Cannot connect iMacs to the Internet via Ethernet

Question

I have three iMacs in different locations in my home office. I have a Netgear Cable Modem connected to Comcast, the RBR20 Orbi Router and two Orbi Satellites. The two Satellites are connected to the Router via Ethernet.

The Orbi WiFi is working fine with all three Orbi devices. However, I prefer to have the iMacs connected to the Internet with Ethernet, which I was able to do previously with my Apple Extremes.

Please see the attachment. In System Preferences (Network) under Ethernet it says, "Self-Assigned IP" and under Status it says, "Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the Internet." I have no idea how to resolve this.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

antinode · Answer

&gt; [...] I have a Netgear Cable Modem [...]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; _Which_ "a Netgear Cable Modem"?&nbsp; Look for "Model" on the productlabel.&nbsp;&gt; [...] I prefer to have the iMacs connected to the Internet with&gt; Ethernet, [...]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ok.&nbsp; And to what, exactly, did you connect what?&nbsp; Connecting multipledevices to your (unspecified) "a Netgear Cable Modem" would probably bea mistake (which might account for this behavior).&nbsp;&gt; Network (Ethernet).pdf&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That shows that the Mac's Ethernet interface is connected to_something_ (no "Status: Cable Unplugged" complaint), but whatever itis, it's not providing valid IP parameters using DHCP.

Brodstein · Answer

Hi Antinode,&nbsp;I very much appreciate your attempt to help — thank you!&nbsp;Please see the attachment, which I think will answer your questions. I have included all of the model numbers, and how everything is connected via ethernet cable. My objective is to have the iMacs connect to the Internet via Ethernet instead of WiFi. This is exactly the same way everything was wired when I was using Apple Extremes, and that worked fine.&nbsp;As I mentioned in my last post, the WiFi is working fine from the Orbi Router and two Orbi Satellites, but I want to go back to connecting to the Internet via Ethernet. (The problem message in System Preferences (Network) is "Ethernet has a self-assigned IP address and will not be able to connect to the Internet.")&nbsp;Thanks again.&nbsp;David&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

antinode · Answer

&gt; [...] how everything is connected via ethernet cable. [...]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Can't work (or be true) as pictured.&nbsp; You should have a separateEthernet cable from each client device to the switch.&nbsp; See the Orbi WiFiSystem User Manual, "Figure 3. Ethernet backhaul connection using aswitch".&nbsp; If that were done, then I'd expect things to work.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One thing which you might try is to start with a simpler arrangement,with a minimal set of devices (like, say, modem, router, Mac), and get_something_ to work. Then start adding complications (until thingsfail).&nbsp;&nbsp; Some of these devices have LED indicators, which I can't see fromhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and lookfor Documentation.&nbsp; Get the User Manual.&nbsp; Read.

Brodstein · Answer

I very much appreciate your response, and if this gets to be too much of a pain in the neck for you, just let me know.&nbsp;Initially I was puzzled by your comment, "You should have a separate&nbsp;Ethernet cable from each client device to the switch." Then I realized that I had created the wrong impression with my diagram, which I have redone and attached. There is in fact a separate Ethernet cable that runs from each port on the Switch to each device.&nbsp;Other than the change of the Router, this is exactly the arrangement that worked with the Apple Extremes. (I decommissioned those because I had them for a long time, and wanted a more up-to-date mesh system.)&nbsp;If you have any other ideas I would love to hear them, but I don't want to prevail on your time.&nbsp;Happy Thanksgiving!&nbsp;David&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Cannot connect iMacs to the Internet via Ethernet

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