EX7700 connection problems

Seen lots of inquiries on this very topic, yet NO solutions.  Been fighting same issue over a week now, since I bought the damn thing.  I see that R7000 recognizes the EX7700 as an "Attached Device" yet EVERY device connected to the EX7700 has NO INTERNET and cannot reach the R7000 control portal.  Hell they can't even reach the EX7700 portal and they are wire connected RIGHT TO THE DAMN THING!!!  It seems like the R7000 is rejecting ANY traffic comming from EX7700.   I havent tried AP mode on it cause I wanted AN EXTENDER.  I already had a WNR2000v3_N300 Router/AP connected if I wanted to go that route.  But was hoping to eliminate it for a single point connection with greater range.  Looks like I may have bought a bill of goods which is FAKE by purchasing the EX7700.

So frustrating and I do not consider myself a novice user having developed WiFi for medical, defense, and commercial devices for over 20 years now!!  I dropped D-Link, Linksys, ASUS because they all started dropping in interconnectivity of their products as well as the quality & service for them.  Has Netgear taken the same road?