davidfromwest greenwich
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple Watch

Q: Airport extreme

I use an AirPort Extreme as my WiFi Router.  Currently my Mac, printer, iPads and iPhone are connect via WiFi.  If I were to connect "wired" to my Mac Mini, would I get better performance?  Would this mess up my WiFi network?  Can I just run a cable from the back of the AirPort Extreme to my Mac Mini, or would I have to reconfigure my WiFi network?

Posted on Sep 1, 2016 7:09 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (104,993 points)
Wireless
A:

If I were to connect "wired" to my Mac Mini, would I get better performance?

Yes, the connection speed capability between the AirPort and Mac Mini would double or more.

 

Would this mess up my WiFi network?

No

 

Can I just run a cable from the back of the AirPort Extreme to my Mac Mini,

Yes

 

would I have to reconfigure my WiFi network?

No, but you would want to turn off the WiFi on the Mac Mini to insure that the connection between the Mac Mini and AirPort Extreme will be over a wired connection.

Posted on Sep 1, 2016 7:22 PM

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davidfromwest greenwich

Q: Airport extreme

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  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 1, 2016 7:22 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 1, 2016 7:22 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    If I were to connect "wired" to my Mac Mini, would I get better performance?

    Yes, the connection speed capability between the AirPort and Mac Mini would double or more.

     

    Would this mess up my WiFi network?

    No

     

    Can I just run a cable from the back of the AirPort Extreme to my Mac Mini,

    Yes

     

    would I have to reconfigure my WiFi network?

    No, but you would want to turn off the WiFi on the Mac Mini to insure that the connection between the Mac Mini and AirPort Extreme will be over a wired connection.

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 1, 2016 7:24 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 9 (52,295 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 1, 2016 7:24 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    If I were to connect "wired" to my Mac Mini, would I get better performance?

    Yes.. Ethernet is superior to wireless at all times.. BUT if you think it will give you faster internet that is unlikely unless wireless is extremely slow.

     

    Would this mess up my WiFi network?  ... would I have to reconfigure my WiFi network?

    No, you do not need to make any changes to wifi.

     

    Can I just run a cable from the back of the AirPort Extreme to my Mac Mini

    Yes.. plus.. you need to turn off wireless in the mini. (or reorder the network clients so ethernet is on top.. IMHO just turn wireless off for the simple way).

     

    Edit.. dang nab it.. Bob is on fire today.

  • by davidfromwest greenwich,

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Sep 1, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 1, 2016 7:30 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for your help.  I have an additional question.  If I do connect wired and shut off my wifi on my mac mini, will I still be able to print to my wireless printer, or would I have to set my mac mini back to my wifi network to print?  If I shut my wifi off on my mac mini, it would not effect my other devices on my wifi network.  Like iPads & iPhones.  Sorry if these are stupid question

  • by davidfromwest greenwich,

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Sep 1, 2016 7:34 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 1, 2016 7:34 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks for your help.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 1, 2016 7:51 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 1, 2016 7:51 PM in response to davidfromwest greenwich

    will I still be able to print to my wireless printer

    Yes. Remember that both wired and wireless devices are on the same network.

     

    If I shut my wifi off on my mac mini, it would not effect my other devices on my wifi network.  Like iPads & iPhones.

    We answered this for you already, but will answer again:

    Would this mess up my WiFi network?

    No, all you are doing is changing the method in which the Mac Mini connects to the network. Nothing else is affected.

  • by davidfromwest greenwich,

    davidfromwest greenwich davidfromwest greenwich Sep 1, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 1, 2016 7:51 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks for answering all my questions.  I did connect wired, and everything including the printer works fine.  Thanks again for your help.