Possible to "pair" a machine with a specific base in a WDS?

Question

I'm still working on getting my WDS playing friendly, but once up, I'd like to do this if possible.
There are multiple bases and machines in our network. I looked into doing a separate N only network, but it's just not going to be possible with the way I want to be able to use everything. Basically I would like to ensure the only 802.11n machine in the house is connecting to the new N base station, even though there is a G base closer to it. Is this possible? Kind of like "preferring" a specific network over others, but I want it to prefer a specific base station within the WDS, to maximize speed.
Thanks,
Sean

Answer 1

If you connect the N and the G via two different ethernet cables to your router, and give each access point a different network name, then you can specify the access point you want to use for each computer. Doing it this way will insure that your N access point maintains the highest possible transfer speed. If you wirelessly link your G to your N access point, you will drop the transfer rate of the N for all computers down to the speeds of the G. There is a notation on the box about connecting to the N access point with wireless devices other than N and what impact that will have on the N.
I have not had very good luck setting up WDS with the N. It appears from the configuration in the Airport Wireless program that the N can not be set up as a WDS base like the G model can. It also appears that you still have to use the G model as the WDS base and the N as a wireless node to the G model.
If you set the N up as the base as in create a new network, and then set the G up to join the network and give it the N's network name to join, then your laptop should seek out the closest access point, be it the N or G. However, based on varying signal strengths based on your location, the laptop should switch between the two as needed. With one network name, this would be automatic and would, again, impact the speed of the N unit.
To be absolutely sure you get the most out of your N access point, you need to be sure that no non-N wireless units are connecting to it.
I am sure that if I misspoke something here, someone will jump in and correct me. If so, I would also be interested in any other alternatives to better utilize my G unit in a remote capacity without slowing down the AE-N.
Jeff