How can I connect my AirPort Extreme to an airport express using a wired ethernet port?

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How can I connect my AirPort Extreme to an airport express using a wired ethernet port?

Ok, I'm really struggling. So I have an AirPort Extreme hooked up through my modem upstairs. I have a downstairs loft that I really want a wired connection too. I tried using an airport express to extend the signal but the signal is very poor. I have a ethernet port in the wall that runs from upstairs into my loft. Can I plug my modem into my AirPort Extreme in the wan port. Then plug the ethernet cable that runs into my loft from upstairs into the LAN port of the extreme, which runs the signal downstairs into my loft (it works I've done it, the signal is great), then hook up my express to the ethernet port in the loft and use the express to send out a wifi signal and use the LAN port to wire some devices as well? I've looked for days and can't figure out an answer.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Oct 6, 2013 2:13 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 6, 2013 3:18 AM in response to knightmare26

Yes, you can do what you want..

Extreme upstairs is the main router??

It will work exactly as you suggest.. the Express would be better used upstairs and the extreme downstairs if you don't have much in the way of ethernet clients up there.

The express in the loft.. (I always thought of loft as in the roof area.. ??)

Can be setup bridged mode and create a wireless network.. setup roaming with the extreme.. ie same name for wireless same security setting and password.

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

But you might need a switch if you have multiple units for the loft.

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Answer 2

knightmare26 Author

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Oct 6, 2013 8:31 AM in response to LaPastenague

It's is a different setup to have a bottom loft. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment, which is all upstairs, and the loft is downstairs, its just one room, not really big but big enough to make a little "man cave" out of. When I go to the link you suggested, when I get to how to configure a roaming network, on step 3 it says "If you are configuring the primary wi-fi base station, set connection sharing to "share a public IP address."" Thats the problem, I don't have that option. The screen on the example is from a time capsule, maybe thats why it doesn't have that option but I don't. Any ideas?

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Answer 3

Oct 6, 2013 1:57 PM in response to knightmare26

The roaming setup is simple.. it makes no difference what mode the units you are using as long as both create a wireless network.. if both are bridged or both are set wrongly to DHCP and NAT or whatever.. ignore that part.

Roaming network depends on only one thing. Identical WAP setup..

So each unit has same wireless name. Same security and same wireless password.. then both will work.

But your setup requires that the unit in the "loft" man cave is something I understand.. is bridged.. as far as network is concerned. It must get IP from the unit upstairs.

This is router bridge. Not wireless bridge.

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Answer 4

knightmare26 Author

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Oct 6, 2013 4:01 PM in response to LaPastenague

Thank you so much it works awesome now!

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