Q: Question on replacing wonky old-style Airport Extreme
I have an old Airport Extreme, probably about 8 years old. It seems to have gone wonky on me. I've tried everything including resetting to factory defaults. Anyway, the point is I need to replace the unit. However, it is mounted into a wall unit electrical box, which is not deep enough to hold the new style "vertical" Airport Extreme that is meant to sit on a desk. It's about an inch too wide. This new design really ***** for my situation.
So, I'm stuck with a choice of replacing it with another used (or I think some are still boxed on Amazon) old-style Airport Extreme, or with another brand unit that does the same thing. Of course I'd rather stay with Apple, as all my Airport Expresses, my Airport Time Capsule and all our devices are Apple.
Which is the best choice?
Posted on Jul 17, 2016 9:06 AM
Your electrical panel setup looks very similar to mine and about as full.
I've attached a photo of the wall unit that houses the equipment. I've got a cable modem, which then attaches to my Airport Extreme, and the Airport Extreme provides wireless from there and also connects to my Netgear Switch, which provides internet to various wall jacks around the house.
In my case, my Internet is via Microwave and ISP's modem is in the panel. It is directly connected to the Cisco RV180. In turn, the Cisco is connected to a Cisco 8-port Ethernet switch. A number of Ethernet patch cables are connected between the switch and a Ethernet patch panel with runs throughout the house ... so very similar to your setup.
So, what you are saying is to replace the Airport Extreme with something like the Cisco RV180. And then at one or more of my cable jacks in the house, attach, what, Airport Express'? Is that correct?
Yes, that is correct. In my case I have two Time Capsules and a single AirPort Extreme that are connected to Ethernet wall ports in specific rooms to maximize my wireless connectivity throughout the house. The whole network is configured for a roaming type. This allow wireless clients to connect to a "single" Wi-Fi network as they literally roam from room to room. The two major advantages of this type of network configuration are:
- The best possible overall bandwidth for a wireless network.
- You can use mixed manufacturers' equipment. You are not limited to Apple only gear.
... and, in your case, you can still use your AirPort Extreme for added wireless coverage if you wish.
Last question: Anything I should know on setting up a non-apple router in this setup? Is it pretty much plug and play? Can I use Airport Express to manage it?
As with adding any new networking hardware, it is always a good idea to perform a complete power recycle of that equipment. The following is an AirPort User tip that I authored that will give you the step-by-step method in doing so.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to administer the Cisco router (or whatever model you choose) with the AirPort Utility. It was designed for the AirPort base stations only.
Most non-Apple routers use a web-based administrator interface. The good news is that this Cisco model is easy to set up and will require minimum changes to work in the roaming network. Most of the configuration changes would be to the AirPort base stations and even those will be minimal. We can help you with that if needed.
Posted on Jul 17, 2016 10:11 AM
