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General discussion

?Wired and wireless?

by Ott_665 Jan 21, 2011 10:34AM PST

I have Airport Express (not hooked up yet) and would like to know if there is a way to keep my iMac wired while also having Airport Express connected? I like to keep my iMac wired while also having a wireless connection for my iPod Touch and iPad.
Is there such a thing as a splitter for the ethernet cable so I can connect to the iMac and the router or is there another way?

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Certainly there is a way to do this
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jan 21, 2011 10:14PM PST

It's simple.

Your current configuration is probably configured something like this:

Modem/Router (supplied by your ISP) which is hooked to your iMac with an ethernet cable.

Your new configuration would be:

Modem/Router (supplied by your ISP) which is hooked to your SWITCH (a 5 port 10/100 switch that your purchase yourself) with an ethernet cable, which is connected to your Airport Express, with an ethernet cable AND your iMac, with an ethernet cable.
In this configuration, your iMac remains connected via ethernet while your iPod and iPad will connect wirelessly via the Airport Express. Full instructions come with the AE but if you get stuck, post here.

The 5 port switch, which is not Mac specific, can be purchased from any computer store or from places like Best Buy, Radio Shack, Fry's or on-line. They are very cheap. Do not purchase a 5 port HUB, you need a Switch.

You will also need a few lengths of ethernet cable, only you will know how long these need to be, and these can also be purchased at the same place you get the switch from.

Hope that helps.

P

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?Wired and wireless?
by Ott_665 Jan 22, 2011 12:23AM PST

Thanks for the info. I will go switch shopping this afternoon and will let you know. :~)

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(NT) Nice response, thanks
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jan 22, 2011 9:53AM PST
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?Wired and wireless?
by Ott_665 Jan 25, 2011 5:37AM PST

Hi mrmacfixit, I got the switch, installed it and all went well except for this message
"Configuration over WAN" problem is unresolved. Apparently this is less secure. I did however clicked "Click update to finish setting up this AE"

Honestly I don't know what this means or if I should be concerned. Obviously my computer's internet connection is working well :~) and so is my iPod touch. Thanks for any help / insight you can provide.

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?Wired and wireless?
by Ott_665 Jan 25, 2011 6:50AM PST

I have one more question :~) Before installing the Switch/AE when I put the iMac to sleep all but 2 lights on the modem would turn off now a third stays lit (power, PC and Cable stay lit). Before either PC or Cable would turn off however i believe it was PC that would turn off as well. Is this normal? In other words it seems I am connected all the time where as before I wasn't.???

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Those lights,
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jan 25, 2011 8:37AM PST

now that you have two other devices on your network, you will see different things.

The switch is supplying a connectivity signal to the modem and, as the switch is never turned off, the modem sees it as a valid ethernet signal, so it lights up.

Technically, you are always connected to the internet, no matter what the computer or the iPod are actually doing. However, if they are asleep, then the network is dropped on them.

Did you create a password for the wireless network? This may have been what the configuration software was referring to.

P

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WAN connection
by Ott_665 Jan 25, 2011 11:04AM PST

Yes I created a "base station" password and a "wireless password.
Did I need both of them?

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Both are not necessary but,
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Jan 25, 2011 9:04PM PST

good to have.

the wireless one prevents outside users from borrowing your wifi network without your permission.

The other one prevents unauthorized access to your base station.

Sounds like you did a good job

P

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