apple airport express setup extend wireless network

#Apple airport express setup extend wireless network mac#

In this case attaching an AirPort Extreme router to the network enables you to set up a wireless network.Īpple’s base stations offer a selection of features you don’t get on your average wireless router or modem: In office environments the situation is somewhat different, in that you may have a wired network in place but no wireless system. The idea is that you connect the AirPort device to your current modem and either turn off the router part of your hub, or have both routers working together (in effect having two wireless networks). These combination devices are often referred to as “hubs” so you get the Virgin Media Hub or the BT Broadband Hub, and they create a wired and wireless network along with connecting to the Internet.Īpple’s AirPort Base Stations can augment (or replace) the router part of that device, but cannot replace the modem part. Typically most ISP supply you with a combination modem/router when you sign up. So while the AirPort Extreme enables you to hook all your items together, you’ll still need a modem to connect to the Internet. What you generally think of as your router (the box supplied by your ISP – Internet Service Provider) is probably a combined router and modem. As a quick refresher: a router enables you to create a network that connects various devices together (Macs, iPhones, iPads, hard drives, printers and so on) whereas a modem connects your network to the wider internet. One of the quirks about Apple’s AirPort Base Stations is that they are routers, but not modems. Can I replace my modem with an AirPort Extreme? In general we see the AirPort Extreme as the device to connect to your home network if you want to boost your wireless network and the AirPort Express is useful for extending a wireless network or adding AirPrint to a printer or AirPlay to your stereo system. It also has four gigabit ethernet ports so you can create a wired network with it that has fast data rates. The AirPort Extreme Base Station has faster data throughput and includes the new 802.11ac standard, and you can attach an external hard drive to it for wireless Network Attached Storage (NAS). AirPort Express still lacks the newer 802.11ac network as it hasn’t been updated by Apple for some years now. The unit features the 802.11n dual band antenna. It’s a small device, with the same footprint as an Apple TV, and it creates a Wi-Fi network. If you have more than one AirPort Express connected to speakers, you can play your music from iTunes on all of your speakers at the same time.

#Apple airport express setup extend wireless network mac#

The AirPort Express was originally introduced by Apple as a way of streaming your music from iTunes on your Mac to a Hi-Fi (initially this ability was referred to as AirTunes, then AirPlay). Time Capsule is essentially an AirPort Extreme with a built-in hard drive for wireless file sharing and Time Machine backup.AirPort Extreme is a more powerful router with additional ports and features.AirPort Express is a lightweight router designed for music sharing.There were a number of AirPort gadgets you could buy from Apple, they may still be available for some time, Apple has said it will continue selling them “until stocks run out”: What AirPort networking products did Apple make?