[buckeyedoc]

I need to replace my "b" wireless router and want to get an Airport Extreme. I have 3 computers that are "wired" and one is wireless. How do I connect 3 wired computers to the Airport when it has only one LAN port?

Do I need an ethernet switch that then connects to the Airport? Does the wire out of the modem go into the base station and then connect the base station to the switch through the LAN port?

I wonder why Apple only gives you one port when most of the others have 4.

Thanks

[mduell]

Why buy an Airport Base Station and a switch? A D-Link/Linksys/Netgear with a 4 or 7 port switch is a quarter of the price.

Why does Apple only give you one mouse button when most of the others have four? (Ok, not so applicable anymore) Because they value form over function?

[chefpastry]

Yes, a switch would do what you need.

Cable/DSL modem --> AirPort Extreme --> Switch --> Your 3 computers

Your guess is as good as mine regarding why Apple only has one port...

[buckeyedoc]

Originally Posted by mduell

Why buy an Airport Base Station and a switch? A D-Link/Linksys/Netgear with a 4 or 7 port switch is a quarter of the price.

Why does Apple only give you one mouse button when most of the others have four? (Ok, not so applicable anymore) Because they value form over function?

Yes that would work but I have found in my short time working with macs (~ 2 months) , they do seem to play nicer with Apple products. With my current router, my son's iMac immediately found the router and connected to the net. However, his mac does not want to join the others in my home network. Right now he's connected wirelessly and it seems to be related to the way it connects.

Maybe I'll try another router and if I can't get it to work I can try the Airport extreme. I have heard good things about the Belkin wireless pre-N router.

Thanks for your input.