Extending Airport Extreme network range via Airport Express using Ethernet?

I have performed many searches here and on other sites about this but I cannot come up with a clear answer. I Have an airport Extreme Base station connected to my DSL modem and every thing works fine. What I would like to do is extend the network to another building, I already have cat 5 wire ran between the buildings and I and am adding ethernet ports in each building. I just purchased an Airport express and I would like to connect it to my existing base station vie ethernet. Extending the range wirelessly is not possible. Will this work? There is a ethernet port available on the AE base station has an ethernet port available. Also I plan on sharing my internet connection between a mac and a PC, right now everytime I connect to my network using my PC the Mac losses the internet connection. Any suggestions on that would be appreciated.

liketom said:

will this not work ?


search apple.com for Dr. Bott ExtendAIR Direct Antenna $149

ExtendAIR Direct focuses the AirPort Extreme Base Station's signal in a narrow direction to extend base station reception up to 500 feet. Ideal for covering large open areas between buildings.

Click to expand...

That might work but if ethernet can work I would rather go that route. I love my Wi-fi but I would rather have a wired connection between the 2 base stations. Also I already have everything for a wired connection, so If I don't have to spend anymore money I would prefer not to. Thanks for the suggestion liketom.

Laser47 said:

It will work for sure.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454

Click to expand...

Thank you, but that document shows how to extend the network wirelessly but does not show about conneting 2 base stations using ethernet (Unless I missed something). I actually saw that when researching this but I really need something about extending the network using Ethernet not wireless. It is 2 seperate buildings and it won't work wirelessly.

Laser47 said:

It will work for sure.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454
The article talks about using wireless but im sure ethernet will work aswell
Also if you have a computer already connected to the ethernet port on your airport base station you will need to get a hub or switch.
If that didint help you could always just give the express a diffrent wireless netowork name and set up you notebooks to automatically connect to that.

Click to expand...

I don't have anything connected the the ethernet port on the Airport Extreme base station so maybe it will work. I assume it will I'm just hoping that someone who has done this will respond. But thanks again.

liketom said:

it will work APX base ---- ethernet to APE easy


so much easyier when i can see i picy of the network lol

try it like you say you already have the cat 5 and the base and express

Click to expand...

I will try it either today or tomorrow, I just have to add the ports to the Cat5 and pick up a couple ethernet cables.

Ok, here is what I figured out, the second port on the airport extreme is a wide are network conneting (WAN) and it does not send or loop through the internet connection. I ended up buying a Linksys 4 port router and going out to both airports from there but I had trouble with that configuration. So I actually got a signal in the next building from one airport, but not a strong signal. So Just today I set it up as a WDS wireless remote base station and it works. In the process I had to buy a new DSL modem and I bought a Lynksis router that I did not need. Anybody want to but a brand new Linksys 4 port Ethernet router LOL?