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xfinity apple airport randomly does not provide ip4 only ipv6 NAT

I have a long standing issue with the apple airport provided by xfinity. Randomly my computer cannot access the internet, and I tested with multiple computer when this happened, and none of the can access the internet with ipv4, only websites that allow ipv6 connections will work. It randomly comes and goes, reboot it a couple times and finally ipv4 will work again for a while and then stops again. xfinity support was woefully unhelpful and didn't even seem to understand the difference between ipv4 and ipv6. Unfortunately this affects access to the majority of websites including my work VPN that I cannot connect to when this happens. Has anyone seen this and found a fix for it?

Posted on Nov 13, 2024 12:36 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 20, 2024 3:13 PM

Double NAT simply means that you have two devices that are both trying to act as routers on the same network. On a home network, that is a no no.


You only want one device on a home network providing DHCP and NAT (and IPv4 and IPv6 service).


The Xfinity device that you are describing is not really a "modem". It is a modem/router or gateway. This type of device combines a modem and a router in one package.


Since your Xfinity device is now acting as a router for the network, it is providing DHCP and NAT service as well as IPv4 and IPv6 service.


So, you would want to configure the AirPort Extreme to operate in Bridge Mode......which Apple curiously calls "Off (Bridge Mode)".





The AirPort Extreme can still provide a Wi-Fi network in Bridge Mode, but the routing responsibilities remain with the Xfinity modem/router or gateway. The AirPort Extreme simply acts as a "pass through" device for the DHCP and NAT and IPv4 and IPv6 service provided by the Xfinity modem/router.



However, if you want the AirPort Extreme to act as the router for your network to provide DHCP and NAT (and IPv4 and IPv6 services), then you will have to check and see whether it is possible to turn off the router function of the Xfinity gateway so that it will operate only as a simple modem.


Xfinity will probably be a lot less than thrilled to help you with this.....if it is even possible.


Another option might be to replace the Xfinity modem/router with a "simple modem". This type of device has only one Ethernet port. Whether or not Xfinity offers this type of device is open to question, but they might allow another manufacturer's "modem".


If they do, then you could configure the AirPort Extreme as the DHCP and NAT router providing IPv4 and IPv6 service.


So, the bottom line here would be which device.....Xfinity or Apple AirPort.....do you want to control your network?



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 20, 2024 3:13 PM in response to Bittrekker

Double NAT simply means that you have two devices that are both trying to act as routers on the same network. On a home network, that is a no no.


You only want one device on a home network providing DHCP and NAT (and IPv4 and IPv6 service).


The Xfinity device that you are describing is not really a "modem". It is a modem/router or gateway. This type of device combines a modem and a router in one package.


Since your Xfinity device is now acting as a router for the network, it is providing DHCP and NAT service as well as IPv4 and IPv6 service.


So, you would want to configure the AirPort Extreme to operate in Bridge Mode......which Apple curiously calls "Off (Bridge Mode)".





The AirPort Extreme can still provide a Wi-Fi network in Bridge Mode, but the routing responsibilities remain with the Xfinity modem/router or gateway. The AirPort Extreme simply acts as a "pass through" device for the DHCP and NAT and IPv4 and IPv6 service provided by the Xfinity modem/router.



However, if you want the AirPort Extreme to act as the router for your network to provide DHCP and NAT (and IPv4 and IPv6 services), then you will have to check and see whether it is possible to turn off the router function of the Xfinity gateway so that it will operate only as a simple modem.


Xfinity will probably be a lot less than thrilled to help you with this.....if it is even possible.


Another option might be to replace the Xfinity modem/router with a "simple modem". This type of device has only one Ethernet port. Whether or not Xfinity offers this type of device is open to question, but they might allow another manufacturer's "modem".


If they do, then you could configure the AirPort Extreme as the DHCP and NAT router providing IPv4 and IPv6 service.


So, the bottom line here would be which device.....Xfinity or Apple AirPort.....do you want to control your network?



Nov 20, 2024 3:23 PM in response to Bittrekker

I use the AirPort as my router and bridge the Xfinity gateway. To bridge the Xfinity gateway, you will most likely need to use the Xfinity app, but it would depend on the model of the Xfinity router and if you have a computer to connect directly to the Xfinity gateway.


You are correct the Xfinity customer service is terrible and simply do not have the knowledge to resolve most problems.

xfinity apple airport randomly does not provide ip4 only ipv6 NAT

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