Connecting AirPort Extreme

Question

I just received my new AirPort Extreme and would like to know how to get it to work with my Verizon Fios router, replacing the WiFi function of the router with the AE. I have the Airport Utility installed on my pathetic Windows 8 PC and on my iPad Air. I got to the point of setting up the network using my iPad but cannot connect to the internet. I had the WAN O port on the AE connected to the WAN port on the VZ router. Should it have been connected to one of the multiple LAN ports on the VZ router? I understand that I have to set the AE to bridge mode but cannot get to that menu. I am not going to do anything more until I get some knowledgeable help so I don't screw anything up. I also know that I have to turn of the wifi on the VZ router. Any help with getting this thing up an running would be appreciated.

Answer 1

We can help on the setup of the AirPort Extreme, but Verizon uses a number of different modem/routers and the setup and configuration of each model will differ, so you will need to enlist the help of Verizon support to get the wireless function turned off on the Verizon router.
Please start over on the AirPort Extreme and disconnect any Ethernet cables that might be attached to the device, then perform a Hard Reset to clear out the old settings and get the product back to a known default condition.
To do that, power up the AirPort Extreme for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button on the back of the devices for 8-10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to slow, blinking amber light status.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the several LAN <--> ports on the Verizon router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme
On the iPad home screen......tap Settings....then tap WiFi
Tap on AirPort Extreme under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station
AirPort Utility will open and take a minute to analyze the setup, then suggest that the AirPort Extreme be configured to create a wireless network. You will see picture of the AirPort Extreme at this time....not an AirPort Express in the image posted below.
We will post a screenshot of the window that will appear at this time, but Apple has been having difficulty with screenshot attachments on their community support forums of late, so you may or may not see an image appear below:
For Network Name.......Enter a short, simple name of 8-12 characters or so that you want to call your AirPort Extreme wireless network
For Base Station.......Enter a short simple name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme
For Password.......Enter a password that will be used for both the wireless network and base station
For Verify.......Type in the password again
Tap Next
The utility will set up everything for you and correctly assign the correct Bridge Mode settings to allow the AirPort Extreme to work with the Verizon router.
When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done.  That's it.
You should now be able to select the wireless network that you named and enter the password to connect.