Airport Extreme Bridge mode

Using an Ethernet cable, the AirPort Extreme can "extend" a wireless network if it connects to a third party router, but in order to "extend" using wireless only, you need another Apple router.

In other words, Apple designed the "extend" feature...using wireless only....to only work with other Apple routers, so it would be extremely unlikely that it would work with a non-Apple router.

You might be abe to get the Extreme to "join" the wireless network, but it will not provide any additional wireless signal...and...the Ethernet ports are not enabled in this setting.

It is better to start your own thread than resurrect an ancient one.

I spent a lot of time trying to use bridge mode, it actually worked but would drop out too often.

That means your modem is also a router. Turning off wifi on the cable router will achieve nothing much as you will end up with double NAT running the Extreme as router. This might work ok for most things but it will have issues on some websites and anything interactive.

Which model extreme do you have? The latest AC model has known issues with some cable modems.. it also has WAN port issues. Sometimes in bridge it will work ok if you swap the connection from WAN to LAN once configured.. in bridge the Extreme can be connected from any LAN port to the main router without issues.

Another setup is using Extreme as DHCP server to your network but no routing.. this is a bit tricky.. but I use it like this because it is much more stable.

See

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7373047

I have my own cable modem with no wifi using wifi on the AirPort Extreme, I have both 2.4 and 5 g operating not in bridge mode. I spent a lot of time trying to use bridge mode, it actually worked but would drop out too often.

Hi - if your primary router provides a wireless network then a wired Extreme in bridge mode should be set to "create a wireless network" with the same name and password and security type as the wireless network from your primary router or - if your primary router is not a wireless router then you can assign a name and password of you choice.

What I am saying is that the AirPort Extreme cannot connect to another manufacturer's router using wireless only and provide network and Internet access....no matter whether it is in bridge mode or not.

"Extend" is a proprietary feature of Apple routers...so it would be extremely unlikely that it might work with a router from another manufacturer.

If you are saying that the AirPort Extreme always remains connected to your router using an Ethernet connection....and it is in Bridge Mode....and clients can connect to the Extreme using Ethernet.....but not wireless....that is another type of issue. Please clarify on that.

Sorry for the confusion. I read your post as connecting routers via Ethernet worked, but via wireless only did not.

Have you verified that the AirPort Extreme is really in Bridge Mode? When you are making changes in AirPort Utility, the settings can easily change from Bridge Mode to DHCP and NAT....and you will not know it.

Please check again to verify that the Router mode is set to Bridge Mode on the AirPort Extreme.

After that, power cycle the entire network as follows:

Power off every device on the network in any order you want

Wait a few minutes

Start the modem first and let it run by itself for 2-3 minutes

Start the main router next the same way

Start the AirPort Exreme the same way

Start other devices one at a time about a minute apart

Check the network again. Please report on your results.

So far, indications are that you have a defective AirPort Extreme. I configured some devices here to try to duplicate your setup as much as possible:

Modem > Linksys Router providing DHCP and NAT service > AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode connected using Ethernet to the Linksys.

I have had 3 Ethernet devices and 4 wireless devices currently connected to the AirPort Extreme for the past hour and all of them have a solid Internet connection. Just added two more wireless devices, an iPhone and iPad with no problems.

It is a real longshot, but I would suggest that you temporarily turn off the wireless security on the AirPort Extreme wireless to see if devices can connect that way.

If they can, there is a security compatibility or possible router Firewall issue at play....more troubleshooting is needed.

If they still cannot, then I think this confirms that the wireless is not operating correctly on the AirPort Extreme. Take the Extreme to an Apple Store...if you have one near you.....or you can contact Apple Support directly.....http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

Please let us know what you find out from Apple Support on this.

Bunp! I want to do similar as you in a dmz connected to cable modem, can i do this?

Or

Is it required to use a router between other router?

I wanted to go hardwired into my mini, then i thougt i could have te extreme 'join!

I don't believe the Airport Extreme has to be in Bridge mode for this to work. It's connected via Ethernet and getting an IP. You just set it to create a wireless network, and ensure that DHCP is turned off.

• Under Internet set it to connect using DHCP
• Under Wireless set Network Mode to "Create a wireless network"
• Give it a name and passowrd
• Click Wireless Options, choose 5GHz if you want, and set your radio mode

I'm using this exact setup with an Airport Express.