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Airport Extreme ethernet connection to AirPort Express via LAN or WAN?

I know this is very old equipment.... but it still works. Have been using an AirPort Extreme (7.9.1 version) for several years with no issues. Due to a dead zone in a corner of the house, I now need to extend the WiFi signal to that area. I did set this AirPort Express (7.8.1 version) up using "Create a wireless network" in Airport Utility. This is the set up currently: My Cable Modem is connected to the AirPort Extreme WAN port - this is connected to the AirPort Express LAN port via ethernet cable. It is working with WiFi speeds up to 93mbps on the Mac that is sitting next to the AirPort Express. (When the Mac was connected directly via the the ethernet cable I was at 608 mbps and I knew I would loose speed via the Express wireless, but I need WiFi in that area of the house) BUT, I am wondering if I have set this up wrong by using the LAN port on the Express. Was I supposed to use the WAN port? What is the difference? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

AirPort Extreme

Posted on Sep 26, 2023 12:38 PM

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18 replies

Oct 5, 2023 4:59 PM in response to imac4me

Purchased used AirPort Extreme off ebay. Got that.


Connected ethernet cord to LAN port on Airport Express. No, not correct.


You would connect the Ethernet cable from one of the 3 LAN <--> ports on the "main" AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Ebay AirPort Extreme.....not the AirPort Express.


Leave the AirPort Express powered off and not connected at all for now and start over with a new setup of the AirPort Extreme. Make sure that you are using at least CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet cable. A bad connector on an Ethernet plug or port will still allow a connection, but the maximum speed will be less than 100 Mbps.


Use a short spare Ethernet cable for the setup, so both AirPort Extremes will be close to each other.

Connect the cable from one of the 3 LAN <--> ports on the main AirPort Extreme to the "O" port on the Ebay AirPort Extreme. Later, you can connect the cable to one of the LAN ports, but I would use the WAN "O" port on the Ebay Extreme


Open AirPort Utility

Click on the Other Wi-Fi Devices button

Click on AirPort Extreme xxxxxx


AirPort Utility will suggest the correct setup to extend the network. The window will look like this except that you will see another AirPort Extreme pictured.....not an AirPort Express.





Type in a name that you want to call the Ebay AirPort Extreme

Click Next


The next window will look like this example except that you will see another AirPort Extreme displayed



When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.


Now move the Ebay AirPort Extreme to the remote location where it is needed. You can connect to the WAN "O" port or any of the LAN ports. Personally, I prefer the WAN to know at a glance that the Ethernet cable is coming from the other AirPort Extreme.


Power up the AirPort Extreme and run a few speed checks. The speed checks should be very similar to the results from the "main" AirPort Extreme.


If you still see less than 100 Mbps, you have a defective Ethernet cable or a bad Ethernet port on one of the devices.


I have two AirPort Extremes set up and connected using Ethernet, and the speed of both AirPorts is virtually identical when I run a few speed checks.









Sep 26, 2023 5:59 PM in response to imac4me

Well.....the AirPort Express.....and AirPort Extreme, if you decide to get one......will be in Bridge Mode when set up as extenders. And.....in Bridge Mode.....all Ethernet ports behave the same as LAN ports, so it does not matter which port is used.


In other words, there is no WAN port when the AirPort is set up in Bridge Mode, which it will be as an extender.


Personally, I would connect to the WAN port on the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme if only to know at a glance that the connection is coming from another device.





Sep 26, 2023 6:13 PM in response to Bob Timmons


"And.....in Bridge Mode.....all Ethernet ports behave the same as LAN ports, so it does not matter which port is used."


Ok, that explains it. It does not matter. Did not know that. That is why it is working as it is supposed to - although AirPort Express is 90mbps (like you said), but fine speed for what I am using it for.


I really do not know too much about setting up this stuff. Learning as I go along!! Sure wish Apple still made these routers. I dread the time when mine no longer work and I have to set up a whole new router system for my home..... These seem to just play nice with all my Apple ecosystem things.


Thanks again Bob for the assistance. Great that people like you are here for people like me! :-)

Sep 26, 2023 6:25 PM in response to imac4me

I think you will be really happy.....performance wise.....if decide to go for an AirPort Extreme.


I'm still using two AirPort Extremes here connected together by Ethernet. On a 500 Mbps Internet connection, things usually test out at about 550 Mbps on either AirPort Extreme.


Apple's set up is about as simple as it can get, but post back if you run into any snags.

Oct 6, 2023 1:31 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob for the quick reply. (Connected ethernet cord to LAN port on Airport Express. No, not correct. was a typo on my end. Defiantly meant to say AirPort Extreme, not the Express -LOL)


Before I embark on the steps that you suggested above, I wanted to know if I should reset the eBay AirPort Extreme to a soft reset, hard reset or factory default reset? I believe when I first initially did the reset it said in the Airport Utility that it was a "soft reset". Just want to make sure to do it correctly this time.


Thanks again!!

Sep 26, 2023 5:08 PM in response to imac4me

The AirPort Extreme has Gigabit 1,000 Mbps Ethernet ports.


The AirPort Express has 100 Mbps Ethernet ports.


So, the Wi-Fi on the AirPort Express is never going to be any more than 100 Mbps. Real world, you could expect 85-95 Mbps performance from the Express.


Interested in 600+ Mbps performance from your "extender"? Buy another AirPort Extreme from Ebay.

Oct 5, 2023 3:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons


Ok, ran into a snag....... Purchased used AirPort Extreme off ebay and have connected it to my existing AirPort Extreme via ethernet connection. Order of what I did: Connected ethernet cord to LAN port on Airport Express. Plugged in power cord to AirPort Express, waited a minute. Then pushed the reset button for 8 seconds and released. Blinking amber light came on. I did notice in Airport Utility it said something about a "soft reset", but I proceeded forward anyway, wasn't sure what that meant. (I then saw that the used AirPort Express had original person's settings) Proceeded to edit old settings to my set up with my password, names, etc. Set up as "Create wireless network", etc. Everything looks fine in settings, but the speed is not what I should be getting.


I am only getting 90 mbps down and 23 mbps up when testing iMac via OOKLA Speediest website. Xfinity Speed test coming out the same. This is the same speed I was getting with the Airport Express, which is slower than the Extreme. Doesn't make sense as I should be getting much faster speeds. This is with the AirPort Extreme directly behind my iMac and wireless.


I did update the AirPort Extreme to most current firmware of 7.9.1.


I did not - yet - "forget" the original Aiport Express router that shows on Airport Utility. The unit is unplugged and in not connected in any way so I figured it would not have any effect on the set up.


Do I need to do something else to get it to faster wifi speeds? Not sure what is wrong. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oct 6, 2023 6:04 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob, will do the hard reset.


But.....I am beginning to think that my old ethernet cable is the problem. The plastic tab has broken off the jack and some wires are exposed. It is an older ethernet cable that we ran years ago. Guess it might be the problem. I took a look online to see how to recrimp it, so maybe I can get the hubby to try and fix it. Will need to purchase tools, etc to do this. Not sure how hard it might be. Neither of us are very techie!


Interesting though - as the ethernet cable (even though it is not a tight connection) does not cause an slow downs when directly connected to my Mac. Speeds from 500 - almost 900. But when connected to the eBay Apple Extreme, it is no more than speeds of 80s - 90s. So that is why I never suspected the cable being bad. But I guess it is. Here is a photo of the cable.

Sep 26, 2023 5:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks Bob for the explanation of the speed issue. That explains that. I think I will look into picking up a cheap Airport Extreme on ebay. Good suggestion.


But my important question is, do I have the ethernet cable in the correct port on the AirPort Express? I currently have it running into the LAN port, and am wondering if it should be in the WAN port. Don't really understand the difference. Which port should it be. Thanks!

Oct 8, 2023 4:36 PM in response to imac4me

SOLVED! Did a hard reset on the AirPort Extreme as suggested. And also then crimped a brand new RJ-45 connector on the existing ethernet cable going from the wall into the ebay Airport Extreme and now receiving great speeds again. So the ebay AirPort Express does not appear to have bad ports which is great news for me.


Mac is hard wired to the ebay Airport Extreme router and receiving 600-800+ mbps

iPhone via wifi from the ebay AirPort Extreme is getting 400-500 mbps


These are great speeds for me now! Thanks again so much for the detailed information that you provided. Really, really was a great help :-)

Feb 1, 2024 8:41 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob, how are you?

I do have to AirPort Extreme and have them running as you suggest. Is really good. My question for you is the follow. I have around 60 feet apart in a different floor the other AirPort Extreme. Does it matter to use the cat 7 or 8 Ethernet cable or with the 6 will be ok?

thanks a lot

best

JP

Airport Extreme ethernet connection to AirPort Express via LAN or WAN?

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