Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: cyberweb_nj
cyberweb_nj Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Why Does My Macbook Air Show As a Bridge on My Wifi Network?

We are fighting some network gremlins in our small office. We have an unnecessarily complicated network topology, but I don't believe the network "complexity" is the ultimate issue (total guess). Here's the situation.


Periodically, we have network issues that range from individual devices or IP phones having trouble getting to the Internet, to office-wide outages. The Internet connection appears to be stable during the network issues, and is also big enough to handle the traffic. There doesn't appear to be any issues with the Internet connection itself - FYI.... We have a mixture of Macs and PCs, printers, file server and IP phones using the network. The network is a mix of wifi connected devices and wired devices (generally speaking PCs/Macs wifi connected...printers/phones wired).


The network itself is as follows:

AirOS WAP that is NOT delivering IPs, just bridging to a HP switch, that in turn is connected to a D-Link router that is handling DHCP. D-Link is then connected to our Internet modem. The AirOS WAP is being used because it's signal strength and performance are believed to be better than the D-Link's wifi performance. Note: The wifi radio is turned OFF on the D-Link. All connected devices are showing in the ARP table on the D-Link device (as expected).

But, and I'm finally getting to my question, on the AirOS my MacBook Air (El Capitan) is showing up in the ARP table as a bridge. It's the only device that appears in the ARP table besides the D-Link (also showing as a bridge - which is expected). Simply put, my Mac is "acting" differently than any other device in the office, which we want to eliminate as a potential problem.


Anyone have thoughts on why my Mac is showing as a bridge. I did check my Network settings and nothing appears out of the ordinary on my laptop. (only bridge I find set is Thunderbolt - which is NOT connected)


I'm sure someone has a thought or two on why my device is showing as a bridge in our network, and whether this might be an issue.


Thanks.

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Feb 18, 2016 11:56 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: MrHoffman
MrHoffman
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
131,301 points

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 7:36 AM

After upgrading the Ubiquiti AirOS AP firmware to current — if it's not already there — you'll want to ask Ubiquiti why their AirOS software is reporting what is shown. AirOS has many configuration options, and can be configured to distribute signals across multiple Wi-Fi devices — what you're seeing here, what AirOS version is involved, how the device is configured, that's something that Ubiquiti folks are likely better at troubleshooting.


The only way I'd expect to see a Mac acting as a bridge is via System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing, or maybe lower-level command-line configurations to get to those same settings. If Internet Sharing is off, I'd not expect OS X to be operating as a bridge.


I'd inventory the network and would clean up the configuration. Modem (set bridged), to firewall, to switch, to wired systems and AP(s). I'd use wired connections to the APs where that is possible, and WDS where not.


if you have OS X Server around (this forum), then those will need static IP addresses and likely also want wired connections for performance reasons.


If any of the servers in use are externally accessible, there can be a more complex network configuration necessary if you wish to isolate the damage from a server breach.


Wi-Fi can have serious interference issues in some areas. Interference can play havoc with Wi-Fi and AP connections, as can walls and anything else that can block signals.


If it's really a D-Link router (such as the DSR series, etc) and not a D-Link gateway box, those routers do not make very effective firewalls. Worked with one of those. Really hard to secure. Not what they're built for, either.

View in context
4 replies
Sort By: 
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: MrHoffman
MrHoffman
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
131,301 points

Feb 19, 2016 7:36 AM in response to cyberweb_nj

After upgrading the Ubiquiti AirOS AP firmware to current — if it's not already there — you'll want to ask Ubiquiti why their AirOS software is reporting what is shown. AirOS has many configuration options, and can be configured to distribute signals across multiple Wi-Fi devices — what you're seeing here, what AirOS version is involved, how the device is configured, that's something that Ubiquiti folks are likely better at troubleshooting.


The only way I'd expect to see a Mac acting as a bridge is via System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing, or maybe lower-level command-line configurations to get to those same settings. If Internet Sharing is off, I'd not expect OS X to be operating as a bridge.


I'd inventory the network and would clean up the configuration. Modem (set bridged), to firewall, to switch, to wired systems and AP(s). I'd use wired connections to the APs where that is possible, and WDS where not.


if you have OS X Server around (this forum), then those will need static IP addresses and likely also want wired connections for performance reasons.


If any of the servers in use are externally accessible, there can be a more complex network configuration necessary if you wish to isolate the damage from a server breach.


Wi-Fi can have serious interference issues in some areas. Interference can play havoc with Wi-Fi and AP connections, as can walls and anything else that can block signals.


If it's really a D-Link router (such as the DSR series, etc) and not a D-Link gateway box, those routers do not make very effective firewalls. Worked with one of those. Really hard to secure. Not what they're built for, either.

Reply
User profile for user: cyberweb_nj
cyberweb_nj Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Feb 19, 2016 7:38 AM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks MrHoffman. I'll take a look at everything you have suggested. I did check my MacBook's settings and it is NOT set to Internet Sharing. I'll upgrade the AirOS device and consider replacing the D-Link (DIR-655) box with something more robust.


Thanks again for the help and suggestions.

Reply
User profile for user: MrHoffman
MrHoffman
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
131,301 points

Feb 19, 2016 8:03 AM in response to cyberweb_nj

The D-Link DIR-655 series can operate as a firewall, and is likely sufficient for the needs here — it's rather more than a router; it's not one of the routing-specific DSR-class boxes.


D-Link and many other hardware vendors make gazillions of different boxes, which is why posting model numbers is important.


If you do use that DIR-655 box as a gateway — as a combination of firewall, NAT, maybe Wi-Fi and/or AP operations, maybe DHCP, routing services — then you'll either want to configure the modem as a bridge, or shut off NAT at the DIR-655 box. You do not want to use double NAT here.


But this is not relevant to how the Ubiquiti box is reporting your OS X system.

Reply

Why Does My Macbook Air Show As a Bridge on My Wifi Network?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up