ed128
Level 1 (4 points)
iPhone

Q: Add airport extreme to an existing wired network.

I want to add airport extreme to an existing wired network. I DON'T want to extend the network from another airport. I will be turning off DHCP in the Airport so the the main DHCP server passes through. The airport extreme setup steps only wants to EXTEND airport from another airport i have connected to the wired network. Do I connect the wired cat6 cable into the LAN port instead of the WAN port?  Thank you.

Posted on Jan 15, 2014 5:53 AM

by Tesserax,Solvedanswer
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,901 points)
Wireless
A:

With the routers interconnected by Ethernet you want to make sure that you are configuring them for a roaming network, not an extended network. The end result is the same as far as extending the wireless range.

 

In a roaming network each wireless router added would perform as a wireless access point and broadcast a wireless network. The trick is that each of these networks would use the same network name & security password as the "main" wireless router ... the one directly connected to the Internet modem. In this type of network you are not restricted to having to use all Apple routers as you can easily mix other manufacturer's products.

 

In this case your AirPort Extreme would no longer perform as a router, but a combination wireless access point and Ethernet switch.

Posted on Jan 16, 2014 8:51 AM

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ed128

Q: Add airport extreme to an existing wired network.

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 15, 2014 8:36 AM in response to ed128
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 15, 2014 8:36 AM in response to ed128

    What is your goal with the AirPort Extreme if it is NOT to extend an existing wireless network? That is do you want it to broadcast a second wireless network or no network at all? ... or do you just want to use it as an Ethernet switch?

  • by ed128,

    ed128 ed128 Jan 15, 2014 12:36 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 15, 2014 12:36 PM in response to Tesserax

    I would like to use it as another wireless access point to extend the WIRED network however following apple's instructions as I go step by step through the setup, it makes me choose one of the other airports to extend from with the Wireless utility. My understanding is that it takes the wifi signal from a particular airport that it makes me choose and further extends to the new airport. I don't want to do that and diminish bandwidth further. I simply want to attach onto the fast wired network for full bandwidth to the new access point without having to choose one of the other wifi's to extend. Thank you.

  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Jan 16, 2014 8:51 AM in response to ed128
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 16, 2014 8:51 AM in response to ed128

    With the routers interconnected by Ethernet you want to make sure that you are configuring them for a roaming network, not an extended network. The end result is the same as far as extending the wireless range.

     

    In a roaming network each wireless router added would perform as a wireless access point and broadcast a wireless network. The trick is that each of these networks would use the same network name & security password as the "main" wireless router ... the one directly connected to the Internet modem. In this type of network you are not restricted to having to use all Apple routers as you can easily mix other manufacturer's products.

     

    In this case your AirPort Extreme would no longer perform as a router, but a combination wireless access point and Ethernet switch.

  • by ed128,

    ed128 ed128 Jan 16, 2014 10:28 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 16, 2014 10:28 AM in response to Tesserax

    Thank you very much!