Level 1

4 points

can you connect airport extreme to at&t wifi hotspot

Long ago I had a home network setup using my Apple Airport Extreme, which was hardwired to my internet providers router.

Life was Good.

Home is Gone... Network is Gone... Internet connections were challenging now as FullTime RV'ers.

Current Internet Access Plan. Through AT&T, we have our own personal hotspot, utilizes a dedicated phone number to access internet. As long as we are within close range of an AT&T tower signal, we get fairly good speeds.

Current Internet Configuration. AT&T hotspot is stationed at window to better receive signal. Macbook, iPads, phones, iMac, etc connect using wifi scanning and connection.

For internal home network (recently bought another home) I have our Apple Airport Extreme set up with an external Synology NAS 2 bay drive unit, and a Brother wifi compatible printer.

First problem: Every time you wanted to print, you have to move your wifi connection from the AT&T wifi to the local AirPort Extreme

Solved this specific issue by removing the printer from connecting to AirPort Extreme and redirecting it to the AT&T wifi.

But the Synology NAS drives are still connected to the Airport, so accessing the NAS means still having to connect to the Airport (which means AT&T is killed and no internet access).

In addition, I have reached my max limit of number of devices that connect to the AT&T wifi hotspot.

My Question is..... I would like to move all devices (iMac, MacBook, iPads, etc) back to the Airport Extreme, and have only one device connecting to the AT&T hotspot.

Is it possible to connect the Apple Airport Extreme, similarly to how I did the printer above, and have only that device connected to the hotspot utilizing wifi capabilities (not hard wiring anything using network cables)?

I hope this all made sense, but will clarify any points if needed.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 21, 2022 3:11 AM

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Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

Posted on Apr 21, 2022 8:32 AM

I was hoping for any options where I could take another device and insert it between the AX and ATT which would allow me an opportunity to connect both devices through it.

In theory, something like this might work, but it would be complicated at best. One of those deals where you won't know how well......or if......things will work until you try. If I were going to attempt this, I would look for an AirPort Express for the best chance of compatibility with the AirPort Extreme.

The theory would have the AirPort Express configured to "join" the wireless signal provided by the AT&T hotspot and convert that Wi-Fi signal to an Ethernet signal to appear at the Ethernet port on the AirPort Express.

(The AirPort Extreme does not have the same type of "join" option as the AirPort Express).

Apple has not offered the AirPort Express for about 4 years, but you can find used products on Ebay.com. Try the A1264 version or the A1392 version of the AirPort Express. Avoid the A1084 or A1088 versions.

The simplest solution by far would be an AT&T product......or an AT&T compatible product......that included at least one Ethernet port, so it would be very easy to connect the AirPort Extreme to that type of product.

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Bridging Wi-Fi to Ethernet, post Airport Extreme I ditched my Airport Extreme because Apple stopped supporting it. What steps can I take to accomplish bridging between my new Wi-Fi network and the home ethernet network? (Airport Extreme accomplished this by default.)
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58 replies

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 6, 2022 6:35 PM in response to weaponrascal

Ran out of edit time, so I'm posting a follow up on the AirPort Express capabilities here.

The Ethernet port(s) on the Express are limited to 100 Mbps, so that would be the theoretical top speed available from an Express that connects using WiFi and converts the signal to a an Ethernet connection.

I ran another check using my iPhone as a hotspot and configured the Express to "join" that network. My wife's iPad could connect to the hotspot WiFi signal at about 25 Mbps. When I checked the speed at the Ethernet port on the Express, which was configured to join the hotspot signal, the speeds checked out at an average of about 12-13 Mbps. So, a loss of about 50% or so through the Express.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 8, 2022 8:22 AM in response to weaponrascal

If you check the Network tab in AirPort Utility for the AirPort Extreme and the Router Mode setting is "Off (Bridge Mode)".

.......and you then check the Base Station tab in AirPort Utility.......Set Up Over WAN option should not appear.

Can you confirm on this please?

Important Note.......I am suggesting a different type of Network setting for the AirPort Extreme, but the process can be unintuitive. If you want to try this, please follow the instructions that I provide very carefully. In this type of setup, everything on your network will need to connect to the Wi-Fi on the AirPort Extreme or the Ethernet connection(s) on the Extreme. Any devices that are connected to the AT&T wireless signal will not be able to "see" devices on the AirPort Extreme network.

It might help to think of the AT&T product as your "modem" for the AirPort Extreme network, even though this is not correct in a strictly technical sense.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 8, 2022 11:15 AM in response to weaponrascal

If the TP-Link can be used as a Replacement to the AT&T hotspot, do you think the internal sim card will be compatible, will all the settings and rights be transferred? Not sure if I mentioned this before, but the hotspot is based on its own AT&T phone number, which includes said data plan. Wonder how that will be configurable in the tp-link.

Sorry, I cannot help on this since these are questions for AT&T support and someone who is familiar with the TP-Link product.

As for the big question you've been looking for, in the Part 2 of my updates from this morning, I mentioned the extreme and that when I initially entered the settings area, it was defaulted to BRIDGE

Thanks, I got that but was confused by your statement that.......

setup over WAN, defaulted with checkbox ON

If the AirPort Extreme really is in Bridge, the option for Setup over WAN will not appear at all under the Base Station tab settings in AirPort Utility.

Did you check AirPort Utility > Edit > Base Station tab to make sure that the option for Setup over WAN does not appear? In other words, the Base Station tab settings should look like the example below, except that you will see the device name of your AirPort Extreme next to Base Station Name.

If the AirPort Extreme is set up as a Bridge and you do happen to see the option for Setup over WAN when you check the Base Station tab settings, something is really wrong. What that might be, I do not know.....will have to investigate further.

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to make sure that I understand how the AirPort Extreme is currently set up. I am trying to avoid asking you to reset the AirPort back to factory defaults and then starting all over again to set it up from scratch. If things continue to be confusing with the existing settings on the AirPort Extreme, it will probably be necessary to reset the Extreme and then set it up again.

The setup that I will be suggesting works for me as a test when I use an iPhone as a hotspot and an AirPort Express to join the hotspot network with an AirPort Extreme connected to the AirPort Express. But......the AirPort Extreme is not set up as a Bridge. This is special kind of network configuration known as a "router behind another router".

I know this confusing for most folks. Things will be more clear when I provide the detailed instructions for the setup. But first, we need to understand exactly how your AirPort Extreme is currently set up.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2022 3:39 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Not sure what was happenning last night, but this afternoon, things went step BAM, by step BAM, Then BAM

But first, I did have to go through the process of Factory Resetting both Express and Extreme, but only after 4 or 5 resets, did I decide to give it up. Funny thing though, on that last attempt at getting the Extreme to display within Airport Utility in its proper place did I FINALLY see the Extreme show up. But was already pegged for another task here, so I had to wait.

But here it is just after 5pm, and I have good news. I am looking at a GREEN Express (on wifi) and GREEN Internet Orb. Internet works. I have the Extreme connected below the Express on the Airport Utility display with a Solid Line between them (so network cable is connected), and dotted line for the Express indicating wifi.

Following your steps above:

Ethernet connected from the Express LAN <--> port to the Extreme WAN "O" port. CHECK

Click Extreme > Edit > Network tab > Router Mode > Select DHCP and NAT CHECK

note: somewhere along the line, dhcp and nat was already selected from the dropdown. But I select dhcp only, just to get the Update button to become ACTIVE, then reselect dhcp and nat.

Click Update on the Extreme, waited for restart. CHECK

note: on the airport utility main screen, 2 red errors, for Double NAT and second for Setup over WAN (already has checkmark)

Power off Express, wait, then Extreme

Power off all other devices......WiFi and Ethernet ----- WAIT CHECK

Power up Express - wait for green light CHECK

Power up Extreme - run for full minute. CHECK (It did and is slow blinking amber light.) CHECK

Power up one of the devices that will connect to the AirPort Extreme network.

I decided to have this step with my NAS Drives. Using a network cable for connectivity between NAS Drive and Extreme. CHECK

Unable to go to next steps or verify anything cause the drive is not showing up in finder.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 12, 2022 6:45 AM in response to weaponrascal

Happy to help.

If you reset the AirPort Extreme and set it up again, AirPort Utility will configure the Extreme in Bridge Mode by default. So, you will have to manually change the Router Mode settings from Off (Bridge Mode) to DHCP and NAT, click to ignore the Double NAT message and manually uncheck the box next to Allow Setup over WAN.

Things would be simpler and more conventional if you could run the AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode, but if you do this, the AT&T hotspot must supply IP addresses to every device on your network......the Express, the Extreme and every other device. As you found out, things won't work this way because most hotspots or devices like the hotspot will only allow 4-5 other devices to connect. You probably need at least a dozen IP addresses or more for all of the devices on the network.

So, the setup that I suggested only requires the AT&T hotspot to provide only one IP address to one device.......the AirPort Express. Then, you can use the DHCP and NAT router feature of the AirPort Extreme to provide up to 50 IP addresses to Wi-Fi devices connected to the Extreme and 100+ wired Ethernet devices.

Good luck!

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2022 7:58 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thank you for your reply, lets see if I can get your questions answered.

This first pic is of the ATT hotspot iteslf, which is a wire-less ONLY device. It is a NetGear AirCard 815S model

For the AirPort Extreme, the only thing of value is an actual pic of the unit.

Here it is:

If I am getting the gist of your comment regarding the mobile broadband, are you thinking I could use it to accept connection of the AX using an ethernet cable, then connect all other peripherals to the AX., then take the mobile broadband and connect it using wifi to connect to my ATT hotspot..

Sounds viable, but i have been away from anything technical for over ten years now, and have forgotten more than most will ever know themselves.

Would you like to recommend a router that I may investigate to see what could be done?

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2022 8:03 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Well, your right, the ATT hotspot only has one connection and that is for battery charging.

I was hoping for any options where I could take another device and insert it between the AX and ATT which would allow me an opportunity to connect both devices through it.

Such as the suggestion posted by Jan (above), maybe a mobile broadband router could be my saving grace.

Still looking at any other options or suggestions the community may have to offer.

Thanks for your input

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2022 4:55 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Unfortunately Bob, replacing the current hotspot is NOT an option. After a couple of years of using the hotspot, we checked with AT&T about maybe upgrading to different hotspot (upgrade) or other technology that could be a better internet option for us....

Unfortunately, AT&T indicate if we upgraded anything, changed to a different plan, whatever, we would LOSE our unlimited data.

Being fulltime RV'ers for over 6 years, streaming was our only television entertainment. Wife works from home, so she needs access and ability to download large document files (upwards of 150mb each file.

The area of the new home has not internet service, satelite has been tried and disliked, and there is no plans for internet in the near future.

So, we are stuck with what we have, cause streaming 300gb to 500gb each month would cost us a fortune.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 22, 2022 3:00 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Sold to the man in the front row.....

Thank you Bob for the offer to help config the unit when I am ready. I'll do some searching right now for the Express, probably eBay, and get one on its way to me..

When ready, do I just enter another Reply to your message of April 21 @ 10:24 PM indicating the unit is here and ready for your guidance?

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 3, 2022 3:45 PM in response to weaponrascal

Sorry, but Apple does not allow us to post personal information. Even if we do, the forum moderators will delete phone numbers, email addresses, etc.

I don't know why the AirPort Express is losing the connection. To troubleshoot, I would recommend that you power off the AirPort Extreme and temporarily disconnect it from the Express.

Then, connect a Mac or PC directly to one of the Ethernet ports on the Express, turn off the WiFi on the computer and leave it connected for a few hours.

Keep an eye on the connection to see if the Express will retain a nice green light status and the computer retains a good Internet connection. We ask you to do this because everything depends on the quality of the WiFi connection between the Express and the hotspot.

Post back on your findings when you can.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 3, 2022 3:49 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Sorry, but Apple does not allow us to post personal information. Even if we do, the forum moderators will delete phone numbers, email addresses, etc.

I don't know why the AirPort Express is losing the connection. To troubleshoot, I would recommend that you power off the AirPort Extreme and temporarily disconnect it from the Express.

Then, connect a Mac or PC directly to one of the Ethernet ports on the Express, turn off the WiFi on the computer and leave it connected for a few hours.

Keep an eye on the connection to see if the Express will retain a nice green light status and the computer retains a good Internet connection. We ask you to do this because everything in this type of set up depends on the quality of the WiFi connection between the Express and the hotspot.

Post back on your findings when you can.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 4, 2022 11:31 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Afternoon Bob, Sorry for not replying earlier than this. Went to town yesterday (all day) taking care of business.

Came back to a house without electric, didn't get back on till just before 10pm.........

But I did look at your previous post, and did the following.

Express is up and running, steady GREEN. All other peripherals disconnected or turned off.

The express has been in this status for over 5 hours now, with no drops, no lapse in internet, no changing of the indicator from Green to Yellow.

When I finish this post, I will take your suggestion of hardwire (ethernet) the express to my laptop and see what happens.

I'll post the results later

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 4, 2022 8:40 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Just spent the last hour typing up my afternoon findings, only to have the whole reply DISAPPEAR.

WHOOOSSSHH

So this is going to be short and sweet.

With Express connected to computer, all worked fine, internet, email, etc.

Several hours later, watching TV, using Amazon Fire Cube to stream. Every 5 to 10 seconds, buffering or screen just freezes.

Decided to take off the Express, remove from local network. TV streaming now going just as before.

Regarding your suggestion, think we can first figure out the issue with Express and connectivity troubles

Getting 2-3mb download speeds not good with Express connected.

Without Express, getting 8-10MB download

Airport Utility screenshots

I suspect something needs to be done on the Internet tab, DNS server identification.

I seem to remember setting Static IP address for some items within my local network from years ago.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 6, 2022 5:21 PM in response to Bob Timmons

First Bob, let me say I truly appreciate your comments and the time you've spent feeding me info and pointing me in directions that could help me out in this project.

Let me catch you up.

Right now I have my AT&T hotspot positioned in my front window, with my wifi booster sitting right next to it. I have contacted the booster folks to ask some questions about tweaking my setup (I believe the outside antenna should be higher, and the inside booster a bit farther away from said antenna). Have not heard back from them as of yet.

My laptop (what I am using for testing purposes) is in the kitchen, about 40 feet away from the hotspot.

I have turned off the Express and connecting strictly AT&T

Speed test on laptop : avg came back at 24mb (wall in-between hotspot, with some appliances)

Speed test on desktop : avg was 27.5mb (sits closer to hotspot, clean shot)

Speed test on TV for streaming ; came in at a whopping 19.3mb (Couple of days ago was getting 1 to 3 mb) Such an improvement.

So, just by moving the hotspot and booster where desktop, tv, laptop, have a better line of sight, that improved my download.

Next steps was to connect the express, but before doing anything testing wise, I researched the best rated DNS servers to use.

Here is what was suggested (free servers, no fees involved).

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

I have two others I’ll test with later.

I added these to the internet tab within airport utility for the express.

in addition, i changed Connect Using dropdown field on the Internet tab to Static, along with setting the IPv4 Address to : 192.168.1.50 (subnet mask is still set to : 255.255.255.0

Plugged in the express to laptop with ethernet cable, turned off wifi, powered up express and waited for Green light.

Proceeded to the internet using Firefox, and pages loaded much faster. Email inbox mail came in with no troubles.

Proceeded to varying wifi testing sites, where download speeds avg was on low side 17mb, but still big improvement over the 2-5mb I’ve been getting for longest time.

Now lets see what happens when I disconnect the ethernet cable from the laptop, and go strictly wifi (desktop and TV should remain the same since they are wifi already).

Speed Test : Max was 22.7, avg was 18.6

ReRan the test on the TV anyway, it came back at 16mb, a small drop but still much better than before..

I think I am making headway here. Now I think I can move onto the Extreme configuration

Regarding the ip address of the hotspot and the express, I am unable to verify the hotspot address, but I did find it's dns server being used. I would assume if the express is looking at and configuring itself to the settings of the wifi hotspot, the 192.168.1.1 would be the right number (look at post from me on May 4 @ 8:40pm, first pic, where it shows ip address).

Your internet speed from provider (what I would do for that speed) clocking at 200mb, but through the express much slower.

Is is possible there is a limitation in the express to account for that drop?

And since my speed is nowhere near yours, my drops are not quite so drastic (Just bouncing thoughts around)...

What do you think?

As soon as I get the extreme set up and run some tests, I will fill you in.

David

Bob Timmons

Level 10

194,342 points

May 6, 2022 6:01 PM in response to weaponrascal

No harm in using the Google DNS servers for the Express if you want to, but if they are really the "best" servers to use.....I have no idea if they really are......you would want to configure the AT&T hotspot to use the same DNS servers.

As it stands now, you are using the Google servers on the Express, but when your network signal reaches the AT&T hotspot, your Internet connection will still be using the servers that the hotspot is using.

We still don't know what Router Mode the AirPort Extreme is set up in.......Off (Bridge Mode) or DHCP and NAT, so when you get a chance, check to see whether the Extreme is set up as a Bridge or as a DHCP and NAT router using the instructions that I provided in a recent post.

Unless you have manually changed the Router Mode settings on the Extreme, I'm betting that the Extreme is currently set up in Bridge Mode.

There are advantages and disadvantages to either type of setup, but if it were me, I would run the Extreme as a DHCP and NAT router......not a bridge. This way, the Extreme will be providing IP addresses to all of the clients that connect to the Extreme.....and the AT&T hotspot only has to provide one IP address to the Extreme.

This is also the same type of setting that Apple would recommend if you call them to ask about the setup, even though the configuration will produce what is known as a Double NAT on the network. Simply stated, it means that you will be running two routers on the network.

A wise networking guru once said that Wi-Fi in general is a mix of half-science and half-voodoo. He was correct.

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can you connect airport extreme to at&t wifi hotspot