Best option for roaming network & speed

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Level 1

8 points

Best option for roaming network & speed

I have two related questions. I am currently using a 2TB Time Capsule (probably 3 years old--I don't know the model number and the Apple site that provides info. is telling me to check back later). The Wifi does not cover my full apartment, which is an old building and there are a lot of competing signals in the building. I would like to add another base station to create a roaming network ( Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations - Apple Suppo… ) and have two questions:

1. The area that needs a Wifi boost is not that large, so which is the best and cheapest Apple product that can extend the range of the wireless?

2. I currently have an ethernet cat6 cable running from the Time Capsule through the basement and up to the area in the apartment where I would put the additional base station. That ethernet cable is currently plugged into a desktop computer and speeds are excellent. If I connect the desktop computer to the base station via ethernet, will I notice any drop in speeds compared to my current connection. Just to be clear: current connection Time Capsule > ethernet > desk top. So the new set up would be Time Capsule > ethernet > base station > ethernet > desk top.

Thanks.

Posted on Jul 21, 2015 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,128 points

Jul 21, 2015 2:51 PM in response to Danielmak

1. The area that needs a Wifi boost is not that large, so which is the best and cheapest Apple product that can extend the range of the wireless?

Unfortunately, "best" and "cheapest" rarely go together.

The "best" choice in terms of performance to match that of your Time Capsule would be an AirPort Extreme.

The "cheapest" choice would be an AirPort Express, but it will not deliver the same speeds on wired connections or wireless connections that the Time Capsule is capable of delivering, or your Mac is capable of using.

Apple allows you 14 days to return a product for exchange or refund, so if you try the Express and it does not do what you want, you can move up to the AirPort Extreme.

2. I currently have an ethernet cat6 cable running from the Time Capsule through the basement and up to the area in the apartment where I would put the additional base station. That ethernet cable is currently plugged into a desktop computer and speeds are excellent. If I connect the desktop computer to the base station via ethernet, will I notice any drop in speeds compared to my current connection.

There will be a really significant speed drop if you use the AirPort Express. The reason for this is that your Time Capsule has 1,000 Mbps, or Gigabit capable Ethernet ports, as does your Mac. But....the AirPort Express is limited to much slower speeds, since it's Ethernet ports are only 100 Mbps capable. So, your top speed over wireless or wired connections through the AirPort Express will not come close to the capabilities of your Mac or your Time Capsule.

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Answer 2

Danielmak Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 21, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks, Bob.

If I go with an Airport Extreme will I see the same speeds as the IMac and the Time Capsule? I assume from your message that the Extreme and the Time Capsule will be the same in terms of speeds. Is that accurate?

Also, one more question. In terms of configuring this setup, is this page still accurate as far you know:

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

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,128 points

Jul 21, 2015 3:14 PM in response to Danielmak

If I go with an Airport Extreme will I see the same speeds as the IMac and the Time Capsule?

Yes, using a wired Ethernet connection, since you will have 1,000 Mbps Ethernet capable connections on all devices. No speed loss at all.

I cannot predict what the wireless performance will be on any device, though. The wireless should be much better than it is now in the area where your Mac is now located.

assume from your message that the Extreme and the Time Capsule will be the same in terms of speeds

Yes, in terms of wired connections. A new AirPort Extreme is actually capable of faster wireless performance than your Time Capsule model....if....you have wireless "ac" capable devices that are able to receive the faster signals.

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