I have a network that uses a Fios router for wireless. I have an AirPort Extreme device connected to the Fios router by an ethernet cable. The AirPort is set "off" for wireless and "off (bridge mode)" for network. When I connect a hard drive to the AirPort's USB port, I can't get the computer to recognize it. What settings do I need to change?
Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)
First check to make sure that the drive has been formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Next, open AirPort Utility on your Mac
Click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme
Click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Disks tab at the top of the next window
Make sure that the name of the drive appears
In the example below, you can see that I have connected a drive named "500 GB Drive". The name of your drive will appear on your screen if the drive is formatted correctly and AirPort Extreme recognizes the drive
Note.....the USB port on the AirPort Extreme is underpowered. If the drive is not recognized, you may likely need to use a powered USB hub with your hard drive, even if the hard drive has its own power supply.
Access the drive on your Mac like you would any other network drive by clicking on the AirPort Extreme under the Shared heading in any Finder window
Finally, what you are trying to do is not officially supported by Apple. They expect you to use the wireless on the AirPort Extreme to access the hard drive, or connect your Mac directly to the AirPort Extreme using Ethernet.
So, your setup may or may not work with a Fios wireless network. It all depends on whether Fios supports the communication protocols that Apple uses on their products.
If you continue to have problems, things would be tons easier.....and have a much better chance of working.....if you could simply connect the USB drive directly to your Mac.
Ok, I followed your instructions.But when I went to Disks in AirPort my HD showed up but the only option I had was "Enable file sharing" and no "Share disks over WAN." Think I'll just connect the drive to the Mac directly.
Thanks for the help
"Share disks over WAN" will only appear if your AirPort Extreme is configured as the DHCP and NAT router on your network. As it stands now, your AirPort Extreme is set up to operate in Bridge Mode. It is not the main router on the network.
But, you don't need the WAN function if the Fios router will support Apple's protocols. You only need to check to "Enable File Sharing" if you want to set up the drive as a shared network device.
What steps are you using on your Mac to access the drive at the AirPort Extreme?
connecting HD to AirPort Extreme
