I am linking 7 express's to an extreme via ethernet cables in very large estate. Is there a specific "backbone" you recommend for use in such an application? Thank you

I am linking 7 airport expresses to an airport extreme via ethernet cables in a large estate I maintain. Is there a specific product apple recommends to act as the "backbone" in such an application? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you

Is there a specific product apple recommends to act as the "backbone" in such an application
Apple does not recommend a specific product in this regard.
In general, you would connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Exteme to a Gigabit Ethernet switch, then connect as many Ethernet cable runs as you want to use to remote locations around the house.
Ethernet switches come in 5-port, 8-port, 16-port etc versions, so choose according to your needs.
I recommend Netgear and Cisco switches, but I am sure that there are other good products from which to choose.
Be sure to run CAT6 Ethernet cable to allow for the faster speeds coming in the next decade or so.

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I'd like to alter my Airport Extreme/Airport Express wireless network so that the 3 Expresses connect to the Extreme via Ethernet. I've been told this will create a more stable wifi signal. How do I configure this using Airport Utility? Thanks.

I currently have an Airport Extreme Base Station connected to my DSL router by Ethernet. Because I have a long, sprawling home, I have 3 Airport Expresses configured to "Extend the Wireless Network" I've established. Because of my home environment--thick walls encompassaing wire mesh, sprawling rooms, etc., it is hard to maintain a continuously-strong, stable WiFi signal. I've been told that I can create a much more stable network by connecting the Express units to the AEBS via Ethernet cable. Since my home is already wired for Ethernet, I'm considering making this change. If I proceed to establish the Ethernet connections, how do I then set up Airport Utility to accomodate this switch from a Wireless-based WiFi network to an Ethernet-based WiFi network?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Phyllis

I don't see anyplace in the Utility to designate HOW the Express units are connected, only how they relate on the network to the Extreme,
As I mentioned in the previous post, when you click the Internet icon in AirPort Utility:
Connect Using = Ethernet (This tells each Express to connect to the Extreme using the ethernet connection)
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode) (This setting allows your AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on the network, as it must for the setup to work correctly.
You do not need to configure anything differently on the AirPort Extreme (as long as it is working correctly now) to connect the AirPort Express devices.
The only other question I have is the following: I'm currently already using one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Extreme-- for my husband's iMac. I really don't think he gains much in performance over how the iMac would run through wifi, so I could disconnect the iMac. If you think the iMac would do better to stay on the Ethernet connection, should I use a switch/splitter to add an extra connection?
Since each AirPort Express must connect using ethernet, you will need to use the 3 LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme for the AirPort Express devices.
I would suggest that you try connecting the iMac using wireless to see if that will work. If the wireless connection is not satisfactory, then you can add a 5 port ethernet switch to one of the LAN ports on the Extreme and then plug all the devices connecting using ethernet....the iMac and the 3 AirPort Express devices...into the remaining 4 ports on the switch. That will leave you with 2 open ports on the AirPort Extreme for any future devices that may need to connect.
When you test out the system, here is a trick to find out which device your computer is actually connecting to at any given time as it "roams" around the house.
When you have AirPort Utility open to configure each AirPort Express, jot down the AirPort ID for each Express. You can do the same for the AirPort Extreme.
As you move around with your laptop, hold down the option key on your Mac keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device that the laptop is connected to at that time. it should also be the ID of the closest AirPort Express (or AirPort Extreme if the laptop is close to the Extreme at the time).
Let us know how things are working when everything is up and running.

Have new Airport Extreme via ethernet cable from HughesNet Gen4 modem. Using NetGear WN3500RP extender. NetGear asks for different names for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Most of what I have read indicats extender shoul have same name as main network?

Have new Airport Extreme conneted via ethernet cable from HughesNet Gen4 modem. Using NetGear WN3500RP extender. NetGear asks for different names for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Most of what I have read indicates extender should have same name as main network? How is it best to configure with the Airport Extreme router 802.11ac?

Different names for the 2.4 and 5 GHz networks are optional, but can be convenient for you to distinguish one from another. It's up to you.

Connect to internet via airport extreme via ethernet cable and no airport c

I just bought a MacBook with Airport Extreme, got it set up today and it works great, got online, etc. However, I have an iMac with no airport card. I can't figure out how to get both computers hooked up on the internet at the same time. The MacBook works only when the ethernet cable in in the LAN slot on the Extreme but won't work through the WAN slot. I have tried hooking up both ethernet cables into the Extreme, just the iMac, and nothing works. I don't need to connect wirelessly through the iMac so I don't want to buy an Airport card if I don't need one. I just don't want to plug and unplug the ethernet cable everytime I want to use the MacBook or the iMac. My modem from Verizon only has one ethernet slot. Any ideas?

I just bought a MacBook with Airport Extreme, got it
set up today and it works great, got online, etc.
However, I have an iMac with no airport card. I
can't figure out how to get both computers hooked up
on the internet at the same time. The MacBook works
only when the ethernet cable in in the LAN slot on
the Extreme but won't work through the WAN slot. I
have tried hooking up both ethernet cables into the
Extreme, just the iMac, and nothing works. I don't
need to connect wirelessly through the iMac so I
don't want to buy an Airport card if I don't need
one. I just don't want to plug and unplug the
ethernet cable everytime I want to use the MacBook
or the iMac. My modem from Verizon only has one
ethernet slot. Any ideas?
You mean Airport Extreme Base station?
Here's what you need to do:
1. Disconnect your Verizon Modem & Airport Extreme
2. Connect the ethernet cable from the Verizon modem to the WAN of the AE
3. Connect another ethernet cable from the LAN port of the AE to your iMac
4. Turn on Verizon Modem
5. Once all lights on the modem have turned on, turn on the Airport Extreme
6. On your iMac click on Applications --> Utilities --> Airport Admin Utility
7. Setup a Wireless network using this or the Airport Setup Assistant, located in the same Utility folder.
8. After you have created the wireless network, connect to it on your macbook
If for some strange reason you still can't figure it out, refer to the product manual or check:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106858

Connecting PS3 to airport extreme via ethernet cable. Please Help!

All I want to do is to connect my ps3 directly to my airport extreme via an Ethernet cable. At the same time I want to be able to connect my computer/ipod touch to the internet wirelessly throught the airport extreme. Is this even possible? I dont want to add a airport extreme or extened my internet in anyway.

All I want to do is to connect my ps3 directly to my airport extreme via an Ethernet cable. At the same time I want to be able to connect my computer/ipod touch to the internet wirelessly throught the airport extreme. Is this even possible? I dont want to add a airport extreme or extened my internet in anyway.

Can I connect my Linksys WRT160N V3 with Airport Extreme via ethernet cable?

I have a Linksys WRT160N V3 router (Living Room) to my cable modem but the wifi does not reach certain spots in the house where its necessary. If I buy a Airport Extreme and place it in my bedroom and connect it with an ethernet cable that I have connected with my iMac will the airport extreme work as a wifi extender since wifi does not reach my room?

Yes, the AE can be simply put in bridge mode so it will become an AP and set the wireless to create a wireless network.. you can then use same name and same security as linksys.. this is called roaming network.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4260
Although the apple instructions have two apple routers, any two wireless routers will work the same way.

Connecting aiport extreme and airport express via ethernet cable ?

Is it possible to connect an airport extreme to an airport express via ethernet cable, I ask because I want to expand the range of my wifi network to the basement of my house, the floors are really thick concrete so I installed some ethernet cable runs, I hope somebody can help me, thank you.

+How do I do it ? Do I connect the modem to the airport extreme and then run the ethernet cable from one of the extreme's ethernet ports to the express ethernet on the basememt and a second cable from another of the extreme's ethernet connectors to the express on the second floor+
Yes, this is exactly correct.
To configure each AirPort Express (AX)
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the icons to name your device, assign a device password and adjust time zone settings. Give each Express a separate name so you can identify then easily.
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode...Create a Wireless Network
Wireless Network Name...Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Radio Mode 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) if you want to use 2.4 GHz
Channel...Automatic
Wireless Security...Exact same setting as your AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password....Exact same setting as your AirPort Extreme network
Click the Internet icon
Change the Connection Sharing setting at the bottom to "Off (Bridge Mode)"
Click Update at the lower right and the AirPort Express will restart in 20-30 seconds
I think it is easier to configure each AirPort Express with AirPort Utility by temporarily connecting it to your computer with a short ethernet cable. Once you have saved the configuration, you can move the Express to the location that you need.
Please post back on your progress.

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. My question is I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connecti

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme. Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?

I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme.
Excellent plan.
Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?
Yes, but don't get confused about the second AirPort Extreme, as it would not be configured to "extend" a wireless network.....it would be configured to "create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name, security settings and password as the Time Capsule network. Configure the second Extreme in Bridge Mode.
This Apple support document will show you how to hookup and configure the second AirPort Extreme:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

I have a 3rd party hard drive with movies on it ,it is connected to my airport extreme. The AE is connected to my tv via ethernet cable. Can I stream my movies to the Tv ?

I have a 3rd party hard drive with movies on it ,it is connected to my airport extreme. The AE is connected to my tv via ethernet cable. Can I stream my movies to the Tv ?

Not without a player..
The AE is a dumb file server.. the hard disk you plug in is an even dumber hard disk.
There are no smarts in this setup.. not even DLNA. So the TV would have to be an extremely smart one to read raw files on a network drive.. none do that I know of.
A solution is WD live TV.. it can read files from just about any file source on network and play them to the TV.
Nothing apple makes will do that.. ATV is a streamer not a media player. Everything in the Apple world is tied up with itunes. So you must have a computer running itunes to use it.
You can download a more generic player for ipad, and put that as part of the network.. but you still need ATV to display the video.

Connecting to Airport Express via Ethernet Cable

Dear Apple Support Community,
My setup at home is such that all my devices are in such close proximity to the Airport Express, and therefore I connect everything to the Airport Express via ethernet cables (NAS, Apple TV, PS 3).
The final step in my network setup would be to connect my Macbook to the Airport Express to connect to the internet using the Ethernet Cables, instead of using the wireless connection - because my Macbook is positioned right next to the Airport Express.
However, I am struggling to get the Macbook to connect to the Internet via the Ethernet Cable through the airport express. Is there a special way to set this up if this can be done. I know Wireless would be the answer, but the problem is, when I download movies etc, I write the files directly onto the NAS which happens a lot quicker than doing so via WiFi.
I hope the above question makes sense.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Regards
ST

Hello Brian Hunt1. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I have an old PowerBook G3 and I do not have a wireless card for it. My plan was to connect it, via Ethernet cable to my airport express which is on my home wireless network (DSL to Mac Mini to AirPort Express via built-in AirPort).
Unfortunately, the network configuration your describing, where you would use OS X's Internet Sharing feature to share the Mac Mini's wired Internet connection wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), won't work.
If I cannot connect my laptop this way, could anyone suggest a wireless card that is compatible with this slightly antiquated, yet very useful machine?
Only the "Pismo" PowerBook G3 is capable of using the original AirPort card. If you have this model, then the following DIY instructions will show you how to install it.
If this isn't your model, then check out the following vendor offerings:
o QuickerTek
o hField Technologies' Wi-Fire

HT1515 My internet 3rd party access point in in the basement and the speakers I want to stream music to wirelessly are upstairs. Does Airport Express need to be connected to my 3rd party router via ethernet cable or will it stream music wirelessly?

My internet 3rd party access point in in the basement and the speakers I want to stream music to wirelessly are upstairs. Does Airport Express need to be connected to my 3rd party router via ethernet cable or will it stream music wirelessly?

Wirelessly
Just select the option to make your AirPort Express join an existing network in the setup process

Connecting a Laptop to Airport Express via Ethernet Cable

I have an old PowerBook G3 and I do not have a wireless card for it. My plan was to connect it, via Ethernet cable to my airport express which is on my home wireless network (DSL to Mac Mini to AirPort Express via built-in AirPort).
My question is can I make this work? After buying the Ethernet cord, all my reading of the AirPort Express manual seems to suggest that the Ethernet port on the AirPort Express is to only be used as an input port, not as an output. Is this correct?
If I cannot connect my laptop this way, could anyone suggest a wireless card that is compatible with this slightly antiquated, yet very useful machine?

Hello Brian Hunt1. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I have an old PowerBook G3 and I do not have a wireless card for it. My plan was to connect it, via Ethernet cable to my airport express which is on my home wireless network (DSL to Mac Mini to AirPort Express via built-in AirPort).
Unfortunately, the network configuration your describing, where you would use OS X's Internet Sharing feature to share the Mac Mini's wired Internet connection wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), won't work.
If I cannot connect my laptop this way, could anyone suggest a wireless card that is compatible with this slightly antiquated, yet very useful machine?
Only the "Pismo" PowerBook G3 is capable of using the original AirPort card. If you have this model, then the following DIY instructions will show you how to install it.
If this isn't your model, then check out the following vendor offerings:
o QuickerTek
o hField Technologies' Wi-Fire

Connecting 2 Airport Extremes via ethernet if my intent is to improve wireless signal in a different area of my home

Connect the second Airport Extreme via ethernet, all is good. However, question is; do I use the same Wireless name as main Airport Extreme or do I need to name is differently? And if differently, how do devices connect to the strongest signal?

Aribia wrote:
Connect the second Airport Extreme via ethernet, all is good. However, question is; do I use the same Wireless name as main Airport Extreme
Yes. If you want your wireless devices to "see" only one wireless network, specify the exact same wireless network name, security and password for the second Extreme.
And if differently, how do devices connect to the strongest signal?
If you choose to specify different names, and your Network Preferences are configured to not "ask to join new networks" your Mac will automatically switch from one to the other, but it does not do this just because one becomes stronger than the other as you move your MacBook Pro away from one and toward the other. It will switch networks when the wireless signal falls below a threshold that is not user-selectable. It will do that whether or not you specify different wireless network names.

AirPort Express via ethernet cable/Wireless.

I have an iMac upstairs, and want to stream music to my HI-Fi downstairs. My new AirPort Express has a green light and is found via Airport Utility on the iMac when connected to my modem (BT HomeHub, downstairs)) via ethernet cable. But once unplugged from the modem so I can use it near the Hi-Fi it is not found via wireless, and has a flashing amber light. I only want to stream music from iMac to Hi-Fi. I set it up to join the existing network - the guy in the Apple store assured me I didn't need to be connected by ethernet to the modem, that it would work via WiFi. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks to edex67 for providing the info that the Home Hub will work with WPA/WPA2 Personal security.
Please locate the Express temporarily in the same room or an adjacent room as the Home Hub.
Perform a Factory Default Reset on the Express to get everything back to a known state as follows:
Pull the Express from power
Wait a few minutes
Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it for an additional 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and make sure that you are connected to Apple Network xxxxxx. No password is required.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility 5.6
Click on the AirPort Express and then click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to assign a device name to the Express, device password, and adjust Time Zone Settings. The settings should look like this:
Next, click the Wireless tab located next to the Base Station tab. Adjust settings as follows:
Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network (You might have to hold down the option key on the Mac while you click on the selection box to see the "Join" setting appear)
Wireless Network Name = Name of the Home Hub Network
Enter a check mark next to Allow Ethernet Clients if you want to enable the Ethernet port
Wireless Security = WPA/WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Home Hub wireless network password
Verify Password
Click the Update button at the lower right
Close AirPort Utility as soon as you see the message that the configuration has been stored on the Express
Wait 45-60 seconds for a green light
Move the Express to the desired location and power it back up, connect speakers, etc.

Cannot configure Airport Express via ethernet cable

I am trying to configure my new Airport Express, in order to stream music to it.
I have a wireless switch/router (Linksys), but DHCP is disabled.
My mac has no wireless card, it is connected via cable, on 100Mbps port.
A friend advised me to connect the AE directly via Ethernet cable, in order to first configure it.
I connected the AE to the router, and the Mac (in the Airport Setup wizard) tells me that "No airport card is installed" (correct). I then click on "Continue", and I can choose between "Configure a new Airport station" and "Modify...".
If I select "Configure...". I get the following message (I am translating from french): The Wizard detected a new Airport Express called "Base Station 5f6281". Good!
But If I click "Continue", it will report "An orror occured when contacting the selected Airport station".
What should I do?
If, instead of selecting "Configure..", I try to "Modify an existing configuration", I have the same when I then click on "identify". What is the trick?
Thanks for your help
Robin

Follow the instructions posted here by David Lovell (which work equally well for Macs and PCs):
David Lovell, "Airtunes for XP with a Wired/Wireless network" #1, 09:05pm Jan 8, 2005 CDT
Notes:
1. You MUST re-enable DHCP on your router. If you don't, the Airport Express won't be able to get an IP address. If your Airport Express doesn't get an IP address, your Mac won't be able to communicate with it.
2. When configuring via an ethernet connection, you must use the Airport Admin Utility (David's article tells you this as well). The Airport Setup Assistant can only be used if you are going to do the configuration wirelessly from an Airport card equipped Mac.

I am linking 7 express's to an extreme via ethernet cables in very large estate. Is there a specific "backbone" you recommend for use in such an application? Thank you

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