Q: unable to sign into Guest Network
I have setup a Guest Network on the Airport base station (802.11AC) but I cannot get on the guest network when I try to sign in. The wheel keeps on spinning while trying to get on that network. I can successfully get on the main network of the Airport base station.
Airport Base Station 802.11AC, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), Airport Base Station 802.11AC
Posted on Mar 15, 2016 11:02 AM
I can't find the Apple support document at the moment on this topic, but it basically states that the Guest Network feature on an AirPort router requires that the Airport be configured as a router to provide DHCP and NAT services. Apple uses a simple VLAN to create the Guest Network, and this depends on the AirPort being configured to provide DHCP service for the network.....which it cannot do if it is Bridge Mode.
If you call Apple Support on this issue.....as I have done.....the only thing that they can suggest is that you configure the AirPort to provide DHCP and NAT, which creates a Double NAT on the network. At the same time, there are other Apple support documents that advise users to avoid a Double NAT on their network.
And, Apple's software......AirPort Utility.....will warn you if it detects a Double NAT on the network and advise you to configure the AirPort in Bridge Mode.
If I can find the specific Apple document, I'll post a link. But, as I recall, it came out about 3-4 years ago, about the same time that Apple introduced the Guest Network feature......and users where complaining that it would not work.
Posted on Mar 15, 2016 2:49 PM

