Controller woes

So I just posted this in the Neptune forum on RC in hopes of bring out someone else that might help...
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So in my ongoing battle to access my AC3 from outside my network I have hit a wall. I feel that I have tried about everything, but painfully I have only gained access briefly to the controller. Said connection was quickly lost never to be found again and access to my controller has stayed within the friendly confines of my home network.

My Setup - I am running an AC3 via an Airport express that is wirelessly connected to my airport base station. I am using the Airport base station as a router that is in bridge mode with my verizon actiontec DSL modem. I am unable to open any ports on my actiontec modem in bridge mode (or any mode for that matter) and this has precluded my ability to interface with my controller. I have tried following the instructions laid out in previous posts, but they were guides for older modem utilities and do not apply to my modem.

Note - When running in non-bridge mode I was able to futz with the IPs and ports and briefly get access for one fleeting connection outside of the network, then I lost said connection and was never able to regain it. I was able to open the port (8080) on my airport base station that is set to interface my controller with the world, but I have never been able to do so on my modem.

Any tips? I'm about at my wits end with this.

Have you done the whole DNS thing yet? IP addresses change quickly. Also, try using your default password, even though I changed mine, my apexJr let me in with the default password... Its really wierd. Also, have you port forwarded your router? I had to play with my verizon router:
Go to
Firewall
Click yes
Port forwarding
create new port forwarding
specify IP
192.168.1.X replace X with whichever your AC3 is
application to forward
Http (web)
click add and try that
those are my settings, but as soon as my IP changes, I am going to have to find my IP(whatsmyip.org) and reset my shortcut on my phone.

At least you should have access with it that way

Good luck it took me and SLP 4-5 hours to get his set up.

My IP has not changed this week. I check it every day.

No issues with my password.

Port forwarding is the issue. The new actiontec modem does not have a specific port forwarding dialog. You have to create rules for each device on the network to open the ports. So far I can not get this to work.

I test my ports with canyouseeme.org and the one that I create the rule for 8080, is never open.

Hmm. I have read in many places that there are only a few devices that will adequately connect via a wireless component to the router. If I remember it has to be a particular wireless game port. I was able to use a wireless router downstairs that communicated wirelessly to my main router upstairs. It may have a lot to do with that wireless signal.

Have you tried to plug the ACIII directly to the main router that is connected to the verizon modem?

Nope, that would require me to move everything and or run about 50ft of cat5 cable. both of which are way too much work. If you can do it with an xbox, there is no reason why I cant do it with the ac3

Jeff suggested these to me


http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=533


I am going to give it a shot

I had a headache on this issue for a month. I posted on the Digital Aquatics forum and RC to get help and it finally started working. I do have a domain from dyndns.com but its very flaky and I have better luck just using the router IP http://123.45.678.90 for example but my IP doesn't change unless you reset or turn off my router since I have a dynamic IP vice a static IP. I called Verizon to ask how much the static IP would cost but it was not worth the price.

I am not a network expert but am willing to come over and help you out.

I think the power line network adapters will work. I was talking to an "expert" on RC and he recommended them highly as a solution to bypassing the use of wireless routers to connect the tank.

could the network adapter be the problem? I just bought the cheapest one at fry's! Whats the correlation to the port being block and what type of network adapter? Since you are able to access the controller via local network, then the network adapter is working.

nothing to do with the adapter, its the modem that will not open the port up. i can not seem to gain access through the modem, so i think just plugging it in directly will solve the issue.

you could test to see if it will work that way...if it does, just get a long ethernet cable

Check out this link, it solves that problem.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=533

That was why I posted it, it works through your walls to hardwire two ethernet connections. Jeff uses one in his house.

That router in the link worked. Just wired it up and now I'm all set. It's awesome!

That's awesome. Where did you buy the D-link from?

I got the netgear version, at best buy. Dlink is available at frys.

I remember reading about the D-link and when we were in the process of getting something that would work I had that D-link in my hand ready to purchase it but the guy at fry's told me it wouldn't work. we ended up buying another wireless router. If I would have not listened to him I would have saved a lot of headache getting the routers to talk to each other. oh well.

Glad that it is working for you and just as you are leaving town.

So you are up and running now? Awesome, never ran into that issue.

Glad to hear its working for You! I still haven't set up a static ip, not looking forward to it either.

They only work on a direct electrical connection, if you put them onto a surge protector it wont work. maybe that was what the guy at frys was talking about.

Its totally working though. I am in Md now and able to check it.