I use my AE to control my digital mixer. I use my iPad as remote control and I connect the AE via Ethernet cable to mixer. I would like to use the WAN port as another LAN port for another digital device ( I have no need for internet) but I am unsure if this can even be done... the instructions only talk about configuring the WAN as LAN when used as a bridge to an existing AE. Currently I am using an Ethernet switch for the extra port.
If the AirPort Express really is set up in Bridge Mode......Apple calls this "Off (Bridge Mode)" both Ethernet ports behave as LAN ports.
I have already selected bridge mode in the software under the 'wireless' tab
There is no setting for Bridge Mode under the Wireless tab. Click the Internet tab and make sure that the setting for Network Mode is set to "Off (Bridge Mode)", then immediately click Update to save the new setting.
The Express does not need Internet access in order for both ports to perform as Ethernet ports. It just needs to be configured as a bridge. In bridge mode, both the DHCP and NAT services are disabled and the Express basically performs as a combination wireless access point and Ethernet switch.
In bridge mode, both ports will perform as Ethernet ports. That is, they will no longer function as either LAN or WAN ports. That is because the base station's routing function has been disabled. As I said, it should perform just like a 2-port Ethernet switch.
As such, your iPad should be able to connect to the Express' Wi-Fi network and the digital mixer to either Ethernet port and have connectivity between them ... at least, in theory, they should.
Just to be clear, when the Express is in bridge mode, both ports perform only as Ethernet ports. They are neither LAN or WAN ports. LAN or WAN is only meaningful if the Express is in its default routing mode in which NAT (& DHCP) are enabled.
As such, the Express would act much like an Ethernet switch. It would "remember" what is connected to either port and pass data onto the appropriate device. This would be the same as replacing the Express with a switch. However, the only difference is that the Express, having built-in wireless, can also perform as a wireless Ethernet bridge. That is, it can connect to an existing wireless network and have its ports enabled for wired clients.
Thank you but I realize this already - my question was how to configure the AE to allow for 2 LAN ports. I have already selected bridge mode in the software under the 'wireless' tab but the WAN port still does not behave as a LAN port. What am I missing?
Chances are, you found out that the Router Mode was not set to Bridge Mode, as you might have thought. Instead, it was likely set to DHCP and NAT......not the setting that you want for your application.
Thank you
The bridge (off) mode was already on when I went into Airport Utility before I posted today so I assumed that was the setting that was saved. I will save it again tomorrow (update) and see if it makes any difference.
I appreciate all the help offered here - thank you.
I had some time today to check things out again. When the bridge mode is selected ('off') under the network tab, neither port will work as LAN, however when I switch it back to DHCP and NAT, the LAN port works as LAN and the WAN as WAN. I switched back and forth twice to confirm - so now am really confused. There has to be something else that I have missed somewhere that enables both ports to work as LAN only.
That explains it clearly for me. I was hoping to use the router wirelessly to connect to my iPad and still use the LAN ports to connect to my devices (mixer and such).....I will continue to use my switch to get the extra LANs I need. If only Apple provided just one more LAN on the AE ..... maybe in the future.
Thank you very much again EVERYONE for all your input and I apologize for my poorly worded and probably confusing questions.
Sorry- I realize I said wireless tab when I meant network tab
How to configure Airport Express only LAN both ports
