Dr. Livingstone
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Airport Extreme 5th and 3rd generations - ethernet connected

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a current (5th gen) Airport Extreme to replace my 3rd gen AE as the household router. I intend to move the older AE to the basement to serve in 'bridge mode' for wireless devices. I'm going to connect the two AE's via ethernet for maximum throughput. I'm going to run another ethernet segment from the older AE to a gigE switch and wire in the Blu-Ray, Xbox, AV receiver, etc.

 

I plan to configure the two AE's in 'roaming mode' based on this Apple KB article, but sadly it's outdated and hasn't been updated.

 

I know that Airport Utility 5.6 can be used to access the 'bridge' mode, but the 6.3 utility isn't as robust. With Mavericks, I can no longer run 5.6. However, I still have 5.6 available on a Windows desktop PC in the house, which is an option.

 

So, my questions ....

 

Is there any way with Airport Utility 6.1 to configure the 'roaming' scenario as described in the KB article?

 

What issues, if any, might I encounter if I use the Windows version of Airport Utility 5.6 instead?

 

I want to take my current AE offline and then power up the new AE to start with configuration. I want to keep the same SSID name, encryption level (WPA2) and password. Should I revise any settings on the older AE before I configure the new one, such as restoring it to the factory defaults?

 

Any additional items to consider?

iPhone 5s, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), MBP, 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7

Posted on Feb 18, 2014 4:56 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,398 points)
Wireless
A:
I'm ready to pull the trigger on a current (5th gen) Airport Extreme

 

Current version of the AirPort Extreme is a 6th Gen model. The 5th Gen model was discontinued in June 2013.

 

 

I intend to move the older AE to the basement to serve in 'bridge mode' for wireless devices. I'm going to connect the two AE's via ethernet for maximum throughput.

 

Good plan.

 

 

Is there any way with Airport Utility 6.1 to configure the 'roaming' scenario as described in the KB article?

 

Absolutely, AirPort Utility 6.x makes this type of setup so much easier, that other than a tip or two on how to get started, the utility will configure everything automatically for you.

 

You will be probably be amazed at how fast and simple the setup will be compared to previous AirPort Utility versions. Just ignore the old outdated documents about setting up a roaming network and you will be fine.

 

What issues, if any, might I encounter if I use the Windows version of Airport Utility 5.6 instead?

This version cannot be used to configure the new 6th Gen AirPort Extreme, but it could be used to configure the "remote" AirPort Extreme if you prefer a much longer and more detailed setup from the older out of date support documents.

 

Once you have the new AirPort Extreme set up, it will be necessary to reset the older Extreme back to factory default settings, then configure it again for the task at hand.

Posted on Feb 18, 2014 5:15 PM

Close
Dr. Livingstone

Q: Airport Extreme 5th and 3rd generations - ethernet connected

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 18, 2014 5:15 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 18, 2014 5:15 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone
    I'm ready to pull the trigger on a current (5th gen) Airport Extreme

     

    Current version of the AirPort Extreme is a 6th Gen model. The 5th Gen model was discontinued in June 2013.

     

     

    I intend to move the older AE to the basement to serve in 'bridge mode' for wireless devices. I'm going to connect the two AE's via ethernet for maximum throughput.

     

    Good plan.

     

     

    Is there any way with Airport Utility 6.1 to configure the 'roaming' scenario as described in the KB article?

     

    Absolutely, AirPort Utility 6.x makes this type of setup so much easier, that other than a tip or two on how to get started, the utility will configure everything automatically for you.

     

    You will be probably be amazed at how fast and simple the setup will be compared to previous AirPort Utility versions. Just ignore the old outdated documents about setting up a roaming network and you will be fine.

     

    What issues, if any, might I encounter if I use the Windows version of Airport Utility 5.6 instead?

    This version cannot be used to configure the new 6th Gen AirPort Extreme, but it could be used to configure the "remote" AirPort Extreme if you prefer a much longer and more detailed setup from the older out of date support documents.

     

    Once you have the new AirPort Extreme set up, it will be necessary to reset the older Extreme back to factory default settings, then configure it again for the task at hand.

  • by Dr. Livingstone,

    Dr. Livingstone Dr. Livingstone Feb 18, 2014 5:25 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 18, 2014 5:25 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone

    Thanks Bob ... I was hoping you'd chime in! Didn't realize that AE is now 6th gen. That's definitely what I'm looking at.

     

    Sounds like the Airport Utility 6.1 will work after all. I presume it will detect the new device and then walk me through the configuration steps, one of which is 'sharing IP address' ?

     

    Looks like this plan will work after all. I hope to get the gear in the next month or so.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 18, 2014 5:28 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 18, 2014 5:28 PM in response to Dr. Livingstone
    I presume it will detect the new device and then walk me through the configuration steps, one of which is 'sharing IP address' ?

     

    You do not have to worry about this at all. The utility will automatically choose the right setup. As I said.....I think you will be amazed.

     

    Post back when you want to get started.