Internet problems Abu Dhabi - Fibre optic/wireless (Apple configuartion)???

[Empgamer]

My set up here in AD is a Huawei Echolife OT550 (fibre optic/FFTH??) box, Siemens Gigaset SE568 wirless router, a Windows Laptop, a Mac book and an iPhone.

Browsing had become really painfully slow of late and the Gigaset needed constant re-booting and even that did not help much. So yesterday I decided to buy a Lynksys WRT 160N Router which I managed to connect simply enough (albeit I had to mess with the wireless conections to get devices to connect - think I had to set a static singe channel rather than auto). The new router was showing 'connected' in its status in the Admin screen.

Despite being connected I could not browse however with all sites hanging as they tried to load. This was on all devices. I then tried to connect the cable that goes from my Huawei direct into the PC and after setting up a new Broadband PPPoE connection (which had worked when I had problems before) found there was still no ability to browse. Again, the device showed connected. I then put the old wireless router back in, same, no browsing possible. I tried rebooting routers, the F/O box, everything. No joy. Wonderful way to spend a Thursday night!!!!!!!

I spoke to various people at Etislat who tried many things including asking me to try to ping various sites and IP addresses. The two IP addresses worked but not the yahoo.com ping. The guy yesterday finally said that there was a problem with browsing they were aware of and were working on it.

This morning, same. Could not browse. Spoke to Etislat again and after going through the same tests the girl told me to go to Tools, Internet Options, Connections, LAN settings and check the 'Use Proxy Server'. She told me to insert the following:

Address: 213.42.21.100 Port: 8080

Uncheck 'Bypass Proxy'. Now I have internet again!!!!!! The line was terrible but I think she said there was a problem with their DNS server/allocation and that it wood be fixed "soon". She said that as a result they had set up a proxy to allow people to connect and browse etc (just didn't tell anyone!!!!!) How soon it will be fixed is anybody's guess!

Now, I have managed to configure the proxy on the Windows laptop and iPhone OK but cannot for the life of me figure where/how to do it on the MacBook. Can anyone assist? More Mac simplicity that seems not to be!! I have got to Networks, Airport, Advanced and Configure Proxy Manually but am not 100% sure which one to select FTP, Web, Secure?????? I suspect Web but I don't want to screw the Mac up by changing the wrong things. Of course, if Eitisalat provided the service they charge you for without the need for proxies etc this wouldn't be a problem in the first place!!!!!

I have now also switchwed the Linksys Router back in and that seems to be working too. I did wonder if there is a way to configure using the proxy on the Linksys rather than having to do each device etc that connects to it. May have a look later. Oddly though I now cannot access the router admin using the Ip address or the url on the laptop (which is using the proxy) but can on devices that are not. Probably because of the Proxy thing, just need to uncheck it I suppose??

Above info MIGHT prove useful to others having fibre optic (FFTH??)/wireless browsing problems in AUH. Awful lot of problems for an area some consider to be a leader in terms of wolrd-class telecomms!!!

[fangpyre]

You need Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).

Check which IP's are in the bypass box at the bottom.
The only IP's in there should be for machines in your network (i.e. that you own).

[Empgamer]

Thanks for help. Presume the proxy has to be set up on each machine and can't be set on the router (e.g. so that each device will use it be default)? Not really got my head round this proxy business yet. Hope Etisalat get it sorted ASAP!!!

[Empgamer]

Resolved it seems!! Internet now working without using Proxy. What a waste of 24 hours!!!

Problem is the new router ac connector seems dodgy. Wondered why I suddenly had no connection on laptop only to see the router LEDs had all gone out!! Jiggled the power cable and came back on a gain. Bit too unstable for brand new router!!! Think I'll exchange it this afternoon.

NOT a good week for Tech!!!!!