diane from LCF

Q: Wireless compatibility of airport with non-apple router

We paid an network/low voltage consultant to install routers in our house (it is a 4,500 sf 3 story house).  We have 2 non-apple routers hardwired to the modem via ethernet.  Our wireless does not reach the far corners of the house. (it is a 1920s house with lath and plaster not drywall/gypsum board) so wireless has difficulty going thru the walls.  I have tried using non-apple wireless extenders to extend the range to no avail.  We were told that the Airport extreme is the best extender.  I have spoken with several Apple sales people who have assured me that the Airport extreme will work with non-apple routers.  However, when I have researched the discussion groups it seems that it will only work if the Airport Extreme is hardwired to the router.  I am unable to do that.   When I asked sales (they assured me that it would work - and if it didn't I had 14 days to return the Apple Extreme).  I would appreciate a definitive answer prior to purchasing an Airport Extreme or Express.  Please advise.

Posted on Sep 13, 2016 8:47 AM

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Q: Wireless compatibility of airport with non-apple router

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 13, 2016 9:15 AM in response to diane from LCF
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 13, 2016 9:15 AM in response to diane from LCF

    In this case, trust what you read in the discussions group. The AirPort base stations will NOT extend non-Apple routers if the connection between them will be wireless. That is because Apple uses a propriety method for wireless extension for their products.

     

    If anything the Apple associates were referring to configuring a roaming network which does required that all base stations are interconnected by Ethernet ... and in that case, you can use mixed vendor products in an extended network.

     

    As an alternative to Ethernet, you may want to consider using Powerline adapters. These adapters create a pseudo Ethernet connection using your home's electrical circuit.

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 13, 2016 3:18 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 9 (52,596 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 13, 2016 3:18 PM in response to Tesserax

    +1 for trying power line adapters.

     

    Otherwise buy wireless repeater of a more general kind. Certainly NOT Apple routers.

     

    I had good success with cheap Xiaomi routers.. even repeating from apple router.

     

    It does cause issues though.. and is not good practice other than emergency stopgap.

     

    If power line adapters do not work.. pay to get ethernet run installed from one end of the house to the other and use another high power AP in that location.

  • by diane from LCF,

    diane from LCF diane from LCF Sep 13, 2016 4:09 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 13, 2016 4:09 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Ok, I had the entire house wired for ethernet when we restored the house. Unfortunately, we had rented the house out and the former tenant cut all the ethernet lines and the low-voltage guy who came out to get our network up and running simply abandoned them and attempted to extend with a power line adapter (so we have one working ethernet line that connects the 2nd floor to the basement where the modem is). The power line adapter extends wifi to our pool equipment but to nothing else on that side of the house. The low-voltage guy said he could trouble shoot our ethernet and rebuild our wiring but it would cost a min of $600 to try and sort out the mess that the tenant made of our ethernet.  There has GOT to be a simpler solution.

     

    There are several ethernet ports on the bottom of the power line adapter. Can I install another router to the power line adapter and have the 2 routers right next to each other (one the non-apple and one an airport extreme)? If not RIGHT next to each other, perhaps 10 feet away in the same room?

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 13, 2016 6:00 PM in response to diane from LCF
    Level 9 (52,596 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 13, 2016 6:00 PM in response to diane from LCF

    Wow.. a tenant who cut all your ethernet lines.. that is shocking.. You should bill the tenant for the rectification work.

    The low-voltage guy said he could trouble shoot our ethernet and rebuild our wiring but it would cost a min of $600 to try and sort out the mess that the tenant made of our ethernet.  There has GOT to be a simpler solution.

     

     

    Simpler = worse..

     

    Simpler = lower quality and poor speeds.

     

    There are several ethernet ports on the bottom of the power line adapter. Can I install another router to the power line adapter and have the 2 routers right next to each other (one the non-apple and one an airport extreme)? If not RIGHT next to each other, perhaps 10 feet away in the same room?

    Yes, but I don't see the point.. you will get no improvement in wireless coverage even if they are 10 feet apart.

     

    Unless you use costly directional antennas.. then yes you may get improvement.. You must use the right type of router with external dual band antennas and you need to buy 3 external dual band antennas.. of sufficient quality to get signal.

     

    In the end you pay $300 and end up worse off than spending $600 and getting it done right.