Using Airport extreme as a network switch
Is it possible to use an Airport Extreme base station as a network switch?
I have a fiber optic internet connection. My ISP has supplied me with a modem. I have an Airport Extreme base station (dome shaped) connected to the ethernet port of this modem, and this Airport Extreme is the main base station creating my wireless network. I have two Airport Express base stations connected to this network to stream music to my stereo around the apartment. Works like a charm 🙂
I am now about to move to a different apartment and my ISP will change the modem to another version so that this also is a router, and will be able to create a wireless network. In addition there is one LAN port on the modem. There are wired connections around the apartment, and I plan to set up the network this way:
The modem from my ISP will create the wireless network. I connect my Airport Extreme to the LAN port of this modem, and configure it to work in "bridge mode". I connect my iMac and one of the Airport Express base stations to the two LAN ports on the Airport Extreme. I can then connect my printer to the USB port of the Airport Extreme, and my stereo to the the Airport Express. My iMac and my base stations will then be connected to the network by wired connections, and I can connect my iPhone/ iPad/ Macbook to the network by WiFi.
Will this work? One alternative is to buy a separate network switch, and then connect the base stations and iMac to this switch. Another alternative is to connect all items to the router through WiFi. Which will be the best alternative?
I have a fiber optic internet connection. My ISP has supplied me with a modem. I have an Airport Extreme base station (dome shaped) connected to the ethernet port of this modem, and this Airport Extreme is the main base station creating my wireless network. I have two Airport Express base stations connected to this network to stream music to my stereo around the apartment. Works like a charm 🙂
I am now about to move to a different apartment and my ISP will change the modem to another version so that this also is a router, and will be able to create a wireless network. In addition there is one LAN port on the modem. There are wired connections around the apartment, and I plan to set up the network this way:
The modem from my ISP will create the wireless network. I connect my Airport Extreme to the LAN port of this modem, and configure it to work in "bridge mode". I connect my iMac and one of the Airport Express base stations to the two LAN ports on the Airport Extreme. I can then connect my printer to the USB port of the Airport Extreme, and my stereo to the the Airport Express. My iMac and my base stations will then be connected to the network by wired connections, and I can connect my iPhone/ iPad/ Macbook to the network by WiFi.
Will this work? One alternative is to buy a separate network switch, and then connect the base stations and iMac to this switch. Another alternative is to connect all items to the router through WiFi. Which will be the best alternative?
27´´ iMac, 17´´ Powerbook G4, iPhone 3GS, Mac OS X (10.6.4)
