poikkeus1

Q: "No DNS Servers," "PPOE Server," "Internet Connection" - amber warning

I'm trouble-shooting on my parents' iMac - there's a problem with configuring Airport Extreme. The iMac is fully updated.

 

While configuring Airport, I get this graphic:

 

screenshot_09.png

Under "Carol's Airport," I can't seen to change the status of the DNS Servers, PPOE Server, and Internet connection. The iMac works fine without the Airport connected...but while connected, I get these errors.

 

How do I fix these three errors and get the router working again? Please provide really detailed answers, if possible. Thanks!!

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 4:11 PM

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Q: "No DNS Servers," "PPOE Server," "Internet Connection" - amber warning

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jun 18, 2016 6:21 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 8 (49,039 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 6:21 PM in response to poikkeus1

    The problem lies with the device upstream of "Carol's Airport".

     

    Reset it by powering it down and leaving it that way for a few moments. Internet providers often suggest disconnecting their cable from their device as well (not the Ethernet cable between it and the AirPort Base Station – please leave that one connected). There should be no need to power down "Carol's Airport" but there is no harm in doing so either.

     

    Then, connect it to power again, and reconnect the cable if you disconnected it. Give it a moment to finish starting. Connect "Carol's Airport" to power, if you powered it down.

     

    Then, proceed to configure the AirPort Base Station by following the prompts.

  • by poikkeus1,Helpful

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Jun 18, 2016 9:36 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 18, 2016 9:36 PM in response to John Galt

    Thanks for the detailed reply.

     

    I reset the Airport Extreme (Carol's Airport) by powering down the device for two minutes. Per your suggestion, I didn't change the cables or configuration.

     

    I connected "Carol's Airport," and the light went from solid amber to blinking amber - and it stayed that way.

     

    Please let me know if I did the steps incorrectly. A web log on this topic said that this problem "is one of the most painful tech experiences ever," so I appreciate your assistance!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jun 18, 2016 8:21 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (52,464 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 18, 2016 8:21 PM in response to poikkeus1

    I find apple router's version of PPPOE unreliable on my internet. This is testing on several different model Airport Extreme and Time Capsules with different firmware. The problem is not universal but it does affect some people. Apple provides no way to adjust the PPPOE which can use different methods to authenticate. (PAP, CHAP for instance)

     

    Has this connection been working ok for several years?

     

    What is the make and model of the Modem you are plugged into?

     

    What type of broadband service is this? Sometimes telling us the ISP can also help.

     

    Did the problem start with the firmware update of the AE?

  • by poikkeus1,

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Jun 18, 2016 8:43 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 18, 2016 8:43 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Well, I don't have much of a problem with my home, personal network. However, my parents seem to get this problem every once in a while, maybe because they rely on Airport Extreme with Airport Express (as an extender). As you probably know, an extended network can be tenuous at times.

     

    This problem seems to get worse when the network signal is relatively weak - though that doesn't explain why I can't seem to fix my parents' Airport Extreme right now.. It's been working pretty well over the past five or so years (aside from very occasional dropouts, which sometimes fix themselves).

     

    The modem is a Speed Stream 5100. I haven't had any problems with the modem.

     

    The broadband service is AT&T DSL. My parents haven't upgraded to U-verse yet.

     

    The problem didn't occur after the recent firmware update. With some tinkering, I was able to do the firmware upgrade. I can't correlate the firmware upgrade with the current problem - but I can't discount it, either.

     

    Thanks again - I hope that helps!

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jun 18, 2016 9:16 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (52,464 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 18, 2016 9:16 PM in response to poikkeus1

    By strange co-incidence I am on ADSL with speedstream 4200 as my current modem.

     

    I am not sure if AT&T has started rolling out IPv6 but it is possible.. I would ring their support and find out.

     

    A 5 year old AE is due replacement. Since our main method of testing at domestic level routers is substitution.. especially with apple routers which no longer have logs or diagnostic information.. it is near impossible to figure out the problem.

     

    So either buy a new AE .. or take the existing one to Apple store for testing. Not that Apple can test for PPPOE authentication so even if they pass it .. it still could be a fail.

     

    In the situation of PPPOE let me recommend buying a different brand.

     

    If the Parents are likely to continue on ADSL for some time a modem router all in one from the ISP even if they pay a monthly fee means that the ISP will be able to support your folks if things fail.

     

    You can also buy your own router or combined modem router and set it up.. Whatever you buy get on 14day return so you can test it for long enough to know that it is stable and solves the problem. Otherwise you can return it.

  • by appreciate,

    appreciate Jun 18, 2016 9:26 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 4 (1,276 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 9:26 PM in response to poikkeus1
  • by poikkeus1,Helpful

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Jun 18, 2016 9:36 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 18, 2016 9:36 PM in response to LaPastenague

    This advice is eerily close to my conclusions.

     

    Earlier today, phone support at AT&T said they'd send a combined modem/router. This might very well solve the problem, and there's a good chance the device will arrive next week. The main problem with the Airport Extreme is that setting up is slow and not exactly user-friendly - especially if there are issues with the connection in the first place.

     

    A combined modem/router would upgrade the vintage Speed Stream modem, which several people at AT&T feel may be getting a bit old.

     

    Of course, this doesn't address the underlying problem: the extended network still might be a problem afterwards. But it's a step in the right direction, I think.

  • by appreciate,Apple recommended

    appreciate Jun 18, 2016 10:34 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 4 (1,276 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 10:34 PM in response to poikkeus1
  • by appreciate,Apple recommended

    appreciate Jun 18, 2016 10:36 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 4 (1,276 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 10:36 PM in response to poikkeus1
  • by poikkeus1,

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Jun 20, 2016 9:39 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 20, 2016 9:39 PM in response to poikkeus1

    New chapter to this story.

     

    I contacted an Apple expert, and he said that AT&T has a history of changing configurations for its internet, which ultimately causes problems with devices like Airport Extreme. If your AT&T connection still works without Airport, there's a good chance that the problem lies with the Airport configuration.

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jun 21, 2016 2:21 PM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 9 (52,464 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 21, 2016 2:21 PM in response to poikkeus1

    PPPOE is still problematic but the setup of the DSLAM at the exchange can be changed and it will work fine again. And yes, there are multiple methods of setting up ADSL which will cause issues with airport routers.. always start with a factory reset. Redo the configuration and see what happens.

     

    But trusting the ATT supplied modem router is a much easier track because they remotely update the firmware for you when they need to make changes.. this is not possible in a bridged modem.

  • by getvladimir,

    getvladimir getvladimir Aug 21, 2016 8:18 AM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 21, 2016 8:18 AM in response to poikkeus1

    Have you managed to finally fix the PPPoE conneciton?

     

    From what I've seen in the picture, it seems that the modem (from AT&T) is not relaying the PPPoE server connection to your AirPort Extreme.

     

    This is usually the case with modem/router combos. They need to be set in Bridge mode in order for the AirPort Extreme to initiate the PPPoE connection. Depending on your modem, sometimes you can set this yourself, or sometimes you need to ask the provider to set it up for you.

     

    That being said, getting a new modem/router that will handle the PPPoE instead of the AirPort Extreme might be a better choice, as @LaPastenague suggested.

  • by poikkeus1,Solvedanswer

    poikkeus1 poikkeus1 Aug 21, 2016 9:40 AM in response to getvladimir
    Level 4 (1,542 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 21, 2016 9:40 AM in response to getvladimir

    As the original poster, I've found an answer to the question. Maybe others will profit from the info.

     

    In this case, the problem came from improper Airport configuration. Here's what I did:

     

    1. I set up my internet without the Airport router, to verify the connection worked. It worked, so I went to the next step.

    2. I reconnected Airport to my computer as before, making sure the cables were correct.

    3. Using the end of a paper clip, I reset Airport for ten seconds.

    4. Airport led me through the setup process, which was familiar and uncomplicated. This step was to make sure the passwords and user name were correct.

    4. Using Airport Utility, I tapped on the pic of the Airport, which showed a pic of the device. (It's identical to the one I posted on my original question. Three errors: No DNS Servers, PPOE Server, Internet Connection: all amber.) Then, I tapped on "Edit," and on the "Internet," then to the bottom of the screen, which shows "Internet Options." Tap on "Internet Options," and make sure the configuration is correct. "Configure iPv6" should be set to "Automatically," and "iPv6 Mode" should be set to "Native." The "Enable iPv6 Connection Sharing" box should be checked.

    5. Save and Update the Airport settings. The Airport worked again afterwards.

     

    A few months later, my parents lost their signal again. I'd written down the procedure, however, and the connection working in five minutes.

  • by getvladimir,

    getvladimir getvladimir Aug 21, 2016 10:07 AM in response to poikkeus1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 21, 2016 10:07 AM in response to poikkeus1

    Thank you so much for sharing this, poikkeus1! I'm glad you got it working again and this is great for future reference