airport extreme and bell fibe hub

I tried and I can get it to extend the Wi-Fi only to access it. Still looking around the internet.

Using the Airport Express in bridge mode to the Bell Fibe Connection Hub and the wireless range and performace increase is a night and day difference. The wireless on the connection hub is disabled. Just based on my experiences, depending on the size of your home, I would try the extreme as a standalone wifi source and make sure you leave the connection hub's wireless disabled. See if it gves you the performance you are looking for before you try extending it. I have been with Bell for quite a while and these new Fibe Sagecom modem/router "connection hubs" have terrible wireless range. Their previous 2Wire units were great wireless performers, but their 802.11G limitations were definitely not up to standard for multiple device homes.

I'm a little new to wi-fi hubs. I've had the Fibe 6 modem/w-fi hub for a while now. Can I simply replace it with Airport Extreme and return the modem to Bell, save myself the rental fees?

@MacBuck, no unfortunately the Airport Base Stations require the modem part of your hub in order to connect to the internet via your ISP. The Bell hubs (2Wire or Sagecom) are proprietary and are required for you to have service from Bell. However, you can use it as a standalone modem and an  Airport Base Station to create the wifi network. In my experience, the 2Wire (white) had a much better signal strength and throughput than the gigantic black Sagecom hubs they are giving out these days. The Sagecom is what prompted me to buy an Airport Express. Even the technicians from Bell told me to get a different router as they comfirmed it is an inferior product. If you are not having issues with your equipment, then keep what you have. I know that Bell is now charging a one time modem rental fee so you should call them and tell them you are not happy paying every month. Also compare your plan with their website as they have made changes to their plans. With large telcos, if you don't ask for a better deal, you will never get one.

Thanks MightyMac! I'll look into that.

I find this disscusion interesting. On December 7th, 2012 I am switching to Fibre Optic Bell Aliant (in New Brunswick) in part to get a better service (I hope!) and to improve my wireless signal. Currently with Rogers I do not use my airport extreme and I would like to use it with the Bell system if it would increase my range or signal.

I have heard that configuring the airport extreme to Bell hardware is difficult,, passwords/disablings etc., its sounds a bit daunting. The Bell technician most likey won't be able to help me.

I have these questions and I appreciate any guidance you can give me.

1. Is it probable that the Bell hardware they provide is adequate (that the airport will in fact not make a difference)?

2. If it is likely that I will be in a position to use the airport (to improve the wireless signal), can I do so with a clear set of instructions.

3. Where might I get these instructions...I can read, I can study stuff and I can set some stuff up but I I do get confused with a lot of the terminology and associated set-ups.

I would appreciate any comments you have.

Thanks

I find this disscusion interesting. On December 7th, 2012 I am switching to Fibre Optic Bell Aliant (in New Brunswick) in part to get a better service (I hope!) and to improve my wireless signal. Currently with Rogers I do not use my airport extreme and I would like to use it with the Bell system if it would increase my range or signal.

I have heard that configuring the airport extreme to Bell hardware is difficult,, passwords/disablings etc., its sounds a bit daunting. The Bell technician most likey won't be able to help me.

I have these questions and I appreciate any guidance you can give me.

1. Is it probable that the Bell hardware they provide is adequate (that the airport will in fact not make a difference)?

2. If it is likely that I will be in a position to use the airport (to improve the wireless signal), can I do so with a clear set of instructions.

3. Where might I get these instructions...I can read, I can study stuff and I can set some stuff up but I I do get confused with a lot of the terminology and associated set-ups.

I would appreciate any comments you have.

Thanks

@Garey Edgar, I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability:

1. Yes, the Bell modem may be sufficient in providing you with all that you need. It wasn't until I experienced issues that I purchased the Airport Express to remedy the situation. As with all services, you could get a great technician or a lousy one. Some may help you setup the Airport with the router, but it is really not something that they are obligated to do. Also keep in mind that if you ever need over the phone tech support, they will not support you if you have another device connected to theirs, so either you don't tell them or you disconnect the Airport for trouble shooting. The biggest factor is how large your home is and what type of signal you get throughout your home. That is usually the determining factor as to whether or not you need to turn to a third party solution like the Airport.
2. I found it quite painless to do this. Until such time as you have the service and a modem, no one can really say what will be involved as each modem/router combo is different. I am no savvy networking guru, but I managed to get it all setup with minimal online help. Basically, if you do have to use an Airport Base Station as a wifi router, you will be connecting it to the Bell Modem in what is refereed to as "Bridge Mode". Thanks to Apple's Network Utility software, setting this up is very easy and quite painless. It is as simple as logging into the Bell modem (Type 192.168.2.1 in your browser), disabling the wifi, turning off the DHCP leasing, turning off any firewall (if applicable), connecting the Airport to the Bell modem with an ethernet cable (WAN port on Airport to LAN port on Bell modem), then launching the Airport Utility and creating a wireless network. Under the "Internet" tab on the Airport Utility, you connect using PPPoe and under there you put the Bell account name you have been assigned (usually starts with b1) and the password you created with Bell for the service (this information is usually found on a card the tech will give you). After that it is quite easy to create a wireless network with the Airport, set security protocols, and give the Base Station a name and password.
3. Although the equipment you receive from Bell may differ, this article may give you an idea as to what you have to do. I used this article as a reference only as my equipment from Bell was different: http://www.scomputerservicesgta.com/sharing-knowledge/other-programs/op3.php

I hope this was of some help to you. I can only share the method of approach that I used to get it all working, but others on here may have better information or a clearer guide for you to follow. Once you have the service, it may be easier then to get help as you will know exactly what equipment Bell is providing you with. When the tech arrives, it certainly wouldn't hurt to at least ask them if they mind helping you with the setup.

I know this is very late but I wanted to say that I found this thread very helpful. I have been very disappointed with the wi-fi signal on my new Fibe modem and I thought it was because it was in the basement. I am glad to know that it is the modem. I will be attempting to use my Time Capsule to create a wireless network as suggested here to hopefully improve the signal strength. I do wonder though how Bell will be able to justify keeping these modems with the new wireless receivers that they are promoting. As is, I struggle getting my Samsung Blu Ray player on the 3rd floor of my house to connect to the modem in the basement which is a similar set-up that many will likely have with the new wireless receivers. I hope this Time Capsule Airport thingy will improve the situation.

Hello... I also found this thread helpful so here is some additional information that might help others.

My friend has a large home and property that he wanted covered in WiFi; so here is what I setup.

He has Bell Connection Hub (Sagemcom) but he also had the Bell 2Wire modem in the past.

The Bell Fibe Connection Hub has the default setup; it provides DHCP and nothing was changed.

Port 1: Connected directly to the Bell modem is a MacBook Air (so I can remote access for support)

Port 2: A Trendnet (TEG-S50g) 5-port switch with flow control features; bought this for $30 at TigerDirect.

Port 3: Empty

Port 4: Empty

Behind the Trendnet switch is the following;

Port 1: Ethernet cable connected to a Logitech Alert Powerline network adapter (NA750)

--- This extends the network across the home using the electrical wires; see Homeplug.

--- There are eight (8) Logitech Powerline (NA200) network adapters plugged in around the house

--- Six adapters are connected to Logitech Alert IP security cameras and provide PoE power.

--- One adapter is connected to an Apple Airport Extreme (bridge mode) in the TV room.

--- One adapter is connected to an Apple Airport Express (bridge mode) in the office.

--- Apple TV, Playstation and Samsung TV are connected to the ports on the Extreme.

Port 2: Ethernet cable that runs from the main house to the garage

--- Attached to this cable is another Apple Airport Express (bridge mode)

--- This is extending the WiFi to another area of the property and outdoors

Port 3: Ethernet cable is connected to another Apple Airport Express (bridge mode)

--- This unit is located right beside the Bell Internet modem and providing WiFi

--- Wireless on the Bell modem is disabled to reduce the risk of interference.

Port 4: Empty

Port 5: Empty

He has multiple devices connecting to this network and everything is working properly (after some initial problems related to the Bell modem). He has MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, Apple TVs and security cameras.

Problem Encountered and Resolved (I think?):

Just as others have posted problems that the Bell modem (Sagemcom and 2Wire) would hang and not allow Internet access. Everything looks good; no red lights, no errors but no Internet access until you power cycle (reboot; not reset) the Bell modem. This was happening at random and multiple times each day. Very frustrating.

After extensive troubleshooting; we realized that we are overloading the Bell DSL modem (no kidding eh?)

So I place a network switch (TEG-S50g) which has flow control in between the Bell modem and everything else and the modem hasn't disconnected or hung since. I am not an IT expert but I think this solved our issue. The switch has;

-- Store-and-Forward switching architecture with non-blocking wire-speed

-- IEEE 802.3x Flow Control for full-duplex mode

-- Back pressure Flow Control for half-duplex mode

Good luck building your network and I hope this is helpful.

honestly - I've had the airport extreme for a few years now .. from 2009 when i had bell 2wire (white) box. Recently they gave me a VDSL (sage) hub for better speed internet. I been plagued by service drops... 7 - 10 drops a day. the hub resets by itself. they have replaced it over 5 boxes and still not results. then they said cover the equipment with a UPS (unintereupted power supply)... I did that and it still drops every single day. i'm at my wits. I am paying for uninterupted high speed and get 2 to 10 drops on a single day. on weekeds its worse. I have asked them for help in the airport extreme set up and they have no experience. I have asked them for a better range modem and they say its in the making. this has been happening for over 6months now and still no results. First it was the wiring, then it was the equipment .. now its the airport extreme. What am i do do ? Could it be i have to set speed on the extreme to handle the speed of the hub? not sure what to do. its on bridge mode. wireless is being remitted via airport extreme

I am going to try KorTiger's method and see if it helps - thank you.