Alphax

Q: Extend Airport Extreme network with Netgear N600

I would like to use a N600 to extend my Airport Extreme network.

I want to connect the N600 via ethernet to the airport extreme and it should act as a switch (I want to connect the TV/PS4/Wii in the living room via ethernet connection) and it should also extend the existing wifi connection created by the Airport Extreme (that's located to another room).

 

How should I proceed?

OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 18, 2016 9:37 AM

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Q: Extend Airport Extreme network with Netgear N600

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  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 18, 2016 11:21 AM in response to Alphax
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 18, 2016 11:21 AM in response to Alphax

    With the Netgear N600 connected to the AirPort Extreme base station by Ethernet, you want to configure them both for a roaming type network.

     

    The N600 should be reconfigured as a bridge and its wireless network configured to use the same network name (aka, SSID) and wireless security type & password that is used by the Extreme.

  • by Alphax,

    Alphax Alphax Sep 18, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 18, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Tesserax

    Ok, I'm having trouble finding the bridge mode on the N600. Might be the AP mode?

  • by Tesserax,Apple recommended

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 18, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Alphax
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 18, 2016 12:28 PM in response to Alphax

    I had an opportunity to download the User Manual for the N600. In order to place it in bridge mode, both NAT & DHCP services must be disabled. I could find the setting for DHCP, but not NAT.

     

    My suggestion is to use the N600 as your "main" router, and then, use the Extreme to extend it in the roaming network configuration. It appears to be more "full featured" than Extreme and I would think it would better serve your networking goals than the other way around ... but it is your call.

     

    If you do agree to use the Extreme to extend the N600, then configuring the Extreme as a bridge is fairly simple. You would use the AirPort Utility to do so, as follows:

    • Run the AirPort Utility.
    • Select the Extreme, and then, select Edit.
    • Select the Network tab.
    • Change Router Mode to: Off (Bridge Mode).
    • Click on Update and allow the Extreme to restart.
  • by LaPastenague,Apple recommended

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 18, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 9 (52,715 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 18, 2016 2:31 PM in response to Tesserax

    I had an opportunity to download the User Manual for the N600. In order to place it in bridge mode, both NAT & DHCP services must be disabled. I could find the setting for DHCP, but not NAT.

    There is a simple fix for lack of bridge mode..

     

    It has a few different names, but we call it WAN bypass here.

     

    The trick is to set the N600 IP to something in the same range as the Apple.. so lets say Apple is at default.. 10.0.1.1 and DHCP is 2-200 then you can set the Netgear to 10.0.1.222 (some nice easy to remember number) and turn off DHCP in the Netgear.

    Then plug from apple router to any LAN port on the Netgear. That will allow the Netgear to work effectively as a bridged router.. still can use wireless and switch ports.. and access it on the IP that was set.

     

    I would like to use a N600 to extend my Airport Extreme network.

    Which model and version is the Netgear?

    N600 covers a heap of models. A lot of them.. WNDR3700 or WNDR3800 for example have excellent third party firmware. Far superior and far more flexible than Netgear Genie firmware.

     

    You need to be careful because versions are crucial. A WNDR3700 v4 will work .. a v3 will not.. and the method of flashing can be different. If you give us the actual model and version (from the base of the router) I can suggest which 3rd party will work best.. but a model like WNDR3800 or the WNDRMACv2 are amongst my favourite routers of all time. Wireless is not great but the router side while dated is excellent and works great on my favourite firmware.. gargoyle.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Sep 19, 2016 8:13 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 9 (54,684 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 19, 2016 8:13 AM in response to LaPastenague

    The trick is to set the N600 IP to something in the same range as the Apple.. so lets say Apple is at default.. 10.0.1.1 and DHCP is 2-200 then you can set the Netgear to 10.0.1.222 (some nice easy to remember number) and turn off DHCP in the Netgear.

    Then plug from apple router to any LAN port on the Netgear. That will allow the Netgear to work effectively as a bridged router.. still can use wireless and switch ports.. and access it on the IP that was set.

    Ah, yes perfect! Thanks.