Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Enthusiast Zone > Networking > Very basic DSL to Airporrt Extreme question

Very basic DSL to Airporrt Extreme question
Thread Tools
tightsocks
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 4, 2013, 08:29 PM
 
So, I am trying to help a relative straighten out their DSL connection.
It is nothing more than what looks to be an ancient Westell 6100 Verizon modem going to an old Airport Extreme (1 ethernet port, pots modem and usb connections).

I guess the DSL modem will handle the PPPoE but for some reason there is trouble if the Airport is set to anything other than Bridge Mode under Internet->Connection Sharing. IS having the Airport in bridge mode an ideal set-up?
     
Cold Warrior
Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Polwaristan
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 4, 2013, 08:38 PM
 
Is the modem acting as a dhcp server? A lot of times these things get set up this way, and it's better to have the modem be only a modem and let the airport extreme do dhcp and the rest of the lan networking.
     
tightsocks  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 4, 2013, 10:18 PM
 
I think the modem is doing dhcp - the config interface is so unbelievably confusing (to me anyway). So that combined with my rapidly declining abilities is making this rather confusing.
I think the modem wants to do everything - PPPoE, DHCP, it even has a little map of the lan on its main page. At this point it would probably just make sense to try to have the DSL modem replaced with one that has built-in wifi. Then it could do everything including replace the need for the Airport box.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 5, 2013, 06:23 AM
 
Try this:

Changing your Westell 6100 modem to Bridge Mode
https://www22.verizon.com/Support/Re...ree/123756.htm

That should be the end of it.
     
tightsocks  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 5, 2013, 04:50 PM
 
Why is it better to have the DSL modem in bridge mode rather then the Airport in bridge mode?
Just curious.
Also, if she ever calls Verizon for troubleshooting and they have her reset the modem won't it go back to'non-bridge' mode...?
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 5, 2013, 04:56 PM
 
Administering the Airport is easier. Just taking the Verizon modem out of the equation is probably a simple solution.

Switching it off and on again will just boot it to the last saved state, including bridge settings.
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 7, 2013, 09:45 PM
 
I just went through some bad flashbacks about administering a Westell modem with ANY router... I was...bad.

Spheric is correct: it is orders of magnitude easier to keep all the user management in the AirPort device, and have the modem just provide a hot Ethernet connection.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
   
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:34 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,