AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n Firmware 7.1.1 (#2): Serious issues after installation
Cannot see Base stations, AirTunes dropouts, Double NAT errors
Users are reporting some significant problems after installing the AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n Firmware 7.1.1 update.
Cannot see Base stations MacFixIt reader Fritz Mills reports the none of his Base stations -- even those other than the 802.11n AirPort Extreme affected by this update -- can be seen by AirPort Utility 5.1 after applying this update.
Fritz writes:
"I downloaded and ran this update. I have three different airports: a draft N Airport Extreme base station that I bought at the end of Nov'06. This one was set up to only use the draft-n spec. In addition, I had the previous version airport extreme with b and g. Finally, I have an airport express that works the older extreme to extend the network through my apartment (it's a big apartment). When I launched airport utility, it saw all three units. I selected the draft-n for the update. When it finished, it complained that it couldn't see any airport base stations, and it couldn't. Not only that, Airport Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow doesn't see any of them either. I'm pretty sure I have 3 hosed airports."
If you experienced a similar issue, please let us know.
Double NAT errors Some users are reporting sudden occurence of Double NAT errors after applying AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n Firmware 7.1.1. The error is generally accompanied by a flashing yellow light on the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Station, though Internet access is usually not affected. Clicking the Ignore button when this error appears should return the Base Station's status light back to steady green.MacFixIt reader Mark Peavy writes:
"I updated the software and now my AirPort doesn't work at all. I have the yellow blinking light. It says I have a double NAT."
A "Double NAT" error is generally indicative of two routers attempting to provide NAT (network address translation) services in the same network space -- as would occur when the Base Station is connected to a Cable or DSL modem (router) and neither unit is in bridging mode -- but it is somewhat odd that this error would only begin appearing after the firmware update.
In order to resolve this problem, you will need to turn off NAT services for either the DSL/Cable modem/other router to which the Base Station is connected, or the Base Station itself. This can be accomplished by putting one of the aforementioned components into bridge mode.
The problem with turning off NAT services for the AirPort Base Station (putting it in bridge mode) is that this will preclude proper operation of devices that require port forwarding (tunneling), such as the Apple TV, wirelessly connected gaming consoles and others if said devices are connected to the AirPort Base Station. Still, if you desire, you can put your Base Station in bridged mode via the following steps:
- Open AirPort Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities)
- Select and connect to the appropriate Base station
- Click on the Internet tab
- Under Connection Sharing change the option to Off (Bridge Mode)
A better option, in most cases, is to make your Cable/DSL modem (or router) a bridge (turn off NAT services), and let your AirPort Base Station perform the connection sharing/NAT duties. This requires the following steps:
- Open the configuration page for your Cable/DSL modem (or router) -- check the specific model manual for instructions on doing so.
- Look for an option to put your Cable/DSL modem (or router) into "bridge," "bridged," or "bridging" mode, or an option to disable NAT.
- Restart your Cable/DSL modem (or router), the AirPort Base Station and any connected Macs.
[Note that if you are using PPPoE services, as often required by DSL, you will need to re-enter them for your AirPort Base Station by using the PPPoE tab of the AirPort Utility.]
The only problem with this configuration (Cable/DSL modem or other router in bridge mode) is that wired clients, connected via Ethernet to the Cable/DSL modem or other router, will no longer be able to share network access.
The third option is to simply leave both the Base Station and Cable/DSL modem or other router in NAT-service mode, and click the Ignore button when the "Double NAT" error message appears, as aforementioned. This will leave both capable of distributing IP addresses to client devices (including Macs), but may introduce other problems as indicated by the error message.
AirTunes dropouts AirTunes streaming drops out frequently for some users after the update to firmware revision 7.1.1. One reader writes:
"I was fine under 7.1. I updated to 7.1.1 and now I am getting massive dropouts on AirTunes."
We have a small tutorial on this issue with several potential fixes, including toggling IPv6 settings, switching between internal and remote speakers and switching channels (some of the fixes in the tutorial mention the AirPort Express but are also applicable to the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base station).
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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