2wire and airport extreme

I just got u-verse myself and was wondering the same thing. I hope we get an answer.

Mike

I think what AT&T is telling you is that if you try to re-configure that 2-Wire gateway, they won't be able to support you in the event of any internet connection problems.

The only possible benefit to reconfiguring the 2-Wire to act as a simple modem is that this would allow the Guest network feature to be enabled on the AirPort Extreme. (It's not available when the 2-Wire is installed as the main router on the network).

But since the 2-Wire also provides a wireless network, this could serve as the "guest" network if you needed that feature.

Bottom line, for almost all users it will be much, much simpler to use the 2-Wire "as is" and add the AirPort Extreme as a "bridge" to the network. Post back if you are not sure how to do this.

It works just fine. I am running the ATT 2wire router and the Apple Airport extreme for a week now. This this is rock solid. I had so many problems with the 2wire I gave up with ATT tech support. I am very happy with this setup!

hi rick, did you ever figure this out? i just tried those instructions and got to the finish (2 Wire MDC password is: 2wire or 2Wire), but when i was configuring the Airport express to connect to the internet via PPPoE it wasn't able to find my ISPs server. frustrating, as i couldn't revert the modem to its old state except by doing a factory restore and that seemed to have screwed my password. 20 minutes with CS later...

Welcome to the discussions!

Can't say if the modification to the 2Wire router will work, but I'm sure your service provider will tell you that they will not support you in the event of any issues, including Uverse, so that might be something to think about and verify before you try a major configuration change to the device.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

I can confirm that a 2Wire 2701 HG-G can serve in bridge mode. I upgraded the firmware with 2wirereinstall_voice5.29.117.3.2sp http://www.filestube.com/cf2958968d04521c03e9/details.html and it works like a charm. Don't forget to capture all your settings before upgrading because you're gonna loose the original configuration and you'll have to configure according to your printscreens. My ISP is Bell Internet in Canada and they also said that there was no way to put the modem in bridge mode. They were wrong. To upgrade the firmware, go to 192.168.1.254/upgrade (or whatever is your IP to get the 2Wire modem). When the upgrade is done go to your 2Wire modem (192.168.1.254/mdc). The password is 2wire and then go to ADVANCED/CONFIGURE SERVICES. Uncheck ENABLE ROUTING. Now you can plug your Airport Extreme in the 2Wire modem and configure it as you want.

Thanks Norman.

This worked like a charm for me too! On Bell as well.

I am a neophyte to this, so I would very much appreciate instructions or reassurance about using Airport Extreme as a bridge. By doing that, would I have basic internet connectivity through Airport Extreme and I could ignore the 2 wire signal if I wanted? Thanks!

I would very much appreciate instructions or reassurance about using Airport Extreme as a bridge. By doing that, would I have basic internet connectivity through Airport Extreme and I could ignore the 2 wire signal if I wanted

Let's be clear on a few points before we say "yes".

1) The AirPort Extreme must be connected to the 2 Wire with an ethernet cable and the 2 Wire must remain powered up.

2) If you have a new dual band AirPort Extreme, the Guest network will not be enabled when the AirPort Extreme is set up as a bridge

3) The AirPort Extreme can be configured to provide a wireless network. You can either ignore the wireless signal provided by the 2 Wire, or if you have access to the setup pages of the 2 Wire, you can turn the wireless off on that device.

Post back if you need step by step configuration details.

I would love to have step by step assistance in the configuration. I can forgo the Guest network - though I'm not opposed to trying to turn of 2 wire wireless if it is not complicated but most of all I want to avoid any electrical engineering type of stuff. Appreciate everyone's help!

Here's how to configure the AirPort Extreme using a Manual Setup option:

It would be a good idea to first "hard reset" the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) to start fresh. Hold in the reset button until you see the amber light begin to blink more quickly, hold another second or two when you see this, then release.

If you want to configure the AEBS using wireless, you'll need to log on to the default network that the AEBS provides, something like +Apple Network xxxxxx+. Click the Airport icon at the top of the computer screen and look for this network. There is no security, so it will be easy to log on.

I prefer to configure devices using an ethernet connection instead of wireless. If you want to use this method, connect a spare ethernet cable directly from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AEBS. You can disconnect the ethernet "umbilical cord" if you wish after the device is configured.

Connect an ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the 2 Wire router to the WAN port on the AEBS. This will be a permanent connection.


Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup

_Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons_

AirPort Extreme Name = Your choice
AirPort Extreme Password = Your choice
Confirm Password
Set Time = Automatically
Time Zone = Your choice

_Click the Wireless tab_

Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Your choice
Radio Mode = Automatic
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal or WPA/WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Your choice
Confirm Password

_Click the Internet icon_

Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Update to save settings. Don't worry when the AEBS "disappears" from AirPort Utility. Close AirPort Utility and the AEBS should restart and you should have a green light in 20-25 seconds. If you used the ethernet setup method, you can disconnect the ethernet cable between your computer and the AEBS.

Now you can click the Airport icon at the top of the computer screen and log on to your new network.

I believe I have this exact same setup. 2wire modem from Bell Canada, and airport extreme.

I just got the airport extreme yesterday and set it up last night. Everything seemed good, I've disabled the wireless on the 2wire, simply replaced the 2wire wireless part with the airport extreme.

This morning I turn on my computer and it tells me that another device has the same IP address. So it wouldn't connect to the airport network. My iphone was connecting fine though. I think what's happening is the airport is plugged into the 2wire (LAN port on the 2wire, to WAN on the extreme), and I think both units are maybe trying to assign IP addresses?

I've resolved this (temporarily I think) by going on my mac to the Network System Preferences pane and selected "Using DHCP with manual address", and just put it up to 100 for the last number in the ip address (figuring that nothing will assign that number as I don't have 100 computers)

So far it's working, but is there a setting somewhere that I might be missing or is my setup flawed in some way? I believe I have all the settings the same as the post above... but I must be missing something.

thx

Bob -

Thank you for these detailed instructions. I now have my green light.

I am using a Dell laptop on WinXP to connect to our ATT DSL through a 2Wire router. I was able to get internet access through the Extreme the second I connected it to the 2Wire but it wasn't secure and I had a flashing yellow. Now it is secure. Thank you.

I did lose sight of the Extreme in the AirPort Utility program as you said it would. I can edit the settings of the Extreme using the Airport Utility program through File>Configure Other. I enter the IP and password and all is good.

Now if I can only get my Canon IP6600D (which the Extreme sees through the USB connection) to print...

Message was edited by: CWatsonJr

I have 2 wire also and it's wireless is working fine I just want my MacBook to print wireless. What would be my settings?

Many thanks for the detailed guidance - it worked like a charm. Great, been looking to get such a solution for ages.
Incidentally, has there ever been a more butt ugly piece of equipment than the 2wire modem? Truly a pig in knickers alongside Apple hardware, but what can you expect from AT&T. I guess it was designed (if that's the word) to be hidden in a dark cupboard somewhere.