AT&T U-verse i38HG wireless router and Airport Extreme

Can I turn off the wifi in the 2Wire (Model i38HG)

Yes, if you are able to access the configuratiion settings for the 2-Wire router. Typically, they are found by typing a default IP address into your browser.

and hook up via ethernet an Airport Extreme to the 2Wire and use the Airport Extreme as the wireless router?

The AirPort Extreme can be configured as a wireless access point to provide a wireless signal for devices. If you have a newer dual-band AirPort Extreme, the Guest Network feature cannot be enabled in this type of setup.

To hook this up, you would run an Ethernet connection from one of the LAN <-> ports on the 2-Wire router to the WAN port (circle of dots icon) on the Airport Extreme. Then, confgure the AirPort Extreme to "create a wireless network" in a Bridge Mode configuration.

I would like to do this because I also want to be able to use an Airport Express to extend the wifi signal to a far area of the house where the signal is weak.

Both the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express will need to be "n" versions to support the "Extend a wireless network" configuration. If that's the case, and The AirPort Express is located where it can receive a good signal to extend it, then this will work.

Post back if you need more configuration details for the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express.

I hear you man. I used to work for Convergys a call center that handles AT&T(SBC) dsl service. Usually we bridge the 2wire modem in order for your router to work. The 2wire modem functions as a router also. Once you bridge your modem you should be able to connect any router to your 2wire modem.

I have just bought the new Airport Extreme and have the same issue. I am posting from around the web on how to have i38HG bridged...

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The i38HG is not the router, that is only a break-out box that converts HPNA over twisted pair to 4 Ethernet interfaces plus a wireless access point. The router itself is the i3812V (the iNID), which is outside your house.

To use your own router behind the i3812V (which means putting the i3812V in "bridge mode"), follow the instructions in this post:

http://forums.att.com/t5/Residential-Gateway/U-verse-for-BUSINESS-2Wire-3600HGV- bridge-mode-or-another-AT-amp/m-p/2707755#M182

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There is no true bridge mode on the 2Wire routers. However, you can still configure it such that almost all functions of your own router will work properly.

1. Set your router's WAN interface to get an IP address via DHCP. This is required at first so that the 2Wire recognizes your router.

2. Plug your router's WAN interface to one of the 2Wire's LAN interfaces.

3. Restart your router, let it get an IP address via DHCP.

4. Log into the 2Wire router's interface. Go to Settings -> Firewall -> Applications, Pinholes, and DMZ

5. Select your router under section (1).

6. Click the DMZPlus button under section (2).

7. Click the Save button.

8. Restart your router, when it gets an address via DHCP again, it will be the public outside IP address. At this point, you can leave your router in DHCP mode (make sure the firewall on your router allows the DHCP renewal packets, which will occur every 10 minutes), or you can change your router's IP address assignment on the WAN interface to static, and use the same settings it received via DHCP.

9. On the 2Wire router, go to Settings -> Firewall -> Advanced Configuration

10. Uncheck the following: Stealth Mode, Block Ping, Strict UDP Session Control.

11. Check everything under Outbound Protocol Control except NetBIOS.

12. Uncheck NetBIOS under Inbound Protocol Control.

13. Uncheck all the Attack Detection checkboxes (7 of them).

14. Click Save.

Your router should now be able to route as if the 2Wire was a straight bridge, for the most part.

Inbound port 22 might be blocked, and inbound ports 8000-8015 might also be blocked, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

This is how I have my 2Wire configured, and I have a Cisco 2811 behind it doing IPSec, IPv6 tunnels, etc.

Thank you!!!!