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Airport Express on separate 802.11n network?

My AE joins 802.11g home network. Since AE is 801.11n capable it might be possible to create separate 802.11n network (using 802.11n USB adapter for my Mac Mini) just to send music to AE (from Itunes). Existing 802.11g only router would still provide adequate connection to internet (that is slow 3Mb/s) and printer.

Separate 5GHz network should not interfere with existing router. It will be also less susceptible to microwave or cellphone interference. Interference from other routers in the area will also be reduced since 5GHz does not penetrate walls very well (all my gear in one room). Can this be done? I'm grateful for any suggestion.
128x128kijanki
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hi Kijanki,

I suspect that will work OK, but a caution is that I believe many USB 802.11n adapters only operate in the 2.4 gHz band. Be sure that you choose one which explicitly indicates that it will work at 5 GHz, or indicates that it is "dual band."

You would configure the AE to create a new network, for which it would act as the router, and as the DHCP server (assigning a local IP address to the Mini for use with the 802.11n USB adapter).

I'm assuming that the Mac OS provides a means of specifying a preferred order of connection among multiple networks, for each of its network interfaces (as Windows does; as you know I have no Mac experience). That way you can configure the Mini such that when booted it knows that it should automatically connect the USB adapter to the AE, and it should automatically connect its built-in wireless interface to the G network (assuming that you are presently connecting it to the G network wirelessly).

Also, to be sure I am envisioning everything correctly, am I correct in thinking that you are connecting the AE to your Benchmark DAC via Toslink?

Best regards,
-- Al
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kijanki OP
4,432 posts
 
Thank you Al, I noticed this 2.4GHz and thought it was misprint. Thanks for the warning. I think there is an order of the networks. Yes, it is Toslink.
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kijanki OP
4,432 posts
 
Al, I found this: http://www.amazon.com/Sapido-Dual-Band-Wireless-High-Speed-One-Touch/dp/B0072HO9W4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2Y685FOL69QGD&colid=41JEAXYNOO5S

It is difficult to find any high power USB adapter because they are either 2.4GHz or Windows only. Would it be better to get high power N router instead? I have unused Ethernet connector on my Mac Mini.
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