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GABarber Author

Level 1

27 points

Airport Extreme and Cox Internet IPv6 Problem

This is a notification to others as well as a question:

I have Cox Cable High Speed Internet at several locations using an Airport Extreme 3GB connected as a router to the Cox cable modem.

For more than a week we would regularly find in the morning that the outside connection to the internet DNS servers were lost. We called Cox several times, and they performed the usual reset of router and modem and things seem to work for a while. But the next day gone again.

They came out and replaced the hookups, I I had to buy a new cable modem and replaced a digital switch. Each time things seemed to work for a while.

I thought about replacing the Airport Extreme (as I read others had done in a similar situation to no avail).

After much frustration, I started to search for Airport Extreme and DNS and found similar tales.

After several unproductive calls with Cox Internet first tier support, I finally reached a tier who acknowledged that Cox was rolling out IPv6 and was having a problem with Airport Extreme Routers. They said Apple was working on it and gave me a number to call at apple router support. Unfortunalely the number they gave was no longer valid.

I persisted and eventually got to Apple support and indeed they knew of the problem and said Cox was working on it.. But there was a temporary fix - and that was to turn off iPv6 on the airport extreme (more precisely (internet > Internet Options > Configure Ipv6 : Link-Local Only).

For now this seemed to stop the overnight drop that seems to happen between 12:00 AM and 2:00 AM. From experience I dont think its really an IPV6 compaibility issue, but how the router responds to some sort of reset signal/test signal that the service does in the early morning.

So the question is - does anybody know for sure whats going on or who is really working on this. From my perspective both camps think its the other's problem. BTW - Ive read about others with Non Apple routers chasing something similar.

Posted on Mar 2, 2016 9:03 PM

483 replies

May 17, 2016 1:01 PM in response to MWPhoto

I tried the Google DNS fix as written on page 11 of this post, but it failed twice within about six hours. I implemented the Link-local only fix to disable IPv6 and so far that is working. I don't see any significant differences in download/upload speed - in both configurations it's about 60 down / 6 up, from Santa Barbara/Goleta CA to test server in LA. I am using an Airport Time Capsule 4th generation (mid-2011) model MD032LL/A.

May 17, 2016 3:01 PM in response to I_Dont_Want_A_Username

Still, All continues to be well with the local link setting. No loss of connectivity all green lights on AirPort Utility.

Tested again: Just tested ethernet connected iMac over 168 down / 12 up (Premier Cox plan supposed to get 150/10) and iPhone 6plus sitting right next to the iMac got just a bit slower speeds.

However WiFi speeds farther away from the Time Capsule do drop quite a bit as we go out a few hundred feet away, or go upstairs, with multiple intervening walls, even with 1 - 2 bridging Airport Extremes.

May 17, 2016 3:22 PM in response to CromeYellow

Thanks for the update.....as I have mentioned several times on this post.....Google DNS did not solve issue for me either.....been using "local link only" setting for over 5 months....no issues with connectivity or speed (upload or download).....

YatBob

Level 1

9 points

May 17, 2016 3:37 PM in response to hipsterpdx

Add me to that number link-local works for me with no loss of speed, tried the Google with the iPv6 settings enabled, while I had no real issues with it it would regularly fail the iPv6 test, resting the TC solved the test only to have it fail the next time I tried it, so i went back to the Cox DNS settings.

May 17, 2016 4:25 PM in response to CromeYellow

Extremes max out at 100 megs. My small house was faster to wirelessly connect to the airport

May 17, 2016 4:34 PM in response to Caflashbob

Not sure I understand your comment - see:

http://www.apple.com/airport-extreme/

May 17, 2016 4:50 PM in response to hipsterpdx

Sorry confused with expresses

Rey G

Level 1

19 points

May 18, 2016 8:26 AM in response to YatBob

Same thing for me. The Google with iPv6 settings pass the iPv6 initially but then fail upon re-testing at a later time. Resetting the base station solves it but I decided to just leave it for now. Link-local did bring my speeds down a bit but at this point I think it's a wash.

Glad I found this thread, I replaced my modem (returned) thinking it was the problem and almost bought a new wi-fi router. Dammit Cox!

May 24, 2016 2:28 PM in response to GABarber

There is a new update - any idea if this may resolve our current ongoing issues?

Article: AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.7 Information

About AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.7

Firmware update 7.7.7 is recommended for all AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations with 802.11ac. This update improves the stability and performance of your base station.

This update:

Fixes an issue which may prevent communication between clients on the same network

Improves performance with an extended guest network

Addresses potential naming conflicts with Bonjour Sleep Proxy

For detailed information on AirPort base station firmware updates, including instructions how to install the update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1218

For more information on using AirPort products, go to the Product Support Page at: http://www.apple.com/support/airport

Post Date: May 24, 2016

May 24, 2016 4:41 PM in response to I_Dont_Want_A_Username

Unfortunately, the "link local" fix doesn't seem to be holding. I'm still getting 1 or 2 random failures every day, which requires the Motorola/ARRIS Surfboard SB6141 modem to be rebooted. Cox techs came out and replaced all the cable ends, including up on the pole, but that was really more just preventative maintenance. They said that Cox enabled IPv6 in this area about a month ago, and since then they've been busy with Apple Router issues. He passed on a rumor that Apple may address this in firmware "by September", but again...just rumor. The Firmware update 7.7.7 mentioned in the post above does not address these older routers (mid-2011 model here). I'm mulling replacing the router and just setting up the Apple in bridge mode (if that works) and turning off the wireless (using wireless from new router instead). Then I can still use it as a ethernet switch and time capsule backup. But I'll see if I can stand the reboots for now....rugh.

YatBob

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2016 4:45 PM in response to Space Ranger

I've updated the firmware on my routers and turned on ipv6 automatically, going to see what happens, will report results

May 24, 2016 5:11 PM in response to I_Dont_Want_A_Username

Actually, they also announced a firmware upgrade for the older ones: AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.6.7 Information

My Airport Utility doesn't see it yet. Would be great if they fixed it!

May 24, 2016 7:31 PM in response to I_Dont_Want_A_Username

It showed up in Airport Utility. Now installed, and IPv6 enabled, with DNS settings pointing to Google. So far so good.

May 24, 2016 9:24 PM in response to I_Dont_Want_A_Username

How about without the Google DNS? any luck with factory settings.

natalem3

Level 1

28 points

May 25, 2016 7:33 AM in response to YatBob

any update on this? for most users, it stopped working around midnight to 2am. I just saw the update was released so I'll update when i get home. hopefully this fixes the issue except it doesn't say specifically in the update if it does or not..

Airport Extreme and Cox Internet IPv6 Problem