Can I Hardwire an express to an extreme?

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Level 1

8 points

Can I Hardwire an express to an extreme?

I am a custom AV installer that occasionally sets up networks for customers. I have a really, really big house I'm working on. I have decent wifi but it could be better. I need to hardwire the (2) AirPort express to the Extreme. When I use the wireless bridge mode, the one will "piggy back" off the other due to the odd shape of this house. If I hardwire these will that problem cease? Also, will the speed between all these units improve? Thanks.

How do I set the network up for a Hardwired connection? Is there setting for it.

iOS 7.1.1

Posted on May 30, 2014 1:39 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

May 30, 2014 1:44 PM in response to Sport2129

Firstly, you cannot extend the AEBS network if you connect the AEX in bridge mode. You should configure the AEX to Extend the network, not Join an Existing network.

Secondly, every AEX has at least one Ethernet port. That port can be used to obtain a connection from the AEBS by connecting it to one of the free LAN ports on the AEBS. The following may be helpful:

Wi-Fi base stations- Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

158,496 points

May 30, 2014 1:44 PM in response to Sport2129

I am assuming that you have 2nd generation AirPort Express base stations. You can quickly tell because it has two Ethernet ports. The 1st generation only had one.

If you are using 2nd gen devices, then yes you can run Ethernet cabling as you described.

An example would be:

An Ethernet cable would run between one of the available LAN (opposing arrows) ports on the AirPort Extreme and the WAN (circle of dots) port on the first Express.
A second Ethernet cable would run between the LAN (opposing arrows) port on the first Express to the WAN (circle of dots) port on the 2nd Express.

You would have the basic configuration for a roaming network.

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