DB_Arms
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Q: Wireless configuration

I have 3 structures on property 200 feet apart.  All have cat5 and I want to put access points in each.  What is proper configuration with current Mac products?  Will run off cable modem.

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 12:00 PM

by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer
Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder
Level 9 (61,373 points)
Desktops
A:

The Airport Express has only one "User" Ethernet port (and one "trunk" Ethernet port) so if you decide to install more than one Ethernet device at each of those locations, you will need to buy an Ethernet Switch to add on later. Ethernet is many times faster than most Wi-Fi, so it may be a concern in the future.

 

The Airport Extreme has support for 802.11ac and better radios and multi-stream support (faster if your MacBooks are new).

 

Both have been available as "Apple refurbished" units. "Apple refurbished" units are pristine and like new, and have the same warranties as new.  They must pass the same acceptance tests to ship as new, but save you a few bucks. They may have been used for a demo or a show, or be customer returns that are perfectly good, but cannot now be sold as new due to commerce laws.

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 4:32 PM

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Q: Wireless configuration

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Apr 30, 2015 12:36 PM in response to DB_Arms
    Level 10 (190,692 points)
    Apple Watch
    Apr 30, 2015 12:36 PM in response to DB_Arms

    I really do not know what yo mean by configuration. Maybe this will help

    Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 30, 2015 3:09 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 9 (61,373 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 30, 2015 3:09 PM in response to lllaass

    You will need Routers capable of 802.11n or ac, and dual-band with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz will be vastly superior without being much more expensive. Routers that support only 802.11g or only 2.4GHz are not worth paying any money for today.

     

    If you use Apple Routers, these can be combined to provide a single named network and allow seamless movement of portable computers with handoff from one to the next, if you desire. Some third-party Routers support this feature as well.

     

    Exactly ONE of the Routers should dispense local IP Addresses using DHCP, and the rest should be set to "Bridge" mode (or have DHCP turned off -- the terminology varies but the effect is the same).

     

    If all eight conductors are present in your Ethernet cabling, and the Routers are Gigabit Ethernet capable, you can transfer packets at Gigabit speeds. This is useful for local file transfers, but not necessary for Internet access, because the connection to the Internet is always slower than Gigabit speeds.

  • by DB_Arms,

    DB_Arms DB_Arms Apr 30, 2015 3:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 3:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you for the info.  So if I use one Airport Extreme as router and two Airport Express as access points in the out buildings I should be good?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 30, 2015 4:32 PM in response to DB_Arms
    Level 9 (61,373 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 30, 2015 4:32 PM in response to DB_Arms

    The Airport Express has only one "User" Ethernet port (and one "trunk" Ethernet port) so if you decide to install more than one Ethernet device at each of those locations, you will need to buy an Ethernet Switch to add on later. Ethernet is many times faster than most Wi-Fi, so it may be a concern in the future.

     

    The Airport Extreme has support for 802.11ac and better radios and multi-stream support (faster if your MacBooks are new).

     

    Both have been available as "Apple refurbished" units. "Apple refurbished" units are pristine and like new, and have the same warranties as new.  They must pass the same acceptance tests to ship as new, but save you a few bucks. They may have been used for a demo or a show, or be customer returns that are perfectly good, but cannot now be sold as new due to commerce laws.

  • by DB_Arms,

    DB_Arms DB_Arms Apr 30, 2015 4:35 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 4:35 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks for the info.  Got what I needed.