Struggling to Connect, Unusual Mac Error

Roon Core Machine

MacBook Pro 2020

Networking Gear & Setup Details

BT Router, connected by ethernet cable to:

Connected Audio Devices

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Audio

Number of Tracks in Library

Description of Issue

Is this error caused by Roon? My Remote app is struggling to connect to my core (both running 2.0) and this error popped up just now when I tried to connect.

The IP your Mac used may no longer be available on the network, for example, because it was asleep, or you use more than one network connection.

Since this is your core, it’s best to assign the Mac a static IP in your router.

Thanks, Martin. Do you have any guidance on how to do that?

Do you know how to get into your router software?

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I don’t, sorry.

Are your network addresses in the form 192.168.0.x?

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Sort of, it’s 192.168.1.xx

Your router software is either 192.168.1.0 or192.168.1.1.

Enter address into a browser window. You will be presented with a signon screen. Logon/password will probably admin/admin or admin/password.

Once in, look for a list of your connected devices and note the MAC address of the device you want to assign static IP to.

Look for a menu pick that talks about reserving addresses. Pick an IP that you want to make static (e.g. 192.168.1.xxx)and assign that along with MAC address.

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You can set the static IP for the Roon Core (Mac) on the Mac, no need to do it on the router.

Open System Preferences and select Network. Choose Ethernet from the left column then in the Configure IPV4 drop down menu choose DHCP with manual address. Set the manual address to the 192.168.1.xx number that your router uses. In my case I chose an easy to remember number on the higher end of the range (between 1 and 255). This number should be one that’s not assigned to another device on your network. Setting it to a value near the end of the range of possible numbers should assure that’s the case unless you have hundreds of devices.

Then at the bottom of the window click the Apply button, close the Preferences window and you’re done.

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Sorry, I must disagree with this. Setting a static id directly on a device has the potential to confuse DHCP in the router and cause an address collision, which might be difficult to diagnose.

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True, though I’ve never had this issue.

Also true, but why take chances when doing it in the router is almost as easy?

If an address collision does occur, which I have seen in this forum, it’s a bitch to realize that’s the problem and who needs more mystery as far as Roon networking is involved. :grin:

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Thanks both for your help. Does it matter that my MacBook Pro isn’t always wired?

I.e. Because it’s my only computer the way I use it is with WiFi for general usage during the day, and then when I want to listen to music in the evenings I plug in the LAN cable for a more secure connection.

Could this be confusing things or does it not really matter?

Wired vs. WiFi will be two different IPs and (as I recall) two different MACs. Just set both.

As to your original problem, I have no opinion, but take @Martin_Webster’s expertise on that.

Not sure why you don’t just use Ethernet all the time, but whatever. :sunglasses:

I guess you want to move around with the laptop?

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It doesn’t matter*, but this is the likely reason you see the message: the lease expired and the IP got reassigned.

Set fixed IP (address reservation, which will require the MAC addresses for each interface) in your router for both interfaces, and leave the Mac settings for DHCP alone.

*Your core is likely to perform better using Ethernet.

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7 posts were split to a new topic: DHCP and address reservation

Thanks again.

I managed to find my router hub on the web and identify and rename all my devices; this is what it looks like:

Do you have any ideas on how to set a fixed IP for my MacBook Pro on Ethernet and WiFi?

I’ve not used BT for a while, but I think you go to Advanced settings, My Network (as in your screenshot), select the device, and there should be an option to always use the address.

Note that you’ll need to do this for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet interfaces on the Mac.

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This is the device page for the MacBook Pro on Wifi

‘Always use this IP address’ is already toggled to YES.

And this is the MacBook Pro on Ethernet: