Q: Confused on APE Bridge Mode
I am creating a new wireless network in my home with 2 Apple Extremes to use Apple's extension capability. I have the AT&T 2Wire modem/router I have been using.
When I connect the first APE to the AT&T router I selected to create a new network. The Router mode was in Bridge, so I changed it to DHCP and NAT. Now the airport utility says I have 2 NATs.
Should both APEs be in Bridge mode? I thought bridge mode was only for the extension APE, not for the one that created a new network.
Posted on Jun 24, 2016 12:09 PM
A "Double NAT" condition will occur when you have two NAT routers in series with NAT enabled. Typically when you connect a second router to the first, you want that second router to be in bridge mode. For AirPort base stations bridge mode = Off (Bridge Mode).
What may be confusing you is Apple's two different methods of "extending" a wireless network.
The first method requires using all Apple hardware. With this method, you can create an extended network with those devices interconnected by wireless. This is the "Extend a wireless network" option in the AirPort Utility. This will not work with non-Apple equipment. In this case, you would use the second method, known as a roaming network.
A roaming network will also "extend" a wireless network, but each base station (except the "main" base station) in this type of network need to be in bridge mode AND each must be configured to "Create a wireless network."
So with all that said, you have basically two options for your overall network configuration:
Option#1 (Recommended - Best overall performance, "one" wireless network, easiest to set up.)
- 2Wire router will be the "main" router. No configuration changes of this router should be required.
- Both AirPort Extreme base stations connect back to the 2Wire by Ethernet.
- All three routers are configured for a roaming network.
Option#2 (Lower overall performance, multiple wireless networks, more complicated to set up.)
- Same for the 2Wire router.
- One AirPort Extreme is connected directly to the 2Wire by Ethernet. Extreme configured to "Create a wireless network."
- The second Extreme to be configured to extend the wireless network of the first. This Extreme will be configured to "Extend a wireless network." The connection between them will be wireless.
Posted on Jun 24, 2016 12:49 PM