Basic network design advice

1. Are there any reasons I should not connect a second network up and should just use a single roaming network instead?

It depends on your requirements. If you want to be able to "walk" a laptop throughout the house, have it pick the strongest Wi-Fi signal automatically, and stay on the same network, then you want a "roaming network".

If you want everything to work in a "roaming" configuration, it is often tricky to match up the exact wireless security settings on routers from different manufacturers. To work correctly, the wireless network name, security settings and password must match up exactly between all devices.

Most users know their wireless network name and password, but may not know exactly what type of wireless security that is being used. If the settings do not match up exactly between all routers, then you wind up with separate networks, not a roaming network.

If I do create a second netwrok, would I just plug the ethernet cable from one of my walls into the Airport Extreme?

You would "create a wireless network" in Bridge Mode no matter whether you wanted a roaming network or separate network.

If you want a separate network, assign a different name to the wireless network. Computers will need to log on separately to this network.

I'm assuming that the Ethernet cable is routed back to one of the LAN ports on the "main" router. If that is the case, then the AirPort can plug directly into the closest wall jack.

1. Are there any other drawbacks to having two separate networks vs. a roaming network? Speed issues?

No, it is just a matter of what works best for you.

2. So to get a good roaming network, what if I replace the Cisco router with the Extreme N and put the Airport Express in the downstairs bedroom.

While you could do this, there would be no advantage to this unless you don't want to use the Cisco device.

3. So the Airport Express would be placed into bridge mode in order to extend the network into a roaming network?

Both the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express would be configured in Bridge Mode, whether you choose a roaming or separate network....assuming that the Cisco router is being used.

I'm assuming here that the Express is also connected via Ethernet cable.

The Express will not be connected via ethernet

In that case, the Express would be configured to "Extend a wireless network". When it is setup this way, you don't have to worry about configuring it in Bridge Mode.....that occurs automatically by default.

I figure by having Mac networking gear I could configure them easily with my Mac or iPhone.

Makes sense.

Hi Bob Timmons! You seam to know a lot about wireless network. I've four questions for you.

Is using the option "Create a wireless network" on a Time Capsule will create a second wireless network if I use the same name and exact same settings as the wireless network created by an Airport Extreme?

Why using the "Create a wireless network" option to extend a wireless network since there's an option to "Extend a wireless network"? Why using it if you want to connect via ethernet?

I've discovered something I don't understand while plugin my Time Capsule. I've set it up using the option "Extend a wireless network" and everything is fine, but if I plug an ethernet cable on my Time Capsule that is relied to my Airport Extreme that creates the network, I loose all signal. I just don't understand why I loose all signal if I connect my Time Capsule to my Airport Extreme via ethernet while my Time Capsule is on "Extend a wireless network" option.

With Airport Utility 6, I can see the wireless client name of my iPhone, but not those of my Macs. I've already set it up on my Mac as you can see on the picture. I don't know why.

Thanks!

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