On the Ariport Express Wiki page, it states that the old model A108x does not have "Wireless-to-Ethernet Bridge mode" while the newer (A1264) model has it. If in fact the newer model does have this, what does it allow one to do vs having the older model? ( I have the older model )
Thank you.
It is correct that only the newer 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) supports being configured as a wireless Ethernet bridge. Apple calls this configuration a ProxySTA.
And if you configure the newer AX as such, what can you then do that you can't with the older model?
... you can connect either a single wired network client or connect an Ethernet switch to support multiple wired network clients for network/Internet connectivity.
OK, let me see if I've got this right: if I had an older model Express as my base model and another older model used to extend the signal, I could not use the available ethernet port of the second express to connect to a laptop that does not have a wireless card and access the internet on that laptop. But if I had two of the newer models (or an extreme as my base and one newer express), then I would be able to use the express' port to wire into the laptop and access the internet. Yes?
OK, let me see if I've got this right: if I had an older model Express as my base model and another older model used to extend the signal, I could not use the available ethernet port of the second express to connect to a laptop that does not have a wireless card and access the internet on that laptop.
No that is not correct. You can configure the two 802.11g AirPorts in a WDS. The second Express' Ethernet port WOULD be enabled for wired clients.
But if I had two of the newer models (or an extreme as my base and one newer express), then I would be able to use the express' port to wire into the laptop and access the internet. Yes?
Sorry, if I am causing you additional confusion. You basically have three choices to enable the second Express' Ethernet port for wired clients:
Man, do I feel like a dolt. So, if you can connect a non-wireless laptop to the old express as described in your last post (using two older g expresses configured for WDS) , then what does the newer model offer that is different? I guess I am coming back to my ''wireless to ethernet bridge mode" question -- isn't connecting a laptop via ethernet to the older express the same thing as connecting a "single wired network client" that the newer model offers . If yes, then what is the advantage of having the newer model?
The bottom line? Bandwidth performance. With a pair of 802.11g base stations configured for WDS, the maximum overall bandwidth will be around 25-27 Mbps. That is because a WDS requires a signficant amount of bandwidth to operate. For a pair of 802.11n base stations, that number would increase to around 125-130 Mbps (2.4 GHz) or 270-300 Mbps (5 GHz).
Tesserax
I really, really appreciate your patience with me. I guess I got hung up trying to understand what I saw on the Wiki page when , from what you are saying above, both models allow for the ethernet port to be used on the second express (the one that is not connected to your modem ) when they are configured in a WDS or extended setup.
I am just going to ask one more thing 🙂 and then I am going to let this go:
You said "It is correct that only the newer 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) supports being configured as a wireless Ethernet bridge." So, is connecting to the internet via the ethernet port on the older g model (while using two of the g models in a WDS setup) NOT the same as a "wireless ethernet bridge" ?
First off, no problem, please ask as many questions as you like. We all learn from the experience from fellow users.
The major difference between extending a wireless network (either by the extend or WDS method) versus a wireless Ethernet bridge is that in the latter, the wireless network is NOT extended. The second Express will NOT broadcast a wireless network and will only be available to provide network connectivity to wired clients. Wireless clients in the vicinity of the second Express will not be able to connect to it. Does that help make more sense?
NOW I get it !! That's what I was trying to understand. Thank you so much !
Airport Express -- old model vs new - question
