Extending wireless network (virgin)

I have a virgin home hub (fiarly new). I have a TC - bought to replace router we had proir to integrated hub. I use TC as timemachine, and its connected into network - bridge mode using ethernet cable. Our cable for modem etc is in back bedroom so network weak in front downstairs. want to exptend network/ wifi, through getting second hand airport but would like to know in advance how to set up. Currently have :
Do I need to somehow turn off the router part in my virgin hub and make the TC a router first? Or is their a way for a airport to connect into system as I have it?

Go back to scratch.. and always setup by ethernet.. do not ever attempt to setup wireless by wireless.. you are cutting off the branch you are sitting on.
Disconnect the TC from the existing networking.. plug it into a computer by ethernet.. press and hold the reset and start again.
Set the TC in bridge mode.. very important.
Set the wireless to create.. and give it the name you want.. you can do whatever you like.. use the same name as the virgin hub or a different name.. you are not creating a secondary network.. you are creating a second wireless network.. both are linked via the HUB and you have full access to clients on either .. so it makes not a wit of difference. For roaming though.. use exactly the same name.. same security.. same passkey.. different wireless channel.
Update the TC and plug it back into the network.
You now have TC or virgin hub and can use either.

Similar Messages

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

Multipmultiple Airport Extreme Base Stations: WDS Or "Extend Wireless Network" To Have Wired -- Wireless Bridge?

Hello there!
I've been looking for this info, but have as yet been unable to find it. Here's my scenario:
I have two Airport Extreme Base Stations (both are dual band) and 3 airport expresses. The main internet connection in my house is in one room, where I have an AEBS as the main wireless router. In another room, I have a bunch of ethernet-only devices. I'd like to use the 2nd AEBS in this room, plug the ethernet devices into it and have the 2nd AEBS act as a wired <--> wireless bridge (connected to the same wireless network as the 1st AEBS). I've attempted this via "extend a wireless network," but the ethernet devices don't get past the AEBS they're plugged into. Should I instead be implementing WDS?
I mention the airport expresses as I'd like to have airtunes & wireless signal in other areas, but would like to keep the set-up as simple as possible (i.e., not config the AXes for WDS unless it's required).
Thanks in advance for any help!

Unlike the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) cannot be configured as a wireless Ethernet bridge.
However, there are at least two ways to configure it to provide wired clients access:
Connect the second AEBSn back to the first by Ethernet; reconfigure the second AEBSn as a bridge and disable its wireless radios, or
Reconfigure both AEBSns into an extended wireless network. For 802.11n AirPorts, this would be called a dynamic WDS. The AEBSn, connected to the Internet would be the "main" base station and it would only require that you enable the "Allow this network to be extended" option in the AirPort Utility. The extending AEBSn would need to be configured with the option, Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network, enabled.
In both configurations, the second AEBSn's Ethernet ports would be enabled for wired clients.

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless network with Airport Express. Everything is fine until I try to select Extend the wireless network. I select Extend Wireless network but have no success. Ideas?

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless to rooms with a weak signal. The internet connection is fine with the basic setup. As soon as I go into Airport Utility to select Extend Wireless Network and fill in what I believe is proper information, I get an error message that Airport Extreme no longer has an IP address, the internet connection is broken, and under Wireless, that there is a wireless network in existence that can't be found. Rebooting the modem only brings the Airport Extreme back to the starting gate so that the internet is once again available. I assumed (naively) that with the All Mac All-the-Time context, adding Airport Express would truly be Plug and Play. I got the plug, but no play. I asked a Comcast technical specialist about it and he said that I needed to reset the Airport Express settings back to their default, factory status. I looked that process up online and found out that the way to do that was to hold down the reset button, then plug Airport Express into the socket and wait for the green light to flash four times. Then wait 45 seconds and the default settings will return. I did all that, only to find out that after the initial flash of green, green never appeared again. I got a fast flashing yellow light, followed by the light going off. Apparently this didn't reset it properly. So, after hours trying to get this system to work, I appeal to someone who can see through this mess and provide the key to success!
highFly376

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

Extend Wireless Network using a Telstra technicolor Gateway wireless Router to Airpot extreme but Airport will only except join not extend and I can not get a network on the Airpor Extreme ethernet ports but can ping Airport extreme from Technicolor Rout/

Extend Wireless Network using a Telstra technicolor Gateway wireless Router to Airpot extreme but Airport will only except "join a wireless network (which it does) not "extend a wireless network" (Led turns yellow and I can not get a network working on the Airpor Extreme ethernet ports but can ping Airport extreme from Technicolor Router.
Airport gets it address DHCP.

Funny how I can ping the Extreme but the Hard Ethernet ports dont seem to work correctly.
When the AirPort Extreme is configured to "Join" a wireless network, the Ethernet ports are not enabled.
Oddly, the AirPort Express has a special feature that will allow it to to "Join" virtually any wireless network.....and the Ethernet port can be enabled. So, an Express would work for your purpose to provide an Ethernet connection to the media player. This assumes that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from your main router.
Note that the Express will not provide any additional wireless coverage when it "Joins".

Airport Express as very slow in "extend wireless network" mode

Hi!
I am using a Airport Extreme (fourth generation) as a wireless router and a Airport Express 802.11n in "extend wireless network" mode.
I've set the Airport Extreme mode to 802.11n only - and all devices connect to the Airport Extreme as 802.11n Clients properly.
But as soon as they connect to the Airport Express, they only work in 802.11b/g mode (although they are capable of n)
and the connection is very slow - around 1Mb/s:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/bildschirmfoto20111211u.png/
Can i force the Airport Express station to accept only "n" connections to speed up my file tranfers?
Thanks for any help!
matt

Where is the AirPort Express located in relation to the area that needs more wireless coverage?
Ideally, it would be at a point that is about half the distance between the AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage....and....there would be no obstructions like walls and/or ceilings in the signal path....tough to do in most homes, so do the best that you can.
Avoid placing the Express down low on the wall and use an extension cord to get it up as high as possible with a free look into the room.
The Express will normally "extend" what it receives, but you could try the following to see if it helps:
Temporarily, change the Wireless Mode setting on the AirPort Express to "Create a wireless network" and change the Radio Mode to "802.11n only".
(You may have to hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the Radio Mode selection box to see the "802.11n only" choice). Then change the Wireless Mode back to "Extend a wireless network" and Update.

Airport Express wouldn't extend wireless network

Am posting this in case it helps someone else. I have an Airport Extreme set up as a base station and couldn't get an Airport Express to "extend wireless network". I finally found a checkbox in the "Wireless" tab of the "Manually Configure" dialog box for the Extreme that says: "Allow this network to be extended". I could not find this referenced anywhere in Apple documentation, so you have to know to go and check this box. Apologies to the techies if this is a no-brainer, but I only found it by accident. Apple should include a brief paragraph in their wireless troubleshooting guide on extending your network.

When you configure the Express to "join a wireless network" it becomes part of the network so that you can stream AirTunes to the device or use a remote printer connected to the USB port, but it does not provide any additional wireless coverage in this type of configuration.
"Extend a wireless network" does the same thing as above, except the Express will also provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located.

Airport express can't extend wireless network

Airport express(A1264) can't extend wireless network. It seems that Airport express can't find my home Wi-Fi network. Amber light is blinking, and AirPort Utility of MacBook also can't find Airport express.
If AE is connected with TC via LAN cable, amber light is blinking with message "Wireless Network" (This Airport base station is set up to join a specific wireless network that can't be found...)
It was successful only once, but all failed after that.
Is there solution for this problem?
[My system]
Time capsule 4th generation
Airport express 1st generation (A1264)
[Settings]
Time capsule (ethernet connected)
- Create a wireless network
- 802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n (Automatic)
- 2.4GHz / 5GHz Channel (Autmatic)
- WPA2 Personal
Airport express
- Extend a wireless network
- WPA2 Personal
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network name and Password is set up

If AE is connected with TC via LAN cable, amber light is blinking with message "Wireless Network" (This Airport base station is set up to join a specific wireless network that can't be found...)
Sorry, I misunderstood what you wanted to do.
Since you did tell us that you had the Express connected with an Ethernet cable, I assumed that was how you wanted to configure the Express.
But I want to extend a wireless network (not using ethernet)
Because Airport Express and Time Capsule cannot be connect via ethernet cable.
Follow the same setup as above....and do not connect an Ethernet cable.
Keep the Express near the Time Capsule for the setup. Once you have a green light, move the Express to a point that is about half way between the Time Capsule and area that needs more wireless coverage.
If you reset the Express several times and try the setup several times without success, I think you have to suspect a defective Express.

Extending Wireless Network with Airport Express / DLink Wireless

I have a DLink wireless router WBR-1310. I own two Airport Express 802.11n's. Can anyone help me out with how I can properly set-up an extended network with these products? All help is greatly appreciated.

You would need one AirPort Express located near the D-Link router and connected to the D-Link with an ethernet cable. This Express would be configured to "create a wireless network" and "allow this network to be extended"
If you have two areas that need more wireless coverage, you would locate an AirPort Express approximately 1/2 the distance between the "main" AirPort Express and the area that needs more wireless coverage.
Then do the same with the second area that needs more coverage.
Without knowing your room layout, I can't honestly tell you whether you need only one "extending" Express or more than that.
It will help to remember that the "extend" setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. Your "main" Express connected to the D-Link would be the "hub". Each of the "extending" Express devices would be at the end of a spoke. The Express devices at the ends of the spokes communicate directly to the hub, not to another Express at the end of another spoke.
So, to work well, hopefully your D-Link router and Express will be located in a central area of your home so the extending devices will work around the perimeter.
I would recommend that you study Apple's support document on extending wireless networks before you make a final decision on what to do.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
Finally, consider if you can connect the two Express devices you have now back to the D-Link using ethernet cables. This would provide much better performance than a wireless only situation.

Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet

Can some one tell me the difference between configuring AirPort Utility : Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet? I connect my cable modem to my Airport Time Capsule to a network switch via ethernet. The switch contacts to three Airport Express (AE connects to two Apple TVs via Ethernet) and another TC. Which is the best mode to configure my network?
Thanks

Create a wireless network is used only when the Airports have an Ethernet connection. If you are using the setup wizard.....the setting will read Extend using Ethernet during the setup. If you go back in using AirPort Utility to check the Network Mode setting.....you will see that it is really Create a wireless network.
Extend a wireless network is used only if an AirPort is connecting to another AirPort using wireless.......not Ethernet.
Every one of the Airports on your network must be configured to Create a wireless network.
If you do connect an Ethernet cable to an AirPort that is already set up to Extend a wireless network......that will create a massive feedback loop that will crash the network until you remove the Ethernet connection to the device.
The bottom line here might be if you are using the setup wizard, it will make the correct choice for you.

Extending wireless network with an aiport express

I have a netgear wireless router set up in my house on the second floor, but my room being located on the first floor i get a poor signal so i bought an airport express to extend my network. i tried going through the aiport exress setup assistant but that wouldnt work, so i ended up hooking it to my netgear router on the second floor to set it up in airport admin utility and then brought it back down to the first floor. my itunes worked with the speakers for about.. ten seconds then stopped. and my signal is just as weak as before.. any suggestions?

Unfortunately, it is simply not possible to use an Airport Express to wirelessly "extend" the wireless range of any model of Netgear wireless router. Netgear's wireless routers do not support Apple's implementation of a wireless distribution system (WDS), which is a necessary requirement for setting up an extended wireless network with the Airport Express. And no - it doesn't work the other way around either (Airport Express as base station, Netgear wireless router to "extend").
It sounds like you did successfully configure your Airport Express to "join" your existing wireless network - which will allow you to print and stream iTunes to the Airport Express. The problems you are having with Airtunes "hanging" on your Mac are almost certainly due to the poor wireless signal quality problem that you are already aware of.

Extending wireless network many times – works with limitations (why?)

Hi all! I want to extend wireless network in big 2 floor house without ethernet cables. My current setup is attached in picture file.
Time Capsule – connected directly to Internet.
TimeCaps-Front – this is AirPort Express configured to extend network from Time Capsule.
TimeCaps-Back – this is AirPort Express configured to Bridge mode (it accepts local network via ethernet cable plugged to its WAN) and this AirPort creates new network with the same name and password as Time Capsule do.
2nd-floor-main – this is AirPort Express configured to extend the network from TimeCaps-Back (NOT from Time Capsule because 2nd extension doesn't work).
This setup is WORKS (unbelievable)!!!
But when Time Capsule is rebooted, any client can't connect to any base station, even to Time Capsule (error - connection timed out). For this solution work, it needed to reboot each device individually each after previous… Also I noticed, if after Time Capsule reboot, turn off "TimeCaps-Back" we can again connect our wireless clients to Time Capsule.
So the question is – how to optimize (if possible) this setup?

It sounds a bit corny to say that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, but it remains a valid concept. In your case, the weakest link is the wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.
The reason for this is that an extending device can only extend the quality of signal or bandwidth that it receives. So, the stronger the connection at this point in the network, the better the whole network will perform in terms of speed and stabiity. At least half of your entire network depends on a single wireless connection between the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express.
If things are working fine, there may be no need to check further. If you want to be a bit more scientific, then you can use a good utility like WiFi Explorer to examine the Signal to Noise (SNR) at various points on the network.
In that regard, I would first measure the SNR of the Time Capsule signal at the location of the first Express to make sure that it was acceptable and even experiment if possible by moving the Express closer to the Time Caspule or minimimizing any obstructions that might be limiting the SNR at this point.
The wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express supports the other half of the entire network, so any weakness at this link in terms of bandwidth will be passed down to the other devices on the network.

Extending wireless network - airport express

Hi - just unwrapped my new airport express and trying to set-up an extended wireless network. My understanding is that the AX will extend my existing network, but I am getting the same error each time I try - amber status on extended network. Does the extended network function not work if the existing router is non apple ? I have a talk talk router and I can join a wireless network no issue. However the point of buying the AX was to extend the network as I get bad reception on the back of the house.
thanks

Does the extended network function not work if the existing router is non apple ?
Apple uses proprietary technology in their "extend" feature that.....as far as we know.....will only work with another Apple router.....if you are trying to "extend" using wireless only.
It would be extremely unlikely that it would work with a router from another manufacturer for this purpose.

Extending Wireless Network and Bridging Over Ethernet

Have a TimeCapsule and Airport Basestation at home. Both are currently connected over wireless using the "Extend Wireless Network" feature.
On each of the devices have several laptops, mac minis etc. connected over Ethernet (since wireless insufficient for our high speed data transfers etc.)... Trouble we are having is the speed/connection between both the TC and the AP, so considering to connect them both over Ethernet to improve.
Question is once they are connected over Ethernet, what happens to the "Extend Wireless Network", how does the TC and AP know to either use the wireless or the Ethernet to connect with each other? Does one take precedence over the other?
We want to keep them both on Ethernet and Wireless bridge ideally, so that at opposite ends the wireless network is extended for our iPhones and iPads and all devices connected on Ethernet benefit the speed boost over Ethernet, but just not sure how it will behave, and not sure how to test this scenario....
So asking here instead
Thanks!

It sounds like you might want to configure your base stations into a "roaming network".

Wired airport express to extend wireless network and connect network printer?

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it? Here's the deal...The Airport Extreme is directly connected to my DSL modem and the wireless network is working fine in my house, but, the signal does not reach my detached studio/office. I have a Cat5e cable (and phone line, more on this later) run between the two locations and trimmed out. I would like to have wireless access and connect my network printer (Brother HL-2170W, wireless or wired) in my studio, be able to use printer from house also, and still have wireless access in house.
So, ethernet connection from Extreme to Express, USB from Express to Printer, wireless access for all users. Can anyone talk me through how to (re)configure the Express to do this? Do I need to make changes to Extreme configuration also?
JS

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it?
Yes. Apple's instructions for this are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
Instead of a second AirPort Extreme as illustrated, you will be using the AirPort Express.

Extending wireless network (virgin)

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