Using Ethernet on AirPort Express roaming network

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8 points

Using Ethernet on AirPort Express roaming network

Hi, I hope someone here might be able to help me with this issue I'm experiencing. I have a home network that is made up of two AirPort Express base stations set up in a roaming network configuration. The wireless works great. The problem is that when I try to connect an Ethernet cable to the extended AirPort Express base station I cannot get an IP address.

Here's a more detailed illustration of my setup:

Spectrum Internet connection --> Arris SB6121 modem

Arris SB6121 modem --> AirPort Express base station (1)

Airport Express base station --> TP Link TL-SG108 switch (unmanaged)

TP Link TL-SG108 switch --> other Ethernet devices/computers

TP Link TL-SG108 switch --> AirPort Express base station (2)

(1) - router set up with DHCP and NAT

(2) - router set up in Bridge Mode

When I try to connect a computer to the AirPort Express base station (2) by Ethernet, I don't get a valid IP address, thus no connectivity.

Shouldn't I be able to connect an Ethernet device to that second AirPort Express, or am I missing something?

Posted on Jan 18, 2019 11:46 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 18, 2019 1:06 PM in response to Ben_S_

When your Express is in bridge mode.. the WAN port should be assigned to LAN.

So when you look at the Airport Utility.. you see both your Express.. swap the ethernet connection from WAN (which is what I am guessing you are using) to LAN.. Or LAN to WAN if you happen to have done it upside down...does it still show up.. can you click on it and see its settings.. if so both ethernet ports are working..

I do not have a gen2 express to look at.. but does the ethernet port have a light on it??

This is true for extreme and time capsules.. but gen1 express missed out.. I am guessing the gen2 express also might have missed out. That is about all the diagnostics Apple thinks you deserve.

There is one scenario where the computer fails even if the ethernet port is good.. it is where the port on the computer is set to gigabit.. but since the Express cannot connect at gigabit it simply fails. For the vast majority of people any computer has the port set to auto configuration.. but just check that it is set to auto negotiate speed.

Are you running 7.6.9 firmware on Express? If you use 7.8 well just about anything could happen.. do go back to older firmware.. and reset it to factory and start fresh configuration.

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Answer 2

Jan 18, 2019 11:59 AM in response to Ben_S_

Yes, you should be able to use the ethernet port.

With the router setup in bridge it should work.. it sounds to me like you have something else messed up here.

eg Express 2 has its wireless set to extend.. instead of create. Or perhaps Join a wireless network instead of create. Is that a possible?

Did you test this particular computer and ethernet cable on your main switch.. if it works there.. I don't understand why it would fail if the Express is setup correctly.. other than actual faulty express.

NOTE.. your express only have 10/100 ports so you are perhaps slowing down your network using express in this position.

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Answer 3

Ben_S_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2019 2:03 PM in response to Ben_S_

Okay, rolling back firmware is ridiculously easy with these. Click the device in AirPort Utility, hold the Option key and click the version number, select the old version you want to revert to.

I reverted to 7.6.9 firmware on Express 2, and did a hard reset. The behavior was exactly the same, it would only connect via Ethernet if the adapter's speed was set to 10Mbps.

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Answer 4

Ben_S_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2019 1:48 PM in response to Ben_S_

Also, both AirPort Express base stations are running 7.8 firmware. I'll have to look up how to go back to older firmware and see if that makes any difference.

I did also confirm on my son's laptop that unless he dialed his Ethernet adapter back to 10Mbps/Full Duplex it wouldn't work, but worked (slowly) when he did.

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Answer 5

Ben_S_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2019 12:15 PM in response to LaPastenague

I checked the settings on Express 2, it is set to create a wireless network.

I've also checked the computer (both) on other Ethernet connections and they work fine and tried multiple known good Ethernet cables.

I guess that sounds like it's the device itself? Are there any diagnostics that I can do to check it? It doesn't show any problems -- green light all the way.

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Answer 6

Ben_S_ Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2019 1:34 PM in response to LaPastenague

I see both Express in the AirPort Utility. I moved the connection on Express 2 from WAN to LAN and it still shows up and I can see the settings.

The Ethernet port does have a status light on it, it is solid green.

Using my MBP with a Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter, I connected to the Express 2. I adjusted the Thunderbolt Ethernet hardware settings to configure manually. I was able to get an IP address only when the speed was set to 10baseT/UTP. I also couldn't get download speeds any greater than 9Mbps. I tried setting the speed to 100baseTX and couldn't get a valid IP address.

So it appears that the limitation is the hardware connecting to the Express Ethernet port. I'm sure my son's Alienware laptop has gigabit Ethernet.

Thanks for all your help.

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Using Ethernet on AirPort Express roaming network

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