Eero And Airport Extreme: Can They Work Together?

In 2018, Apple discontinued its AirPort product line, which included the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule. Since then, many people have been looking for a suitable replacement for their AirPort routers. One option that has been recommended by some is the eero mesh wireless network system. The eero system offers greater range than traditional routers and can be easily set up using the eero iOS app. However, it is important to note that if you want to use an Airport device on an eero network, you will need to bridge the Airports as eeros cannot mesh with other routing devices.

Connecting an AirPort Extreme to an eero network

If you want to connect an AirPort Extreme to an eero network, you'll need to disable the wireless and routing functions on either your AirPort device or your eeros. The recommended way to do this is to bridge your AirPort device, which turns it into a network-enabled hard drive and gigabit switch. This will allow you to control your network's advanced features via the eero app.

Steps to Bridge Your AirPort Extreme:

• Unplug all the Ethernet cables to disconnect the AirPort Extreme from your existing network.
• Connect your laptop to your AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable plugged into one of the AirPort's LAN ports.
• Ensure your computer is connected only to the AirPort device and not to the network of another router or modem. It is recommended to turn off WiFi to make sure you're only connected to your AirPort device.
• Launch Airport Utility and select AirPort Extreme from the window, then press edit.
• Select the 'Wireless' tab and find the drop-down menu under 'Network Mode.' Select 'Off' to disable any wireless networks created by your AirPort Extreme.
• Select the 'Network' tab. Under the 'Router Mode' drop-down, select 'Off' (Bridge Mode). This setting means that IP address assignment is passed onto your eero, which you'll connect as your primary router.
• Press 'Update.' Your AirPort Extreme will reboot and save your changes.
• Disconnect your laptop, re-enable your Wi-Fi, and connect your laptop to your eero Wi-Fi network.
• Use an Ethernet cable to connect one of your eeros to your AirPort Extreme's WAN port. Your eero will assign an IP address to your AirPort Extreme, and the AirPort hard drive should appear on any device connected to your eero network.

Additional Considerations:

• If you want to use an Airport Express on your eero network for iTunes, refer to the Apple FAQ for specific instructions.
• While you can use an AirPort device on an eero network by bridging the Airports, eeros cannot mesh with other routing devices.
• If you have port forwarding settings on your Apple Extreme and want to migrate them to the eero gateway, there is currently no easy way to do so. The .baseconfig file exported by Airport Utility cannot be imported into eero or other systems.

Bridging an AirPort Extreme

To bridge an AirPort Extreme, you must first unplug all Ethernet cables to disconnect it from your existing network. Then, connect your laptop to your AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable plugged into one of the AirPort's LAN ports. Ensure your computer is only connected to the AirPort device and not to the network of another router or modem.

Next, launch the Airport Utility and select AirPort Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme from the window, then press edit. Select the 'Wireless' tab and, from the drop-down menu under 'Network Mode', select 'Off' to disable any wireless networks created by your AirPort device.

Then, select the 'Network' tab. Under the 'Router Mode' drop-down, select 'Off' (Bridge Mode). This setting means that IP address assignment is passed onto your eero, which you will connect as your primary router. Once done, press 'Update' and your AirPort device will reboot and save your changes. At this point, disconnect your laptop, re-enable your Wi-Fi, and connect your laptop to your eero Wi-Fi network.

Finally, use an Ethernet cable to connect your eero to your AirPort Extreme's WAN port. After a moment, your eero will assign the AirPort Extreme its own IP address and the AirPort hard drive should appear on any device connected to your eero network.

eero's compatibility with other routing devices

To bridge your Airport Extreme or Time Capsule:

• Disconnect your Airport device from your existing network by unplugging all Ethernet cables.
• Connect your laptop to your Airport device using an Ethernet cable plugged into one of the Airport's LAN ports.
• Ensure your computer is only connected to the Airport device and not to another router or modem network. Turn off WiFi to make sure.
• Launch Airport Utility and select your Airport device from the window, then press edit.
• Select the 'Wireless' tab and, under 'Network Mode', select 'Off' to disable any wireless networks created by your Airport device.
• Select the 'Network' tab. Under the 'Router Mode' drop-down, select 'Off' (Bridge Mode). This passes IP address assignment to your Eero, which will be your primary router.
• Press 'Update' and your Airport device will reboot and save your changes.
• Disconnect your laptop, re-enable your WiFi, and connect your laptop to your Eero WiFi network.
• Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Eero to your Airport device's WAN port. Your Eero will then assign your Airport device its own IP address, and the Airport hard drive should appear on any device connected to your Eero network.

While Eero cannot mesh with other routing devices, it has been tested for compatibility with most major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Japan, and Australia. As long as you can connect your gateway Eero to a modem or upstream device with an Ethernet cable, you should be able to set up and use Eero.

eero Home WiFi System vs AirPort Extreme

The eero Home WiFi System and the AirPort Extreme are both wireless routers that can be used to connect to the internet. However, there are some key differences between the two products.

First, the eero Home WiFi System is a mesh network system, which means it can cover a larger area than a traditional router. It has twice the range (120 ft) of a traditional router (60 ft) and can offer up to 5 times the connection speed at the same distances. This makes it a good choice for users who need a strong and reliable connection over a wide area, such as in a large home or office. The AirPort Extreme, on the other hand, is a traditional router with a range of 60 ft, which is typical of most routers on the market.

Second, the eero Home WiFi System comes with a companion app that allows users to monitor their internet speeds, manage their network away from home, and set up usage schedules for other household members. This can be especially useful for parents who want to control their children's internet usage or for users who need to manage their network while travelling. The AirPort Extreme does not have a dedicated smartphone app, although it does have a setup assistant built into iOS and the AirPort Utility for OS X, which makes it easy to configure.

Third, the eero Home WiFi System can be purchased as a stand-alone unit or in a bundle of three, offering flexibility to users who may want to expand their network over time. The AirPort Extreme, on the other hand, is available as a single unit.

Fourth, the eero Home WiFi System supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standards, while the AirPort Extreme only supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). This means that the eero system may provide faster and more stable connections, especially with newer devices that support the latest Wi-Fi standards.

Finally, when it comes to price, the eero Home WiFi System is more expensive, with one unit costing around $190 and a 3-pack costing close to $500. The AirPort Extreme is likely to be more affordable, although the exact price is not readily available.

In conclusion, both the eero Home WiFi System and the AirPort Extreme are capable wireless routers, but they have different features and specifications that cater to varying user needs. The eero system offers greater range, faster speeds, and more advanced management options through its companion app, making it a good choice for users who need a reliable connection over a wide area. The AirPort Extreme, while easier to set up and more affordable, may be better suited to users who only need basic routing functionality and have a smaller coverage area.

eero's improved performance over AirPort Extreme

The Eero Pro and Apple AirPort Extreme both deliver great speeds, but there are some differences between the two. The Eero Pro is a mesh device that comes with two beacons that act as satellite devices to boost the speed and range of internet transmission. With these beacons, the Eero Pro can cover a range of 5,500 square feet, but its speeds are lower than the AirPort Extreme, delivering a cumulative 1Gbps theoretical throughput.

On the other hand, the AirPort Extreme covers a range of 3,000 square feet and achieves speeds of 1,750Mbps. While the AirPort Extreme boasts higher speeds, the Eero Pro has a more elegant and compact design, making it a better fit for certain spaces. Additionally, the Eero Pro has high security and self-updates monthly to ensure users get the best experience.

The Eero Pro also has a simpler setup process, as it is a small, compact device with a flat base that can sit on any flat surface. In contrast, the AirPort Extreme is a tall device with sharp edges, requiring more space and attention.

In terms of ports and connectivity, the Eero Pro has one WAN port and one LAN port, which may be a disappointment for users who want multiple wired connections. The AirPort Extreme, however, is fitted with one WAN port, three LAN ports, and one USB port, providing more options for wired connections.

Overall, while the AirPort Extreme has higher speeds, the Eero Pro offers improved performance in other areas, such as range, design, security, and ease of setup.

Frequently asked questions