How to Create a Mac Network on AT&T Router
AT&T provides an integrated modem and router for DSL Internet connections. The 2WIRE brand of modem/router serves as a gateway for Web browsing and a Wifi device for computers to connect wirelessly. A Mac network may include an AirPort base station such as Airport Extreme, which serves as a print server and a hub for shared hard drives. Owners of Mac computers can use an AirPort Wifi device which can be set up to access the 2WIRE modem/router and create an efficient wireless network.
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Things You'll Need
- 2WIRE DSL modem/router
- Ethernet cable
- Safari Web browser
- AirPort Extreme base station
- USB external hard drive or printer
Instructions
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Set Up Wireless Router
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1
Assemble and connect the 2WIRE DSL modem/router according to the manufacturer's instructions for your DSL/telephone line.
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2
Plug the power cord for the 2WIRE modem/router into an outlet to power on the device.
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3
Insert the Ethernet cable to the port on the router and connect it to the Ethernet port on your Mac.
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4
Launch Safari Web browser and type "http://gateway.2wire.net" in the address bar. Press the "Enter" key.
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5
Click the "System" tab and click the "System Password" link.
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6
Click "Enable" (to check the box) and type the System Password assigned to your device (printed on the manufacturer's box or packing slip).
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7
Retype the password in the "Confirm/New Password" field and click the "Save" button.
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8
Click the "Home Network" tab and click the "Wireless Settings" link.
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9
Highlight the text in the field next to "Network Name" and type an identifiable name for your network such as "Smith-Home." Note: the default network name is the serial number for the DSL modem/router, such as "2WIRE987."
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10
Check that the option for "Authentication" is set to "WEP-Open." Click the "Save" button.
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11
Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer and restart your 2WIRE modem/router by unplugging the power cord and then plugging it back in.
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12
Wait for the modem lights to appear and select "Turn Airport on" in the right-hand side of the top menu bar of the Finder (desktop).
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13
Select the network name specified in step 8 from the drop down list of available networks.
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14
Type the device password set up in step 5 and click the box next to "Remember this password" (to check the box).
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15
Click the "Connect" button to access the network.
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16
Repeat steps 13 to 15 for each Mac computer.
Add AirPort Base Station
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17
Complete steps 1 to 11 in Section 1 to set up the 2WIRE modem/router.
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18
Connect your AirPort Extreme to the 2WIRE device by plugging the Ethernet cable to the "Modem In" port of the base station.
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19
Connect another Ethernet cable to the "Modem Out" port of the base station and insert the other end of the cable to your computer's Ethernet port. Plug the Airport base station into a power outlet.
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20
Connect external devices such as a hard drive or printer using the USB cable port and power this device by plugging the power cord into an outlet.
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21
Launch the AirPort Utility application located in the "Utilities" sub-folder in the "Applications" folder.
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22
Select the AirPort base station detected by the computer (listed in the left-hand frame) and click the "Manual Set Up" button.
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23
Check that the network name matches that set up in section 1, step 8 and retype the password set up in section 1, step 5, if necessary.
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24
Click the "Printer" or "Drive" button at the top of the AirPort Utility window and select the box next to "Share this device" (to check the option).
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25
Click the "Save" button to save the AirPort settings and wait for the AirPort base station to restart.
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26
Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and proceed with steps 12 to 16 in section 1.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Select "Open Network Preferences" under the AirPort icon to set the home network as a preferred network.
Set up unique passwords for the AirPort base station and for the shared disk to maintain a secure network and prevent others from changing access settings
You could also set up a Mac network using Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive, wireless base station combination. This would require specifying the AirPort device as the wireless router, using the 2WIRE device only as a DSL modem.
