AirPort Extreme Question from Novice

A few questions if you don't mind:

• Your Arris cable box is a combination modem & router. How were both AirPort Extreme base stations connected to that device? By wire or wireless?
• What exact models are both Extremes?
• In the AirPort Utility are the lines between the Internet and the Extremes solid or dotted?
• If you select the bedroom Extreme in the utility what error message does it give you for that single yellow circle?

1. The upstairs Extreme is connected by wire whereas the downstairs one is wireless.

I'm going to assume that your "local tech wiz" configured your upstairs Extreme to be extended by the one that is placed downstairs. Since your Arris gateway also provides wireless, I am going to further assume that he also disabled the Wi-Fi radio on that device.

2. I honestly do not know what models they are although the fine print on the bottom appears to say Model A1521.

That helped. You have the latest model 802.11ac AirPorts. They should look like little white towers.

3. Solid lines.

Interestingly solid lines would indicate that the connections are wired. I would expect a dotted line between the Extremes. Is this not the case?

4. When I click on that all I get is a box that says network, hardware info and enter password. When I enter the password nothing happens.

Using your iMac, hold down the option key and then double-click on the upstairs Extreme in the AirPort Utility. On the Summary tab the yellow dot should now appear and there should be an error message with it. Please post what it says.

Yes, it is as simple as that. Good job! By changing it to bridge mode, your Arris will be doing all the routing "heavy lifting." ... and that is exactly what you will want for your network configuration.

You're very welcome! I'm glad I was able to help.

Yes, when my kids left home I was stuck figuring out how to use my iPhone. I used to think phones were only for calling. Too many options these days ... 😉