> Replacing AirPort Express
My AirPort Extreme links wirelessly with AirPort Express satellites to extend my network into other rooms. When that base station needs to be replaced, will a third–party Wi–Fi router still work with those satellites?
AirPort Express devices are essentially Ethernet–to–Wi–Fi bridges which are usually used as wireless access points, with added support for audio and a USB printer. When connected using Wi–Fi to an AirPort Express, they function as a Wi–Fi extender, and should be able to work the same with any other Wi– Fi base station with support for 802.11a/b/g/n simultaneous dual– band Wi–Fi, in the case of the more recent second–generation model.
When your AirPort Extreme has to be replaced, look for another Wi–Fi base station which can function as a router, network switch and Wi–Fi access point, with support for network–attached storage (NAS). There are a great many third–party products which should fit the bill, although you’d do well to look carefully at replacing all your AirPort devices, perhaps with a more modern Wi–Fi Mesh system which could give better coverage. The only function which may be more tricky to replace is support for analogue and digital audio with AirPlay. Apple currently recommends Linksys Velop Mesh systems as part of HomeKit, for example.