Greetings,
I was hoping to expand ports from my Airport Express via a powered (however it's not a managed) 5-port data switch from Netgear. I'm not yet having luck by adding the switch directly after the cable modem (upstream?) or directly after the Airport Express (downstream). Curious if others have had success with similar setups or have suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Assuming that you have the cable modem connected to the WAN "O" port on the Express, the LAN <-> port will be enabled and it will provide an Ethernet signal for a wired device. Adding a switch to the port will increase the number of wired devices that can connect.
But, before you add the switch, have you tested the Ethernet port on the Express to make sure that it is working correctly.......by temporarily turning off the wireless on a laptop or desktop and connecting to the Ethernet LAN <-> port on the Express to see if you can get an Internet connection that way?
Assuming that you have the cable modem connected to the WAN "O" port on the Express, the LAN <-> port will be enabled and it will provide an Ethernet signal for a wired device. Adding a switch to the port will increase the number of wired devices that can connect.
But, before you add the switch, have you tested the Ethernet port on the Express to make sure that it is working correctly.......by temporarily turning off the wireless on a laptop or desktop and connecting to the Ethernet LAN <-> port on the Express to see if you can get an Internet connection that way?
Set the switch aside for now and connect an Ethernet device like a computer to the port on the AirPort Express. Do things work that way? If yes, you know that the Ethernet port on the Express is working correctly.
Now connect the unmanaged switch to the Express and test each of the ports on the switch using an Ethernet device like a computer.
If the switch is working correctly, all of the Ethernet ports on the switch will check out correctly. If some ports work and others don't, you have a defective switch. If none of the ports work on the switch, you have a defective switch.
Houston, we are fully online! Thanks for your help.
WiFi on
Hardwire laptop connected
Hardwire Windows desktop connected
Newly acquired mobile phone signal boost hardwire connected (takes signal from 1 bar to full bars)
1 port to spare
I appreciate your help!
Yes, port off of Express works. I previously used it for a hardwire connection to my laptop leading up to this transition. Maybe I'll test the switch alone first. Thx so much for quick reply!
Airport Express + Netgear data switch
