Airport Workarounds

Airport Extreme and "Snow" Airport hubs work with DigiTunnel's PPTP protocol

Older Airport hardware and software did not support PPTP VPN when Airport's NAT (Network Address Translation) was enabled. The Airport Extreme base station does support PPTP out of the box, it does not require a software update. The "Snow" Airport Base Station (a.k.a. dual Ethernet) supports PPTP if you install Airport software 2.0.4 or later. To obtain updated software, search for "Airport" on Apple Downloads. Be sure to get the correct version for your Mac OS (10.1 or 10.2, etc.).

When downloading Airport software, follow the Read Me instructions for updating both your Mac's software and Airport Base Station's firmware--this is done with the Airport Admin Utility.

Options for older Airport base stations

If you connect through the older, graphite Airport base station and it has NAT enabled, you cannot connect with DigiTunnel. Here are some options for dealing with the situation on graphite Airport base stations.

Option 1: Disable Airport NAT and add a separate NAT router
Option 2: Disable Airport NAT and use direct IP addresses
Option 3: Substitute a PPTP-aware base station for Airport
Option 4: Connect directly without Airport

Option 1: Disable Airport NAT and add a separate NAT router

This gives you the same abilities to connect wireless devices you have now, plus the ability to use DigiTunnel on a wireless Mac. You install a separate NAT router between Airport and your Internet connection (such as a cable modem or DSL modem using Ethernet). If you connect using Airport's built-in modem, this option won't work for you.

1. Obtain a software or hardware NAT router. PPTP-aware routers include:
   • Software: IPNetRouter (from Sustainable Softworks)
     Vicomsoft Internet Gateway and SurfDoubler (6.8+)
     Internet Connection Sharing (part of Windows XP)
   • Hardware (box): LinkSys routers, Netgear RT311, and likely others.
2. If software NAT, install it on a Mac (or use a PC in the case of Windows Internet Connection Sharing). Configure it according to vendor documentation.
3. Connect Airport to the private side of the NAT box or computer, and connect the Internet device to the public side.
4. Run Airport Admin Utility, and choose the Network tab.
5. Uncheck "Distribute IP addresses" (as shown below). You are now ready to use DigiTunnel. For more information about configuring Airport, see Apple Knowlegebase article # 86055

Top

Option 2: Disable Airport NAT and use direct IP addresses

If your Internet service allows you multiple IP addresses, or you have only one device to connect, you can turn off NAT in Airport and use the service-provided addresses on your wireless Mac(s). There are several ways to assign the IP address(es) to your wireless Mac(s). One way is to choose "Share a range of IP addresses (using only DHCP)" and enter the range of addresses assigned to you by your Internet service.

1. Run Airport Admin Utility, and choose the Network tab.
2. Select "Share a range of IP addresses (using only DHCP)" (as shown).
3. Enter the range of addresses assigned to you by your Internet provider in Beginning and Ending. They must be a range of consecutive numbers. If you have only one address, enter it in both boxes. (The picture does not show entry of real addresses).
   • Or, if you have multiple addresses but they are not consecutive, Uncheck "Distribute IP Addresses" and enter each IP address manually in each Mac's Network system preferences.
4. For more information, see your Airport base station documentation or Apple Knowlegebase article # 86055
   

Top

Option 3: Substitute a PPTP-aware base station for Airport

There may be other base stations (that use the 802.11 protocol like Airport) that have PPTP-aware NAT. If so, you could use one of these instead of your Airport base station. Check base station manufacturers for information.

Top

Option 4: Connect directly without Airport

If your Mac connects without using Airport (that is, it is wired), then you can use DigiTunnel, as long as the Mac does not go through Airport's NAT. And, you need an IP address for your Mac (assigned by your Internet service).

1. Obtain an IP address for your Mac.
   1. If your Mac is the only Internet-connected device on your network, you don't need to do anything special. Set it up as directed by your service.
   2. If there are other Internet-connected devices (for example other Macs using Airport), and you had the Airport setup to share your one address, you need another address for your Mac. Your Internet service may have a way to add one--if not, you should use Option 1.
2. Make sure Airport's Ethernet for NAT setting is unchecked (as shown below).
3. For more information, see your Airport base station documentation or Apple Knowlegebase article # 860 55
   

Top

Document created April 11, 2002.