely to be the issue.. I think it far more likely to be the combo of SB modem and AE..

If the condo is somewhere out of reach.. don't worry about it.. wait until you get there..

Let me strongly recommend you take a new router with you. A cheapie is perfectly fine.. the WR1043ND v2 from Amazon (around $50US) IMHO makes excellent unit (easy to load an excellent stable firmware called gargoyle but the OEM firmware is ok) and the AE can be plugged into it. Do not expect to solve this with simple adjustments to the AE.. apple have removed any useful functionality changes from the airport utility in favour of rank simplicity.

What I was fishing for was the basis of the problem.. see if we can figure out what is going on since this has been ongoing since the Gen6 AE arrived and has never been dealt with.

DaveF333 wrote:

We'll be there in a few weeks. But did you mean modem vs router

? thanks

The modem is more than likely just fine.. so is the AE.. both are fine.. they just don't like each other..

Therefore you need something in the middle to mediate the fact that the modem cannot talk directly to the router without arguments arising.

Hence I recommended you buy a new router.. that router plugs into the modem.. and the AE plugs into the router.. and all will be happy.. ever after.

Any router sitting between the Modem .. it must work as router though.. and the AE in bridge will be fine.

The issue is more likely routing speed of an old WRT54G barely reached 20Mbps.. could be as low as 10Mbps.. remember speeds have come up a lot lately .. well they have where you live.. I still live in a backwater where 10Mbps would be so fast and unobtainable.

If your cable speed is faster than 10Mbps you need a more modern router.

If the cable speed is over 100mbps you need a router with gigabit ports.. ie what I suggested is the cheapest new gigabit port router that will handle up to around 300Mbps.

This is the most difficult bit of the whole thing to understand.

Why.. why does it happen in one place and not another..

How old is the AE?? Let me say it can happen or start happening at any time for reasons unknown. (at least to me).

The problem is particularly Gen6 AE.. fairly rare in earlier ones..

And it is nothing to do with the speed of the connection..

Sorry that is not a lot of help.. I don't live in the US and don't even have cable so I cannot demonstrate the problem.. although I do have loads of issues with Airports.. they are different to yours.

Should I cancel, or are there any tests or scans I can do to check it? Thanks

Yes, I think you should cancel.. a fault that is not showing up when the tech arrives is near impossible to fix.

I see nothing wrong with your wireless signal levels.

wireless is not your problem.. i think that was already covered. it is a drop out between the modem and router.. or at least I think so.

If it drops out plug the modem directly to a computer by ethernet.. (I hope you have something with an ethernet port still).

If it works fine.. replace the AE with another brand. That will cost less than $70 the comcast will charge if nothing is wrong.