TP-Link and Airport Express - which is best as the router?

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aboylikedave

243 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Topic # 150345 19-Jul-2014 14:45

I've just been lucky enough to score myself an Apple Airport Express this week. I'd like to connect it to my TP-Link 8960N. I want to run my iMac directly via ethernet and other devices via wi-fi.

The stuff I've read suggests I should let the TP Link act as the router, run in bridge with the Airport Express as an access point and take advantage of the AE simultaneous dual band and good conectivity with my Apple devices. I would run ethernet from TP-Link to my iMac.

My question is - is it an alternative option to let the Airport Exress act as the router and run the ethernet cable from the AE to my iMac?

If possible, what are the pros and cons of both.

(By the way, sorry about all the network questions lately - but I am following all the advice I am receiving, am very grateful for it, and am having great fun experimenting with the various setups.)

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.

ripdog

403 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 208

Subscriber

Reply # 1092016 19-Jul-2014 14:53

Okay, so because you didn't state what kind of internet you have, I'll assume DSL. The 8960N is a modem router, but the Airport isn't. You still need a modem to connect to the internet, so you need to bridge either device to the other.

Personally I'd run the airport as the router and the T-LINK as a simple modem. That's just from personal experience with T-Link devices having awful, buggy web UIs. The airport utility is really nice, and airports have good IPv6 support, when that becomes relevant.

But really either way will work.

aboylikedave

243 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

Reply # 1092018 19-Jul-2014 14:59

Telecom - not fibre yet so I assume ADSL.

My EPL football websites: Get the results but hide the score of your team at HidetheScore.net. Compare league positions with wage bills at RealPremierLeague.net.