Simple Network Question

[jwc6160]

I currently have a fiber line direct to my time machine and then connected to my Mac. Upstairs I have an AirPort Extreme set up to extend the signal it gets over the air from the basement time machine. I am looking in to hard wiring the upstairs extreme so it has a direct fiber connection as well. My questions:

1) since they both have direct connections, can I still have 1 network?

2) will I need to set up anything different just because the upstairs extreme is now hard wired. It is currently set up to extend the signal from the hard wired basement.

3) if they do have to be set up as separate networks, will my devices automatically grab the best available in the house once passwords are entered? Or will I have to continually sign in to each one?

Thanks

 

[CreatorCode]

Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations - Apple Support
Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n) - Apple Support

 

[DJLC]

You can have 1 wireless network. Set both base stations to use the same SSID and security settings. Devices will choose whichever one is closer.

You may need to tweak the upstairs AP once it's hardwired. I'd think you'd want to plug the line into one of the 4 LAN ports as opposed to the WAN port, but my experience with AirPort gear is limited.