Roaming and extending big wireless network

Question

Level 1

10 points

Roaming and extending big wireless network

Hello,

I have a difficult situation with large 3-floors office and outdoor area. The area has rectangular form.

The internet modem installed in server's room in a center of the first floor. Also, there is AUX input to audio system and I would like use Airport Express for streaming audio from Apple devices to office's audio system. We have one ethernet port in a right side of second floor, only. And haven't any options to extend the LAN network.

So, there is my big idea based on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 and http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259:

1st floor

1) Modem > ethernet > AirPort Time Capsule: primary wifi base station which covering a 1st floor's central area.

2) AirPort Time Capsule > ethernet > AirPort Express > audio cable > audio system: enabling audio streaming feature without wifi role.

3) AirPort Time Capsule > wifi > AirPort Extreme (Right side 1st floor): extended wifi covering in a right side of the 1st floor and outdoor area.

4) AirPort Time Capsule > wifi > AirPort Extreme (Left side 1st floor): extended wifi covering in a left side of the 1st floor and outdoor area.

2nd floor (area size is a half 1st floor)

5) AirPort Time Capsule > ethernet > AirPort Extreme (Right side 2nd floor): extended wifi covering in a right side of the 2nd floor and outdoor area.

6) AirPort Extreme (Right side 2nd floor) > wifi > AirPort Extreme (Central 2nd floor): extended wifi covering in a left and central side of the 2nd floor and outdoor area.

3rd floor (area size is a half 2nd floor)

7) AirPort Extreme (Right side 2nd floor) > wifi > AirPort Extreme (Central 3rd floor): extended wifi covering on 3rd floor.

1 x Time Capsule, 1 x Express and 5 x Extreme in overall.

Will it idea works fine? Will it work as a one SSID when devices reconnect to best hotspot automaticaly?

And can I use a cheaper Express for wifi extending instead Extreme?

Thank you!

Posted on Dec 16, 2012 5:27 AM

Reply

Answer 1

edex67

Level 4

3,255 points

Dec 16, 2012 7:23 AM in response to saalse

You can use an Express as an extender for a WiFi network.

I think it should work as one SSID, if you set them to be the same SSID. I haven't tried it with 7 Apple routers but 3 work fine as one SSID (1x AirPort Extreme, 2x Time Capsule 1G).

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Answer 2

saalse Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 16, 2012 8:11 AM in response to edex67

What about the difference between wireless coverage Express and Extreme?

Are your devices connected together in "mixed mode"? For example, Extreme as a base station, 1st Capsule connected to base station via ethernet and extending wifi coverage, 2nd Capsule connected to base station via wifi and extending wifi too.

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Answer 3

edex67

Level 4

3,255 points

Dec 16, 2012 1:11 PM in response to saalse

The Extreme has better WiFi coverage.

Both the TCs are connected to the same base station, however as far as I am aware you can 'daisy chain' AirPorts.

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Answer 4

togear66

Level 1

35 points

Dec 16, 2012 7:29 PM in response to saalse

You must remember, wirelessly extending your network will cut your throughput in half. You should try to keep your Wi-Fi network as simple as possible. You can accomplish this by using the minimum number of Wi-Fi base stations required to serve the desired network area and by using Ethernet wherever possible. I suggest you try first with just one Time Capsule, Express for AirPlay, and Extreme for the second floor. If this is still insufficient, I highly recommend trying to wire ethernet to other areas of your house, and extending your network via Ethernet.

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Answer 5

saalse Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 17, 2012 6:22 PM in response to togear66

There is ADSL internet 8 MBit/s down and 1 MBit/s up, so half of throughput will be OK, am I right?

I really don't have any ways to extend ethernet network. And what about broadband over power line?

Nevertheless, I'll try your simple solution with TC, Express and Extreme. I hope it will work better than the current Cisco Aironet 1100.

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