Optimizing WiFi with ATT U-Verse and Apple Airport Extreme Express

Are you looking for the best way to share WiFi from your ATT U-Verse box while leveraging the Airport Extreme and Airport Express to enhance your network performance and reliability? Look no further. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing detailed steps for an efficient and seamless network setup.

Objective: Disable WiFi on U-Verse Box and Delegate WiFi from Airport Gear

The primary goal is to leverage the ATT U-Verse box as a simple cable modem while using the Airport Extreme and Airport Express to manage and distribute WiFi, ensuring reliable and fast connections throughout your home.

Preparation Steps

Ensure you have an Ethernet cable available for connecting your devices.

Prepare a computer for the setup process.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Connect Computer to U-Verse Box

Connect your computer to one of the Ethernet ports on the ATT U-Verse box.

Step 2: Disable WiFi on U-Verse Box

Administrate the U-Verse box by navigating to: http://10.0.1.254

Enter your password if you have set one.

Click on Home Network and then disable the Wireless option.

Step 3: Connect U-Verse Box to Airport Extreme

Connect an Ethernet cable between the U-Verse box and the WAN port of the Airport Extreme.

Note: The WAN port is usually set apart slightly from the other Ethernet ports.

Step 4: Connect Computer to Airport Extreme

Unplug the computer from the U-Verse box and plug it into one of the non-WAN Ethernet ports on the Airport Extreme.

Step 5: Configure Airport Extreme

Open AirPort Utility and configure your Airport Extreme to create a wireless network.

Set it to Bridge Mode:

Click the Internet button at the top of the AirPort Utility.

Select the Internet Connection Tab.

Choose Connect Using: Ethernet and Connection Sharing: Off

Click Update and wait for the Airport Extreme to restart.

Once it shows up again in the left-hand panel of Airport Utility, unplug your computer from the Airport Extreme.

Plug your computer into a wireless network you have just created.

At this point, you should be able to browse the internet.

Step 6: Configure Airport Express

Turn off the WiFi on your laptop or device.

Plug your computer into the Airport Express.

Configure the AirPort Utility to connect to the wireless network you just created on the Airport Extreme.

Set up WDS for 802.11b/g or Range Extension for 802.11n if needed.

Configure AirTunes/Music as desired.

Click Update and restart the Airport Express.

Step 7: Final Connection and Verification

Unplug your computer from the Airport Express.

Turn your computer's WiFi back on and connect to your wireless network.

In AirPort Utility, you should see both your Airport Extreme and Airport Express.

Verify that you can access the internet.

Moving the Airport Express to any room should be straightforward from now on, enhancing your WiFi coverage.

Conclusion

By following this step-by-step guide, you can optimize your WiFi network by leveraging the ATT U-Verse box as a cable modem while using the Airport Extreme and Airport Express to manage and distribute WiFi. This setup ensures a reliable and fast internet connection for all your devices throughout your home.