Q: Cascade 2 Airport Extremes for 2 Networks with 1 modem

We need a bit more information from you in order to be able to provide a correct answer to your question.

Which models of AirPort Extreme do you have?  If you are not sure, look for the model number on the bottom of the device. It might on a label, or embedded in the foam base depending on the model that you have. The model number starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.

Please post back with that information.

Next, you did not indicate "how" you want the AirPort Extreme devices to connect to each other.  Would this be with an Ethernet cable permanently installed between the two Extremes, or do you hope to be able to connect the second Extreme to the first using a wireless connection?

Normally, users configure two AirPort Extremes to provide the same wireless network signal, so devices can move from one area near one Extreme to the other area near the other Extreme and stay on the same network.  If you really do want two separate wireless networks, users will have to log off one network when they leave an area near one Extreme and then log back on again to the other wireless network near the other AirPort Extreme.

Is that really what you want to do?

Finally, we don't know what operating system your Mac or PC is using, so we cannot provide the correct setup steps without that information. If you have a Mac, and are not sure what operating system it is using, then click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen and then click About This Mac. Post back with the OS X Version that you see there.

There will likely be more questions, but that basic information will determine which path to follow.

Sorry, your original post did not mention VPN at all, and I would not have answered had that been the case.

I do not use VPN, so I have no way to simulate your present setup and no way to test to see if what I might propose would work. I only answer questions on the forum about things that I have done myself, so I know what will work and what will not.

Please wait for another user to answer, hopefully that will be soon.

You will get more "views" from other users who are using VPN if you start another post and mention VPN in the tiltle.

As it stands, there is probably not much chance of a user seeing these details buried in this post.

Good luck.

Bob,

I have the same question without VPN at the moment.

My Airport Extremes are same as your Avatar.  Usually I connect to them thru my Mac Mini.  At the moment I am connecting thru one of my Win laptop.

My goal is to have a separate 2.4 GHz (for Smart Home devices) from the 2.4/5GHz providing Internet for everything else.  I am using a Motorola SURFboard SB6183 connected to the cable provider.  Yes I will be under-utilizing one of the Extreme, but I tried using 1 Extreme with the 2.4GHz for the Smart Home devices, and the moment I enable the 5GHz, these devices stopped talking to the Wireless Network.

The SURFboard has a TP-Link Gigabit Switch where both of the Airport Extremes are connected to.  Nonetheless, I am only getting 1 to get IP address.  For a hot moment both were getting IP address.  Is there anything in particular on the setting I must do for both constantly obtaining IP addresses?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

genbaez

The SURFboard has a TP-Link Gigabit Switch where both of the Airport Extremes are connected to.  Nonetheless, I am only getting 1 to get IP address.  For a hot moment both were getting IP address.  Is there anything in particular on the setting I must do for both constantly obtaining IP addresses?

 

Sorry, but this configuration will NOT work. The modem is only expecting a single device (computer or router) to be connected to it. The modem will attempt to provide an IP address to the first device it "sees." To remedy this, you need to connect one of your Extremes directly to the modem. You can then, if you need more ports, connect the Ethernet switch to the first Extreme, and then, connect the second Extreme to the switch.

Hello Tesserax,

Thank you for replying.  I went ahead and reconnect as you has suggested.  I am still not getting and IP address on the second Extreme (still blinking orange the light). Also Airport Utility is not picking it up either.  Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Genbaez

Two things to try/check:

1. Make sure the Ethernet cable connected between the Extreme base stations is connected as follows: Extreme #1 LAN (opposing arrows) port to the WAN (circle-of-dots) port on Extreme #2.
2. Perform a "factory default" reset on Extreme #2. Then reconfigure it as a bridge.

If this does not resolve the issue, please start a new post as the eventual solution to yours is different than that of the OP's.

Hello Tesserax,

Thank you for the suggestions.  This is how the Extreme #2 is connected to the Gigabit Switch.  I gather what Apple communicated to me is correct.  I will not be able to do the Extremes as independent Internet access under 1 IP.

I can setup the bridge mode with no issues, however, this is no my goal at this time.

Again thank you for all your help and suggestions.

Genbaez

Ah, so your goal is to have two separate Internet connections via a single modem. Yes, as Apple has told you, this is not possible.

To achieve this you would need, as a minimum, two Internet connections from your ISP or from separate ISPs AND a dual WAN gateway device.