Q: how to setup multiple airport extremes to support hundreds of users

Ethernet backbone.. each Extreme setup as bridged and with fixed wireless channels.. all use the same wireless name.. short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric..

The basic setup is as per the Apple document for roaming network.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

The hundreds of users.. that is getting beyond normal networks though. If you literally mean hundreds of users. look at Ubiquiti equipment.. it is going to have much better management and controls than apple stuff which is domestic equipment.. and really should not be pressed into industrial scale.

Hello, old.IT.guy,

It might be best to call a young IT guy to come out, do a site survey, and likely tell you that Apple is not what you want.

In any case, insist on a written proposal that spells out exactly what the network will and will not do....and who will fix it when it breaks.

It might help to know that the Apple Store does not use Apple routers to run their network. There just might be a message there.

it is far better to go over budget and come up with a network that works well, rather than wind up spending three times as much  in the long run to fix a "budget" network that does not work.

But, you already know that. I hope that the folks on the finance committee will listen and understand.

Best of luck on your church network. I hope that it will do exactly what you want.

old.IT.guy wrote:

(We are a non prof).

 

Thx!!

 

: )

non prof.. should not mean non-professional.. just not for profit.

Ubiquiti is very reasonably priced.

It is a good balance between the expensive commercial systems like CIsco and HP.. and trying to press into service domestic gear which in the end will give you grief.

But I agree with Bob.. get a quote for this to be done for you by someone who knows.. even if you do the install yourself get people to come in .. plan it and set it up. The difference it makes is huge.

I presume everyone is following the sermon on their ipad nowadays.. LOL!!