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User profile for user: actingman66
actingman66 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Airport Extreme/Express Third Party Compatibility?

I currently have an Airport Extreme base station (connected to internet via ethernet) and 5 Airport Expresses wirelessly linked to the base station, some to extend the network and others have speakers attached to play music. The configuration has worked like a dream for many years but the Extreme is starting to show its age -- dropping out, needing to restart, etc. Since Apple has left the router game, is it possible to replace the extreme base station and have the existing Airport Expresses still work with it? If not (or even if so) how might I replicate this scenario with non-Apple hardware when the time comes? Welcome any advice. Many thanks.

Posted on Jul 7, 2020 8:12 PM

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
169,676 points

Posted on Jul 7, 2020 8:55 PM

is it possible to replace the extreme base station and have the existing Airport Expresses still work with it?


Using a WiFi connection, the Expresses can "join" a third party wireless network for use with AirPlay, but they cannot "extend" the WiFi network.


Or, stated another way........if you want an Express or Expresses to provide additional wireless coverage for a third party network, the Expresses must connect back to the third party router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection. Then, the Expresses are configured to create a wireless network that uses the same wireless network name and password as the third party router network.


Technically, this is called a "roaming" network, which is a particular type of extended network.







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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
169,676 points

Jul 7, 2020 8:55 PM in response to actingman66

is it possible to replace the extreme base station and have the existing Airport Expresses still work with it?


Using a WiFi connection, the Expresses can "join" a third party wireless network for use with AirPlay, but they cannot "extend" the WiFi network.


Or, stated another way........if you want an Express or Expresses to provide additional wireless coverage for a third party network, the Expresses must connect back to the third party router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection. Then, the Expresses are configured to create a wireless network that uses the same wireless network name and password as the third party router network.


Technically, this is called a "roaming" network, which is a particular type of extended network.







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Airport Extreme/Express Third Party Compatibility?

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