Roberta Aguirre
It is possible to set up multiple Apple Airport Extreme routers to a single modem, which can be useful for improving Wi-Fi coverage in larger homes or buildings. However, this setup can be challenging and may cause issues such as IP conflicts, which can result in the same IP number being assigned to two devices. To avoid this, it is recommended to configure the second Airport Extreme with the same wireless network name and password as the first one but on a different channel. Additionally, ensuring that the routers are connected via Ethernet cables and that the appropriate bridge mode is selected can help prevent potential problems.
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What You'll Learn
Using two Airport Extremes with one modem
It is possible to use two Airport Extremes with one modem. However, the setup depends on the type of modem you have. If you have a plain modem that only issues the external IP number provided by your ISP, only the second Airport Extreme in the chain should be in bridge mode. If you have a modem/router that has multiple LAN ports, both Airport Extremes should be in bridge mode.
When setting up multiple Airport Extremes, you should configure them to create a wireless network with the same name and password. For 2.4 GHz channels, choose a different channel that is separated from the first one by three empty channels. For example, if the first Airport Extreme is on channel 5, set the second one to channel 9. For 5 GHz channels, simply choose two different channels since they do not overlap.
One user reported that they connected an ethernet cable from the first Airport Extreme to the second one in another room. The ethernet cable was connected to one of the router ports on the first Airport Extreme and to the WAN port on the second one. They also set the second Airport Extreme to bridge mode and to extend the wireless network.
Another user with two Airport Extremes reported that their smaller Airport Extreme was taking its signal from the first Airport Extreme instead of the wired connection. They wanted devices to "roam" and connect to the Airport Extreme with the best signal. To achieve this, they could assign different SSIDs to each Airport Extreme, but this would require logging onto a different network when moving a device closer to another access point.
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Connecting two Airport Extremes with an Ethernet cable
You can connect two Airport Extremes over ethernet. To do this, one of the Airport Extremes must be connected directly to your modem by Ethernet. This "'main'" Extreme connected to the modem would be in router mode, i.e., Router Mode = DHCP and NAT. From this "main" Extreme, you can run multiple Ethernet lines through your home to other Ethernet switches or additional base stations.
It is important to note that you do not want to place an Ethernet switch between the modem and any of the base stations. The second Airport Extreme should be configured to create a wireless network with the same name and password as the first Airport Extreme, but with a different channel chosen to avoid overlap. For example, if the first airport is on channel 5, the second airport could be on channel 9.
If you are using the 2.4 GHz band, you may encounter issues with bandwidth if the two Airport Extremes are using the same channel. In this case, it is recommended to choose different but non-overlapping channels to avoid interference.
Some users have reported that they can only connect the two Airport Extremes over ethernet if they disable the wifi on one of the units. However, others have found a way to use both wifi and ethernet by using an additional Airport Express to extend the wifi network.
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Setting up two Airport Extremes to extend a wireless network
To set up two Airport Extremes to extend a wireless network, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure that both Airport Extremes are connected to your router via Ethernet cables. This will provide a stable connection between the devices and the network. Give them the same network name and password.
Next, configure the second Airport Extreme to extend the wireless network. You can do this by using Apple's AirPort Utility. Power up the second Airport Extreme, open AirPort Utility, and click on "Other Wi-Fi Devices". Highlight the new Airport Extreme and follow the on-screen instructions to accept the default configuration of extending the existing network. Ensure that the second Airport Extreme is set to "`Extend a Wireless Network`" rather than "Create a Wireless Network".
Additionally, you can configure the second Airport Extreme to have the same wireless network name and password as the first one, but with a different channel. For example, if the first Airport Extreme is on channel 5, set the second one to channel 9. This will help avoid interference from neighbouring networks.
You can also connect the two Airport Extremes wirelessly. To do this, place the second Airport Extreme within radio range of the first one, then use AirPort Utility to configure the second Airport Extreme to join and extend the existing wireless network.
It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with devices randomly dropping connections and old passwords being stored. To address these issues, it is recommended to reset the network settings on any affected iOS devices before making any wholesale changes.
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Potential issues with two Airport Extremes on the same channel
When using two Airport Extremes on the same channel, there are some potential issues that users may encounter. Firstly, bandwidth sharing can become an issue. If two Airport Extremes are using the same channel, they will have to share the available bandwidth. For example, if you have a bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s and both devices are on the same channel, each one will only be able to utilise 50 Mbit/s. This can result in slower internet speeds and potential network congestion.
Another issue arises with overlapping channels, particularly in the 2.4 GHz range. If two Airport Extremes are configured to use overlapping channels, they can interfere with each other, resulting in reduced performance and even rendering the network unusable. It is recommended to separate the channels by at least three empty channels to avoid this issue. For example, setting one device to channel 5 and the other to channel 9.
Additionally, when using two Airport Extremes, it is important to consider the physical distance and placement of the devices. If they are too close together, they may interfere with each other, causing signal degradation and reduced performance. It is generally recommended to place them in different areas to provide good WiFi coverage for the entire space.
Furthermore, users have reported challenges with getting the second Airport Extreme to connect directly to the wired network instead of taking its signal from the first Airport Extreme. This can be frustrating when trying to provide WiFi coverage for separate dwellings or areas.
To mitigate these issues, it is generally advised to configure the second Airport Extreme with the same network name and password as the first one, but on a different, non-overlapping channel. This ensures that devices can seamlessly connect to the strongest signal without the need to log on to a different network.
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Using Airport Extreme as a router
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a Wi-Fi base station that can be used as a router for your Mac or Windows PC. It has five ports: a single Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, and a single USB 2.0 port. To set up a network with AirPort Extreme, you can follow these steps:
- Plug in your AirPort Extreme base station. Unlike other routers, AirPort Extreme does not have an on/off switch and will turn on automatically when plugged in.
- Run the AirPort Utility setup assistant software, located in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder.
- Follow the setup assistant instructions, including naming your network and setting a password. You may also need to enter specific settings from your Internet provider, such as a static IP address or DHCP client ID.
- Configure your network settings through the AirPort Utility software, including any advanced security settings.
If you have two AirPort Extreme base stations, you can use them both in your network. Here's how you can set up a second AirPort Extreme as an extender for your existing network:
- Connect your primary router to your computer using a wired Ethernet cable.
- In the AirPort Utility, choose "Share a Public IP Address" under "Connection Sharing."
- Disconnect from the primary router and connect to your secondary router (the one you plan to use as an extender) using another Ethernet cable.
- In the AirPort Utility, set "Connection Sharing" to "Off (Bridge Mode)" for the secondary router. This ensures that it will pass traffic to the primary router.
- Ensure that the network name, security settings, and password are the same on both the primary and secondary routers. Then, click "Update."
- If you cannot connect the two routers via Ethernet cable, you can also set them up to communicate via Wi-Fi. Simply plug in and turn on both devices, with the primary router connected to your internet modem.
By following these steps, you can use Airport Extreme as a router and extend your network using a second AirPort Extreme base station.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to connect two Airport Extremes together.
The setup depends on your modem. If your modem only issues an external IP number given by your ISP, then only the second Airport Extreme in the chain should be in bridge mode. If your modem is a router and issues IP numbers, both Airports should be in bridge mode.
The best way to connect two Airport Extremes is through an Ethernet cable. Ensure that you configure the second Airport Extreme to create a wireless network with the same name and password as the first Airport Extreme.
Yes, it is possible to extend an Airport Extreme network with two different Airport Express routers.
You may face issues with IP numbers as each device is issued a single IP number by your ISP. If you connect another router, it may issue its own IP numbers, which may lead to two devices having the same IP number.
