Replacing my defunct Airport Express and adding it to my wireless network, Airport Utility only seemed to give me one option: join an already existing network, but the Wireless Mode options include join a wireless network, participate in a WDS network, and extend a wireless network. Can anyone parse out the differences between these?
"Join a wireless network" is used to connect the AirPort Express to an existing wireless network for use with AirTunes or to connect a remote printer using the USB port on the Express.
"Extend a wireless network" is used if you want the AirPort Express to perform the same functions as "join" and also provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located. You must have an Apple "n" main wireless router for this to work.
"WDS" performs the same as "join" and "extend", but is used with an older "b/g" Apple main wireless router.
"Join a wireless network" is used to connect the AirPort Express to an existing wireless network for use with AirTunes or to connect a remote printer using the USB port on the Express.
"Extend a wireless network" is used if you want the AirPort Express to perform the same functions as "join" and also provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located. You must have an Apple "n" main wireless router for this to work.
"WDS" performs the same as "join" and "extend", but is used with an older "b/g" Apple main wireless router.
Thank you, Bob, for clarifying. Couldn't be clearer.
Would you have an opinion on the advantages to switching out my older AEBS ("b/g") main wireless router (which still works fine) with my newer TC "n"? Would I be able to make backups wirelessly (I have my TC connected by ethernet cable presently and only use it as an externasl hd)?
The main advantage to switching out the older AEBS for the TC would be faster "n" wireless speeds on the TC. If you plan to backup using wireless, things will go at least twice as fast using "n" speeds compared to "g".
Ethernet is still the fastest connection to use, so it will still be at least 3-4 times faster than even "n" wireless.
Forgot to mention that Ethernet will be faster as well using the TC since it has Gigabit Ethernet ports (1000 Mbps). The older "b/g" version will handle up to 100 Mbps
Bob,
Again many thanks. You're a great resource to have on this forum! One of Apple's National Treasures, for sure.
Happy to help. Many thanks for the nice words! 🙂
Wireless Mode. Which one?
