Hello Friends,
Just an adolescent of the windows world crawling as a toddler in the MAC world.
I am curious to know if we can have 2 Airport Extremes acting as 2 DHCP servers in the same LAN. I really doubt whether it is possible, but still would like to have advise from experts. I am considering a wired LAN. If it is possible, please help me to understand how this can be done in detail.
Thank you.
Actually you can. The key is to assign different DHCP scopes for each base station within the same IP address space.
For example, you could assign the range of 10.0.1.2 thru 10.0.1.99 to one base station and have the other set to: 10.0.1.100 thru 10.0.1.200.
You set the DHCP scope or range by using the AirPort Utility, as follows:
But, the question would be why would you want to?
Tesserax,
Good question. If I can create 2 DHCP servers using the same ip address space, then using the Wireless tab, can I also create 2 different Wireless Network names with different Wireless security credentials(Different user logon passwords) ? I doubt as this would probably violate the rule of 'extending' concept of an Airport Network, but still I am asking.
My guess is the second base station where we are assigning address space 10.0.1.100 thru 10.0.1.200 should be kept in 'Bridge' mode in the Internet tab, as this would basically be an 'extension' to the primary base station.
Thank you so much.
Actually I am trying to achieve creating a wireless network with 2 AE having different IP address scope in the same IP address space having 2 different Wireless network names and separate wireless logon passwords. If this is possible, can somebody please help me with the detailed configuration steps for both the primary and the extended base stations.
Thank you.
Tesserax instructions are correct.
But you MUST connect them by ethernet.
should be kept in 'Bridge' mode in the Internet tab, as this would basically be an 'extension' to the primary base station.
No, set them to static IP if both are bridged.. if the first extreme is working as main network router then it can be set to dhcp to pick up the main network IP. But using static is much more reliable for the bridge units.. and you can put them outside the dhcp scope to keep things clear.. (using dhcp reservations inside the scope is possible but reliability is poorer).
You cannot extend wireless and then change the wireless name in airport routers. (Other brands can do this but Apple are designed to do bare min).
I am doing exactly what you want.
My main router is not airport but has a restricted dhcp scope.
Also all devices have a 1hour lease time to keep dhcp table updated on this main router.
First Airport looks like this.
Second airport looks like this.
The wireless tab is just usual create a wireless network.. each has different name.. you can set different password.
But anybody with half a brain can work out how to access your main router in this kind of setup .. so be warned.. apple security is illusionary if anyone has access to the airport .. a one sec press of the reset will give them a 5min window where they can discover the passwords.
LaPastenague Fantastic Info ! This is exactly what I had in my mind, you just corroborated me. Just a small query
Where do I change the settings for them to be in bridge mode, I mean both the First and the second AE. A snapshot would be very helpful.
Thank you so much
Sorry for the confusion.. I should have been clearer.
There is no bridge mode in this setup.. I was taking the bridge from your comment about setting up wan.
should be kept in 'Bridge' mode in the Internet tab
You see in this instance the Airport is acting as a DHCP server is actually routing but without NAT. The mode was designed for where ISP sells you a block of public IP. We are cheating a bit and using it in our internal network.
The screenshots I have already given you are correct ones.. there is no secret bridge somewhere.
Now it is afternoon here and I have several cups of coffee under my belt.
There is no need to do it in such a complicated way. And I am not sure what extra controls you are hoping to achieve.. even if you have split the network.. how are you going to control users.
You could set both AE to bridge.. and simply have both of them create a wireless with a different name and password. As far as your initial requirements go, that provides all you really need.
The IP addresses will be provided by the main router of the network. But since you have two different wireless setups you can restrict some of your users to specific time rules..
What else are you really trying to achieve??
If you want to limit usage of the teens and kids.. then using a better router is essential. Airports just don't have enough controls.
LaPastenague,
Brilliant ! I had a haunch that we are playing around with that "Distribute a range of Static IP Addresses", but I got carried away by your comment mentioning a bridge. It was a fantastic experience communicating with all of you. I really learned a lot of things about Airport settings, your guidance and help is much appreciated.
I am from the windows networking world putting my first step in the mac world. If I was near, would have bought you those coffee. Once again, thank you so much mate !
Regards
Can I have 2 Airport Extreme with DHCP server running in a single wired network
