Airport Express disappears from network when I connect ATV via ethernet

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Level 1

40 points

Airport Express disappears from network when I connect ATV via ethernet

I've an Airport Express connected by it's WAN port to my modem router in Bridge mode. The modem router handles connection to the exchange and handles DHCP.

The Airport Express (AE1) is used for creating my wireless network. It's sat just beneath my TV.

I've another Express (AE2) that extends my network wirelessly.

I've an Apple TV 4 sat just next to AE1 and have had it connected wirelessly. Just last week I connected it via ethernet to the LAN port of AE1. I've just noticed that AE1 no longer appears as part of my network in Airport Utility - I get the orange triangle and 'Forget?' message. AE2 still appears.

However, AE1 is still doing it's job - still creating my wireless network and being extended by AE2.

Removing the ethernet cable between AE1 and ATV4 and rebooting AE1 results in it re-appearing in Airport Utility.

What gives?

Anyone able to help?

TIA,

SPD.

Posted on Dec 10, 2016 2:10 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,208 points

Dec 11, 2016 8:39 AM in response to _devros

I've an Airport Express connected by it's WAN port to my modem router in Bridge mode. The modem router handles connection to the exchange and handles DHCP.

If your combination modem & router or gateway device is still providing DHCP server then it would not be in bridge mode. Regardless, is the scope of its DHCP service in the same subnet range as the network provided by the AirPort Express ... and just outside of it? ... or is it providing a different subnet?

The Airport Express (AE1) is used for creating my wireless network. It's sat just beneath my TV.

Is AE1 connected directly to the gateway by Ethernet? Which exact model is it? Does it have both DHCP and NAT enabled?

I've another Express (AE2) that extends my network wirelessly.

Which exact model is AE2? Is it configured to extend the Wi-Fi network of AE1 or the gateway?

I've an Apple TV 4 sat just next to AE1 and have had it connected wirelessly. Just last week I connected it via ethernet to the LAN port of AE1. I've just noticed that AE1 no longer appears as part of my network in Airport Utility - I get the orange triangle and 'Forget?' message. AE2 still appears.

How exactly is AE1 configured? Please provide a screen shot of each of the AirPort Utility pages for it so we can get a better idea on how you set it up.

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Answer 2

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 11, 2016 10:58 AM in response to Tesserax

If your combination modem & router or gateway device is still providing DHCP server then it would not be in bridge mode. Regardless, is the scope of its DHCP service in the same subnet range as the network provided by the AirPort Express ... and just outside of it? ... or is it providing a different subnet?

Apologies. My first sentence should have read "I've an Airport Express (AE1) IN BRIDGE MODE connected to my TP-Link modem/router. The TP-Link handles connection to the exchange and DHCP, whereas the AX creates my wireless network."

AE1:

It's connected to the TP-Link via ethernet. One of the LAN ports on the TP-Link to the AX's WAN Port and is configured pretty straightforwardly. Connect to the net using DHCP, Create a Wireless Network.

AE2 is setup to extend AE1:

Both AE1 and AE2 are 2nd gen. In the TP-Link's config pages I've assigned them static IP addresses. xxx.xxx.x.101 and xxx.xxx.x.102.

I've actually got two ATV's. A 3rd gen upstairs and a 4th gen downstairs. Both wirelessly connected to the network created by AE1.

To try and resolve (or rule out) some buffering issues that could potentially be down to the wifi connection, I connected the 4th gen ATV to AE1's LAN port. AE1 was powered down when I did so (although this was precautionary). After turning the power to AE1 back on, it showed up with the orange triangle with the 'previously part of your network' message.

Disconnecting the ATV and rebooting AE1 results in it appearing normally again:

Really can't understand why it's doing this.

TIA,

SPD.

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Dec 11, 2016 11:14 AM in response to _devros

AE2 is setup to extend AE1:

If you are connecting AE2 using Ethernet.....that.....is the problem.

"Extend a wireless network" is used only when the AirPort connects to the network using wireless. If the AirPort is setup to "extend" and an Ethernet connection is applied, the result will be a huge feedback loop on the network, in effect crashing the network.

The correct setting for your AirPort would be "Create a wireless network" that uses the same wireless network name, same security and same password as your "main" router.

Make sure that the AirPort is in Bridge Mode before you ciick to Update the settings.

If AE2 is connecting using wireless....I cannot duplicate the issue that you are reporting....but will keep working at it.

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Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

158,208 points

Dec 11, 2016 11:28 AM in response to _devros

Great! Thanks for clarifying your network configuration for me.

With AE2 connected by wireless to AE1, the "Extend a wireless network" would be the correct option to use in the AirPort Utility ... as you have done so. In this configuration, AE2's Ethernet ports should be enabled for wired clients.

If you temporarily connect the ATV4 to one of AE2's Ethernet ports, do you experience the same issue as when it is connected to AE1?

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Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Dec 11, 2016 11:42 AM in response to _devros

I've an Apple TV 4 sat just next to AE1 and have had it connected wirelessly. Just last week I connected it via ethernet to the LAN port of AE1.

We assume that you did this....but it is not mentioned.....Did you go into the ATV4 settings, and change the connection from Wireless to Ethernet?

If I have the ATV here set up to connect using wireless and I do nothing except connect an Ethernet cable to the ATV, then strange things start to happen, and devices start to disappear in AirPort Utility.

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Answer 6

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 11, 2016 12:41 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob,

If you are connecting AE2 using Ethernet.....that.....is the problem.

"Extend a wireless network" is used only when the AirPort connects to the network using wireless. If the AirPort is setup to "extend" and an Ethernet connection is applied, the result will be a huge feedback loop on the network, in effect crashing the network.

No, AE2 is connected wirelessly to AE1. It is wirelessly extending the network that AE1 creates, and has been doing so for months.

SPD.

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Answer 7

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 11, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Tesserax

Tesserax wrote:

Great! Thanks for clarifying your network configuration for me.

With AE2 connected by wireless to AE1, the "Extend a wireless network" would be the correct option to use in the AirPort Utility ... as you have done so. In this configuration, AE2's Ethernet ports should be enabled for wired clients.

If you temporarily connect the ATV4 to one of AE2's Ethernet ports, do you experience the same issue as when it is connected to AE1?

Dunno, I'll have to try it.

Thx,

SPD.

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Answer 8

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 11, 2016 12:44 PM in response to Bob Timmons

We assume that you did this....but it is not mentioned.....Did you go into the ATV4 settings, and change the connection from Wireless to Ethernet?

When I went into the network settings, expecting to have to change it, I didn't have to. It had automatically recognised the change.

SPD.

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Answer 9

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,042 points

Dec 11, 2016 12:52 PM in response to _devros

Interesting. The settings on my ATV did not change when I checked.

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Answer 10

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 13, 2016 3:01 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thought I'd try it again tonight Bob, and plugged ATV4 into Airport Express. Didn't have to change the network settings, it automatically detected that it was connected via Ethernet.

Initially thought I was onto a winner - the AX still appeared in Airport Utility. However, four hours later and here we are:

I'm still connected to the net - this post is being made whilst still connected to my network.

Oh well, looks like this is one I'm going to struggle to solve using the AX. There appears to be a simple solution however, my modem is wall mounted behind the TV and only one of its four ports is being used by my main Airport Express (AE1). I'll plug the ATV into one of the others.

SPD.

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Answer 11

_devros Author

Level 1

40 points

Dec 13, 2016 3:03 PM in response to _devros

Tesserax wrote:

Great! Thanks for clarifying your network configuration for me.

With AE2 connected by wireless to AE1, the "Extend a wireless network" would be the correct option to use in the AirPort Utility ... as you have done so. In this configuration, AE2's Ethernet ports should be enabled for wired clients.

If you temporarily connect the ATV4 to one of AE2's Ethernet ports, do you experience the same issue as when it is connected to AE1?

Dunno, I'll have to try it.

Thx,

SPD.

I forgot - the radiator cover behind which it's mounted is currently covered in Xmas decorations!

I'm going to try plugging the ATV into a spare port on my modem.

SPD.

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