AirPort Express with Google WiFi

HiGeoff:

This may be a little dated for your question but thought I would share my experience. I've been running 2 Airport Expresses and 1 Apple TV for some years now and they have been solid performers. However, about 6 months ago I decided to install a Google WiFi mesh network with 3 base units, Gigabit WiFi sounded like a good idea to me. Anyway, I had the same question, will my airport express stations work with the Google WiFi. Nobody seemed to know. So after a 3 month wait for the Google gear it came, I unplugged the Airports and setup the Google WiFi. It was too easy. Once everything settled down and synced up with the mesh network. So, I noticed that the Apple TV hooked itself up to the mesh without any bidding from me, nice. So, I plugged the Airports back in and let the mesh do its thing, after a while the Google magic worked and the Airports were online. Sure makes streaming from the iTunes store pleasant.

So, I just upgraded the firmware on the airports via the mesh and it all went quick and clean, no fuss no muss. Yea, tech that works, I love it.

Mochenpa

I don't have the combo but airplay should be fine. The express will be setup in client mode .. which is more restricted than extend wireless which only works with another wireless Apple router. Client mode is specifically designed for airplay in situations without apple main routers.

Quick google doesn't bring up much info on Apple airplay compatibility.

I would take some time though to see if anyone is reporting issues.

The Netgear wifi mesh system I think is a better way to go..

http://www.netgear.com.au/home/products/networking/orbi/?cid=wmt_netgear_organic

http://www.imore.com/wi-fi-mesh-routers-compared

I'd love to see your setup. Right now I have
cable modem
airport extreme
- feeds Apple TV (living room)

- feeds Apple TV (bedroom

- feeds wifi extender to airport express (kids area/xbox, Apple TV )

- feeds old (flat) airport extreme (office)

- feeds airport express (airplay)

would mesh replace the original airport extreme? I would buy the 3 pack and have the mesh in the kids area, office and at my modem. Should i do modem->airport extreme->mesh router or drop airport extreme altogether?

thanks for the help and re-assurance!

Google Wi-Fi is a wireless mesh network does not utilize a dedicated wireless backhaul. Therefore this would be a replacement of your existing Apple network as the two would not "mesh" together. You would require a network that relies on an Ethernet backbone, like Ubiquiti UniFi or Cisco Aeronet if you wanted to incorporate your existing Apple base stations.

The Google solution provides you with three AC1200 wireless routers. You would connect one to your Internet modem and the others would connect via wireless. You can still connect the Apple TVs to this network. For the Express, you will NOT be able to extend the mesh network, but you can still configure the base station to join it for the purposes of steaming and/or for sharing a USB printer.

Hi Mochenpa,

I would like to really switch over to Google Wi-Fi, but I’m worried about losing my airplay multi-room — I plan on staying with Apple Airplay and look forward to seeing Airplay 2.

How is your Apple Airplay Multi-room performing currently on Google Wi-Fi?

Sean

I have the same question. Frankly, I'm disappointed that using my AirPort Expresses to Extend the network created on the AirPort Extreme doesn't already work as a mesh system like Google Wifi. This wasn't a problem when I lived somewhere that had network jacks on every floor and a spot in the closet to connect them all through my own switch. It's not so hot when I only have one source for physical connectivity and the AirPort Expresses don't boost my signal. So, my choices are 1) drill holes in the walls and painstakingly run cat6 from one end of the house to the other, 2) buy a large roll of cat6 to brace to the walls with clips so no one trips over the wires (ugly as sin), or 3) switch to a Google Wifi network.

I'm hoping an Apple employee will see this question and respond: is Apple going to go the direction of Google Wifi, or are we going to have to slowly move away from your products because your solutions are outdated and not meeting our (my) needs?

I'm hoping an Apple employee will see this question and respond:

It is unlikely that an Apple employee will see your question on a user to user support forum, especially since your question is buried inside this thread. But, even if they might, they will never respond here.