Bob R

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

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Q: Confused on APE Bridge Mode

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  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Jun 24, 2016 12:49 PM in response to Bob R
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 24, 2016 12:49 PM in response to Bob R

    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.