add 3rd party router to Airport Extreme network?

[bozz2006]

Hi, I have an Airport Extreme (simultaneous dual-band), and also a current-gen airport express used to extend the network and plugged into my av receiver for airplay. I'd like to add two more wireless routers to my home to extend the network, to improve reception in my basement and garage. 2 questions,

1. If i add two older airport expresses (like a/b/g), will they slow down the rest of my network capabilities? or will access at the other points remain as fast as it is currently? Will the slower hardware throttle back ALL of the hardware?

2. Can i add cheaper third party routers to the mix, or do they have to be Airports?

 

[Brian33]

I'm no network expert, but...

I think the answers depend upon how you connect the two new wireless access points (routers) to your existing network. What I do is run an ethernet cable from my existing network to a new wireless access point (in my case, a very old Belkin 802.11g router). Then I set up the new device with the same SSID and security settings as my main wireless, but a different channel.

If you do it that way, I'm sure that any devices using 802.11g on the extension access point(s) will not slow down other wireless access on your Airport Extreme or current-gen Airport Express (presumably "n" speeds).

Also, with this method, you can use your old airport expresses, or some other brand of wireless router/access point. (My main wireless network is my Time Capsule 802.11n, and I extend it with my old Belkin router 802.11g.)

Now, if you want to extend your network wirelessly, without running an Ethernet cable to the new spot, this is possible, but I don't know much about it... I think then you have to stick to Apple equipment, and also that the extending of the network is going to slow it down. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

 

[opinio]

If you add the expresses via Ethernet they will add to your wifi range. This is the preferred option. If you add them via wifi then they take up some of your available wifi bandwidth to make the link but they should add more than they take.

Adding non apple to the mix is impossible to answer. Generally speaking it is difficult to get apple and non apple wireless points to work on the same ssid as one wifi point. It can be done but it is hit and miss.

Try and stick with all apple and connect the expresses and extremes via Ethernet whenever possible.

Edit: Ijust noticed your old expresses are not wireless n. this may cause issues if you want to connect to the n speed on the extreme. They will extend your wifi range but may run slower. Much of a muchness.

 

[bozz2006]

Thanks. I actually have 4th gen airport extreme and current version express, and wondering about adding to it (so no i actually didn't have an old express, but was asking the effect if i did end up getting one). I figured maybe I'd save a few bucks. I actually went ahead and bought another express. One Extreme and two expresses. In my single story and full basement 2000 sq foot house. Yikes. Plaster walls are roooooooough on a wireless signal!