Complicated (?) Network Setup Questions

[Killerbob]

Hi,

I am switching my ISP, and the new cable setup I want to have is; a cable modem from my ISP with an RJ45, connected into my TC (WAN Port), and then all my computers wired/wireless into the TC, including an AE (via an already installed 50 ft. ethernet cable to my top floor). TC handles all DHCP/IP, and WiFi in the lower floors, and the AE handles WiFi in the top floors.

However, for this to work, I need to install an additional RJ45 from the cable modem to the TC, and that is not so easy (basement walls - 30 feet distance), and not really pratical.

Is there a way I can use "a component" to wirelessly send the internet from the cable modem to the TC? I.e. can the TC be setup to receive internet via WiFi, and still provide all the firewall services etc.?

TIA

 

[JimmyDThing]

You could buy another router and put it with the modem... then you have 2 routers and 1's not really doing anything except transmitting the internet to another router that actually... routs. But I'd seriously recommend just trying to keep a wired connection to the TC because not only is it not cheap to buy another router, but even if you find a cheaper alternative, you're going to lose speed by having a wireless connection to your TC that has wired connections.

If you're going to do that anyway, why not put the TC down with the modem and make all devices wireless? You won't be getting any real speed out of a wired connection if theres a wireless connection before it anyway.

 

[pezza]

Can't you set up the time capsule to be a WDS base station, this is possible with the airport extreme, then have the airport express as a relay? No need for the wired connection then. Or have I missunderstood what hardware you already have?

 

[Killerbob]

I think Jimmy is on the right track. I could put an additional WiFi router by the cable modem, and transmit the signal to the TC in the office. If I do this, can I still set the TC to to be the base station (DHCP etc.)?

Also, can I use the Airport Express for that?

Finally, which one, AE or the TC, will be the firewall to the Internet? I guess the question is, can an Airport be firewall without being the DHCP server?