Advanced networking help with 2 routers

[derekww]

Previously I used an Airport Extreme gen. 5 with a USB disk plugged in so that I can wirelessly access files on the USB disk (e.g. iTunes library). Now I switched to a modem+router provided by my ISP (Hitron CODA-4582). The routing functions on the Hitron is better than my Airport Extreme gen 5 (e.g. ac, gigabit ethernet), so I am using the Hitron as my wifi router and retiring the Airport Extreme. The problem is I can't use my USB disk with the Hitron as its USB port only read Windows formatted disk. How can I set up the USB disk for wireless access?

Of course I could buy a Mac mini and plug the USB disk into the Mac mini and plug the Mac into the Hitron and share the disk that way. Or buy a stand-alone NAS. But is there a way I can plug the USB disk in the Airport Extreme, and plug the Airport Extreme into the Hitron so that the USB disk becomes accessible via the Hitron wifi? Like somehow switch off the radios on the Airport Extreme, change things like DHCP, NAT, etc.? I'm not trying to extend range, just hoping to use the Airport Extreme as a dumb NAS plugged into the Hitron. Thanks.

 

[techwarrior]

Not a problem, you can very easily use the Extreme with USB as a Ethernet client and not have conflicting routing. I am going to assume the new WiFi SSID (network name) and\or password are different than the old Airport network. If they are the same, power the router off while you do this to avoid connecting to the wrong wireless network.

Unplug all network cables from the Extreme, and power it up. Open Airport Utility and you should find the Extreme, you may have to switch to the WiFi name of the Extreme to see it.

Once in the config for the Extreme, set the router Mode to Off (Bridged Mode) on the Network tab. Then, set the Network Mode to Off on the Wireless tab. Update the Extreme and wait for it to reboot. While it is rebooting, connect an Ethernet cable from the WAN port on the Extreme to a LAN port on the router (and power up the router if you had to take it offline above). When it finishes rebooting it should have a Green status LED.

In this mode, the Extreme will effectively be a NAS (network storage), and switch\hub that Ethernet devices can connect to. All of the disk sharing properties and disk content should remain in place.

So if you have one ethernet drop in a remote room in the home, but multiple devices that can use Ethernet at that location, they can connect to the LAN ports on the Extreme and the Extreme WAN port can connect to the Ethernet drop at that location. Else, just leave it near the router if WiFi is adequate throughout the home.

One last thing... some routers may not handle Bonjour protocol by default. I recall AP devices broadcast their services (file sharing) using bonjour for AFP shares (the old default for Apple Devices). If your Mac was connecting to it as an afp://share then you may have to change the Mac to connect to it as an smb://share (Extreme shares with both afp and smb). Else, make sure UPNP is enabled on the new router.

 

[derekww]

I followed your clear instructions, techwarrior, and it works! Surprisingly, even after switching off the Airport's radio, I can still admin the Airport, as Airport Utility on my Macbook Air finds the Airport just fine via the Hitron wifi. Nice. Thanks!

 

[techwarrior]

Glad to hear. Thanks for the update.