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I have an ISP-installed modem & router in my apartment, with LAN drops in every room (no Wi-Fi). In the living room, I have connected 1 AE in bridge mode and initiated Wi-Fi network; all's well (MacMini on LAN from AE, Wi-Fi clients are all happy). Now, can I connect another AE in a different room (back office) in like manner and mesh the SSID? Also, will I be able to share/access files from either location?
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The AirPorts will do what you want if they are both on the same LAN. To make sure that they are.....here is how I would suggest that you set up the second AirPort Extreme:
Move the second AirPort very close to the first
Power up the second AirPort for a minute or two, then hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort for 7-8 seconds and release
Allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart
Use a spare Ethernet cable......any length will do.....and connect it from one of the 3 LAN <--> ports on the first AirPort to the WAN "O" port on the second
Click on the WiFi menu at the top of the Macs screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station
Just below that, click on AirPort Extreme
When you click on AirPort Extreme, that will start up the setup "wizard". It will take a few seconds to analyze the settings on the first AirPort, then display a screen that looks like the example below except that you will see your devices pictured and wireless network name displayed.
Type in a device name for the second AirPort
Click Next
Watch the next screen very carefully to make sure that the second AirPort is being set up to extend using Ethernet. This will confirm that the second AirPort will be set up to "mirror" the first AirPort as far as wireless network name, password, and Bridge Mode.
When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done and power off the second AirPort
Now move the second AirPort to the desired location and connect it to the LAN port. You can connect to the WAN on the second AirPort, or to one of the LAN ports......it does not matter since the second AirPort is set up in Bridge Mode.
Power up the second AirPort. If both AirPorts are on the same LAN, you are all set.
If they are not, I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with your switch......which might be a managed switch..... requiring additional programming to allow a device to connect to the LAN. Also not familiar with the Netgear router and its use of VLAN.
I have reset AEBS2 and successfully bridged it from AEBS1 via Wi-Fi using the wizard. I guess there IS some sort of router (or the switch?) somewhere upstream in the ISP setup that is denying LAN back channeling from AEBS2 to AEBS1. Thanks for your help trying to sort this out.
To add to Bob's comments, you may find that the best (performance-wise) network configuration is to use what Apple calls a roaming network with your current equipment ... especially since your apartment now has a Ethernet backbone.
I would suggest that you configure your ISP-provided router as your "main" router that provides both NAT & DHCP services. In turn, each of your Express base stations would be configured as bridges and connect back to this router via Ethernet. Your base stations would be basically performing as Wireless Access Points (WAP).
The keys for success with a roaming network:
FWIW. This is not a mesh network. Not in a traditional sense. Mesh is currently a marketing term to indicate a wireless network that can cover a wide area seamlessly. The many mesh network offerings that you are seeing today rely on a wireless backbone, not a wired one. Performance-wise these are not as capable as "mesh" networks that rely on Ethernet.
Now, can I connect another AE in a different room (back office) in like manner and mesh the SSID?
Sure. Apple's setup "wizard" will practically do everything for you automatically. Basically all that you need to do is assign a device name to the second AirPort.......something like BackOfficeAE......and the setup "wizard" will take care of everything else for you.
The setup utility will indicate that the second AirPort is being set up the "extend using Ethernet".
If you are not familiar with Apple's setup utility and need a few tips, post back to let us know whether you will be using a Mac or an iPhone / iPad to set up the second AirPort Extreme.
Also, will I be able to share/access files from either location?
Sure.
Thanks Bob,
I will try the setup that you suggested. I previously had AE1 set as Wi-Fi base station/network primary on ISP router (DHCP on), and AE2 as a Wi-Fi bridge/network extension (AE2 NOT LAN connected) in the office; worked fine (even connected USB HDD to AE2 with visibility via AE1/MacMini). I am wanting to utilize the in-wall LAN for better throughput between clients on both AEs, just wanting to be sure that the ISP components won't conflict with the two AEs. I would provide ISP info, but English is not the primary language, nor am I fluent in the local language.
I would suggest that you configure your ISP-provided router as your "main" router that provides both NAT & DHCP services
Already done. The OP has told us that AirPort Extreme #1 is set up in Bridge Mode, so the ISP provided router is already routing.
You can utilize WAPs from different manufacturers ... BUT each must connect to the network by Ethernet.
This is correct. But, in the OP's case the WAPs will be AirPort Extremes.....according to what he has told us. Perhaps you are thinking of another set up.
Each device will broadcast their own Wi-Fi network ... BUT each of these networks would use the same Network Name (aka, SSID) and the same wireless security type & password.
Correct, but you don't have to think about any of this if you use Apple's setup "wizard". The utility will take care of all of these things automatically when the second AirPort is added to the network.
That way, a wireless client just see "one" network to connect to and can roam between stations.
That's the theory with a roaming network. In practice, things don't often work quite as well as the theory might suggest. There is hardly a day that goes by on the forum without a user posting to ask why his iPhone, or iPad, or PC won't automatically "switch" access points as it moves about the house from an area near one access point to another area near another access point.
Bob,
Sorry, I've opened the ISP spaghetti access panel and found Forte Series NSH-800L Home Switch where I thought a router would be. 6 lines from the switch to an NSV-1802 junction. I'm sure this configuration changes everything. When I plug the 2nd AE basestation into the LAN, all internet is lost on the 1st. I have an R7000 that is VPN-configured, can that be placed in-line at the spaghetti panel to base-line a home network?
Bob,
Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge on this subject. I did as you suggested: moved AEBS2 next to AEBS1, pwr on, RESET, LAN-connect to AEBS1. MacMini "Sees" the AEBS2, but will not connect. Did Factory Reset on AEBS2, no change. Changed AEBS1 to Bridge, AEBS2 connected and wizard did its thing. Reconfigured AEBS1 to DHCP/NAT ON, and AEBS2 to Bridge: all working good (Green Dots all-around). Disconnected #2, moved back to office, PWR & LAN in port 1 - NO-GO. LAN to WAN, Unpluged/No LAN (Wi-Fi only) - Still no joy. Hard reset (8 sec, pwr on) - nothing. Going to try again tonight with Factory reset, and Wi-Fi extend only (original, working config for the last 6-months). Looks like LAN connection is a bust with this topography. Should AEBS1 remain DHCP/NAT, or Bridge?
Should AEBS1 remain DHCP/NAT, or Bridge?
Bridge, if you are using the Netgear router as your "main" router, since it will be providing DHCP and NAT service for the entire network.
If you try to set up AEBS1 in DHCP and NAT, then you will have a Double NAT error......something you do not want.....and devices on the AEBS1 network will not be able to "see" devices on the Netgear network.
MacMini "Sees" the AEBS2, but will not connect
Sorry, I do not understand what you mean by this. Please list every step that you are performing. A few screenshots might save a lot of words.
I have run 3 AirPorts all connected by Ethernet for over 5 years with no issues at all. Have helped hundreds of users set up the same type of network. Things will work if the AirPorts are working correctly and the wiring is done correctly.
Bob,
I have not yet put the netgear router in service, network is all ISP-switch. By "See"ing, I meant that AEBS2 appeared in the Wi-Fi menu indicated as available, but the wizard failed to connect when retrieving configurations.
Originally, I had AEBS1 in DHCP, with LAN clients (MacMini, ATV, second router (VPN) serving TV) and Wi-Fi clients. Also, AEBS2 was Wi-Fi bridge in the office with LAN clients and Wi-Fi printer. My second router failed (would not connect to VPN server), so I thought I could change the topography to better serve the office clients. I will try to revert to the previous set-up with my new Netgear (VPN) router after I get this configuration squared away..
I guess there IS some sort of router (or the switch?) somewhere upstream in the ISP setup that is denying LAN back channeling from AEBS2 to AEBS1
That is why I originally asked you to set up AEBS2 when it was connected directly to AEBS1. If it works that way....then you know that AEBS2 is set up correctly.
If things don't work when you move AEBS2 to another location and connect it to what you feel is the LAN......then you know that there is an issue on the LAN......because you have already confirmed that AEBS2 was working when it was connected via LAN to AEBS1.
If WiFi is working OK for you to connect the AirPorts, then all might be well. But, you always lose at least half of the potential speed on the network when you do it this way.
Can 2 Airport Extremes bridge/mesh from existing LAN
