Additionally, as there is virtually no management overhead over Ethernet, more data will move from one point to another in the same space of time. Ethernet is also resistant to radio frequency interference and is easier to troubleshoot. Ethernet offers up to one gigabit rate, which is much faster than wireless (for wireless, the maximum rate is 450 Mbps on 802.11n 5 GHz). You can accomplish this by using the minimum number of Wi-Fi base stations required to service the physical network area and by using Ethernet wherever possible.Įxtending the range of your Wi-Fi network by connecting Wi-Fi base stations together using Ethernet is always the best option, and will provide the best throughput. The general rule is to keep the Wi-Fi network as simple as possible. In the case of a wirelessly extended network, throughput may be reduced to less than 60 percent of that of a single device. The network configuration also becomes more complex.
Throughput - The amount of data that is transmitted or received each second, measured in megabits per second (Mbps).īefore you add additional Wi-fi base stations to your network, you should consider whether or not you really need to.Īdding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead. Unless otherwise indicated, extended Wi-Fi base stations should be set to use bridge mode. It is common for the primary Wi-Fi base station to provide the DHCP service for the Wi-Fi network.Įxtended Wi-Fi base station - Any Wi-Fi base station that connects to a primary Wi-Fi base station to extend the range of the network. Primary base station - This is typically the base station that connects to the modem and has the gateway address to the Internet. Client examples include computers, iPad, iPhone, game console, digital video recorder, and/or other Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi Client - A Wi-Fi client is any device that uses Wi-Fi (access to the Internet, printing, storage, or music streaming). The Wi-Fi base stations may be connected together via Ethernet or wirelessly. Multi Wi-Fi base station network - A network that utilizes more than one Wi-Fi base station to extend the range of a network, or to extend features such as Internet access, music streaming, printing, storage, etc.
Wi–Fi base station - Any variety of AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, or Time Capsule.Įxtending a wireless network - Using multiple Wi-Fi base stations wirelessly to extend the range of an AirPort network over a wider physical area, when the range of a single base station is insufficient.