[larrinski]

I have an older intel imac with 802.11g, but have found a USB router that runs the n spec. So now I am considering getting an airport extreme base-station with 802.11n, so my macbook air, and imac can run at the n speed. But I want to be able to use the Airtunes with my current airport express 802.11g, but only for wireless music. Will this cause me problems? I would go out and just buy the 802.11n express version, but I can get the extreme base station for $39. If it won't slow down my network to have the airport express running for airtunes of course...

I had read in the past somewhere that if you have any devices using 802.11g, that it slows down the whole network. Will this be the case if I set up the extreme as my main router?

Cheers,

[Simon]

Here's what you do. You get the n Extreme and run it as a pure 802.11n base station. To one of its LAN ports you hook up your Express and configure it to host a g network in bridge mode. You also set it up for AirTunes. The iMac connects to the Express and the MBA connects to the Extreme. Everybody gets their maximum throughput w/o reducing other clients' speeds.

You will find Apple's instructions on how to do this "dual-band network" in this manual (page 48-49).

[larrinski]

Originally Posted by Simon 

Here's what you do. You get the n Extreme and run it as a pure 802.11n base station. To one of its LAN ports you hook up your Express and configure it to host a g network in bridge mode. You also set it up for AirTunes. The iMac connects to the Express and the MBA connects to the Extreme. Everybody gets their maximum throughput w/o reducing other clients' speeds.

You will find Apple's instructions on how to do this "dual-band network" in this manual (page 48-49).

I think what I am trying to do, though I have done a poor job describing it, is to use a plug and play USB wireless N card/router, on my imac. Then connect it to an N router, so that both my imac and MBA are running on the extreme. But because the extreme doesn't run Airtunes, I would like to have the G express available to itunes on the imac for music to my stereo. A friend of mine is running an express only for itunes, but isn't running any wireless network. I could be mis-understanding the way wireless works, but for me to run both at N speeds, the express can't be part of the network, can it?

[Simon]

OK, I see.

You're right. It's not good enough to get the n adapter for the iMac because the g Express you'd be using for AirTunes would still require a mixed g/n network and hence lower speed for your MBA.

So you can do this: buy the n Extreme and the n adapter for the iMac. Both the iMac and the MBA then connect to the Extreme through a pure n network. Hook up the g Express to the LAN port of your Extreme and use it solely for AirTunes (you can turn off its wireless features). That way you get maximum n speeds on the wireless network and still have the Express for AirTunes.

If you cannot connect the Express to the LAN port of the n Extreme and your stereo system at the same time, you could buy a new Express (it now comes with n support) and use that on your n network for AirTunes. Obviously this is no cheap solution but it would give you maximum n speeds and AirTunes.

[larrinski]

Originally Posted by Simon 

OK, I see.

You're right. It's not good enough to get the n adapter for the iMac because the g Express you'd be using for AirTunes would still require a mixed g/n network and hence lower speed for your MBA.

So you can do this: buy the n Extreme and the n adapter for the iMac. Both the iMac and the MBA then connect to the Extreme through a pure n network. Hook up the g Express to the LAN port of your Extreme and use it solely for AirTunes (you can turn off its wireless features). That way you get maximum n speeds on the wireless network and still have the Express for AirTunes.

If you cannot connect the Express to the LAN port of the n Extreme and your stereo system at the same time, you could buy a new Express (it now comes with n support) and use that on your n network for AirTunes. Obviously this is no cheap solution but it would give you maximum n speeds and AirTunes.

Thanks! I think I will give it a go for the $39 cost for the Extreme. If the G express causes some problems connecting to the Lan port, then I guess buying an N express would be a solution. Thanks again.

[Simon]

That sounds like a solid plan. Get the n adapter for your iMac and the inexpensive n Extreme.

Try hooking up the g Express to your stereo system and the Extreme's LAN port.

If that doesn't work connect the Express through wireless. You can still do a bit of benchmarking to see how much the mixed g/n network and the wireless connection to your Express affects communication between your n Macs and the Extreme.

If you then come to the conclusion that the g Express is really holding you back, get an n Express for $79. If not, keep it the way it is and enjoy.