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Hi, I'm looking to set up an Wireless network using Multiple SSID's (Business and Guest) using one airport extreme and three Airport Expresses.
Are the Airport Expresses capable of bridging multiple ssids or extending multiple ssids?
What's the best practice on setting this up?
Regards,
Mike
By default, the AirPort Extreme will provide a simultaneous dual band signal for the "main" network, with both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands using the same wireless network name. You could think of this as your Business network.
Wireless devices will connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band based on their capabilities and distance from the AirPort Extreme.
For example, most iPhones can only connnect to 2.4 GHz, so that is where they will connect. A newer laptop will be able to connect to either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
5 GHz signals are faster, but much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so the 5 GHz signals tend to be pretty much a line-of-sight or close proximity type of connection. In other words, if a laptop is in cloxe proximity to the AirPort Extreme, it will likely connect to the 5 GHz band. If the laptop moves a few rooms away, it will likey connect to the 2.4 GHz band.
The AirPort Extreme does have an option to enable a Guest Network......IF.....you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to a simple modem....not a modem/router or gateway type of device.
If you are not sure what you have, post back with the make and model number of your "modem". If you do not have the right type of modem, you will not be able to configure a Guest Network.
Important.....the Guest Network cannot be extended. The signal will only be produced by the AirPort Extreme.
I assume that you want to use the Express devices to "extend" the signal using wireless only.
Since the AirPort Express models that you have are not simultaneous dual band devices, they will be able to extend one band of the AirPort Extreme's wireless signal. In most cases, the Express will extend the 2.4 GHz band, since it is the stronger signal.
Each AirPort Express connects to the AirPort Extreme's signal, so each AirPort Express will need to be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme.
It would be better if you could connect each AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection. This would allow you to locate each AirPort Express exactly where it will be needed.
By default, the AirPort Extreme will provide a simultaneous dual band signal for the "main" network, with both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands using the same wireless network name. You could think of this as your Business network.
Wireless devices will connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band based on their capabilities and distance from the AirPort Extreme.
For example, most iPhones can only connnect to 2.4 GHz, so that is where they will connect. A newer laptop will be able to connect to either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
5 GHz signals are faster, but much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so the 5 GHz signals tend to be pretty much a line-of-sight or close proximity type of connection. In other words, if a laptop is in cloxe proximity to the AirPort Extreme, it will likely connect to the 5 GHz band. If the laptop moves a few rooms away, it will likey connect to the 2.4 GHz band.
The AirPort Extreme does have an option to enable a Guest Network......IF.....you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to a simple modem....not a modem/router or gateway type of device.
If you are not sure what you have, post back with the make and model number of your "modem". If you do not have the right type of modem, you will not be able to configure a Guest Network.
Important.....the Guest Network cannot be extended. The signal will only be produced by the AirPort Extreme.
I assume that you want to use the Express devices to "extend" the signal using wireless only.
Since the AirPort Express models that you have are not simultaneous dual band devices, they will be able to extend one band of the AirPort Extreme's wireless signal. In most cases, the Express will extend the 2.4 GHz band, since it is the stronger signal.
Each AirPort Express connects to the AirPort Extreme's signal, so each AirPort Express will need to be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme.
It would be better if you could connect each AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection. This would allow you to locate each AirPort Express exactly where it will be needed.
Thanks. You've configrmed my suspicions.
Multiple SSID network; 1 Extreme (current gen) + 3 Express (2011 models)
