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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues Network
I just picked up a MR814v2 wireless router ($20 after rebate!) to hook up to my SBC Yahoo DSL Efficient Networks 5100 Speedstream modem. After connecting everything together, my Mac iBook AirPort card (8011.b) could not connect to the internet. The iBook could see the network, but it could not connect even though no security encriptions were set to the Netgear router.

After calling Netgear Support in India several times, I finally got connected to a support tech over there that actually knew a lot about the router! We tried several times and different configurations (including manually entering an IP address and tried spoofing the MAC). We got very close to solving the problem. However, the connections were very unstable. The Netgear technician figured the DSL Modem and the Netgear Router were both trying to access the PPOE (?) and thus were in conflict. The solution was to reconfigure the DSL modem to be passive so there wouldn't be any conflicts.

I did not have the software to reconfigure the DSL modem, therefore SBC Yahoo was sent out to reconfigure the modem. After the modem was reconfigured to be passive, the system worked fine! I am not sure what software SBC used to reconfigure the DSL modem. I hope this helps everyone out there!
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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues
Authored by: dsouth on Feb 27, '04 12:21:55PM

I think PPOE refers to PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet), which is what SBC Yahoo uses to ``log you in'' to the DSL connection.

Since I'm also using SBC Yahoo DSL with an non-apple wireless hub, here are some general hints

  • As mentioned, SBC Yahoo uses PPPoE with dynamically assigned ip addresses (DHCP). Most wireless hubs support PPPoE directly, so you can configure the hub itself to log-in to the SBC Yahoo PPPoE account, and configure the Macs (and other boxes) to connect wirelessly to the hub using DHCP or static IP addresses.
  • It's sometimes easier to do the initial configuration without the wireless in place, using the regular MacOS X PPPoE stuff over a hardwire. Then when you are done, copy the values you had to setup, disconnect the mac connect up the wireless hub and use the same values you setup for the mac. I use the location manager to add a ``home wireless'' location to connect to the hub, so I can always revert back to the ``hardwire sbc'' setup using the apple->location submenu if things go wrong.
  • Most wireless hubs provide firewall and NAT functions. The latter lets several devices on your LAN share a single IP address on the WAN (DSL) side of the hub, by doing network address translation. Typically, the hubs have a DHCP server that will dynamically assign IP addresses to LAN side hosts as well as communiate the correct DNS information.
  • I personally have had good luck with the SMC Barricade hub with SBC Yahoo and a couple of Macs, a Linux laptop, and a playstation2 all sharing the connection via wireless. The SMC can be configured using Safari (http) and even allows me to serve my old LaserWriter NTR via lpr directly from the hub. [For those interested, the Playstation connects via Buffalo WLI-TX1-G54 wireless-ethernet bridge.]
  • I think doing passive mode isn't the best way to go since it makes the connection dependent on the Mac -- setting up PPPoE on the hub means that as long as the hub is on, you have access.
  • Definitely configure WEP encryption on the hub -- generally you need either a 64 or 128 bit password. It's easiest to enter these in hexdec (man ascii in a terminal window). There isn't much additional advantage to 128-bit encryption (64-bit and 128-bit both are broken due to the way the ISV is used, so a determined attacker can penetrate either in a few seconds -- the WEP crypto serves mainly to deter your neighbors from ``accidently'' borrowing bandwith). Minor hint: putting a $ in front of the password in MacOS's internet connect app is a useful workaround -- it prevents the app from munging the password from ascii->hexdec, though IIRC Panther now allows hexdec passwords directly.
You can't beat wireless surfing while sitting out on the deck....

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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues
Authored by: imageworx on Feb 27, '04 12:57:38PM

Not to knock Netgear and Airport, but I've found SMC to be more solid.
I've set up cable modems and DSL modems to dozens of clients and setup SMC Barricade routers (wired, wireless, Wireless G series), repeaters and access points.
I've never had a problem with their router. Something to consider as they configure for PPPOE, DHCP, manually, ...

---
To BeOS or Not to BeOS



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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues
Authored by: bradbomb on Feb 27, '04 01:56:12PM

When the guy said passive, he didnt mean the Mac does the PPPoE. He meant originally, the modem is setup like most new DSL modems with a built in NAT and built-in PPPoE so its just plug and use. You have to turn the modem on a bridging/passing mode so you can use your router to do the PPPoE if you so choose. This is how mine is done with my BellSouth DSL.



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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues
Authored by: dsouth on Feb 27, '04 03:26:40PM

Thanks for the clarification. I assumed he had configured the access point to do simple bridging rather than routing. [Something supported by a few vendors, like Linksys. Though personally I prefer dedicated wireless-ethernet bridges like the Buffalo TX or linksys WET since the're smaller.]



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Netgear MR814v2, AirPort, and Yahoo DSL issues
Authored by: strachan on Feb 28, '04 01:56:58PM

I have the exact same setup, MR814v2 wireless router, SBC Yahoo DSL Efficient Networks 5100 Speedstream modem & three laptops with Airport cards.

No problems. My original Airport Base would overheat & lock, so I did a search for reviews on MacWorld. The above came in highly recommended so I looked on eBay and they were kinda high, especially with shipping. Went to CompUSA & picked one up for $30.

I can't remember where I originally heard this but if you use a hardwire (Ethernet) to setup your wireless base, and confirm it works, then at least you know it's not the Airport/wireless part of the network chain. You could even use your iBook (or any computer that has Ethernet to connect to the DSL modem) to get the configuration info by using the Yahoo DSL wizard and bypass the wireless router (Airport Base in my case). Its what I did when I first signed on.

The only thing I did was allow access by MAC address only of each Airport card in my home network. I figured that is the safest.

The SpeedStreem 5100 is setup only as a PPoE DSL modem, nothing else. All of the configuration comes from the router (whatever brand it happens to be). FWIW, that may not be the case outside the USA...

Even though the MR814v2 came with a CD, I didn't use it, nothing on it for a Mac. All you need is a current standard web browser.

I hope this helps even if it doesn't give any advice :-)



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