Extend network with Airport Express via ethernet

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Extend network with Airport Express via ethernet

I have a Smart/RG VDSL Modem/Router and 2 Airport Expresses that I've run ethernet cables to and are configured to extend the network as a roaming network. I want to add one more Airport Express to the setup configured the same way, but it would be a pain to run a dedicated ethernet cable from the Smart/RG to it.

Can I just connect an ethernet cable from the LAN port on one of the Airport Expresses to the WAN port on the new Airport Express? This would be much easier to do.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Posted on Sep 3, 2021 8:13 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

157,878 points

Sep 3, 2021 8:18 AM in response to djborden

djborden wrote:

Can I just connect an ethernet cable from the LAN port on one of the Airport Expresses to the WAN port on the new Airport Express? This would be much easier to do.

Yes, that should work ... and actually, it won't matter which port you use on the third Express, as in a roaming configuration, each Express would be in bridge mode. However, for consistency, use the WAN port would be fine.

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Answer 2

djborden Author

Level 1

57 points

Sep 3, 2021 10:12 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you for you response. That's what I'll do.

If I might as a follow up - A friend has a similar setup but recently had 1 GB internet service installed, which the Airport can't handle. He is being advised to do a mesh network, but they have several concrete walls that the wifi doesn't get through very well. Is there a mesh network product that would allow them to do a similar thing to what the Airport does - in other words that they can use the existing ethernet cables to connect to each of the Mesh nodes? Or is there another non-mesh alternative that would work?

Thanks Again.

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Answer 3

Sep 3, 2021 11:50 AM in response to djborden

The Netgear Orbi mesh systems, Eero mesh systems, and Linksys Velop mesh systems will do what you ask There may be others as well.

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Extend network with Airport Express via ethernet

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