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

191,960 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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58 replies

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,960 points

May 9, 2022 8:07 PM in response to weaponrascal

The whole deal is a goofy type of setup, because the entire AirPort Extreme network must rely on a single wireless connection between the AT&T hotspot and the AirPort Express. But, it is the best that you can do given the current circumstances.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 10, 2022 5:11 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Goofy as you put it, but it works. I appreciate the ****-o out of all your patience and guidance in this ordeal.

But there are still some quirks hanging on that don't seem to want to clear.

Remember I mentioned that I wanted to make a slight change to the Extreme settings, clicked Update.

Then the Express and Extreme magically swapped positions.

My conundrum now is : The Extreme will NOT show up in Airport Utility.

I have unplugged, turned OFF, Rebooted the laptop, and Extreme is nowhere to be found. I even did a Soft Reset of the Extreme and that didn't work either Even though the front displays a solid GREEN light, and all speed tests, internet surfing, email tests function 100%.

and if by some chance the Extreme does pop on the Airport Utility screen, it is Greyed out, and swapped positions with the Express.

And as you know, swapped positions means nothing works.

any thoughts or ideas (probably going to suggest a Hard Reset - right)

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,960 points

May 10, 2022 5:47 AM in response to weaponrascal

Shut down the Mac that you are using and power it up again, or restart your Mac. Any change in the AirPort Utility display?

On your Mac......

Open System Preferences......(the gear icon on the dock)

Open Network

Click on Wi-Fi on the left panel

Click the Advanced button on the lower right of the window

Make sure that the AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi network name appears at the top of the connection list. If it is not at the top, click on the name of the network and drag it to the top position.

Click OK, and then click Apply in the next window that appears.

Close the windows.

Do you have an iPhone or iPad handy? If yes, what does the network layout look like when you open AirPort Utility on the iPhone / iPad?

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 10, 2022 5:50 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Here's one for you. 2nd quirk.

With my Airport Utility still Open, Extreme DISCONNECTED AND TURNED OFF, I have noticed that the Green dot next to the Express icon will change to Yellow exclam pt shield. Still have Green light on the front of the Express and everything appears to be working.

But if I go into my ExpressVPN screen and click to turn OFF the VPN, the Yellow shield next to the Express icon in Airport Utility turns Green. But after say 5 to 10 minutes, the shield pops back in.

So I change my previous selection within ExpressVPN, Green indicator comes back.

Vicious cycle.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 10, 2022 6:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons

All the steps you mention above I went through and things were as expected.

As for the iPad, opened Airport Utility with display of the Orb and the Express connected with dots.

at this point the extreme was turned OFF.

Turned ON the extreme, waited 2 to 5 minutes, Green light on front of unit.

Airport on the mac, fails to display the Extreme

Airport on the iPad displays the Extreme, but in the swapped incorrect order.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,960 points

May 10, 2022 6:42 AM in response to weaponrascal

I think there is good chance that your network will work OK within reason and display correctly in AirPort Utility.....with no VPN configured.

If do you want to run a VPN on a network, the correct way to do this would be to install a VPN router to replace the AirPort Extreme.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 12, 2022 4:27 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Sorry for the late reply. This major remodel of our home has me pulled in 100 different directions and you unfortunately got stuck in there. Be glad when this is all done, been over 18 months now and I am Worn Out.

At any rate, thank you for the thorough explanations during this process. It now makes a bit more sense and I will make it work for my situation in the long run.

To ensure I have the processes down and understand it (plus jot down any other notes along the way), I am resetting everything back to factory specks, and while using your information within this thread, rebuild the Express and Extreme.

You have been a great help, patient, and I hope any other problems or ideas I may have to incorporate, I see your name as a contributor

As far as I am concerned, this question has been Answered and Works.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2022 4:55 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

I will check this out...

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 21, 2022 4:57 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

I'll look into this, sounds promising.

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,960 points

Apr 22, 2022 10:15 AM in response to weaponrascal

Yep, just post to this thread to continue, or if it is easier to start a new thread referencing the previous thread you can go that route as well.

May 3, 2022 3:51 PM in response to weaponrascal

Thank you for the information..

[Link Edited by Moderator]

Bob Timmons

Level 10

191,960 points

May 10, 2022 6:29 AM in response to weaponrascal

First time that VPN has been mentioned, so it is a whole new ballgame. I do not use a VPN, so cannot check or test that way. We will need a VPN expert to help at this point.

weaponrascal Author

Level 1

4 points

May 10, 2022 6:35 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I have the VPN turned OFF for anything forward.

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can you connect airport extreme to at&t wifi hotspot