Need Mac Help!

[jyl]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

FWIW, powerlines work like dog poo if they are not on the same circuit.

Also, any devices on the old networks when testing?

How many attached to new while testing?

Remember, WIFI operates at the speed of the slowest connected device so a fair test is if only one (the same) device is attached during testing.

Oh, interesting. So maybe I should leave the old networks up and use them for stuff like thermostat, security cameras, etc. Reserve the new network for macs and iphones.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by jyl

Oh, interesting. So maybe I should leave the old networks up and use them for stuff like thermostat, security cameras, etc. Reserve the new network for macs and iphones.

Definitely.

[jyl]

Thank you! to stomachmonkey for sending the Firewire cables. The original iPod is now doing its retro duty as the dedicated iPod for the stereo. Have a new battery on order, when it's installed this iPod will move to the 911 ashtray as the dedicated Porsche iPod. It fits in the ashtray perfectly, that's how I used it before. I'll repurpose an old iPhone as the dedicated stereo system iPod. Maybe my original iPhone . . . still have it laying around.

But the internet situation is crap. A few days ago my internet started running very slowly and inconsistently. It actually seemed to coincide with a period of snow and ice. Testing on a Mac wired to the Comcast modern, I'm now getting only about 10 Mbps down, and sometimes not even 5. Comcast had me pick up a new modern, no help, so they are sending a truck in a couple days. Until then, I get to hear the family complain "Daddy, the internet is bad! Can't you fix it?"

[jyl]

Anyone want to answer a simple (I think) networking question?

It is about whether I should set one or more routers in my home network to bridge mode.

The setup is:
- the Comcast gateway, in the kitchen. This has a modem, a wifi access point that is generating a WiFi network (call it "gatewaywifi"), and 4 Ethernet ports. gatewaywifi is not being used for anything, it might end up being the guest wifi.
- an Apple Airport Extreme (AEX #1) in the kitchen, wired (Ethernet) to Gateway. This is generating a WiFi network, call it "AEX1wifi". Various things are wired to AEX #1, and AEX1wifi is used for stuff like the Nest thermostat and Blink security cameras.
- another Apple Airport Extreme (AEX #2) on the third floor, wired to Gateway via two power line adapters. This is generating a WiFi network, "AEX2wifi". A Roku is wired to AEX #2. AEX2wifi isn't being used for much, now that the eerowifi covers the whole house. I might dedicate it to my work laptop.
- an Eero Hub in the kitchen, wired to Gateway, and two Eero Beacons in other places. Generating, lets call it, "eerowifi" WiFi network. That is the one being used by the various Macs iPads and iPhones and printers in the house.

My understanding is that I should enable bridge mode on both AEX #1 and AEX #2, is that correct? Leaving Gateway as the only router that is NOT in bridge mode?

Is that affected at all by the number of devices I have connected to AEX #1 or AEX #2 via wire or AEX1wifi or AEX2wifi?

I am asking because I keep getting these "Double NAT" error messages from the AEXs. It is irritating, but I'm not sure if there is really a problem here.

[stomachmonkey]

Everything but the comcast gateway should be in bridge mode.

Double NAT means multiple networks behind the gateway.

Unless you have a specific need to segment devices, security, keeping work stuff / pc's away from private / personal stuff / VPN.

Most people only need one network.

Think of it as a Traffic Cop, you only need one to control an intersection and direct people.

Unless you have more than 256 devices hanging off your network the number is irrelevant.

[id10t]

Ideally, you'd want all of them to have the same SSID, on different channels (1, 6 and 11) and be on the same subnet - in other words, you want access points. What they are calling "bridge mode" in the documentation should be that. Be sure to disable all but one DHCP service (keep the one on the device providing the internet router).

[RKDinOKC]

Try putting the comcast gateway as your main wifi and providing DHCP to it's wifi and all wired connections. Then have the other wifi routers wired to the gateway in bridge mode for the same network as the gateway wifi. You can do the same with the eerowifi. Then it will all be one big happy wifi with lots of access points your devices can connect to. Place all the wifi routers to get the best signal strength in all the places you use wifi.

I have this on my wifi some wifi routers are wired bridges, some are not wired. I don't have a cable modem that has anything but one wire, so I use one of my Apple Airport extremes as my main router to provide DHCP to the wifi and it's wired connections. It is the only thing wired to my cable modem. It also makes a guest network that is shared simultaneously on all the same bridged routers.

Making one big newtwork with lots of bridged access points spread around I get 300mb/s on my devices anywhere on the network in my home. Even had a neighbor that all their devices were on my guest network and were getting 127mbs. They had their own wifi, but my guest was better signal and didn't have passwords so their devices were automatically switching to it.

I only put up the unpassworded guest network because I have a brother that comes to visit that can't seem to keep his laptop on a passworded network and I got tired of resetting the networking on his computer all the time to make it stay working while he visits. Since the neighbors automatically join my guest, I turn it on only when someone is visiting and wants to use it then turn guest off after the guest leaves.

[dad911]

Comcast/xfinity router will broadcast a hot spot. As I recall setting it to bridge mode will disable that. I set ours to bridge and use my router for wifi.

[jyl]

Easy as pie to replace battery for the 1st gen iPod!

The home IT is working much better. Just need to replace the printer and a couple other things.

Thanks to everyone for all the help!