Unable to make new Airport Extreme a WDS Main station

I tried adding a new AX (dual band) to an older AX network to extend the cloud. The older AX does not "see" the new AX when I go thru the step to add remote base stations. I tried making the new AX the WDS Main but that option was not available on the new AX. Using Leopard with 5.1.4 of Airport Utility. New AX is firmware 7.4.1. Older AX is 7.3.x (7.4.1 screws this unit up).
Shouldn't the new AX be able to be configured as a WDS main?

EPILOG:
As far as I can tell, the new "Dual Band" Airport Extremes don't support WDS clouds. The only option in the configuration is to "Extend a network" and I was unable to get that to work with an older AX that was configured as a WDS Main base station. The Dual Band AX always came up yellow saying the network could not be found.
The only solution was to throw away the 802.11g WDS remote devices and turn the main base station into an regular 802.11n base station, allow it to be extended and extend it with the Dual Band AX.
As a breadcrumb to those who find this post, this device will waste alot of your time. Most of the Apple articles that come up when searching for how to do this give settings and screen shots for pre-Leopard versions of Airport Utility and are about setting up a WDS network. You also have to be careful about upgrading the pre Dual Band AX to Firmware 7.4.1 as it turns it into a brick in some cases.
I got it to work with the two different AX running different firmware (7.3.2 and 7.4.1)...YMMV
Its important to set the wireless channel specifically to one of the available ones and not let it default to Automatic.

Similar Messages

Unable to setup new Airport Extreme

Just purchased a new Airport Extreme (model A1521) I am getting a blinking amber light. When I go to AirPort Utility and go to Other Wi-Fi Devices (1), it sees my AirPort Extreme and tries to Gather Information then I get "An unexpected error occured. Try again." I have tried resetting the device, but no luck.

HELP!
Bill and Mark, I spoke too soon.
Setting up the Airport Extreme via the ipad, plus unplugging the modem and everything else, did work to give me internet access. But my desktop Airport Utility still doesn't recognize the Extreme. Everything in Base Station in the menu bar is grayed out - I can only access password, etc. on the ipad. When you open Airport Utility the big black box appears with the globe and a green dot next to "Internet", but the Extreme doesn't appear below it like it used to. CAN ANYONE HELP CLEAR THIS UP - IS IT RELATED TO OUR ORIGINAL "UNEXPECTED ERROR" MESSAGE?
Second issue: My airport express also is not recognized or functioning - and I can't find anything on the ipad to get it running. I need it to extend service to far end of house and to play music from computer itunes library on stereo system. I have seen other posts about problem with 6.3 vs. 5.6 version of utility, and needing somehow to run both.
Apple should make all this simple - not require hours of aggravation!

Unable to connect new airport extreme to iMAC or MacBook Pro

This must have been covered but I am unable to find a thread addressing my problem. I have just purchased a new Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS). I updated all of my software and have tried to configure the AEBS for both my laptop and iMAC. I connect to the internet (IN) using a cable modem (Motorola SB 5101). Using the ethernet cable I can connect to the IN with both computers. I have configured the AEBS and the "light" comes up green.
Using the "diagnostics" program associated with Safari on my laptop (OS 10.5.6), all but the last 2 lights come up green. I do not know how to overcome this problem.
On the iMAC (OS 10.4.11) I get the message "Airport not configured". When I go to the Airport Utility App and scan, it tells me that a wireless device is not detected, even though the unit is adjacent to the computer. It does have an early wireless card (0x14E4,0x89) Firmware (Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0).
I hope there are better directions somewhere than what came with the unit.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Bob Timmons, thanks for the response... I will respond to your questions..
1) Yes, I can connect to the internet by attaching the single ethernet type cable from the modem to each computer in-turn.
2) Yes, when I connect the ethernet cable from the modem to the airport base station, I get a green light. (circle icon)
3) I do not (as yet) have a spare ethernet cable to try the connection from the AEBS to either computer.
Making these connections work is a little like magic to me. I have an airport express at work that I successfully connected, but when it happened I was not sure what I did.
I get a little confused because there is the Airport programming software, the Diagnostics software that pops up from Safari, and Network software in Preferences. I am not sure which one is the main one to use.
In addition, I try to Connect, wirelessly in several places. Sometimes in an airport where an "automatic" IP address seems to be assigned and sometimes at work where we use static IP addresses.
I need a map...;o)

The new AirPort Extreme permits WDS configuration?

I want to extend the signal of my wifi. I'm living in an hold house and the walls are really thick. I read the support page and I saw that with the extended configuration is not possibile to Connect in series more than two AirPort Extreme.
"If another extended Wi-Fi base station ➋ is placed between the primary Wi-Fi base station ➊ and the extended Wi-Fi base station ➌, the extended Wi-Fi base station ➌ will not allow clients to join it. All extended Wi-Fi base stations must be in direct range of the primary Wi-Fi base station"
I asked a technician and he told me that I should connect the various bases with WDS configuration. The support page is not clear whether it is possible to connect the airport extreme (last generation) in WDS mode (the support page shows images of a old model).
Thanks!

See my reply to your other same post. Please....do not post the same question multiple times. It is very confusing.

Is my AirPort Extreme (802.11n) Base Station defective?

I'm trying to set up a wireless network with my new AirPort Extreme (802.11n) Base Station. I dismanteld my existing network that consisted of an old model AirPort Extreme and an AirPort Express. I can't seem to get anything to work properly with the new hardware. I have a G4 Quicksilver that uses an AirPort card. Is that the issue? I thought they were compatible. I was not able to update the Setup Utility because I don't have an Intel Mac. Still, that shouldn't prevent me from doing an initial setup. I'm thinking perhaps the unit is defective. I've been working on this several hours a day for almost a week. This is the most trouble (by far) that I've ever had with any Apple product. I'm really disappointed. I suspect the hardware is defective, but based on all of the issues I've read about in this forum, I think it could just be reflective of the poor overall quality of the new AirPort Extreme. What a let down.

What is the exact name of the application you are using to configure the airport?
You should be using "AirPort Utility"
It is a Universal application, so it should work on both a PPC and Intel mac.
As for the update, if you can't download it via software update, you most likely do not need it.
The quicksilver only has an Airport card:
http://support.apple.com/specs/powermac/PowerMac_G4_Quicksilver2002.html
That means that you will need to configure the airport extreme N to operate in the 2.4 GHz range. You will need to tell it that it needs to be compatible with 802.11b
There is probably an option for 802.11 b/g/n compatibility.
Are you going to still use your airport express? you could either use WDS to extend your wireless network without connecting the two airport base stations with an ethernet cable... or you could connect them together with an ethernet cable and configure the same network name and use two different channels (only use 1, 6, or 11). If you extend a network, they both need to use the same channel.
If the quicksilver is the only machine on your network, it will not be any faster.
Actually, you could make things faster, now that I think about it... I am guessing that your quicksilver is not located near your airport extreme. If I am wrong, just ignore this...
You could use one of your airports as your main base station, connected to your cable modem/dsl whatever... then you connect the other airports ethernet to your quicksilver. you then turn off the airport card in your quicksilver and set up the airport connected to your computer to use WDS and connect to the other airport using 802.11g.
You now have gone from an 11 mbps max (5 mbps real world) connection to a real world 30-40 mbps link.
Other options would be to look for 802.11g or 802.11n usb adapters for the quicksilver... I am not sure what is mac compatible out there, since it is probably a small market since it is built in to all new macs.
Good luck

How do I make my new Airport Extreme a base station?

I have been using an Airport Extreme (5th generation) as my base station router for a few years. I set the main network for my and my wife's use and created a guest network for when my sons visited and needed to use the wi-fi connection. I used passwords for both networks. Today I purchased a new 802.11 ac Airport Extreme. I unplugged the 5h gen. Extreme and plugged in the new Extreme. After a short hunt, my new 27" (late 2013) iMac found the new Extreme and had me set up a name and a password for it using Airport Utility. I was expecting it to ask if I wanted to set up a guest network, but it did not. I was expecting it to ask since I believe that is what happened when I installed my 5th gen Extreme a few years ago. For the 5th gen Extreme, I had to enter a password to protect settings on the Extreme, a WPA2 password for my main network and another password for my guest network. It took about 10 minutes to set up. For this new Airport Extreme I entered just one password. It took about 2 to 3 minutes for the entire setup. When I checked the menu in the Airport Utility under "Base Station", all lines are grayed out. Under the File Menu in Airport Utility, "Configure Other" is available, but "Import Configuration file" and "Export Configuration file" are also grayed out. I checked Network Settings in System Preferences and I see my new network name in the Wi-Fi menu and under the "Advanced..." button, I see the old and new Networks listed in the "Preferred networks" box.
So, how do I get the new Airport Extreme to act as the Base station and be able to enter a guest network? Does it require me to delete the old Network name from the Advanced... button page in System Preferences > Network Settings? Will I just have to start all over with the new Extreme to make it a base station?

Hello Leo,
I'm not at home so can't confirm but I can only assume that maybe some of the "old" settings in airport utility have changed, and simplified. Hence why you probably only need one password.
When I bought the new "tower" like AirPort Extreme, I just plugged it into the Ethernet, powered it on with the previous generation Extreme in place and in Airport Utility it just asked me if I wanted to copy the settings to the newer device, which included a few "port forwarding" settings. All done in this sequence. I didn't have guest network set up but you can still set up guest network under wireless in Airport Utility, hope this helps!

WDS available for new Airport Extreme

Apple has posted the setup guides for the new Airport Extreme and according to those manual, WDS (Wireless Distrubtion System) is available for those systems. In fact, it specifically says it can WDS with the Airport Express and older Airport Extreme.
So for all those folks who posted that WDS for the new Airport Extreme is not available simply because the posted specifications does not list it, it would be good to note that it also didn't list it as not available
http://www.apple.com/support/manuals/
Message was edited by: Conal Ho

Yes, according to the setup guide for the new airport extreme, the new Extreme can WDS with new Extreme in either a/b/g/n modes. If you want to WDS the new Extreme with the old Extreme and/or Express, you'll need to set it to b or g. That obvious since old Extreme and Express can only work in b or g modes.
Indeed, very good news!

Is a Happy Marriage Possible? New Airport Extreme & ADSL Modem/Router

Is a Happy Marriage Possible? New Airport Extreme & ADSL Modem/Router
1. I’m writing from a rural town in Southern Nepal, very close to India. I’m planning to create a new WI-FI network at a small monastery here. Ideally, we will have two parallel wireless networks: the first network produced by an ADSL router/modem and a second network produced by another router in “repeater” mode.
2. Earlier, someone suggested that, when I post a question, I should provide as many details as possible about the situation here. Forgive me if there is “too much information”. I have to make a trip to the US to buy new networking equipment, so I very much want to get this right. Once I return here, I’ll be pretty much stuck with whatever I get in the US.
3. The future routers will live next to each other in an office and could be linked by a cable (if this is the best route to go). We do not wish to “expand” the network (in the sense of making a larger WI-FI network), but rather wish to simply have two networks, hence one ADSL router/modem and one router with the “repeater” function (out-of-the-box without any jerry rigging). Both WI-FI signals need to travel approximately 100 (largely unobstructed) feet.
4. If my dreams come true, the second router would be an Apple Airport Extreme (AX). An Apple router would be ideal because my experience with Apple routers is happy: they are easy to set up, reliable, and secure. Moreover, we use Apple computers and iOS devices here (and the new AX has the “ac” thing which will be preferable as we replace old machines with new ones).
5. Yet, from reading posts and having my prior questions answered on this website, it may be that with an ADSL modem/router, all the ease and happiness of the Apple ecosystem is lost: while Apple routers seem to connect with each other easily, problems appear to arise when users try to inter-marry our non-Apple products with Apples.
6. Our current, super-crappy 2wire 2701hg-t (ADSL modem/router) covers the 100-foot distance without a problem when it is working and there is Ethernet flowing to us. Frequently, our connection is very bad, and I may be unfairly judging the 2wire 2701hg-t. But, based on user reviews on the America Amazon.com, the 2wire 2701hg-t is pretty terrible: first it is simply old and second, among other problems, it seems to have a poor quality power supply unit. I do observe that it frequently seems to be recycling from scratch as if it had turned off and restarted. In any case, we are replacing it since it may be about 4 or 5 years old.
7. In previous posts on this forum, “LaPastenague” responded to some of my earlier questions about AX and ADSL. Among other things, he pointed out that (1) line-attenuation may be contributing to our poor connection and (2) we must choose a modem/router that is suitable for “long lines.” I’ve looked at our current modem/router statistics page; however, there are no statistics for line-attenuation or noise. (As you will see below, my strategy is to get the “better” modem/router that is suitable for long lines.)
8. Concerning our ADSL service, these are the facts I’ve gleaned from looking at the current router’s configuration pages:
Connection Type: PPPoE
Currently, the router is configured to use WPA-PSK security.
Connection Speed: Incoming: 1024 kbps & Outgoing: 509 kbps
(The following information may be unimportant at this time.)
Broadband Link Diagnostics:
DSL Synchronization: UP
G.DMT Signal: UP
PVC Connection: UP
PPPoE Service: UP
PPP Authentication: UP
IP Connection: UP
DNS Communication: UP
9. The ISP (Nepal Telecom) doesn’t supply a modem/router; however, they do have a list of (at times ancient) hardware and hardware vendors:
http://www.ntc.net.np/internet/adsl/adsl_vendersConf.php
10. Concerning what equipment is available here, what I have observed is that generally the ADSL modem/routers for sale locally, and in the far-away capital Kathmandu, and in nearby India are often also available in the United States, but they are the cheaper, older models. I will have to buy the new equipment in the US this year. At a different institution nearby, they are using the TP-Link modem/router td-w89016 which they purchased locally, I believe.
11. Based in part on LaPastenague’s earlier advice, I want to buy the TP-LINK TD-W8980 N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router (2.4GHz 300Mbps+5Ghz 300Mbps, IPv6 Compatible). This appears to be the most popular ADSL device on Amazon now.
Will this modem/router work EASILY with the Airport Extreme in the manner I’ve described? That is, connecting the two with a cable and creating two WI-FI networks.
12. Also, is it generally correct that the best way to connect them is with an Ethernet cable: https://discussions.apple.com/message/23759755#23759755
13. In fact, does connecting them with a cable help alleviate some of the problems that can occur between the Apple device and the ADSL modem/router?
14. If this will work, what “mode” will the AX device be in (again, in order to have two separate networks with separate passwords)? I have heard of the “repeater”, “roaming” , and “bridge” modes.
15. Are there two levels of passwords which need to be considered? Of course, there is the network and network passwords which we create here and which will be different. But, does the Apple also have to have the ISP password like the principle ADSL modem/router?
16. To set this up, what information do I need from the ISP (e.g., passwords, IPs…)?
I think there are a lot of good reasons to use an AX router. Of course, if it is just going to be very cumbersome then, we would be loosing one of the best parts of using Apple products. So, whoever feels knowledgeable enough to reply to this post, please be sincere if you think it is better to avoid the Apple. Apple can rest assured that I will buy other things from them!
In that case, I’d likely buy a second TP-Link device to create a second network:
TL-Wa801NP [AP Mode Multi-SSID Mode AP Client Mode Repeater Mode (WDS / Universal) AP+ Bridge mode (point-to-point / point to Multi-point)].
Thank you in advance. Long live Apple!
Message was edited by: Jess1911

I am not sure if there are different interfaces but my 2wire does an excellent job with line info.
I get into this from browser.. using main IP.. in my case 10.0.0.138/MDC
In your case it should be whatever the IP of the 2wire is, followed by /mdc
Give it a try.
As you can see it shows vendor and loads of info about the line.
I rate it the best domestic modem for line info.
A good modem actually albeit a lousy router.
MDC is the diagnostics and Management Console.
3. The future routers will live next to each other in an office and could be linked by a cable (if this is the best route to go). We do not wish to “expand” the network (in the sense of making a larger WI-FI network), but rather wish to simply have two networks, hence one ADSL router/modem and one router with the “repeater” function (out-of-the-box without any jerry rigging). Both WI-FI signals need to travel approximately 100 (largely unobstructed) feet.
You are not repeating.. you are simply setting up two routers which are interconnected, so one is dependent on the other.. ie one is your adsl modem router and that will take the main router function. Your second router is really not working as a router, but as wireless access point (and switch if you plug things in).
That is perfectly fine. You are not roaming in this case since both routers are running different wireless names and networks.. but they are actually using same IP range.. all devices are on the one IP network with two different wireless access points.
4. If my dreams come true, the second router would be an Apple Airport Extreme (AX).
Apple router is fine for this. Easy to configure out of the box.
5. Yet, from reading posts and having my prior questions answered on this website, it may be that with an ADSL modem/router, all the ease and happiness of the Apple ecosystem is lost: while Apple routers seem to connect with each other easily, problems appear to arise when users try to inter-marry our non-Apple products with Apples.
The problem arises when you try and interconnect using wireless extend or repeater.. you are not using wireless to extend, you are using ethernet. Wired has no issues.
11. Based in part on LaPastenague’s earlier advice, I want to buy the TP-LINK TD-W8980 N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit ADSL2+ Modem Router (2.4GHz 300Mbps+5Ghz 300Mbps, IPv6 Compatible). This appears to be the most popular ADSL device on Amazon now.
Will this modem/router work EASILY with the Airport Extreme in the manner I’ve described? That is, connecting the two with a cable and creating two WI-FI networks.
It is a good choice.. It should be fine considering how poor your line is.. this modem is proving to have a couple of bugs.. it does not handle torrents well but I would suggest your system is not being used for that purpose. It has some port forwarding issues. Again you are probably not going to overload it.
12. Also, is it generally correct that the best way to connect them is with an Ethernet cable: https://discussions.apple.com/message/23759755#23759755
Absolutely best.. only decent method.
14. If this will work, what “mode” will the AX device be in (again, in order to have two separate networks with separate passwords)? I have heard of the “repeater”, “roaming” , and “bridge” modes.
Bridge. Although if it gives issues there is another method, although rather complex to setup.. not something to worry about now.
15. Are there two levels of passwords which need to be considered? Of course, there is the network and network passwords which we create here and which will be different. But, does the Apple also have to have the ISP password like the principle ADSL modem/router?
Only the adsl modem has the ISP authentication.. it is the box that does the link. The TC just piggy backs.
The passwords on the TC are for its Admin, wireless and disk access.
16. To set this up, what information do I need from the ISP (e.g., passwords, IPs…)?
For ADSL you must have the PPPoE authentication username and password.
So, whoever feels knowledgeable enough to reply to this post, please be sincere if you think it is better to avoid the Apple.
hmmm.. I am biased because I see the issues not all the good stories..
The latest airport and Time Capsule seem to have a few pretty severe bugs.. if they happen to hit you, they are extremely hard to fix if you are in the middle of Nepal. And Apple service centre is a long long way away.
I cannot answer your question from the point of view of a person on the ground in remote area. If the economics of the purchase works for you, great. Go for it.
In terms of wireless coverage.. the Asus AC models or Netgear R7000 kill the Apple. Sorry but it is just fact.
See reviews here.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/113-5-ghz-dn-c
That is average.. if you look at the apple router in the worst location by changing the filters, it comes out worse again.
I cannot post the URL to our local forum here.. (apple doesn't allow it). But in testing with apple clients the asus still beat Apple router soundly.
Pure wireless range is not the only consideration.. but in a mixed environment and since the wireless on the 8980N is not too bad.. then buy Apple router for apple client devices makes good sense.
Maybe the older Gen5.. or two of them.. would do a better job.. with a bit more tested and known hardware.
One thing you do need to check.
Routers from every other brand allow you to select country. Any country from anywhere in the world. Apple routers do not.
If you buy an airport in North America it is coded to North America and offers just a few countries.. USA, Canada I suppose.. what else is North America??
You cannot change it to Nepal.
To get the one for Nepal you must buy the model that covers, South Asia I guess.. I am not sure which it is.
See what the license information is for wifi in Nepal as it might be very different to US and therefore illegal for you to run it in Nepal.
If only the whole world would just bow to America.. we could all follow the FCC regs..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels
This only applies to the Apple.. the TP-Link etc allows you to choose Nepal or correct country regulations for wifi.
Buying modems has one tricky bit.. that the actual adsl ATM channel is different in different parts of the world. No modem is usually impossible to setup but some can be difficult if it is pre-configured for US.. this is easy to overcome generally as you can download a firmware for another locality, so you can have local settings.

Can't Configure New Airport Extreme

My new Airport EXtreme is operational and I can access the net work from both my PC and 2 Macs however I have been unable to configure the base station to move it away from 'public' status with it's factory 10.??? IP address and thus have an open network.
On initial startup with the Airport Setup Assistant on the Mac I get "An error occurred communicating with the selected base station".
I've tried all the trouble shooting re-sets and the Airport Admin Utility but with similar results. At one point on the PC I got the slighlty more informative "the base station is in soft reset mode but does not appear reachable with the IP address configuration of this computer. Make sure your computer is configured for a 192.42.249.X IP address so base station can be configured". Don't know what this means ....
All the correct DHCP settings seem to be in place but a colleague across the street with an Airport Express has no problem. I'm at a loss...

Basic principle - setup instructions are there for a reason, and if you don't follow them then the thing won't work properly What happens if you connect your cable modem to the LAN port of the Base Station:
- you bypass the router built into the Airport Base Station
- your Mac will be unable to communicate with the Base Station.
Neither is a good thing - and you need to get to the bottom of the problem causing you to have to incorrectly wire the Base Station just to give it the "appearance" it is working properly (even though it is not). Usually the solution is simple - cable the modem to the WAN port, pull power to the modem and the Base Station for a half hour, then plug power back into the modem, then plug power back into the Base Station. That's it.
Incidentally - a temporary fix is to (a) disconnect the modem from the Base Station, (b) power cycle the Base Station, and (c) restart your Mac. Your Mac will now be able to "see" and configure the Base Station. However, as soon as you are done and you plug the cable modem back into the LAN port and restart your Mac - no admin access to the Base Station will be possible.

Proper way to mix new Airport Extreme with Airport Express, wired and wirel

I currently have several macs. Two of them have 1000 airport (macbook pro and macpro), the other 3 have 100 speed.
I have one Airport Express I'm using now. I'd like a faster setup though.
Here's how I've got it wired up now:
1. I go from my cable modem into a 10/100 Linksys wired router
2. A Net gear 10/100/1000 4-port switch is hooked to the router
3. My airport Express is hooked to the switch
4. my 4 other macs then are hard wired with regular ethernet cable to the switch.
So, my wireless is only for the device(s) that need it, and all other macs go through wires to the switch.
Now, I want to buy a new Airport Extreme to increase my wireless speed when copying files and sharing my iTunes library.
Will having the Express on the network make the Extreme jump down to 100 speed? Or, should I buy a new router, a 10/100/1000 router, and just plug the new Extreme right into it, thereby separating it technically from the slower Express/wired stuff?
I guess I won't even need the Express anymore unless I use it for my older macs that don't have the new n speed airport cards, right?
any insight would be helpful, I'd hate to buy stuff I don't need, and vice versa.

Please try taking the readings again using iStumbler's Inspector feature (select Edit > Inspector from iStumbler's menu) to determine the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at your iMac for the following two cases:
o Case_#1: Just the AEBSn. (Temporarily unplug the AX for this reading.)
o Case_#2: When the network is configured for WDS.
Within the Inspector, on the Properties tab, note the values for "signal" & "noise" for each of these cases. These values should be negative.
SNR is the signal level (in dBm) minus the noise level (in dBm). For example, a signal level of -53dBm measured near an access point and typical noise level of -90dBm yields a SNR of 37dB, a healthy value for wireless LANs.
SNR Guideline
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
For Case_#1, if the SNR is 20+dB, you may consider not using a WDS as this SNR value would represent decent Wi-Fi performance at your iMac's location from the AEBSn alone. If it's less than 20dB, then the WDS would be required. ... and, if this is the case, you would want to place the AX within the 20+dB range of the AEBSn to make sure it has the strongest signal to repeat.

Help setting up Open DNS with new airport extreme

I cant seem to get Open DNS to work with a new airport extreme. The status says I am not using Open DNS and its not filtering anything. I have followed the exact steps for set up listed on their website, checked the dns settings, cleared both caches and restarted the computer, modem and router with no success. I set the airport up in bridged mode, although I tried the other option under setup, but not sure what I was doing? I picked up this router because I wanted easy set up and the apple store assured me it would work with Open DNS. Oh, and I also downloaded the latest firmware update on the router. Can anyone help me with the settings or what else I need to check?

Sorry, I am not familiar with this product, so I checked online to pick up some information. Here I am referring to the information found here:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096
I found that your device is mentioned as follows in the intro under Section 1 of this document:
The BellSouth supplied Westell 2100, 2200 and 6100 models (Models A90-210030-04, B90-220030-04, and B90-610030-06/C90-610030-06, respectively) share many features and functions.
Next, I am referring to the information under Section 2, under the heading of Standard Default Mode Connection (separate hub or switch present). Unless you have changed the configuration on the Westell, this is how your device is operating. In this mode, the Westell device is acting both as a modem and router in one unit.
So, an attached router (AirPort Extreme) must be configured as a switch to work correctly. That is what Bridge Mode is....the AirPort Extreme is operating as a switch when it is in Bridge Mode (which would be the correct setting to use when the Westell is set to its Standard Default Mode).
Any changes that you want to make regarding DNS settings would need to be made on the Westell device, since it is acting as the main router on your network.
In Bridge Mode, the AirPort Extreme simply passes that information through to its connected devices. You will not be able to make any DNS related changes on the AirPort Extreme since it receives that info from the Westel device. Some service providers force you to use their DNS servers, so you might want to check with Bell South or AT&T for more information in this regard.
If you want to be able to configure the AirPort Extreme as the main router on your network, and instruct it to use the DNS information that you want, you will need to refer to the section under the heading of Bridged Ethernet Mode ( separate router present).
Please note that the first item under this heading specifies that "This is the preferred configuration when using a separate external router..." (which would be the AirPort Extreme in your case)
So, it appears to me that this would be the way that you must reconfigure the Westell device to allow the AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on your network. In this type of setup, you will be able to enter the DNS information that you want to use under the setup for the AirPort Extreme and it will act as you instruct.
The AirPort Extreme would not be configured in Bridge Mode for this....it would be configured to "Share a public IP address".
The next item in the article specifies that you "Must use a PPPoE client on the Router." This means that the AirPort Extreme would be configured to Connect Using = PPPoE as follows:
AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = PPPoE
You would enter your user name (probably your email address), password, etc in this area. Leave the Service Area box completely blank. Set Connection to Always On, and Disconnect if Idle to Never
Click Update to save the new settings. Power off the Westell device after this and then restart it so that it will pick up the new information that you have programmed into the AirPort Extreme.
I want to stress that this is how I would try to configure the Westell and AirPort Extreme. But, as I said, have not used a Westell device, so I cannot say that this will work correctly for you.
It might be an excellent idea to contact Bell South or AT&T Support to ask for their opinion on this before you decide to change the configuration of the Westel device and the AirPort Extreme.
This type of thing can be intimidating for users, so you might elect to use the services of someone like the Geek Squad at Best Buy, or a similar service from a local computer firm. Perhaps the Apple store could help as well.
If it is not critical that you use Open DNS, you might want to simply leave things "as is", with the AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode.

New Airport Extreme, new problems.

Hi all. I have just purchased and installed a new airport extreme and am having some issues with it already. Last night during install, When it got to the end of the setup process, the computer screen said that the Airport extreme was to restart. Well, that seemed to take forever, and then the airport that was visable from the Airport utility disappeared. The Green light on the unit was on, indicating no problems, but I was not able to access the internet. I played with it for a while, and tried resetting and going through the set up 2 more times, with the same result. I had given up and was going to contact apple in the morning when suddenly my Ipad received a message from my friend who had sent the message about an hour before. I assumed that the internet was now working, which I confirmed with my Ipad and my Imac. All seemed ok. I even downloaded the Airport app for my I pad and could see the device from the screen.
Today, my Ipad's airport app could not see the device, yet the network was working. Is this typical?
Also, can you hide the SSID (network name). My last wireless router had this feature, which I thought was nice.
Last thing. I can't seem to print from my wireless printer any more. My previous router worked fine for this. It now says it is not connected any more. The network name and password are the same with this Airport as my last router, so I figured it shoud work fine. In the manual, it doesn't seem to mention wireless printing, only printers connected to the Airport with a USB. Does it only work that way?
Sorry for all the questions. If This thing is not going to co-operate, it will be returned to the store. I normally love Apples products, but this one has me scratching my head in doubt.

First you can block the SSID, you need to go into Airport Utility and click on wireless then click the wireless network options and make sure the Create a closed network is selected. Regarding the iOS Airport Utility that could have sometimes. On your printer the Airport Extreme has a USB connector that you can connect a printer to it. It you want to add the printer to the network wirelessly then you may need to go in to you printer setup.

New Airport Extreme only connected with N protocol

I just got a brand new Airport Extreme. I disabled wifi on my verizon fios router, plugged in the ethernet, and went through the Airport's setup. I'm connected on all my devices and the range is so much better, but it doesn't seem like my MBP has connected using AC. Below, I have included some information about my computer and the router. Could anyone advise me on how to connect using AC? Do I need to do anything other than the default setup? I noticed in advanced options on the router, that 5ghz is not enabled by default? Also, I'm sitting about 10 feet from the router with no obstructions.
My Computer:
Model Name: MacBook Pro, Late 2013
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
My Airport Extreme:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x134)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (6.30.223.154.65)
Locale: FCC
Country Code: US
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
My Network:
Network Utility Link Speed: 217 MBit/sec
PHY Mode: 802.11n
Channel: 1
Country Code: US
Network Type: Infrastructure
Security: WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise: -41 dBm / -92 dBm
Transmit Rate: 156
MCS Index: 21

5ghz wireless is in fact working.. but the Mac is setup to connect to the strongest signal not the fastest.. so you have actually connected to 2.4ghz N wireless..
The way to fix this is simple.. change the wireless name for 5ghz in wireless options of airport utility.. ie.
Make the name short and sweet.. no spaces.. no apostrophe.. just simple.
Mine doesn't show as much because I refuse to buy the AC model..
But you can make sure your country is set correctly.. and all the rest can be left on auto.
Then in the laptop force the connection to AE5ghz or whatever you name it.

New Airport Extremes any more reliable for wifi backups?

I was one of the many folks who spend hours configuring and reconfiguring my network a few years back trying to get Time Machine to play nice with my USB hard drive for the sole purpose of daily automatic time machine backups over WiFi. Something about Apple not technically supporting this practice, but that it *could* work, *sometimes*, *for some people*. In my experience I could get it working for a matter of days at a time before the link would break and my backups would become inaccessible by either wifi or by direct USB connection, forcing me to re backup my entire HD each time it happened, until I eventually gave up on it all together.
Fast forward to today, I still hate having to go through the process of finding my hard drive, plugging into power, finding a USB cable, etc etc etc every time I want to make sure my backups are up to date. Thus, it gets done very infrequently and therefore makes my backups far less useful if I should ever need them.
As luck would have it, over the holidays I acquired the NEW Airport Extreme w/ 802.11n... have these issues been fixed?
All I want is a reliable, daily, automatic time machine backup, OVER wifi, THROUGH the new airport, TO my USB connected Phantom drive. Can it be???

As luck would have it, over the holidays I acquired the NEW Airport Extreme w/ 802.11n... have these issues been fixed?
Apple now officially supports Time Machine backups to a hard drive at the USB port of the "new" AirPort Extreme.
See this Apple support document for confirmation. Look down near the bottom of th document for the pertinent info.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5924?viewlocale=en_US
All I want is a reliable, daily, automatic time machine backup, OVER wifi, THROUGH the new airport, TO my USB connected Phantom drive. Can it be???
"Wireless" and "reliable" are two words that really do not go together well, but your chances have improved with the new AirPort Extreme.

New Airport Extreme works fine with everything except my husband's Toshiba running Windows 7

I have no idea how to fix this problem. He scanned his computer (Windows 7) for viruses, and nothing came back. He deleted our home network from his laptop, then added it back.
His computer shows that he has "limited access" to our home network and NO internet access. It also shows he has four bars, so he has a good signal. Four other people in the house using macs, ipods, ipads, and kindle fires aren't having an issues.
Is the problem with his laptop or with my new Airport Extreme? We upgraded from a very old version (I think it was the 1st one), he never had a problem with the old Airport Extreme. He actually didn't have a problem with the new one until about a week after I had it up, which makes me think the problem is with his computer?
His Toshiba has no problem connecting to his Verizon mifi.
Could someone please offer me some advice?

I think I may have solved my own problem. I read somewhere online that he needs to hit his "F2" button. He hit it and his computer hooked right up to our network. Previously, we would have to restart Airport Extreme and his computer so he could connect. Even doing that the connection would last between five minutes and two days.
Very strange. Hopefully problem solved. Time will tell.

Unable to make new Airport Extreme a WDS Main station

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