Ryan Ricketts
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I set up a roaming network connected to a switch, not a modem?

I'm trying to help my parents get a roaming network set up in their home. The modem is in the basement and passes through a switch before being carried throughout the house. They have a Time Capsule connected in one room and an AirPort Express in another room.

 

Apple's network diagrams show a primary base station connected directly to the modem, but what happens if both the primary and extended base stations are connected via a switch which is then connected to the modem? Does that change the configuration at all?

Posted on Dec 22, 2015 11:52 AM

Close
Ryan Ricketts

Q: How do I set up a roaming network connected to a switch, not a modem?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 22, 2015 12:05 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 22, 2015 12:05 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts
    but what happens if both the primary and extended base stations are connected via a switch which is then connected to the modem?

    Unfortunately, you don't tell us anything about your "modem", and the type of device that it might be will determine what you can and cannot do.

     

    If you are using a simple modem...with only one Ethernet port like the one that you see in Apple's support documents....then the modem cannot connect to a switch first. The modem must connect to a router first, and then a switch can be connected to the router to feed other devices.

     

    If you are using a modem/router....also known as a gateway.....then the switch can be connected to the modem/router and both AirPorts can be connected to the switch.

     

    So the important question here is.....what kind of the "modem" do you have?  What is the make and model number of this device?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 22, 2015 12:33 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 22, 2015 12:33 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts

    If you are looking at this support document........Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations - Apple Suppo…...Apple has not updated this in well over 3 years, so some of the information here will not apply if you are using a newer operating system on a Mac using Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite or El Capitan.

  • by Ryan Ricketts,

    Ryan Ricketts Ryan Ricketts Dec 22, 2015 2:02 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 2:02 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Here is more information about the devices involved.

     

    Modem

    Arris TG862

     

    Airport Extreme 802.11ac

    ME918LL/A

    Model A1521

    Version 7.7.3

     

    Airport Express 802.11n (2nd Generation)

    Version 7.6.4

     

    iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)

    OS X Yosemite Version 10.10.5

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Dec 22, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts
    Level 9 (77,965 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 22, 2015 2:08 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts

    That modem incorporates a router with four sockets to output to the local network. So you can easily run a cable from there to a simple network switch (which should be 'unmanaged'). You can run more than one switch but it's not advisable to daisy-chain them - keep it to no more than one switch for each output from the modem. To answer your specific question about connecting the two Airports to the switch - no problem. The switch is completely invisible  and will handle the connection perfectly well. The only limitation is that the combined maximum data throughput from the switch outputs cannot exceed the maximum speed of the modem's output socket, though in practice you would probably find it quite difficult to saturate the connection.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 22, 2015 2:42 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 22, 2015 2:42 PM in response to Ryan Ricketts

    Looks like Roger has you covered since the Arris TG862 is a modem/router or gateway device.

     

    Use the AirPort Utility setup "wizard" to configure both the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express to create a wireless network that uses the same wireless network and password.  The wizard will automatically set up both AirPorts in the correct Bridge Mode configuration.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Dec 22, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 9 (77,965 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 22, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I understand from a previous occasion when this was discussed that the setup wizard will only work on first setup - it's not clear whether the OP's Airports have been set up already. Of course a full reset should convince them to use the wizard again.

     

    Ryan: just in case you are not able to use the wizard to get the Airports into Bridge Mode, or don't want to do a reset, this is the procedure for doing it manually:

     

    The exact method varies with your version of the Airport Utility. On older versions, open Applications/Utilities/Airport Utility. Select your Airport in the list and click 'Manual setup'. Click 'Internet' in the toolbar. Click the 'Internet Connection' tab if necessary. Set the 'Connection Sharing' menu to 'Off (Bridge Mode)'. Click 'Update' and wait for your AE to restart.

     

    On the current version, open Applications/Utilities/Airport Utility. Click the image of your Airport and in the pop-up pane click ‘Edit’. In the pane which drops down, click the ‘Network’ tab. Set ‘Router Mode’ to ‘Off (Bridge Mode)’ and click ‘Update’; wait for your AE to restart.

     

    My article here explains the need for Bridge Mode, should you wish to go into more detail.