Client wants to use a new Airport Extreme. He has Uverse so it has to be this modem/router combo:
.
It has a "broadband" which would be the WAN port I assume.

Questions are:

Can/should I use the routing in the Apple or just use it as a WAP?

Must set top boxes hook to the UVerse router or if using routing in the Apple can they hook to the main gigabit switch off of the Apple?

Does the Apple hook to the Uverse. WAN port--> WAN port or some other way?

Thanks all hope you're enjoying your summer.

Why do you need to use the Airport Extreme, at all? The range of the U-Verse gateway should be fine, unless the place is really large or it was built from materials that cause the range to fall off.

However, if you do want to use the AirPort Extreme as a WAP, save the configuration if you think you'll need it, then do a factory default. Once that's done, do a google search for 'Set up AirPort Extreme as Access Point. It takes about 5 minutes do set it up.

Even if it has a GB port, the internet connection will be unable to work at those speeds. Are they moving incredibly large files between devices on their network?

It isn't a small place but it is a high rise apartment I have found they can use some foil backed insulation and other PIA materials. Basically he just moved into this place from a mansion and at least when he was living there he believed his connection was better to the Apple.


So would you say the routing in the Uverse gateway is no better and there is no sense in setting it in bridge mode and using the Apple for routing?


Not sure what you mean by gigabit port, it has a WAN port and I was just referring to a gigabit Ethernet switch which I believe the Uverse topology must have (if over 4 ports are needed) in order to share recorded shows between the DVR and clients.

What he needs depends on how he'll use the network. If he uses one computer at a time and maybe streams audio or video, the U-Verse will be fine. I don't have that particular gateway, but the 2Wire generally works fine, for me. I don't play online games, though- don't know if he does.

I guess the best thing would be to try it- the U-Verse configuration can be saved as easily as the AirPort Extreme's and if you try setting the U-Verse to Bridge mode/let the Apple be the router, it may work best. Check for 802.11n in the U-Verse gateway- some only do g, not n.

Hope that att modem will go into brige mode. I just had a new uverse install and the modem did not have the option, when i called att they said i should never have been told they support bridge because " they dont" cancelled uverse the same day of the install

From what I'm reading it doesn't have bridge mode but there are some setting tweaks that will accomplish nearly the same thing.

In all honesty I'm considering just setting the AE itself in bridge mode and being done with it, using the 2Wire's routing.

The new AirPort Extreme which I believe has 80211ac will most likely be better, especially if installed in an optimum location, than the built in wifi in the modem. I agree with using the AE as an access point only.