We recommend turning off WiFi to make sure you’re only connected to your AirPort device. Make sure your computer is connected only to the Airport device and not to the network of another router or modem.Next, connect your laptop to your Time Capsule or Extreme using an Ethernet cable plugged into one of the AirPort’s LAN ports.First, unplug all the Ethernet cables to disconnect it from your existing network.This way, you’ll be able to control your network’s advanced features via the eero app.īridging your AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule: We recommend that you bridge your AirPort device, which essentially turns it into a network-enabled hard drive and gigabit switch.

I figure this should have me covered even if we're out in the front or back yard and shouldn't break a sweat with all the gear connected to it.If you’re connecting either an AirPort Extreme or a Time Capsule to your eero network, you’ll have to disable the wireless and routing functions on either your Airport device or your eeros. The 3-node Velop system I ordered is WAY overkill as far as the square footage it covers, but I'd rather have way too much power and bandwidth than not enough or just enough. Our house is about 2500 sq ft., and I'm currently running all that stuff off of one Airport Extreme on the main level, and one Airport Express in the upstairs acting as an extender and an additional AirPlay 2 node hooked up to a speaker. And with all that going on, I need the lights and security items to be snappy and responsive when I need to use them. There are often times where more than one of us, sometimes all of us, are gaming or streaming video through PS Vue or Netflix all at the same time. We do all streaming for our media access and with two adults and two kids the network is often under pretty heavy strain. Security system that runs through ġ random hand me down Samsung Galaxy Tab (don't ask) Phillips Hue system with about 40 bulbs and a couple of switchesĬraftsman MyQ garage door opener with the additional HomeKit hubĪ random Insignia smart outlet for one of our lamps that takes a weird sized bulb I have accumulated a pretty elaborate collection of automation devices over the last year or so: I'm really interested in how the different systems cope with that now that I'm dipping my toe into mesh networking.

I would like to still use my Airport Express as an AirPlay 2 speaker on the new network if possible.Īnyone have any experience with this hardware? Anything better I should be looking at instead? From what I could tell in my research, this was the most versatile system for my house and seems like it should play nice with all my home automation stuff.Ĭlick to expand.If you remember, DM me or something when you get the Orbi stuff set up and let me know how it works with your smart home products. I only have one component that requires a direct connection to the router, and that’s my Hue hub. I have a zillion HomeKit devices in my house, so I’m hoping it works well with those. (Runner up option will be Orbi if the Linksys doesn’t work out). (Not particularly interested in Amazon, or Google for that matter, having the option of sniffing my internet traffic or knowing what devices are on my network.)Īnyway-I’ve gone back and forth on a bunch of systems and finally ordered a Linksys Velop setup for my house. I have decided to retire the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express that I’m currently using, and I was about 2 days away from buying an Eero setup when the Amazon news broke, so I had to go back to the drawing board. Just wanted to get some opinions on mesh networking from anyone who cares to chime in.

Airport extreme mesh setup