07-12-2010, 07:27 PM
Pinkoos-
As noted above. Bad advice from your installation guys.
Which, considering I've done that sort of work specializing in Macs, is not a surprise. Most of them are in the school of "Macs are too hard to figure out" and will happily try to push you into some weird Linksys / Windows solution.
So here's the solution alternatives:
Method #1- Distributed network over Cat5 to WiFi
1- Run the Cat5e (can't have enough of them) as a 'backbone' through the house. In fact, pull two of them at the same time.
2- Buy ANY cheap ass wifi 'router' and RTFM to turn off the DHCP They're all capable of it.
3- Connect up like this:
Modem (Cable, satellite, FIOS, direct quantum tunneling FTL link, whatever) connects to the AEBS in the "WAN" port. Cat5 switch (cheapo is OK, but go gigabit) connects to the AEBS in the "LAB" port. Cat5 cable to the other side of da house connects to a free port on the switch. Other end of the cable connects to the cheapo wireless access point (or Airport Express base station if you like), in the "LAN" port.
Option B:
Don't run the Cat5. Buy an Airport Express base station, read the Manual, and set up your AEBS and Airport Express to function using Wireless Distribution System. (WDS) Wiring is like this:
Modem wired to AEBS ("WAN" port). Airport Express plugged in farther away (but so it can 'see' the AEBS) and setup as a WDS access point.
As noted above. Bad advice from your installation guys.
Which, considering I've done that sort of work specializing in Macs, is not a surprise. Most of them are in the school of "Macs are too hard to figure out" and will happily try to push you into some weird Linksys / Windows solution.
So here's the solution alternatives:
Method #1- Distributed network over Cat5 to WiFi
1- Run the Cat5e (can't have enough of them) as a 'backbone' through the house. In fact, pull two of them at the same time.
2- Buy ANY cheap ass wifi 'router' and RTFM to turn off the DHCP They're all capable of it.
3- Connect up like this:
Modem (Cable, satellite, FIOS, direct quantum tunneling FTL link, whatever) connects to the AEBS in the "WAN" port. Cat5 switch (cheapo is OK, but go gigabit) connects to the AEBS in the "LAB" port. Cat5 cable to the other side of da house connects to a free port on the switch. Other end of the cable connects to the cheapo wireless access point (or Airport Express base station if you like), in the "LAN" port.
Option B:
Don't run the Cat5. Buy an Airport Express base station, read the Manual, and set up your AEBS and Airport Express to function using Wireless Distribution System. (WDS) Wiring is like this:
Modem wired to AEBS ("WAN" port). Airport Express plugged in farther away (but so it can 'see' the AEBS) and setup as a WDS access point.