airport extreme bridge port forwarding

Your TalkTalk router.....(you call it a hub) handles all DHCP and NAT for your entire network.

The AirPort Extreme(s).....which are in Bridge Mode.....are simply pass through devices that forward the DHCP and NAT info from your Talk Talk router to connected devices.

The fact that the AirPorts might be providing Wi-Fi service has nothing to do with the fact that your Talk Talk router still provides DHCP and NAT service for your entire network. Another way to say the same thing would be that the AirPorts can provide Wi-Fi service while they are configured in Bridge Mode.

Bottom line.....any and all NAT settings will be handled by the TalkTalk router. The AirPorts are not involved with this in any way. They simply pass through the information that they receive from the TalkTalk router to connected devices either by using Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

but am i right in thinking this is irrelevant to my set up, and not possible in any case as the airport is distributing the wifi?

No, if you want to set up Port Forwarding on the TalkTalk router, you will need to work with TalkTalk support on this.

Did you confirm with support that their service is providing you with a fixed, static Public IP address?

If not, the IP address that your provider sends to you will change, often daily, sometimes more.

For example, say you see that the Internet IP address assigned from your provider is 123.45.67.89. You can set up Port Forwarding following the instructions provided, but that setup will be of no value if the IP Address from your provider changes tomorrow to some other address.

When that occurs, you will have to set up Port Forwarding again on your router. Things will work until the IP address assigned by your provider changes again in a day or two and the process repeats on and on.

This is why I mentioned in my last reply that.......

For starters, you would need to check with TalkTalk to first see if they are providing your hub / router with an Internet connection that provides a Static Public IP Address.

Next, although the instructions to set up Port Forwarding might seem to appear straightforward at first glance, the real issue here is whether your provider will actually help you set things up and walk you through the process. In other words, if things don't work......will your provider actually help you......or refer you the manual?

I can't speak for TalkTalk, but most Internet service providers (ISP) are going to be less than thrilled to discuss things like Static IP Addresses and Port Forwarding. Although most routers will allow this, the ISP will often not officially support these options.

For starters, you would need to check with TalkTalk to first see if they are providing your hub / router with an Internet connection that provides a Static Public IP Address. A Static IP address is not usually assigned unless you have a business account (at higher cost of course) with your ISP.