solomani

Q: Can the Airport Extreme connect wirelessly to my wifi network?

Hi all,

 

I have an Airport Extreme which I only use for its Time Machine functionality.  Best I can tell the only way it can connect wirelessly to my network is by extending it.  Is this correct?

 

If I do use it to extend my wifi network was is the negative impact (if any)?

 

Thanks in advance.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 8, 2016 1:15 AM

Close

Q: Can the Airport Extreme connect wirelessly to my wifi network?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Sep 8, 2016 3:07 AM in response to solomani
    Level 9 (52,290 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 8, 2016 3:07 AM in response to solomani

    You cannot extend wireless or even join wireless unless the router you are connecting to is another Apple router.

     

    If that is the case then it can work well if it is in range.. otherwise you should plug the AE into the main router by ethernet and set it up as a separate wireless AP for the network.

     

    Extend wireless is bad if you are linked to the main router wireless.. that will cause tremendous slow down even if you are in an all apple router situation.

  • by solomani,

    solomani solomani Sep 8, 2016 3:13 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (32 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 8, 2016 3:13 AM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks for the detail!  Will leave it plugged in, in that case.  Was just trying to reduce some of the cable clutter