How to Setup Airport Express on AT&T DSL

I wrote a tutorial on how to achieve this back in May of 2008. I have now decided to update this tutorial so that an Airport Express and AT&T DSL 2Wire Modem/Router.

I recommend reading it to acquaint yourself with some of the basic terminology and features that I will merely brush upon in this new tutorial.Click here to read old post.

It always bothered me that 2Wire automatically broadcasts a wireless signal and secures it by implementing a WEP security password.

My hunch was that this was somehow causing the conflict that would not let Airport Express and 2Wire play nice.

Your first objective is to change your Wireless Network Security from “WEP-Open” to “WPA2-PSK.” You may leave the default encryption key; just make sure you know it. It is the password used to login to your Wireless Network.

Now, unplug your 2Wire modem from the electrical outlet. Whatever means you achieve this is irrelevant … just make sure there is no power flowing through the 2Wire Modem/Router.

Connect an Ethernet cable to the back of your 2Wire Modem/Router (it does not matter which slot you connect it to, just make sure it is open. You do not need to disconnect anything) and the other end to your Airport Express.

Now, connect your Airport Express to an electrical outlet (I recommend using an extension cord connected to an outlet as it will be easier to achieve this step) and use a paperclip or pen to hold down the reset button until you see the green lights flash on your Airport Express.

After you are able to achieve this, connect your 2Wire Modem/Router to an electrical outlet. Give it about 2 to 4 minutes for your 2Wire Modem/Router to power up and begin broadcasting a signal.

Connect to the 2Wire### wireless network broadcasted by your 2Wire Modem/Router … remember that you may be asked to enter a password … you do not need to change the password you enter, just the security method.

Now open the Airport Utility located in your Applications/Utilities folder. Your Airport Express base should be found and select “Manual Setup”

Under the “Wireless” tab select the following attributes: Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network, Network Name: 2Wire###, Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal, Wireless Password & Verify Password: (your network password … you know the one on the side of your 2Wire Modem/Router).

Once you input the proper settings, you select “Update” and after about 3 to 5 minutes your Airport Express will restart and it will have a green led indicating that it is operating correctly.

Once your Airport Express has a solid green light you may unplug it from the Ethernet cable and you can disconnect it from the electrical outlet.

Now, take it to the room that you wanted to enjoy your wireless printing or AirTunes from and connect those peripherals. After, about 2 minutes your Airport Express should broadcast a green light indicating that it is working properly.

Voila! And just like that you have been able to connect your Apple Airport Express to the AT&T DSL network on your 2Wire Modem/Router.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave comments with your concerns or gratitude.

February 16, 2009 5 Comments Short URL

  • JoJo

    Hello Dave,
    I read this blog last week and got my AE running with my Uverse 2WIRE with no problems but now I’m having problems with outgoing emails from my mobileme account at home. I’m sure it’s directly related to what I did because I just started getting this error message. I’m not sure what it is that’s wrong though. I’m getting an error message saying that my port 25 has timed out? Not too savvy with this kind of stuff so I didn’t poke around much out of fear of screwing something else up. Anyone else run into this? I’m hoping it’s an easy fix. Awesome directions by the way!

    - Jojo

  • http://davidortez.com David Ortez

    JoJo,

    You have two options. You can either A) Call AT&T and ask them not to block Port 25 or B) Change the port number in your Mail settings. I currently use 25, 465 and 587. To change your port number in Mail, select MAIL>PREFERENCES>Select ACCOUNTS tab and Choose one of your email accounts, then select OUTGOING MAIL SERVER then EDIT SMTP SETTINGS>then Advanced and select DEFAULT Ports.

     I hope this helps. Your easiest solution is to ask AT&T to unblock that port number for you. If they are hesitant because of security reasons then request an alternative port number that is compatible with their network.

  • rich

    Finally this works.
    Thanks

  • Alan

    hey david,

    all seems to be working fine, until we get to the last step.

    i put in the manual settings to join the network. it starts to restart, but then does not come back to green… just blinking yellow.

    it seems like the settings are in there, but then not coming back to green.  any suggestions?

  • FB

    Thanks for the great tutorial.

    Can I use Airport Express to extend the range of my existing network, which using an 2Wire/AT&T combo? If so, do you have a similar tutorial?

    Just let me know how you like your coffee and it will be on its way then! :)