AirPort Extreme Wired Ethernet Expansion?

[NateinME]

Does anyone have experience or recommendations about expanding the number of hardwired ethernet ports on an Extreme?

We have five devices we would like to plug in and of course there are only three ports.....Going wireless on these devices isn't possible and getting rid of the AirPort Extreme is out of the question!

I believe a Switch could be a solution but would appreciate hearing your ideas and experiences....

 

[miles01110]

A switch would work.

 

[ActionableMango]

Yes, a switch is exactly the solution.

 

[drambuie]

As the others have said, a switch is the perfect solution. You can get a D-Link gigabit 5 port switch for around $40, or an 8 port for a bit more. Other makes such as Linksys or Netgear are in about the same price range. I would go with the 8 port for possible future expansion since you lose one port for the router connection. A switch is basically invisible to your network, and requires no configuration. Just connect everything, and you're good to go.

One advantage of a switch is that if you have a cluster of devices away from your router, you can locate the switch there, and use a single long cable from the router to the switch, with shorter cables to the devices. Also, devices on the switch can talk to each other without using the router. Fixed IP addresses are best for this.