AT&T Modem Router + Apple Airport Extreme = ?

Question

Nobody from AT&T can seem to answer this so I turn to you knowledgeable folks!In short, my Uverse internet and cable service is set to be installed on Saturday 6/22. The question that nobody from AT&T can't seem to answer is how I would set up my network with their hardware. I do a lot of intra-network activity including managing my Airport Extreme (router) via iOS devices, etc. I would like my Airport Extreme to be the ONLY router in the network which calls AT&T's in to question. I also have my own modem that I'd like to use which is apparently on the compatibility list. So I guess my question is: Do I have to use AT&T's modem and/or router? If so, is it a single unit (router and modem in one)? If so, can I disable the router aspect of it and just use the modem side of it, allowing the Airport Extreme to do the DHCP routing?

Answer 1

Well the first thing is if your getting TV and internet you will have to use the residential gateway (RG) the tech will provide.  Second you can use the Airport as a router to hand out DHCP.  There are a couple of gotcha's though.  If your DVR will be connected via Cat 5e (the preferred way) it must be connected to the RG.  Also any set top boxes (STB), if connected via Cat 5e must be off the RG.  You can not plug a DVR or STB into a secondary router.  The TV packets will flood the router and basically kill your internet.  If you are doing wireless STB's no need to worry.Here is how to do it from a forum member Somejoe7777:There is no true bridge mode on the 2Wire routers.  However, you can still configure it such that almost all functions of your own router will work properly.1. Set your router's WAN interface to get an IP address via DHCP.  This is required at first so that the 2Wire recognizes your router.2. Plug your router's WAN interface to one of the 2Wire's LAN interfaces.3. Restart your router, let it get an IP address via DHCP.4. Log into the 2Wire router's interface.  Go to Settings -> Firewall -> Applications, Pinholes, and DMZ5. Select your router under section (1).6. Click the DMZPlus button under section (2).7. Click the Save button.8. Restart your router, when it gets an address via DHCP again, it will be the public outside IP address.  At this point, you can leave your router in DHCP mode (make sure the firewall on your router allows the DHCP renewal packets, which will occur every 10 minutes), or you can change your router's IP address assignment on the WAN interface to static, and use the same settings it received via DHCP.9. On the 2Wire router, go to Settings -> Firewall -> Advanced Configuration10. Uncheck the following: Stealth Mode, Block Ping, Strict UDP Session Control.11. Check everything under Outbound Protocol Control except NetBIOS.12. Uncheck NetBIOS under Inbound Protocol Control.13. Uncheck all the Attack Detection checkboxes (7 of them).14. Click Save.Your router should now be able to route as if the 2Wire was a straight bridge, for the most part.Inbound port 22 might be blocked, and inbound ports 8000-8015 might also be blocked, and there's nothing that can be done about it.This is how I have my 2Wire configured, and I have a Cisco 2811 behind it doing IPSec, IPv6 tunnels, etc.Hope this helps.  If not post back and we will see what else we can come up with.