Q: Airport Extreme not working

...the router is an iball.

Sorry, but what is an "iball?"

Ah, got you! Thanks for clarifying that for me.

Since your new AirPort Extreme is connected downstream of the iBall do you have the Extreme reconfigured as a bridge? Also, I am assuming that the Extreme is connected to the iBall by Ethernet ... correct?

Sorry, by "bridge" I mean to you have the Extreme configured with both DHCP & NAT disabled?

To verify, using the AirPort Utility:

• AirPort Utility > Select the Extreme > Edit > Network tab > Router Mode = Off (Bridge Mode)

Temporarily connect your Mac directly to the Extreme, using an Ethernet cable, and then try accessing it with the AirPort Utility.

That will depend on your networking goal with the Extreme. Is it to extend the wireless range of the iBall router?

Apple does offer a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter.

However, I still need to understand your goal with the new Extreme as it relates to your network.

does that mean i can do nothing till i get this adaptor.

That depends. I won't know how to help you unless I understand what you want to do with the Extreme. Is it to extend the wireless range of the iBall or not? Will it be connected to the iBall by Ethernet or wireless?