Kappy - I think I'd better back up as ask some more networking questions before returning to the questions/answer above. Please let me know if it's better for me to post a new discussion thread elsewhere.
Network summary:
- My house is wired with ethernet.
- I have the Verizon FiOS supplied wifi router in my basement (call it the northeast corner) with SSID "X". I haven't changed any settings on it, so it's in full wifi router mode with all settings at default. However, the signal is pretty weak on the opposite (west) side of the first floor where the heavy network use occurs (family room and kitchen).
- I have a late model AEBS ("AEBS1") on the first floor southwest corner with SSID "Y". I've turned it on, and did basic set up to get internet access, but did not put it into bridge mode. I'm using the wifi on the AEBS and also have a voip phone plugged in to a LAN port on the AEBS.
- I have the entertainment electronics (HDTV, BluRay Player, AppleTV) in the first floor family room connected to a network switch, which in turn is connected via ethernet to my FiOS router.
- I have an early 2012 model AEBS ("AEBS2") on the second floor southeast corner with SSID "Z". I've turned it on, and did basic set up to get internet access, but did not put it into bridge mode either. I'm have my MacMini connected via ethernet to the AEBS, but also use the wifi on it. The signals from both the FiOS and AEBS1 are pretty weak in this part of the floor, which is unforntunate because this is where my home office is.
Why do I have multiple AEBSes connected to the FiOS router and have all 3 units with their wifi on? And what am I trying accomplish?
- My house is such that no single wifi router has strong enough signal to service the major work/living areas of the house. Each wifi router seems to have good vertical signal strength, but not lateral. So, my intention here was to have all three devices working so that wifi is strong in each of the three high use zones of my house.
- I'm also trying to get a home network that allows me to connect a NAS and to have central iTunes, iPhoto, file storage.
- I'm also thinking that Lion Server could help me with #2 and other server functionality like centralized mobile device syncing and software update push.
Based on my network description and what I've been reading in the Forum, it sounds like I need to have my AEBS1 and AEBS2 in bridge mode so that I don't run into IP address contention issues.
Some questions:
4. If I put my AEBSes into bridge mode, then do I need to change any settings from the default ones on my FiOS router?
5. If in bridge mode, then do the SSIDs and passwords need to be the same for all 3 routers?
6. What happens if one or both AEBSes is not in bridge mode? This is my current situation, and I can still access the internet, but I must say that sometimes it has trouble loading websites. I didn't know why, but it may be because of the bridge/IP address contention issue, but I'm not sure.
I have tons of questions, but this is a good start.
Thanks in advance.