rayson
Level 1 (55 points)

Q: Express with Extreme?

I currently have an Airport Express for my home wireless network.  I would like to connect my DirecTV receiver to the network to take advantage of some new features, but there is no additional ethernet port on the Express.  I don't want to just switch to an Airport Extreme because it doesn't support Airplay or Airtunes or whatever they call it now (for playing music from an iMac to the stereo). Do I need both an Express and an Extreme, and if so how to I connect them (which one comes first after the DSL modem)?  Or is there a single-device solution?

Posted on Feb 12, 2012 10:00 AM

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rayson

Q: Express with Extreme?

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  • by Gino Cerullo,

    Gino Cerullo Gino Cerullo Feb 12, 2012 10:18 AM in response to rayson
    Level 4 (1,456 points)
    Feb 12, 2012 10:18 AM in response to rayson

    Yes, adding an Extreme would solve your problem. You would connect the Extreme to your DSL modem and it would become the main router. After that you would add the Express to the Extreme and set the Express to extend the network. You can extend the network wirelessly and free up the ethernet port on the Express to allow you to connect the DirecTV so it can join the network. The Express will continue to provide AirPlay.

  • by Joseph Kriz,

    Joseph Kriz Joseph Kriz Feb 12, 2012 11:57 AM in response to rayson
    Level 5 (5,144 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 12, 2012 11:57 AM in response to rayson

    A less expense way is to just purchase another Airport Express...

     

    Have the new Airport Express "Join" your existing network...

    Do Not have it extend the network as it would be too close to your exisiting main base station and may cause problems....

     

    Then you could plug your DirecTV into the second Airport Express using an ethernet cable...

    Just make sure you check the box in this Airport Express to allow ethernet clients...

     

    Again, Do Not use the extended unless the second base station is a distance away and unless you absolutely need the extended mode...

    See this Apple doc...

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259