Switch or Hub to "extend" network with WRT54GS

Hello...
I have the following...
DSL modem -> WRT54GS
Now...I have 2 computers, 1 Xbox360 and a PS3 running wired, as well as a Wii running wireless. I am adding another Xbox360 and find myself out of ports on the router, so.....I would like to "split" one of the connections into 2.
Is it better to use a switch, or a hub. I am probably going to do the PS3 and one of the Xbox's, and they won't be on at the same time, if that makes any difference.
What would you guys use??

you r most welcome !
good luck for setting up your new ntw ..

Similar Messages

  • Extended network with 2 AEBS and 2 AE

    I have an extended network with 2 AE Base Stations and 2 Airport Expresses. They are all connected on the 5 GHz band and are 'N' only. The two AEBS are connected through ethernet and the two AE are extended wirelessly. I also have an apple TV, Macbook Pro and iMac that connect to this network wirelessly on a regular basis.
    My question is this.... is it possible to assign which AE connects to which AEBS. The two AEBS are at opposite ends of my home on furthest levels apart. I have one in the basement on one end, and one on the second floor on the other. The two AE are in the middle on the first floor in between the bases.
    The problem I seem to be having is that they (the two AE) are not connecting to the base station that gives them a good signal. They connect fine, but the BS they are connecting to give them a weak signal essentially making them ineffective in their extension. I want to be able to assign them to the closest BS to make them more effective.
    Is this possible?

    Sure,
    They are actually independent of the apple gear in that they are simply attached as wireless access points to provide for the wireless g side of my network. Their IP's are static and they provide my windows machines and gaming consoles their wireless feed.
    The two Airport Extremes and Airport Express's make up the foundation of my 5 GHz wireless N network for my Apple systems. The two airport express's not only extend my network but also work as airtunes devices in my house.
    So....the AExpress do not extend the linksys units at all... just the 5 GHz N. The problem I am having is that one of the AExpress units is linking to the AExtreme that is farther away from it....giving it a very poor connection and hence extending a very poor signal. I would like to get it to attach to the closer unit....and would prefer to do it without having to utilize MAC filtering if that is possible.
    I have other MBP's and MB's that connect periodically and using MAC filtering would be a pain.

  • Problems extending network with Airport Express

    After messing with the settings on my new Airport Express((802.11n), I finally managed to set up a WDS network that sort of works. I've been struggling for a day and a half trying to use it to extend my regular network set up on my Airport Extreme(802.11g). I used multiple configurations, different securities, channels, etc, and got nothing but flashing amber. Somehow I've got it working with AirTunes, but no internet. Here is the current WDS setup:
    *AEBS(g)-WDS MAIN*
    Connected to Comcast broadband
    v 5.7
    WPA/WPA2 security
    Channel 6
    Set as WDS-Main
    Internet: Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
    Remote is set to the ID for the AX
    Sharing: Share a public IP address
    *AX(n)-WDS REMOTE*
    v 7.3.2
    WPA/WPA2 security
    Channel 6
    Set as WDS Remote
    Internet: Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
    Sharing off (Bridge mode)
    The AX works as a music streamer only. In order to access the internet I have to switch to the main network (AEBSg). For some reason the AE is not sharing internet connection with the AX. Could it be my internet settings on the AE? Or maybe it's not possible to extend a "g" network with an "n" AX? Any suggestions would be great...

    Price difference between an express vs an extreme makes moving to an extreme very attractive. using extremes and the extend a network feature automates a lot of settings. I tried the express route and was never happy with the results.

  • Can I create an extended network with a brand new TC and 2 first gen. AE units?

    I purchased a TC 2TB yesterday and replaced my non apple router with the TC. I have 2 older AE units that I suspect to be first generation. TC is in basement and I have placed AE in garage where I spend most of my time. Signal in garage is weak and lags. Air tunes off of AE in garage connected to boom box works fine. I run AirTunes from 3 iPhones, iPod touch, and 2 iPads with no problems. The options in manual setup for the AE don't offer make this an extended network, I suspect because they are too old? I don't want to create a WDS network and sacrifice the bandwidth. My main machine is an iMac 27 that is one year old, this is in the kitchen pretty much midway between the TC and the AE in the garage, if that makes any difference?
    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    The options in manual setup for the AE don't offer make this an extended network, I suspect because they are too old?
    Please take a look at the faint print on the side of both AirPort Express (AX) devices that you have to identify the Model No.
    You will need # A 1264 to do what you want. If you have # A 1084 or similar, the devices that you have are not compatible with the "extend a wireless network" setup.
    What are your findings?

  • Extending Network with Airport Expresses?

    I'm drawing in wifi signal from the shipyard and want to broadcast(extend) it throughout the lower sections of a boat.
    Currently I have 1 airport express drawing in the signal with ethernet connecting to the computer. However I want to extend the current network. Can I do this by buying another Airport Express and connecting through ethernet cable to the one I currently have. Would this work? What options would I need to select with the new AE(extend network, create network, etc)? Would this work with an airport extremeas well.
    Any help much appreciated.
    Ash

    Tessarax,
    Are you saying I would need three AXn to create the extended network? or would it just work with 2?
    ie
    AXn(Recieving)-----Ethernetcable-----AXn extending network
    Will this not work?
    Sorry just want to know how much I'm in for and if it will work before i go out and spend it.
    Thanks for the reply
    Ash

  • Creating and Extended Network with 2 Airport Express Units

    I had an extended network using 2 express units but one of them broke. The old network was setup with an older version of Airport Utility and I can't seem to repeat the set up a new network with the new express unit I have bought.
    The simple setup procedure using Airport Utility 5.5.1 only appears to allow you to 'join' the remote Express unit to an existing network, there is no 'extend remotely' option.
    I remember doing it last time by creating a WDS network which agrees with instructions I have found here - http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/taming-an-airport-express-wds.html
    I set up the first Express as a base station with a network and select 'Participate in a WDS network' and 'Allow this network to be extended' under the wireless tab. Under the WDS tab I 'Allow wireless clients' and add the hardware address of the second express unit.
    I then update the express unit but I get a WDS error which states, "This Airport wireless device is set up as part of a WDS network but no other AirPort wireless devices were found."
    This seems to be a chicken and egg situation.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Alan

    Alan, welcome to the discussions!
    It appears that you want to set up a WDS arrangment, correct?
    But, I can't figure out whether you want to configure it with a "base" and two "remotes", or whether you want to configure it with a "base", "relay" and "remote"
    Can you clarify? I'll send you a link with instructions from forum expert user Tesserax with step by step instructions. Just need to know what set of instructions to send.

  • Can't extend network with Airport Express on Sky Broadband

    Hello,
    I'm having some difficulty that's driving me bananas!
    I've recently moved house and got Sky Broadband. They sent me their Sagemcom router and the setup was easy. I thought I'd do what I always do. I'll connect my Time Machine to it via ethernet, and connect via Time Machine's network. Then I have two Airport Expresses in the house to extend the network and use Airplay etc.
    I can set up the Expresses with no problem, everything talks to everything without a problem and the lights are all green  but the network isn't getting extended with either of them. I refuse to believe they're both broken as I also borrowed an Express form my Dad's house (which extend the network without a problem) and it doesn't work with me.
    Extend my network is checked in the Manual Setup in Airport Utility but for the life of me I can't get my network extended.
    I have done tests where I replaced Time Machine and made one of the Expresses the main base station and it throws signal out easily like that but I can't extend that network with the second Express.
    I followed this thread https://discussions.apple.com/message/13171691?messageID=13171691 and have tried a few things to no avail. Currently I have configured an old Airport Extreme (just to keep testing) which works great and have set up an Express wirelessly. All lights are green and the settings seem to all be correct. I turn wifi off on my computer and connect to my computer from the Express using ethernet and nothing. Should I get a connection like this?
    Is it Sky? I have read in a few places that Sky have disabled the ability to extend their network but I'm not eve using the signal from their box.
    Any ideas or thoughts will be gratefully received.
    Thanks in advance.

    OK so I've been tying it out but unfortunately to no success. Everything looks fine and all lights are green but the network isn't getting extended - just as before.
    Click the Wireless tab
    Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
    Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Time Capsule network
    Check Mark next to Allow Wireless Clients
    I don't have an option to extend a network, only to join: http://flic.kr/p/a222kR
    I do get the option though if I use the guided setup, even though it doesn't work: http://flic.kr/p/a24TQQ
    I did try one other thing though. I set up the Time Capsule and it works great. Then I tried instead, to use my Airport Extreme to extend the network. The Extreme did give me an option to extend the network in the drop down menu and a checkbox to Allow Wireless Clients, unlike the Express. I do believe that this is now working. I now need to find the best place to put it to extend the range.
    My Expresses are only 802.11g so they're pretty old but as I said, it worked at my Dad's house but not here. Does it make a difference that the Airport Base Station at my Dad's house is an older UFO shaped Snow Airport? I'm becoming suspicious that seeing as I've only ever lived in small houses and apartments that maybe they never worked?? I've recently moved into a more spacious house so could this be the problem?
    One final test using iStumbler showed that it could see Apple Network XXXXxX until I configured it. Once it was configured it disappeared from iStumbler. The Airport ID number had gone from the list.
    Do I need newer n compatible Airport Expresses then? So many questions pop up now... When I turned my Express into the base station (which only throws out a g network) then surely I should be able to extend to the next Express (which is also g only)? It still didn't work. The Express are on version 6.3 by the way. Having the Extreme extend the network is a good start but I also need the others to work too. Do you think I'm correct in my assumption?
    How about WDS, could that work? Will WDS slow the network considerably?
    Sorry if this message is rather long and garbled and again, thanks for your interest and advice.

  • Extend network with AE 2 Antenna Model over Old AE?

    Would there be any benefit to using a new dual antenna AE over an old one with a single antenna? I have a mix of new and old Macs as well as an iPad 2. I am also using an Airport Express as last device in the extended network.

    Jazzman wrote:
    Would there be any benefit to using a new dual antenna AE over an old one with a single antenna? I have a mix of new and old Macs as well as an iPad 2. I am also using an Airport Express as last device in the extended network.
    I am considering the same thing.  Benefits as I understand it: the new Airport Extreme or Time Capsules will allow your newer computers to use the 5 GHz band while your older computers and other devices use the 2.4 GHz band.  Separate bands should improve performance.  Also the older AE may only support 802.11g, but the new AE will allow older 802.11g devices to coexist with the 802.11n service on the updated AE2.  Or so I hope... 
    If your older AE only supports 802.11g, then you will also see greater range and performance moving up to 802.11n.  That’s the main problem i’m tackling as my old router doesn’t provide very good coverage in parts of the house and the iPod touch frequently loses its wireless network signal.  I considered Airport Express to extend my network but like the idea of having the dual bands available.

  • Extend altready extended network with old dome Extreme?

    I want to extend my network with an old Airport Extreme, the dome version. The current network uses a new square Extreme (wired to my MacPro tower), then extends to a Time Capsule. I want to use the old dome Extreme to run a USB color printer in a remote room in the house. Is this possible?

    Yes, this can be done, but the entire network would have to be configured for a "static" WDS. This type of WDS has two major disadvantages: 1) All the base stations, including the 802.11n ones, would only operate in the 802.11g Radio Mode, and 2) For every base station added, the overall bandwidth will be cut in half. For this case, with three AirPorts, the total bandwidth would be: (54 Mbps / 2) / 2 = 13-15 Mbps ... around the same as the 802.11b standard.
    If you still want to pursue this, I can provide the step-by-step instructions to do so.

  • Double-Extended Network with two AX - Possible?

    I am in a large apartment with lots of concrete walls. I use a Time Capsule (500G) connected to a cable modem to access the internet, and have two AX set up to extend the network twice. No. 1 is in a hall way and serves to extend the network into the living room. No. 2 is in the living room and serves as my iTunes connection to my stereo. I can stream wirelessly through No. 2 to the stereo, but my Internet connection (and presumably my streaming music) are routed through No. 1, even though I am sitting in front of No. 2.
    Both AX are set on "Extend a wireless network" mode, and the network is on 5Ghz.
    I have played with various settings on both AX, but cannot get my MBPro to connect to No. 2. Any thoughts? Can it be that two AX can not extend a network twice, serially?
    Ed

    Unless you have some unusual obstructions in place, your MBP should normally connect to the Express that it is closest to. Check your "extend" setup carefully as it is easy to make a mistake or forget a check mark on a configuration that can make all the difference.
    In AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab, your TC must be setup to "create a wireless network" and there must be a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
    For the Express devices select the unit you want to check and use the same Manual Setup > Wireless tab to check the configuration of both units. Wireless mode should be "Extend a wireless network" and there must be a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients". AirTunes is active by default in the setup.
    Check pages 43-44 on the AirPort Networks Guide...link is on the home page of the forum....for a step by step guide on setting up the "extend" feature.
    Using your MBP, hold down the option key while you click the AirPort icon at the top of the screen and it will show you the MAC address of the device that you are connected to.
    The important number in terms of bandwidth is Transmit Rate. You want it as high as possible. Experiment with a few different Radio Mode settings to determine what will give you the best Transmit Rate. It's possible that a 2.4 GHz setting may be better than a 5 GHz setting. It just depends on the construction of the home and number of obstructions in the signal path.

  • Connecting Two Wired Networks with WRT54G

    I have a server (IP 40.1.238.27) that I need to connect to clients (IP 40.52.2.59,.60).  I have a Linksys WRT54G wireless router.  The chap I was chatting with at support says it is possible but could not tell me how to do it.  He mentioned Advanced Routing but I couldn't figure out how to do it.
    Does anyone know?
    Thanks,

    Let me know the other network settings ... such as Wireless settings & connection type ...

  • Extended network with 2 Airport Expresses, Mac connects to the far away one

    I have two Airport Express 802.11n units that are set up as an extended wireless network. This is not done using WDS, but instead using the "Extend wireless network" option on the 2nd Express. I do this to get extended coverage in my apartment.
    Most of the time this works flawlessly. However, sometimes my Mac connects to the wrong Express (e.g. the one that's further away). I notice this because I don't have full bars on my Mac's wifi icon. When I go into the Airport Utility, choose the far away Express, go to the Advanced tab and click "Logs and statistics", I can confirm that my Mac is in fact connected to the far away Express.
    If I disconnect and reconnect my Mac from the network, it will most likely then connect the closer Express and my signal will vastly improve. I can confirm that it is connected to the right Express using the Airport Utility.
    Does anyone know why this happens, and is there a way to force my Mac to connect to the closer Express?
    Message was edited by: nonnynz

    Hello nonnynz. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Does anyone know why this happens, and is there a way to force my Mac to connect to the closer Express?
    It would be quite logical to assume that the algorithms Apple employs to connect to a wireless router would connect your Mac to the closest (or one with the strongest signal) but it doesn't always work out that way. Furthermore, Apple hasn't released the specifics on how this algorithm is supposed to work so it may be a bit difficult to answer your question with any facts to support it.
    ... and no, as far as I know, there isn't a sure-fire way to force your Mac to pick the desired base station. Something that comes to mind is to change the Multicast Rate, under Wireless Options in the AirPort Utility, to a higher value for the base station that you don't want your Mac to connect to first ... but this may only be of value if you keep your Mac near the other station and would cause the opposite effect when you move to the one you just adjusted.

  • Extend Network with Airport Extreme & Express

    I am trying to extend the range of a wireless network from one house to another about 80 yards away. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station (ABES) and an Airport Express (AX) which is supposed to accomplish this. I found some instructions in the forums that walked me through configuring WDS. That was easy enough, however, when the AX restarts it doesn't come back up in the Airport Utility. It will come up if I do a hard reset on the AX. The ABES continues to show a WDS error and displays a flashing amber light.
    What am I doing wrong? How do I fix this issue?

    Karen,,, sorry for the interruption. I have the same issue..... AP Extreme Flying Saucer, AP Express "b", and a new AP Express "n" and would like to stop all the drop outs with my music. So, I'll ask Bob for some help.... I think I already know the answer.....
    Bob,,,,, Here is my schematic layout.... Everything is "as the crow flies" and in the same height placement. iMac in bedroom, 1st Stereo in Living room approx 25 feet away, 2nd Stereo in a detach Shop approx 85 feet from the iMac. There is a concrete block wall between the computer and the first stereo and the same block wall along with two big glass windows between the computer and the shop stereo. Again all are in a straight line from the computer.
    The new AP Express "n" is in the shop which is the greatest distance. If the wind is blowing hard I have lots of drop outs in both stereo's..... And during other nice weather times everything works excellent.
    How can I extend the wireless signal??? I'll buy all "n" stuff if you think it'll do the trick....? I can't raise the Dr. Bott antenna due to cord length.... Oh,, my internet modem is plugged into the iMac not the AP Extreme...
    Any suggestions....?

  • Extending network with Airport Express and Airport Extreme (latest models) causes chaos on network

    Today I upgraded from my several year old Airport Extreme (3rd gen) and 2nd gen Airport Express to a new (what you'd buy on the shelf today) Airport Extreme and Airport Express.  All airports are updated with the latest firmware and I'm using windows 7 for configuration.
    The intention is to use the Airport Extreme as the main router, also serving wifi. And extend the network using the express. As such, the following has been done:
    The Airport Extreme is configured for automatic channel, and automatic radio mode. I tried to select 802.11n 5 ghz and 802.11 n 2.4 ghz only, but it won't take the changes. Additionally, it wont' accept me using only channel 6. Not sure why, but I digress. The airport extreme is not set to broadcast a separate name for the 5ghz network.
    The Airport Express is configured to use bridge mode, use an existing wireless network and is connected to my network on it's WAN port (the circle icon on the back) with ethernet. The password and wireless name used in configuration is the same as created initially on the Airport Extreme.
    Initially I did the configuration of both airports on my computer, connected by ethernet to ensure stable connectivity while I inputted settings. During this, they appeared to accept the changes fine. However, when I moved the airport express to it's destination (other side of my house), the entire network went crazy.
    Internet became slow, and often wouldn't load pages. This was on wired and wireless connections. When I attempted to administer the Airport in the Utility, they would not load, an error would occur. Also, at one point the Airport Extreme had renamed it self with a (2) at the end. Which was super odd. So far, the only solution has been to unplug the Airport Express and attempt to devise a solution.
    Anyone have any ideas? Of course, I will continue to tinker with this, but it seems realllly strange. The previous setup was also extended (granted, using wireless only, not ethernet > wireless) and worked fine, granted it was a smidge slow, but it worked.

    I wanted to add this.. I followed the guide here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 to extend using ethernet, and the above is the result.
    I just tried re configuring in OS X Mavericks and got the same, odd, result.

  • Extending network with Express via Ethernet(Complicated)

    Hi all
    I have an AirPort Extreme(Base Station). Now, I would like to extend my network by using an AirPort Express. To get a maximal signal, I've put an Ethernet-cable in the room where the Express will be placed. How do I have to install this Express now to be an extension of my current network without getting its connection wirelessly? The Express should get his connection from the Ethernet-cable which I put in the room.
    Simplified: I want the Express to be some kind of a base station without creating a new network.
    I think the solution might be making my two AirPorts both bridges, but this didn't work out so well when I tried this.
    Thanks a lot to the one who can help me out!

    Hello Momomo92094. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    With the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) connected to the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) by Ethernet you only need to do the following:
    o Reconfigure the AX as a bridge.
    o Use the same Network Name (SSID) for both wireless networks.
    o Use a radio channel on the AX that is at least 3 channels away from the one used on the AEBS.
    o Use the same wireless encryption type and password on both devices.

Maybe you are looking for