Three Extreme routers - two separate networks?

Hi: I'm wondering if anyone has had success creating two totally separate home networks using three Airport Extreme (AE) routers. I want two separate networks (NetA and NetB) for security reasons, and I need both wired and wireless connections on each network. The goal is to ensure that devices on NetA cannot see or access devices on NetB, and vice versa.

I was hoping to "cascade" the routers as follows:

- the primary AE would connect to my ISP modem

- the secondary AEs (NetA and NetB) would connect to the primary AE

The primary AE would not create a wireless network, and it would have only two downstream devices connected to it via Ethernet. Those devices would be the AE routers for NetA and NetB.

I am not a networking expert (that's probably obvious) and I would like to know two things:

1. Is this even possible?, and

2. If it is possible, how would I configure each AE to accomplish my goal?

Can anyone help me here?

Thanks,

-AstraPoint

iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Dec 12, 2016 9:47 AM

19 replies

Dec 13, 2016 3:32 PM in response to AstraPoint

We first used Airport Utility on the Mac to wirelessly extend our HOME network (not just the guest net). That's pretty much the default setup for Airport Utility.

Correct.

after the Airport Express was properly set up to extend, we then went back in and changed "extend" to "join" the guest net, and then we restarted the Express

As soon as I change "extend" to "join", the guest network name disappears and cannot be selected. The Express will join the main network....but the guest network disappears from the list of available networks to join.

Glad that it works for you though. Does the Express provide enough connection speed through it's Ethernet ports?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 13, 2016 3:57 PM in response to AstraPoint

What are the specific models of the Express and the Extremes and the corresponding software versions?

Dec 13, 2016 6:39 PM in response to AstraPoint

OK, I figured it out and it does work fine. Current AirPort Extreme running 7.7.7 firmware and current Express running 7.6.7.

Set up the Express to "extend" the "main" network and the setup wizard will by default extend both the "main" and "guest" network. Things will look like this in AirPort Utility at this time. The "main" network is TWNDB and the guest network is Guest.

Next, change the setting for Network Mode from "extend" to "join". As soon as this occurs, the screen will look like the example below. Note that the guest network option has disappeared entirely at this point.

Now when I click the Wireless Network Name selection box......"Guest" does not appear as an option. However, if I type in the name "Guest" manually, so that the screen looks like the example below, and click Update, the setup will continue correctly.

Once the Express has updated, if you are connected to the Guest network and open AirPort Utility, the screen will look like the example below, indicating that the Express is connecting via wireless to the Internet. Ethernet devices are able to connect just fine this way to either port on the Express, since both ports behave like LAN ports in Bridge Mode.

Of course, the quality of the "Ethernet" connection is only going to be as good as the quality of the wireless connection on the guest network.

Interesting option,,,,,,in case another user needs an Ethernet connection for the guest network.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 13, 2016 7:02 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for putting the screens together. Reminds me of the 'old' WDS on 802.11g days.

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Three Extreme routers - two separate networks?