Owais Crawford
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a popular router choice for many, but can it connect to another AirPort Extreme? The short answer is yes, but with some caveats. If you're looking to extend your wireless signal, you'll need to connect to another Apple router as AirPort Extreme cannot extend a wireless signal to a non-Apple router. To connect two AirPort Extremes, you can use an Ethernet cable or configure them to create separate wireless networks with the same name and password but on different channels. Additionally, ensure your AirPort Extremes are in Bridge Mode to avoid interference issues. So, while it is possible to connect one AirPort Extreme to another, careful configuration is necessary to ensure a smooth connection.
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What You'll Learn
Using an Ethernet cable
In the Airport Utility, you can choose to "extend a wireless network" for one of the Airport Extremes. This will allow it to extend the WiFi signal from the main Airport Extreme connected to the DSL modem/router. You can then turn off the wireless function on your modem/router as you won't need two wireless networks.
If you are using Airport Utility 6.x, you may need to refer to this answer. It is important to note that the Airport Express and Time Capsule are connected via a Powerline device (devolo dLAN 500 AVmini) in this configuration.
Another user has reported success by not using the "let this Express extend Airport network" feature. Instead, they configured each Express to create its own network with the same SSID, ensuring they were 5-6 channels apart and used the same security/password.
If you are using an Ethernet cable to connect your Airport Extreme to your computer, you may need to refer to this answer. It suggests setting the "Connect Using" option to Ethernet in the Airport Utility > Internet tab. However, if you are using a Netgear router and want to use your Airport Extreme only as a non-WiFi Time Capsule backup device, you may encounter issues. When plugging the cable into a LAN port on the Extreme, it may prompt you to configure a WiFi network and the Internet connection may stop on the Netgear router.
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Using the 'extend' feature
The "Extend" feature in Airport Extreme allows you to extend the wireless signal of an existing network. This is particularly useful if you want to increase the range of your Wi-Fi network without purchasing additional equipment.
To use the "Extend" feature, you will need to have two or more Airport Extreme devices. One of the devices will need to be connected directly to your modem and set up as the base station, while the other device(s) will be used to extend the signal.
- Connect the first Airport Extreme device to your modem using an Ethernet cable.
- Configure the first device to create a wireless network with your desired network name and password.
- For the second Airport Extreme device, connect it to the first device using an Ethernet cable. Ensure that the Ethernet cable is connected to one of the router ports on the first device and to the WAN port on the second device.
- Configure the second device to create a wireless network with the same network name and password as the first device.
- Choose different channels for the two devices to avoid interference. For 2.4 GHz connections, select channels that are separated by at least three empty channels. For example, if the first device is on channel 5, set the second device to channel 9. For 5 GHz connections, simply choose two different channels.
- Set the second device to "Extend" mode. This will allow it to extend the wireless signal of the first device, increasing the range of your Wi-Fi network.
It is important to note that the "Extend" feature may not work reliably with older versions of Airport Extreme. Additionally, when using the "Extend" feature, the connection speed may be slower compared to a direct connection to the base station.
By following these steps, you can effectively use the "Extend" feature in Airport Extreme to expand the coverage of your wireless network.
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Using AirPort Utility 5.6
The AirPort Extreme is a router that cannot be connected wirelessly to other routers unless it is connected to another AirPort Base Station. In this case, the AirPort Extreme can be used to extend the wireless network.
To connect an AirPort Extreme to another AirPort Extreme, you can use an Ethernet cable. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Ethernet ports on the modem/router to the Ethernet port on the back of the AirPort Extreme.
- Power up the AirPort Extreme and wait for about a minute or two.
- Press and hold the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 7-8 seconds, then release.
- Wait for the AirPort Extreme to restart, indicated by a slow, blinking amber light.
- On your Mac, click on the WiFi menu at the top of the screen and look for "New AirPort Base Station."
- Click on "AirPort Extreme," which will open the AirPort Utility setup wizard.
- The wizard will analyze the network, and then display a setup screen.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the new AirPort Extreme:
- Type in the desired name for the new network.
- Choose a name for the Base Station.
- Enter the wireless network name and password of the existing router.
Once you have completed the setup, click "Done" when you see the "Setup Complete" message.
Additionally, you can use the AirPort Utility 5.6 software to connect an AirPort Extreme to another router. This software will reveal a hidden "join" option, allowing the AirPort Extreme to connect wirelessly to another router. However, it is important to note that this setup may result in very slow speeds if an external HDD is attached.
The AirPort Extreme can also be used as an access point or repeater to boost the signal from a main router. To achieve this, you can set up the AirPort Extreme in AP mode or Network Mode using the AirPort Utility.
Furthermore, the AirPort Extreme can be connected to a third-party router, such as the TP-Link TL-WR902AC, to create a temporary or experimental link. However, this may not always be a viable option, as it depends on the specific internet plan and hardware involved.
While the AirPort Extreme offers flexibility in extending and boosting wireless networks, it is important to note that it may not seamlessly "mesh" with other Wi-Fi devices. For more advanced configurations, a basic understanding of Wi-Fi networking and DHCP server setup may be required.
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Setting up a wireless network
- Connect to Your Modem or Router: First, you need to establish a connection between your AirPort Extreme and your internet source. This can be done by connecting an Ethernet cable from your modem or router to the AirPort Extreme. The Ethernet cable should be connected to one of the LAN ports on your modem or router and to the WAN port on the AirPort Extreme.
- Configure Network Settings: Once the hardware connection is established, you will need to configure your network settings. Open the AirPort Utility software on your computer or device. Within the software, you can configure your network name (SSID), password, and security settings.
- Select Wireless Mode: Depending on your desired network setup, you can choose between different wireless modes. If you want to create a new wireless network, you can do so by entering a unique network name and password. If you want to extend an existing wireless network, you can set the AirPort Extreme to "Bridge Mode" to extend the wireless signal.
- Channel Selection: To optimize your wireless network performance, it is important to select the appropriate channels for your 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. For the 2.4GHz band, choose a channel that is separated from neighbouring Wi-Fi networks to minimize interference. For example, if your neighbouring network is using channel 5, you can select channel 9 for your AirPort Extreme. For 5GHz connections, simply choose two different channels for each router to avoid overlap.
- Connect Additional AirPort Extremes: If you have multiple AirPort Extremes and want to extend your wireless network, you can connect them via Ethernet cables. Connect one of the Ethernet ports on the first AirPort Extreme to the WAN port on the second AirPort Extreme. Ensure that the second AirPort Extreme is set to Bridge Mode and is configured to extend the wireless network.
- Connect Wireless Devices: Once your wireless network is set up, you can connect your wireless devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets to your new network by selecting the network name (SSID) and entering the password.
It is important to note that, as mentioned in the research results, there may be some limitations when connecting an AirPort Extreme to another router wirelessly. Unless you are connecting to another Apple router, you may not be able to extend the wireless signal wirelessly. Additionally, connecting an external hard drive to the AirPort Extreme may result in slower performance.
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Configuring in Bridge Mode
To configure an AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode, you need to have an AirPort main router. This is because the Bridge Mode setting turns the AirPort Extreme into a network-enabled hard drive and gigabit switch, allowing you to control your network's advanced features via the eero app.
- Disconnect your AirPort Extreme from your existing network by unplugging all Ethernet cables.
- Connect your laptop to the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable, plugging it into one of the AirPort's LAN ports. Ensure your laptop is only connected to the AirPort device and not to any other router or modem.
- Turn off Wi-Fi on your laptop to ensure you are only connected to the AirPort device.
- Launch the AirPort Utility on your laptop.
- Select the AirPort Extreme from the window and press "Edit".
- Select the "Network" tab and choose "Off" (Bridge Mode) from the "Router Mode" drop-down menu.
- Press "Update". Your AirPort Extreme will now reboot and save your changes.
- Disconnect your laptop, re-enable your Wi-Fi, and connect to your desired Wi-Fi network.
- Use an Ethernet cable to connect the WAN port of your AirPort Extreme to one of the LAN ports on your primary router.
- Your primary router will now assign an IP address to your AirPort Extreme, and it will appear as a hard drive on any device connected to the network.
It is important to note that when using an AirPort Extreme in Bridge Mode, the "Guest Network" option may be disabled. Additionally, you may encounter a Connection Sharing error related to NAT/DHCP settings. To resolve this, try using the iPad version of the Airport Utility or consult Apple support for further guidance.
Furthermore, when connecting multiple AirPort Extremes, it is recommended to configure them to create wireless networks with the same name and password but on different channels to avoid interference.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can.
You can connect your Airport Extreme to another Airport Extreme using an Ethernet cable. You can also connect them wirelessly, but only if you are connecting to another Apple router.
Connect the cable from one of the LAN ports on the first Airport Extreme to the WAN port on the second Airport Extreme.
Install Airport Utility 5.6. This will allow you to connect to another Apple router using the "join" option.
Two wireless routers in close proximity may cause interference issues. If you are using the Airport Extreme to provide wireless service, check with your service provider to ensure that you can turn off the wireless function on their router. Also, if you attach an external HDD, the connection may be very slow.
