Is there an option to make the path static so it won't change every time?
The answer as always to these things is yes and no.
It is not an uncommon problem. The drive drops off the network and reappears but to the Mac it is now a different drive so it cannot use the same name.. it must have a new network name. . hence the addition of 1,2,3 etc.
The way you are using the disk will lead to problems.. since Apple did not design the Airports to operate as a Network NAS.
A bit more details will help... sometimes it is important to talk specifics not generalities.
What model is your AE??
What model USB drive??
What computer OS?
Let me recommend a few things.
1. Do not use AE power for the disk.
So if you are using self powered drive.. put a powered USB hub between the AE and the disk.. This will help prevent dropouts. Even with a powered drive it can sometimes be worth using powered hub..
2. Do not allow the AE to move IP.
If it is setup in bridge you must use static IP on the WAN of the AE or setup DHCP reservation in the main router .. or both to make sure the IP never moves.
3. Make sure IPv6 is set on both the AE and the computer to Link-Local only.
4. Try mounting the disk in Finder manually.. go, connect to server.
Use AFP instead of SMB.
So AFP://10.0.1.1 (replace with the actual IP of your AE).
5. Do not write files directly to the AE.. use a disk image.
This is old and relates to a TC but helpful on how to setup using disk images.
http://pondini.org/TM/TCQ3.html
NOTE:
Sierra has increased security. It is important if you run Sierra on the computer to realise the disk will drop out every time the computer sleeps or restarts.. this is by design to protect files against encryption viruses. It should not rename the drive when it reconnects but it makes life more a problem to use the AE plus hard disk as drive for live files.. eg torrents.. you are much better using it for storage and get USB drive plugged in locally for live files.
