Using an AirPort Extreme with new city-wide wireless...

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Using an AirPort Extreme with new city-wide wireless...

Hey all -

I stopped by my local Apple store yesterday and am not sure I trust the response I got. Here's my situation -

In my one-bedroom apartment, I have a wireless DSL router in my bedroom and an AirPort Express in my living room for iTunes streaming. They've worked great since January. The problem is this - my DSL is about to triple in price come September (darn one-year contract).

The upside is this - Madison has finally worked the kinks out of its city-wide wireless and is accessible from my home. But I'm not sure if my AirPort Express would still be accessible if it joined the city-wide wireless network in client mode (as it is in my apartment now). Otherwise, would an AirPort Extreme work as a wireless-to-wireless bridge, taking the city-wide wireless and rebroadcasting the signal in my apartment?

I'm having a hard time figuring out if this is possible; my instinct is that it isn't. I'd just hate to lose my ability to play music if I switch to the city-wide wireless. I hope this makes sense, and I appreciate any and all help!

powerbook g4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Jul 2, 2006 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

Duane

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124,293 points

Jul 3, 2006 9:18 PM in response to moinkoink

Otherwise, would an AirPort Extreme work as a wireless-to-wireless bridge, taking the city-wide wireless and rebroadcasting the signal in my apartment?

Probably not, there are only a very few devices that support Apple's WDS.

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Answer 2

Jul 4, 2006 12:44 AM in response to moinkoink

Isn't your powerbook wireless?

Could you not use that as the bridge for streaming to the Express?

Steve
p.s. I'd heard that all the big ISPs were trying to stop large wireless zones but obviously Madison has found a way around that.

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Answer 3

moinkoink Author

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Jul 4, 2006 6:06 PM in response to Steve Thompson

Isn't your powerbook wireless?

Could you not use that as the bridge for streaming to
the Express?

Yeah, the Powerbook is wireless. But can I both create the wireless network and remain connected to the city-wide wireless?

Madison is, indeed, a lucky place. Let's just hope that enough folks subscribe to the wireless to make it viable in the long run. Who knows, maybe it will all be free one day?

powerbook g4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

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Answer 4

Jul 5, 2006 1:51 AM in response to moinkoink

'But can I both create the wireless network and remain connected to the city-wide wireless?'

Yes I think so. To answer in more detail, can I draw parallels with my set-up?

I've an Extreme wired to a router (a house-wide, not city-wide network).
From this there are three computers that can all connect to the internet (one wired, two wireless)
As well as this I have four Expresses connected to various sound systems around the house.

The comparison I'm trying to make lies with my daughters PC laptop which, whilst always connected to the internet (via the Extreme) can be taken around the house and via Airtunes, play her iTunes library through any of the expresses.

Steve

iMac (ALS) G5 (2GB ram) Mac OS X (10.4.7) BondiG3 (10.3.9) extreme/express and an ipod

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Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jul 5, 2006 5:53 AM in response to moinkoink

But can I both create the wireless network and remain connected to the city-wide wireless?

No that is not possible.

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Answer 6

moinkoink Author

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Jul 5, 2006 9:45 AM in response to Duane

But can I both create the wireless
network and remain connected to the city-wide
wireless?

No that is not possible.

Then it seems I am right where I started. Is there a decent hardware workaround (ie, purchasing another AE for 'reception' and connecting via ethernet to the other for 'broadcasting')?

Thanks for everybody's help on this.

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Answer 7

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jul 5, 2006 10:27 AM in response to moinkoink

There is no Apple solution. Relaying a wireless signal with Apple's base stations requires their WDS technology. Only a very few (less than 5) non-Apple devices support this WDS.

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Answer 8

moinkoink Author

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Jul 5, 2006 11:36 AM in response to Duane

There is no Apple solution. Relaying a wireless
signal with Apple's base stations requires their WDS
technology. Only a very few (less than 5) non-Apple
devices support this WDS.

Where might I find this? Just exploring solutions here. Thanks!

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Answer 9

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jul 5, 2006 11:46 AM in response to moinkoink

You will need to look for non-Apple wireless relay devices. Sorry but I don't have any specific recommendations.

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