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Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi
In order to extend the scope of the WiFi The choice is between ”Roaming Network” and ”Wirelessly Extended Network”. Then Roaming Network preferable.
Important note for users of the AirPort Express: If you are considering adding an AirPort Express in your network to stream music or for wireless printing, it can be helpful to read What is a client mode?
Definitions
Wi-Fi base station - Someone version of AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express eller Time Capsule.
Expanding a wireless network - Using multiple Wi-Fi base stations to expand coverage to an AirPort network over a larger physical area where coverage from a single base station is not enough.
Network with multiple Wi-Fi base stations - A network that contains more than one Wi-Fi base station to extend network coverage or to extend features like Internet Access, musikströmning, printing, storage and so on. Wi-Fi base stations can be connected via Ethernet or Wireless.
Wi-Fi-klient - A Wi-Fi client is any device that uses Wi-Fi (Access to the Internet, printing, storage or music flow). Examples of clients are computers, iPad, iPhone, game consoles, digital video and / or other Wi-Fi devices.
Primary base station - Usually, the base station is connected to the modem and gateway address to the internet. Normally it is the primary Wi-Fi base station that manages the DHCP service in the Wi-Fi network.
Extended Wi-Fi base station - All Wi-Fi base stations are connected to a primary Wi-Fi base station to extend network coverage. Unless otherwise designated to be extended Wi-Fi base stations can be set to use bridge mode.
Throughput - The amount of data received or sent every second. Measured in megabits per second (Mbit/s).
Choosing between one or more Wi-Fi Base Stations
Before you add multiple Wi-Fi base stations in the network, you should consider whether it is really necessary.
If you add the Wi-Fi base stations, although it is not required you can get lower throughput because the handling of data in Wi-Fi network will be more extensive. The configuration of the network is also becoming more complex. For enhanced wireless network throughput may be reduced down to 60 percent of the performance of a standalone unit. A general rule is to keep the Wi-Fi network as simple as possible. It can be done by using only as many Wi-Fi base stations required to cover the physical area and instead use Ethernet as much as possible.
The best option is always to expand the coverage of Wi-Fi network by connecting Wi-Fi base stations to each other via Ethernet and it is also the one that gives the best throughput. Ethernet has a throughput of up to 1 Mbit/s. It is significantly faster than Wireless (Wireless is the maximum throughput 450 Mbit / s on the 802.11n 5 GHz). Ethernet is also affected less radio interference and is easier to debug. Additionally, there is practically no extra handling of data if you are using Ethernet. Large amount of data moved between different points at the same time.
In certain environments may be one Wi-Fi base station are not sufficient, and there may be more Wi-Fi base stations to improve network coverage and improving throughput in locations further away from the primary Wi-Fi base station. Remember that the farther away you are, or the more obstacles between the Wi-Fi client device and the Wi-Fi base station (for example bathroom tiles as a radio signal must get through), the weaker the signal strength and the slower throughput.
If you have come to the conclusion that a single Wi-Fi base station are not sufficient, you should know the different methods you can use to extend coverage for Wi-Fi network, so you can choose the method that suits you best.
Different types of networks with multiple Wi-Fi base stations
Learn more about different types of networks and their properties.
If you need to extend the coverage of your wireless network, which method will be best for you?
802.11a / b / g / n Wi-Fi Base Stations:
- Common network (recommended)
- Wireless expanded network
For 802.11g Wi-Fi base stations:
- Common network (recommended)
- WDS
These methods are described below. At the end of this article are links to various articles that describe the setup and configuration of the different methods. Wi-Fi base stations provide the client computers connect to the internet via wireless or via Ethernet if the client computers are connected to the Base Station via Ethernet.
Common network (Ethernet-connected Wi-Fi Base Stations)
802.11n Wi-Fi base stations, this is by far the best way to create a common network. It provides the best throughput between the base stations and Wi-Fi devices.
For this method requires that the Wi-Fi base stations are connected to each other via Ethernet.
The primary base station handles DHCP service, while the extended base stations configured for bridge mode.
All of the Wi-Fi base stations in the common network must use the same password, Security Type (Öppet/WEP/WPA) and network name (SSID).
You can add several extended Wi-Fi base stations to expand a joint network.
You can add a network switch if you do not have enough LAN ports on your primary Wi-Fi base station.
Wireless expanded network (802.11n)
If you can not build the recommended joint network as a wireless network extension the next best option.
If you want to create a wireless extended network, the extended Wi-Fi base stations are placed in the primary Wi-Fi base station's range.
Considerations for the extended network coverage
In the example above, the primary Wi-Fi base station's ? range to the extended Wi-Fi base station ?, so the extended Wi-Fi base station can not connect to the wireless network. The extended Wi-Fi base station must be moved and placed in the primary Wi-Fi base station's range.
Important note
If an additional Wi-Fi base station ? placed between the primary Wi-Fi base station ? and the extended Wi-Fi base station ? still, clients will not be able to connect to the. All extended Wi-Fi base stations must be within the primary Wi-Fi base station direct reach
WDS (802.11g)
WDS, Wireless Distribution System, is the method used to extend the range of your AirPort Extreme 802.11a / b / g and an AirPort Express 802.11a / b / g Wi-Fi base stations. WDS supported by AirPort Utility 5.5.2 or earlier.
WDS allows you to set each Wi-Fi base station in one of three ways:
? WDS, head (Primary Wi-Fi base station)
? WDS, relay
? WDS, Remote
A WDS main base station ? connected to the internet and shares this connection with WDS remotely- and WDS relay base stations.
A WDS relay base station ? share the main base station's internet connection and will also relay the connection to WDS remote base stations.
A WDS remote base station ? simply share the main base station's internet connection directly if it is within direct range or via a WDS relay base station.
The configurations for all three base stations (WDS main base station, WDS relay base station and WDS remote base station) can share the WDS main base station's Internet connection with client computers or via Ethernet connection if the client computers are connected to the Base Station via Ethernet.
When you set up base stations for WDS, you need to know the AirPort ID to each of the base stations. AirPort-ID, also called Media Access Controller (MAC address), See the label on the bottom of the AirPort Extreme Base Station next to the AirPort symbol, and on the power adapter side of the AirPort Express Base Station.
N.B.! As a relay have Wi-Fi base station to receive data from a Wi-Fi base station, repackage it and then send it to the next Wi-Fi base station, and vice versa. This method reduces the throughput to less than half. An 802.11a / b / g Wi-Fi base station should only be used in this way if there is no other option, and if not higher throughput speeds required.
Steps to add Wi-Fi base stations in an AirPort network
You can find specific instructions on how to extend the range of different network types in the list below: