Extreme base station+express "n" as booster

Hi
I'm having difficulty connecting my AX 1264 as booster to my AE (802.11n)
i read the threads, so i know the general procedure. however when i went to AU->wireless mode->extend a wireless network->wireless network name the network on my AE is not listed. I wonder if it could be because i'm running osx 10.4.11 and AU version 5.4.2 (lates update for my osx). do i need 10.5+ OSX to do this? or am i missing a simple step?

in my case all the airports Express are hardwire to the Router.
How should I set it up. from reading threads here I think that I should make them as "join a Network"
If the AirPort Express devices are connected to the router using a wired Ethernet connection, the configuraton of each Express would appear as follows below. I assume that you will assigning a different name to each AirPort Express to allow them to be easily identified:
AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab located just below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the main router's wireless network
No check mark needed next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) or similar mode to the main router
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Same security setting as the main wireless router
Wireless Password = Same password as the main wireless router
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings
Restart the entire network

Similar Messages

How do I configure an Airport Extreme base station to receive and distribute a wi-fi network from a broadband wireless router?

I have recenly upgraded my broadband service and now have a wireless router. My old network configuration was a router connected by ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station which then broadcast my wireless network (I also had an Airport Express base staion set up as a wi-fi booster elswhere in the house).
I now have two networks (my original network and the new network from the wireless router) and wish to amalgamate these into one.
Ideally I wish to use the Airport Extreme base station as the "remote" booster (I have purchased Powerline adapters for this purpose) but don't know how to configure the Airport Extreme base station in order to to this.
Can you advise on the best set up for this please?
My Mac is running OS X 10.8.2 and the Aiport untility is version 6.1.
Thanks in anticipation.

The AirPort Extreme should be configured to "create a wireless network" with the same WiFi network name, security type (usually WPA2 Personal) and password as your existing router. It should be configured as connection type Ethernet and be in bridge mode.

I have a Cisco wireless router. Can I buy an Airport Express plug in booster for a distant part of my house or do I need an Airport Extreme base station instead to make the Airport Express plug in booster work?

Can I buy an Airport Express plug-in wifi signal booster to connect to a Cisco wireless router, or do I have to buy an Airport Extreme base station to make the Airport Express plug-in work?

You would need either an AirPort Extreme or an AirPort Express connected to the Cisco router, with a permanent Ethernet cable connection.
Configure the Extreme or Express that is connected to the Cisco router to "create a wireless network".
Then, you could add an AirPort Express to "extend a wireless network" to provide more wireless coverage for the network that the Extreme or Express would be creating.
Remember that the Express can only "extend" the quality of signal that it receives, so it must be located where it can receive a strong signal from the "main" AirPort.
If you don't need the Cisco wireless signal, you could turn it off.....or use that network for guests or something similar.
The bottom line here......you always need two Apple routers if you want to extend the network wirelessly.

Airport Express Transmits To Airport Extreme Base Station Intermittently

I have an Airport Extreme set up as my base station wirelessly.  I also have an Airport Express set up to extend the range of my network.
The reason I have the air port express is that the walls of my house are very thick, so I thought that if I have an Airport Express, then I can jump the signal from one signal strength room to a week signal strength room.
The length of the house is within the 30m range.  Airport Utility occasionally can not see the AExtreme or AExpress but if I put both in the same room it picks both up.   At the low signal strength end of the house my MacBook or MacBook Pro Air Port Utility only picks up the AExpress located at this end of the house.  If I restart the AExpress then Airport Utility picks up both airports in the week signal room, then the Extreme drops out.
Q1 - Why does this happen i.e. only showing the nearest / clearest signal air port?
What I have established is that the connection to the internet is always through the wireless signal from the AExtreme (ADS Router connected directly to this).  I established this by switching off the AExpress at the week signal end of the house and finding a spot where the signal could be picked up.
Q2 - If the AEtxreme and AExpress are within the nominal 30 m range why cant my lap tops just pick up both Airports on Airport Utility.
Q3 - Can you set up both Airports such that one will boost the signal and if so how.
Q4 - When running AExtreme only why does the signal strength vary - even when sitting right next to the extreme?
Thanks
Alastair

On this same topic;
We have a new Extreme base station that connects 1 MBP, (wirelessly), 1 HP Laptop (wirelessly) and 2 PC (via ethernet) to the internet.
All of the computers can see and use the Extreme base station and the printer connected to it via USB.
We also have an Airport Express that the two laptops can see. This has a printer connected to it as well via USB. (both are new Canon printers and all of the software for each, and their drivers are loaded on all computers).
Both the Extreme and Express have a steady green light, their own names and are set up on the same network.
Though my MBP can see both the Extreme and Express, neither "see" each other as far as I can tell. And, the printer connected to the Express cannot be seen in either Bonjour Printers, or anywhere else.
Also, in order to "attempt" to find the printer connected to the Express, I have to disconnect from the Extreme Base Station and connect to the Express.
How can I get the printer (connected to the Express) to show up in my pick list of printers WITHOUT having to disconnect from the Extreme and connect to the Express. Also, how can we get the Express to be connected to the internet via the Extreme?
All searches here and documents I have poured though do not address this issue and we'd really like to get this straightened out. I am willing to take a lot of time to do this, but do it right.
Can someone please help me with this?
Thank you in advance,
~ J

Bridging network with AP Extreme base station and AP Express

OK, here's the deal. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station on a WPA2 Personal network. Works great except that I want to boost the signal to the rest of the house. So, I bought an Airport Express. Airport Utility picks up both devices; but when I select the new Express to configure it, I get a msg asking to confirm that I want to switch networks. Well, I don't. I want to expand the network I have. Last night I did click "yes" and it was a disaster as I lost the Extreme altogether and the Express couldn't pick up a signal because - obviously - it wasn't connected to the ethernet cable as the base station, and also because (I think) the base station is configured to hide my SSID. I ended up working backwards and got the Extreme back to normal and put the Express back in its box until someone can tell me how to do this. I know Apple says it's easy; but it's a challenge for me. HELP!

A few things:
1. Please don't configure your base station to "hide its SSID". Doing this is absolutely useless as a security method. It will on the other hand complicate setup of your network, as well as the diagnosis of problems when they arise.
2. You must allow the Airport Utility to switch networks during the process. What is happening is that the Airport Utility must temporarily switch your Mac's wireless network connection from your existing base station to the wireless network created by your unconfigured Airport Express in order to communicate with and configure that Airport Express. After the Airport Express configuration is complete - if your Mac doesn't automatically switch your Mac's wireless network connection back again then just do so manually from the MacOS Airport menu.
3. To get a better understanding of what you are doing, start reading at page 42 of Apple's manual "Designing Airport Networks" found at:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/DesigningAirPort_Networks_Using_AirPortUtility.pdf

AirPort, older AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, Newer AirPort Extreme Base Station

This may sound like a fairly dumb question, but here goes anyway:
I have a 27" iMac with the following AirPort Extreme card:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x8F)
Firmware Version: Atheros 9280: 2.1.14.6
For a Base Station, I'm currently using a pretty long-in-the-tooth M8799LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station (with modem and antenna port)
I recently bought an Airport Express:
AirPort Express MB321LL/A (A1264) to
A. Use AirTunes to send iTunes from my Man Cave on the first floor at one end of the house to the family room on the first floor at the other, where it will connect to an A/V setup, and, probably, one of my USB printers
B. Act as a repeater for the AirPort Extreme Base Station, which is physically closer to the Man Cave than to the family room. My wife and I use our ancient-but-hangin'-in-there iBook G4s in the family room (and upstairs) to check email, eBay, etc. Both in the family room and especially upstairs, we sometimes get only 2-3 bars on the AirPort signal strength indicator in the menu bar.
I see that I can get, from a well-known third-party retailer, an AirPort Extreme 802.11n A1143 (1st Generation), for an exceptionally reasonable price.
My question is, what would getting the AirPort Extreme 802.11n A1143 do for me, if anything? I know it would give me one more signal source in the repeater chain, and I could probably put the Auld Nyle M8799LL/A in the stairway or upstairs to boost the signal upstairs, and I could use the USB port in the AirPort Extreme A1143 for connecting another USB printer or USB external hard drive (would this drive be available to any Mac on the AirPort network?)
Any other configuration possibilities and suggestions greatly appreciated!
Peace & Love
Bart Brown

Thank you for the prompt reply and the very helpful links. I'm going through all the support docs right now, but from your explanation and what I've seen in the support docs so far, it would appear that the maximum bandwidth is achieved by a physically-connected "Roaming Network."
I'm so out of it, I'm afraid I'd never heard of "Powerline adapters," but I looked them up, and I guess this is the system that uses "Romex" - style standard house wiring to carry signal, which cuts down on each individual Base Station's power overhead (does it also affect bandwidth?).
I see a lot of names selling these adapters -- Western, D-Link, NETGEAR, ZyXEL, Monster, Sling Media, PowerNet, Cisco-Linksys, Actiontec, Medialink, Rosewill, TRENDnet -- and a lot of different configurations: 1 port, 2 ports, 4 ports. Basically I have one 27" iMac that doesn't go anywhere (it's not too portable!), a couple iBook G4s, and a point where I want to run 1/8" mini-jack-to-RCA L/R audio cable from the AirPort Express to an A/V receiver. I doubt this configuration is going to change, as I'm 63, and too lazy to lug stuff around if I don't have to. What do you think would be the best solution for me, considering I just ordered the AEBSn and I already have a brand-new AXn. Should the 27" iMac, since it ain't movin', be connected by ethernet/"Powerline adapter", rather than relying on the internal Airport Extreme card? I guess what I'm asking is, given what I want to do, how many of these Powerline adapters, what kind (do you recommend), with how many ethernet ports do I need?
Thank you again for your prompt and informed help.
Bart Brown

Difference between Extreme Base Station vs. Express Base Station ?

I use an Ibook with an Airport Extreme Card. I use it wirelessly to my Phone Companies (Windstream here in New Mexico) wireless modem with antenna they provided for me. My question is...I am unable to pick up a good signal on the other end of our house...Do I need a base station or an Airport Express or Extreme Base station to help with a longer distance between my Ibook and the wireless modem? Not sure what the difference is? We have a guest house that is rented on weekends to tourists...I want them to pick up a frequency from my wireless modem that is over at our place. Does it matter which base station I get? In order for the signal to get stronger between homes. And does one base station eliminate the need to have my wireless modem? Thanks in advance- Jeff

Do I need a base station or an Airport Express or Extreme Base station to help with a longer distance between my Ibook and the wireless modem?
Unfortunately, very few non-AirPort wireless routers will work with AirPort base stations to extend the wireless network in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS). However, if your wireless modem (which sounds like a gateway) also provides wired LAN ports, you could connect an AirPort base station to it and then extend the network, wirelessly, with additional ones. You can create a WDS with all AirPort Extreme Base Stations (AEBS), all AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) or a mix of both. (Note: The new AEBS, to be available in February, does not appear to have WDS functionality.)
Does it matter which base station I get? In order for the signal to get stronger between homes.
No. However, it's important to understand that a WDS does not "boost" a signal, only re-transmits it at the same throughput as it receives it.
And does one base station eliminate the need to have my wireless modem?
Unfortunately, no. The AirPort base stations do not incorporate a DSL or cable modem.

Solution to Airport Extreme Base Station + Airport Express networking probs

I've been investigating this for 3 straight days after inadvertently destabilizing my network. There are tons of posts discussing a variety of issues, all of which seem related. My goal here is to provide links to other relevant posts and explain what I ended up doing to get things to work.
First, the background. You can skip below to SOLUTION if you don't really care... However, I highly recommend you take the time to read everything, as you'll get other useful information in the BACKGROUND section. I'm guessing many of you have similar, related problems so BACKGROUND might help provide context (and solutions) to some things you are seeing...
MY SETUP:
AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) of type b/g (round one, not square one), connects to the cable modem, and creates a WDS network that is then shared across two standard AirPort Express (AEX) units (100megabit, not the gigabit ones). One AEX serves as a relay unit that accepts clients, the other serves as a remote unit that also accepts clients. The intent is to show a single network throughout the house and let users log on to one network and move between networking units without having to switch from network to network.
I have a variety of networked devices throughout the house all running on the same network (2 Mac Pros, a Powerbook G4, a Mac Mini, an Apple TV, a Windows XP laptop, two iPhones, two wifi printers, and a 5-unit Sonos system, plus the AEBS and two AEXs). Yeah, I'm a geek.
The Mac Pros are both running 10.4.11, and the Powerbook is running 10.5.2.
AEBS is running firmware 5.7
AEXs are running firmware 6.3
All Macs were initially accessing configs via the recently released AirPort Utility 5.3.1. More on that later.
BACKGROUND:
I've had this network setup working for about a year now. Recently, I've been having poor network performance problems and came to the conclusion it was a LAN problem (ie. problem with my home network, as opposed to with my ISP). Upon initial investigation, I began by looking at my networking logs (via AirPort Utility 5.3.1). You get to those by selecting the unit in question, choosing "Manual Configuration", the selecting the "Advanced" tab up top with the "Logging and SNMP" sub-tab. Click the "Logs and Statistics" button therein for log details from that unit.
The first thing I noticed was "Administrative access denied to ff80::xxxxxxxxx" messages - a lot of them. I didn't recognize the ff80:: address in question, and so became concerned it was someone outside the network trying to hack one (or all) of the AEBS/AEX units. You can see threads discussing that investigation here:
"Hack or panic?" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438486
"Administrative access denied" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438865
Long and short of it is that the recent AirPort Utility 5.3.1 release (current as of March 13) seems to have problems (keychain) when attempting to access the AEBS and AEX units. The "Administrative access denied" logs actually refer to the client machine you are using when you try to read the logs. The ff80::xxxxxx address is simply the IPv6 address for the machine you are using; if you turn off IPv6 on your client machine, that address should switch over to begin showing a regular IP address instead (something like 10.0.1.xxx), which makes it easier to associate the IP to the machine. I explain how to deactivate IPv6 on both Tiger (10.4.x) and Leopard (1.5.x) here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6814978#6814978
Anyway, in the process of investigating the "Administrative access denied" problem, I began tinkering with my AEX settings. Specifically, I ended up performing a hard factory reset (unplug unit, plug back in while holding down the little button with paper click/pen for ~10-15 seconds until light flashes green 4x then reverts to amber/yellow/orange). I began reconfiguring my entire WDS network using the newly updated AirPort Utility 5.3.1, and that's when the trouble started.
(If you are having problems seeing either your AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, read this:)
In short, each time I thought I had properly configured things and then confirmed settings (kicking off a reboot on the AEX unit) the unit would restart with new settings but not properly join the WDS and not show up in the AirPort Utility list of units. More specifically, I would start with a "wiped" AEX and see both the AEBS and the AEX in my AirPort Utility list, but upon confirm/reboot the AEX would disappear and the AEBS would remain. However, that's not 100% correct. It seems that sometimes I would end up with the AEX and NOT the AEBS. Because both the AEX and AEBS were theoretically "hosting" the same network name (remember, WDS shares the network name across units) my auto-login feature for my client computer's wifi seemed to "jump on" whichever unit it first saw hosting the default network name for my house. In other words, it seems what was really happening was that I was ending up with two separate networks in my house, both with the same name but not talking to each other (as opposed to two units sharing the same network name and internet connection). The AEX would continue to blink orange/amber/yellow (whichever color it is to your eyes ) because it could not grab an internet connection -- and if I was on the network through that AEX unit I would not get internet. But if i was connected through the AEBS I would continue to have internet access. As far as my client computer (my Mac Pro) was concerned, I was on the home wifi network even if I was on the AEX rather than the AEBS -- it would show the home wifi network name as the name of the network it had connected to. But when I opened the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 I would see only the AEX (if I was connected through it) or the AEBS (if connected through it) -- a clear indication that the units were not truly sharing the same network.
I tried rebooting and reconfiguring the AEBS and AEX about 50 times (literally). I even tracked down an older version of the AirPort Utility 5.2.1 via this thread (see Tesserax post):
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1067565
One interesting thing re: 5.2.1 is that the "Administrative access denied" errors summarized above disappeared. As explained in a post reference above, the going theory is that this a permissions/keychain problem new and unique to AirPort Utility 5.3.1. However, even though 5.2.1 does have a slightly different interface with different settings, I still couldn't get the WDS to work.
EVENTUALLY, I came across this post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
MuaddibOfArrakis walks through setting up a WDS from scratch, and the workflow is different than what is possible with either AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or 5.2.1. He's doing it with the old version of AirPort Admin Utility, which I fortunately saved a copy of many moons ago when I had somewhat-related problems with my WDS (since forgotten). In fact, it's a lot easier. What's nice about this older app is that it literally does the heavy lifting of "connecting" the AEBS and AEX units during the configuration -- it reboots both at the same time as the config is happening, and lets you choose from a list of available units to "add" to your WDS network. In short, it's a FAR SUPERIOR workflow even though some of the GUI isn't as intuitive as the newer AirPort Utilities that were designed to replace it.
SOLUTION:
If still have a copy of the AirPort Admin Utility follow the instructions from MuaddibOfArrakis here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
If not, try setting up your WDS network using AirPort Utility (hereafter AU), with these configs (take from my now-working network), as viewed through AirPort Utility 5.3.1.
I. Configure your AEBS.
Select the AEBS from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the AirPort tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) assign a name for that specific unit, so you can later identify the specific unit from the list of units -- this is the name that will show up beside the unit in the AU list of configurable units. You can name it something like "kitchen", or "office". I have mine numbered, so XXXXXv1, XXXXXv2 etc where the XXXXX is the name of the shared network and the numbers help me tell the units apart. Just be sure you name each uniquely, and if you have several you might write the name on the unit itself.
ii.) pick a password for logging into that unit. This is different from the network password, its a security check to get in and change the configs on this unit later. Be sure to remember it in your keychain for the sake of simplicity, and write it down somewhere secure.
iii.) if you choose to set time automatically, pick a location that you will use consistently across all your units. I use time.apple.com.
iv.) uncheck "Allow configuration over Ethernet WAN port" unless you want to be able to remotely mess with settings -- which you almost certainly do not need to do.
v.) I left the "Options" button alone - no settings there.
b. Under the "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: "Participate in a WDS network"
ii.) Network Name: this will be the name of your wifi network shared by all units, so be sure to remember what you pick. If you are already connected to this AEBS via wifi while you are making these changes, then you can use the same wifi name you already have set up -- you don't have to change it. Note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
iii.) pick a Radio Mode. I'm using b/g compatible. You'll want to do the same, unless you are on the new gigabit AEX. I'm pretty sure about this, but not 100% -- others post if I'm wrong.
iv.) choose a Channel. This can be a more complicated procedure, but for now just pick something consistent across all your units. If you get everything working and find that you're having intermittent network problems, you could later try changing your Channel -- it can pick up interference from phones, microwaves, etc and changing it can help.
v.) I have wireless security set to WPA/WPA2 Personal.
vi.) Wireless Password is the password for access to your wifi network (not your unit itself). If you are connecting to your AEBS via wifi while doing this config, then you can use the same password you have already set up. Pick a good one unless you want other folks jumping on your wifi and stealing your bandwidth and/or credit card numbers . Remember it in your keychain and write it down someplace secure, because you'll need it for the other units too. As noted above, note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
vii.) Click the "Wireless Options" button. I have my multicast rate set to 2mbps, transmit at 100%, timeout at 1 hour, and i have checked the "Create a closed network". This last step keeps your network from advertising itself to the outside world. Users can only find it by explicitly typing the network name into their wifi settings (e.g. AirPort -> Other... then enter Network Name, Security and Password). I leave interference robustness unchecked.
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
i.) the AEBS should have it's WDS Mode set to "WDS main".
ii.) Check the "allow wireless clients" box on the AEBS; this lets you connect client machines to it directly too.
iii.) hit the plus button to add the Remote system (AEX). There are two types of configs for the AEX's - "remote" and "relay". Assuming you have 3 units like me (2 AEX and 1 AEBS) the key question is whether you will place each AEX within direct reach of the AEBS (remotes), or if you will have one AEX in the middle connecting to an AEBS on one side and an AEX on the other -- where the furthest AEX is out of reach from the AEBS (remote) and connects only to the AEX in the middle (relay). I'm using a relay setup. If you are using relay, you can still set up the AEX relay to serve client computers too -- it doesnt have to JUST relay. More on that later. For now, you want to add only AEX units that will talk DIRECTLY to the AEBS. So if you have a setup like mine, just add one (the one in the middle - the relay). If you have two remotes connecting directly to the AEBS, you will add them both here. When you hit the '+' button it will ask for both an ID and description. For description I use the name I'm assigning to each unique unit (as above, "kitchen" or XXXXXv1 or whatever you use). For AirPort ID, use the number listed on the AEX unit itself (not the number for "Ethernet", also on the AEX unit).
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) I have it set to "Not Enabled". I'd suggest you start that way too, and you can go change it later if you get everything working correctly.
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: Ethernet
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
b. Under the "DHCP" sub-tab:
i.) DHCP Beginning Address: 10.0 . 1 . 2
ii.) DHCP Ending Address: 10.0.1.200
DHCP Lease: 4 hours
c. Under the "NAT" sub-tab:
i.) nothing should be checked;
ii.) nothing under Port Mappings either
3. Under the "Printers and Advanced" tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there.
THAT'S IT.
=============
I. Configure your AEX(s)
Select the AEX from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the "AirPort" tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) pick a unique name for this unit, same logic as for AEBS
ii.) pick a password specific for accessing this unit, same logic as for AEBS
iii.) Set time automatically: be sure to use the same settings used on your AEBS
iv.) Options: no need to set any
b. Under "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
ii.) Network Name: same name used for AEBS, this is the name of your wifi network
iii.) Channel: same as AEBS
iv.) All settings here (those above, plus Security and Password & in Options button) should be the same as for AEBS settings on this tab
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
...if AEX is "in the middle" (as described above):
i.) WDS Mode: WDS relay
ii.) Allow wireless clients: check (unless you only want to bridge between the edges without letting folks connect on this AEX in the middle)
iii.) WDS Main: set to the AirPort ID (aka MAC address) for the AEBS. You can find it on the bottom of the AEBS, either labeled as such or at the bottom beside the logo of a wireless signal (square logo, with semi-circles mimicing a radio signal).
iv.) WDS Remotes: click the '+' to add any AEX's that will connect to this relay rather than directly to the AEBS. Same deal as above, use the name in the description and use the AirPort ID from the side of the AEX (not the Ethernet ID).
.....if AEX is connecting to a relay ("on the end", as above) or if there is no relay and AEX connects directly to the AEBS:
i.) WDS Model: WDS remote
ii.) Allow wireless clients: checked
iii.) WDS Main: if connected to a relay, use the AirPort ID of the relay AEX. If connected to the AEBS directly, use the AirPort ID of the AEBS
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled (for now, you can change later)
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: AirPort (WDS) -- should be selected and gray'ed out.
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
3. Under the Music, Printers and Advanced tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there. You can worry about AirTunes settings later...
That should be it. I'd recommend setting up the AEBS first, then the relay (if applicable), then the remotes. Initially, you can bring each unit in the same room with you for configuring. After configured and restarted the AEX should blink then turn solid green. If it turns green you should be good to go.
HOPE THIS HELPS. As noted above, I did not config through AirPort Utility 5.3.1 so I haven't tested this procedure through that app. However, after getting my network to work I went back and transposed all settings into this post to help others. Please provide feedback on whether or not this is working, so we can collectively try to move towards a setup procedure that works for everyone....
Good luck!
Message was edited by: b.byrd

I'm not convinced that the problem lies in Airport Utility. This same thing was happening to me, nearly exactly as you describe it. The thing is that with me, the problems clearly started when I updated the firmware in my Airport Express (n). That's when all the wacky stuff started happening. Sometimes it would show up in AU, sometimes it didn't and even if it didn't, I could still access the internet through it.
But as you said, the problems got really bad when another Express (b/g) was put on the network with it. Even when it did work, the (b/g) would make it impossibly slow.
You know more about this than me, and clearly have more patience if you've restarted the network fifty times. I gave up at about ten.
In any case, your solution is more of a work around and if you're still having that slow connection problem, I'm not sure you've got it. But thanks for your reporting of this. At least I know I'm not crazy.

Connecting Airport Express to Airport Extreme Base Station

Hi Folks. I am at my wit's end.
I have an Airport Extreme Base Station (main hub) purchased in 2003. Just bought a new Airport Express and it just won't connect to the AEBS. I think I've tried everything. From automatic WDS set up (described here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454) to using the Airport Utility and/or Airport Admin to set up. Nothing.
I've looked through the discussions and found this http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7011490&#7011490 but the solution provided makes absolutely no sense to me.
All I end up getting after numerous attempts at connecting to the AEBS is error messages and then a flashing yellow (amber I guess) light. When I do a "hard reset" it just goes back to flashing amber and it seems a factory reset doesn't work because according to this http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044 I'm supposed to see the green light flash four times after I hold the reset button and plug in but that never happens.
This is driving me crazy. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks.

Hey John.
I did finally solve the issue but I'm not quite sure how it happened but this is what I did:
First, I did had hard reset on the AEBS and set it up all over again via AirPort Utility. I set it up to use a WPA/WPA2 personal password.
Next I did a hard reset (not a factory reset) (hard reset: while plugged in, use a paper clip and hold the reset button for 15-20 seconds) on the AirPort Express and then restarted my computer.
After restart, I opened AirPort Utility and set up the Express to join my AEBS network. When it got to the point where it asked me to choose the network to join, I chose my AEBS network and it magically knew the WPA password I had set earlier and then after that it was smooth sailing.
I had tried a number of variations of that process many times before (and failed) and for some reason this time, it worked.
Hope it works out for you.
Best,
Benjamin

Remote administration of Express in an Extreme Base Station network

I am a newb administrator of a small network of an AEBS with 2 Expresses in "extend a network" mode. I can access the Base Station over the internet but I haven't figured out how I can do the same with the Expresses.
Also, I understand that MAC filtering is unavailable for the Expresses in "ext a net" mode. Is this correct? It seems to be operational for the Base Station but even restricted MAC addys can access the network through the Expresses

On this same topic;
We have a new Extreme base station that connects 1 MBP, (wirelessly), 1 HP Laptop (wirelessly) and 2 PC (via ethernet) to the internet.
All of the computers can see and use the Extreme base station and the printer connected to it via USB.
We also have an Airport Express that the two laptops can see. This has a printer connected to it as well via USB. (both are new Canon printers and all of the software for each, and their drivers are loaded on all computers).
Both the Extreme and Express have a steady green light, their own names and are set up on the same network.
Though my MBP can see both the Extreme and Express, neither "see" each other as far as I can tell. And, the printer connected to the Express cannot be seen in either Bonjour Printers, or anywhere else.
Also, in order to "attempt" to find the printer connected to the Express, I have to disconnect from the Extreme Base Station and connect to the Express.
How can I get the printer (connected to the Express) to show up in my pick list of printers WITHOUT having to disconnect from the Extreme and connect to the Express. Also, how can we get the Express to be connected to the internet via the Extreme?
All searches here and documents I have poured though do not address this issue and we'd really like to get this straightened out. I am willing to take a lot of time to do this, but do it right.
Can someone please help me with this?
Thank you in advance,
~ J

HOW do I get my Extreme base station and Express to join a Linksys network?

OK... so I have FINALLY enabled my SLINGBOX to view remotely by totally removing my Airport Extreme & Express from the network look. I was told they are both routers and I have to pick one. The Linksys network works fine for all networking purposes... what it WON'T DO is connect my USB printer or stream iTunes to remote speakers. NOW, I have been told by using the Extreme & Express in "client mode" I can do this.
Basically HOW do I get my Extreme base station and Express to join the exsiting Linksys network?

Sorry but the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) does NOT have a client mode.
The AirPort Express (AX) does have a client mode. The directions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.

I have a MacBook ProDo I have to have the Airport Extreme Base Station for my Airport Express to work?

I cannot get the darn Airport Express to work! It just keeps blinking Amber. I know it must be something silly I am over looking. And I do not have the Airport Extreme Base Station.
Thank you for any help!!!
Elizabeth

Thanks,
This is the rear of your modem/router:
Connect a Cat5e or Cat6 cable from any of the 4 Ethernet Lan ports to the (single) socket on the Express, then go to Airport Utility (Applications>Utilities>Airport Utility) and select create a new network.
You will need to turn the wireless transmiter in the Netgear off, here is a link to the Netgear Manual in case you need to refer to it.
Netgear Manual

I am trying to stop my Xbox from connecting to my Airport extreme base station and only connect to my airport express extender. Anyone have any ideas?

I have an aiport extreme base station in my living room and an airport express in my bedroom extending the network. For some reason my xbox along with some other devices always connects to the extreme base station in the living room which has a very low signal. Is there a way to setup a seperate network for my express extender so that I can connect only certain devices? HELP

You would probably want your Express to join the network if an extender isn't required. Reset to factory settings and join the network.
If you do want your Express as an extender run an Ethernet cable between the Express and the Verizon router and set the Express up to be in bridge mode, with the same WiFi network name and password as your Verizon router.

Moving between Extreme Base Station and Express Base Stations with Mac & PC

I just bought an Airport Express and connected it as an extension to my Airport Extreme Base station. All firmware has been updated as of today. I have things configured such that the Extreme is WEP but allowing for extension and the Express is working. My Macbook appears to be connecting to the Express now but it seems like I have to use the Utility to select either the Express or Extreme base station manually as opposed to having it just go to the strongest source automatically. Maybe I made an assumption that it worked like an access point. Moreover, the laptop PCs in the house are not making the jump to the Express at all. I can install the Utility on one of them and probably manually make the change but the other is a Corporate PC that is 'locked down.' And of course that is the one that I want to be able to use around the house.
Does anyone know if:
1. There is an ability to bounce between the Extreme and Express like access points on the Mac and the PC
2. Is there a way to configure a PC to use the Express or the Extreme without the Utility (i.e., if I setup the Express with a different Network name)
The key issue is that I do not have the ability to run an ethernet between the two base stations - they can only connect wirelessly.
Thanks for your help!

cosmomurphy, Welcome to the discussion area!
Do you have the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) configured as a WDS main and the AirPort Express (AX) as a WDS remote?
Or are they both 802.11n capable and the AEBS is configured to have the extend network feature is enabled and the AX configured to act as an extension?
In either of those cases, they are working together as one big wireless network. In that situation, any client will connect to the base station which appears to be the "best" connection for them.
There is no need to install the AirPort Utility on any device. Any device with 802.11b/g/n wireless ability can connect to the network.

Set up existing expresses with new extreme base station

We just replaced our old extreme base station with the new fast one. It works good so far except that now my two existing airport expresses- one I use for airtunes and the other to relay the wireless signal to a far corner of the house- don't work. What do I need to do to set them up with the new station? I tried a reset but it didn't help.

Either connect them with ethernet to configure the Expresses or find them wirelessly(you can use Airport Utility or the older Airport Admin Utility). The bottom line is to get the Express selected in Airport ie the icon on the top file menu then use the Utility. If your nearwork is not visible to select then use the preferred drop down menu found in Network pane of system preferences. You may need to type in the network name or use the + button.

Extreme base station+express "n" as booster

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