3 Floors two AirPort Expresses - slower connection
I have an airport extreme downstairs. When i connect to in the same room I get a strong signal. When I connect via an airport express that see's the airport extreme, i get a slower internet speed. Then when I connect to a third floor airport axpress that sees the 2nd floor airport express, the signal slows even more. My question is will a Dr Bot External Antenna boost the signal to help maybe eliminate the second floor airport express?
Thanks
Most people's experience with the Dr Bot external antennas, as reported in these discussion forums, has been disappointing.
Incidentally, the reduced data rate you have noted when connecting via a relay or remote base station is entirely expected.
Similar Messages
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Can Two Airport Express be connected to an Airport Extreme?
I have two Airport Express units and one Airport Extreme. One of the Airport Exp's is working to extend the Wi-Fi network for 8702.11b-g and I'd like to use the other to connect a Samsung Blue Ray via the ethernet port. Can the Extreme support two Express units in a mixed mode like I'm describing? The second isn't being recognized by the Airport Utility.
Below is my Mac environment.
(2) MacBook Pro's one with OSX10.7 and the other 10.6
(2) iPhone 4gs
(1) iPad 2
(2) Airport Express 1st gen (extending the wireless network) and 2nd gen I what to connect to the Samsung
(1) Airport Exteme Base station
Thanks for your help in advance.As in other similr threads re the airport utility 5.6 is only one that can see all variants of airports as old as Graphite/Snow while 6.0 makes nice pics it won't see them to you get the WDS Remote airport ids set up in your main base router and vice versa-your main extreme base should be set up to run in 802.11b/g/n mode or g/n if oldest is 802.11g...other than that the only pain is airport express dongle routers are buggy, need firmware to be at least 6.0 inside them, not the airport util, and you are better off setting up manually as the tools do not set up WDS correctly without starting from scratch rebooting and resetting most all the routers- which if you just cant get going you might try...be sure you put primary extreme base main as the main router as "participating in WDS network" then the other 2 can simply be manually configured with same net name base main has and passwords and also you must install the airport ids (Mac address of the wifi ports which is usually 1 less than the airport ehternet mac address)... once you put in the exxpresses or older routers as extend a WDS NETWORK as a Remote (not a relay) you can definitely do what you state---you can hang your device off one of them via ethernet or USB and or wifi client and attach others as wiffi clients-unless you explcitly state which Macnooks will connect via access control ;osts of upi enab;e access cpmytp;(but then you need to add every devices MAC address in to whichever touter you want them to be able to be a client of-a pain but makes the most secure and traffic shaped network if you are limited on your wan port speed--i have 25/25 FIOS and get all of it direct eithernet to the main express and almost all near the exrress main within like 50 feet but I have to extend my net about 120 tp 150 foot radius around the main extreme 802.11n bae so I do exactly what you ask if you can do--with an express and an old Snow--and works pretty well surprisingly except the Snow goes belly up every couple days needs a power cylce--i am cheap so i will do it til it dies...you can just roam as I do with your laptops about your home then and link up to the nearest remote WDS airport or wind up on the extreme if you wander into the hub area...
--Not recommending this but if if you are very compulsive and usually use similar iPads or books in same rooms always and dont move them around much from the rooms they get used in (or if you just dont have enough coverage and are Wan limited on speed) you can specify each laptops Mac address so only those will bind to the wifi ports on say the older or slowest router-keep in mind that each remote adds a hope and so essentially cuts speed to 50 percent but I still get 16 mb/sec with a SNOW extending my 802.11n Edtreme base as a remote and I can get about 20 mb/sec on the other remote router express dongle (hate the things-had 2 break on me forever)....but like the airtuunes feature even though usually I use Apple TV to play music on steeo as its the old one with memory--great deal at 499 now 99-doh! good luck hope i made sense.. -
AirPort Express - Slow connection speed
Hi!
I just setup my AirPort Express station in my dorm room. I use a Acer Aspire 2010 laptop(Might add I've never had any issues connecting to wireless network, infact I use one every day at home and at school with flawless speeds). I started by having the AirPort on the floor under a wooden desk surrounded by wires and other plugs. I installed the newest Firmware updates for it, 5.7 I think, and installed the Setup Assistant and downloaded a Windows XP update for the WEP access. I setup the AE and connected to it using a 128bit encrypted password, 13 characters in length. Put my computer 3 feet away from the AirPort.
All worked perfectly and I had Excellent connection at 54mbps, for about 2 minutes, then it dropped to 1mpbs but stayed at Excellent connection signal. After a about 45 seconds it went back to 54mpbs but only for about 10 seconds, then dropped straight to 1mpbs. It goes up and down like this every 4 minutes or so, but the speed never really changes.
Everything was sluggish, from loading website, having conversation on MSN Messenger to downloading files, nothing was as it should. Websites took everything from 20 - 60 seconds to load, or just not load at all.
So I thought something must be interrupting the signal strenght, either the surrounding wires or concrete wall.
So I moved the AirPort to a higher ground. Now it sits about 6' from the floor on the wooden desk, nothing is near it, connects to the router and speakers and is at least a feet away from anything (except the desk, of course).
But same thing happends again. Plummets from 54mpbs to 1mpbs and then up to 54mpbs for a few seconds. No matter what the signal strength says its always the same sluggish feel.
I have a 4mbit connection, has always been stable using ethernet and has never failed sofar. Good speeds. I use a Micronet SP3350A Ethernet Router I was supplied by my ISP.
If anyone has any idea or any thought on this matter please elaborate.
Many thanks in advance,
Yours truly,
Trausti
Windows XP Pro
Windows XP ProHi Trausti:
If all of your componets are 802.11G, try putting your AE in 802.11G only mode. That will prevent other slow 802.11B clients by joining your network.
You may also be hit with some interference. Do you have a cordless phone? If so, that may be your issue.
Give that a try.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58543 -
AirPort Express Slowing Connection
I am experiencing a significant slow down using AirPort as my WiFi Router. I have Time Warner Cable Ultimate 100 as my internet package, running through a Motorola SB6141 and speed tests clock my connection between 85 and 97 Mbps when I'm hardwired. If I try to go wireless, (running through an early 2014 Airport Express with 7.6.4 firmware), I am cut down to 11 - 15 Mbps. From time to time, I can get up to 18 Mbps. What's going on? I was getting these same speeds when I was on their Turbo package (Up to 20 Mbps), but I upgraded because 4 laptops, 2 tablets, 4 smartphones, a Smart TV, and a PS3 were seriously leaching the system. With no significant difference, it's pointless for me to pay the extra cost every month.
Am I going to have to upgrade to the Extreme? I thought the Express would have higher speeds than this...The ethernet cable is coming from my express
OK, thanks for clarifying that for me. This confirms that the wired, or Ethernet portion of the AirPort Express is working correctly.
If the wireless radio on the Express is functioning correctly, then you should be able to get something in the range of 85-90 Mbps over wireless on either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.
BTW, these tests were conducted with only my MBP connected to the network, while it was sitting mere inches from theExpress.
That is much too close, since the signal can easily overload the wireless card on your computer, which will have the effect of knocking the speeds down. Move the computer 7-10 feet, or about 2-3 meters away from the AirPort Express with clear line-of-sight between the computer and Express and run the checks again.
Be sure to restart both the AirPort Express and your computer before you run the checks.
If the wireless speeds still clock in low.......anything below 60-70 Mbps......then I would start to look around for any devices that might be introducing wireless interference on your wireless network. The biggest culprits are cordless phones in this regard, but any BlueTooth devices like a mouse or keyboard can sometimes create issues, as well as wireless camera/security systems. Turn off these devices temporarily as a test and restart the AirPort an computer again to see if the speeds will improve.
If speeds are still slow during your "test", then I would try a Factory Default Reset on the Express.
If still no improvement, you need to take the Express to an Apple Store....if you have one near you, or an Apple Servicer to let them take a look and run some tests.
If the wireless speeds are still low when you do this, then the Express is defective and will need to be replaced.
However, if the Express checks out OK, then you know that something is affecting your wireless signal at the house. What that might be will be the real question. -
Hi, I would like to know whether I can link up one time capsule with two airport express. The result why is that I would like to put one time capsule at first floor, two airport express at 2nd floor and 3rd floor. All these three share one network. Please advise. Thanks.
There are several ways to conenct them. We need to know what it is you want to accomplish first. Do you want better Wi-Fi coverage on the second and third floors or do you want to stream music to the xpresses?
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I have two Airport Expresses running at my house. Both are connected to different types of speakers. Neither speaker set has its own equalizer, and both require a different EQ setting to sound just right. Does anyone know of a way to have iTunes automatically change its EQ setting based on which Airport Express it is streaming to?
I'm in the same boat. I have a 6 zone amplifier running with 6 airport expresses to different rooms inside and outside the house. Each has it's own acoustic characteristics. I'd really love to be able to set each airport to equalize based on my SPL frequency sweep I did for each room.
Setting the eq in itunes won't do it as that is global plus I have many more sources for auiod other than itunes that use the AEs directly. -
Connecting Two Airport Express Via Ethernet
I have a unique situation in which I would like to connect two airport express via ethernet. Here is the situation: I can connect the first AX directly to the internet and set up a WDS for the second AX. Unfortunately, the second AX signal does not reach where I need it to go. I can run an ethernet cable between the two. Is this setting valid for a WDS? Or does the WDS have to be wireless? If I can set up the WDS using an ethernet, will the relay AX broadcast the internet wirelessly then?
Are there any specific settings I should know about?
Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance,
DebbieI currently have an old snow basestation at this location. Can I plug an ethernet cable into it and connect it to the AX?
Yes that will work.
My understanding was that the older basestation could not do this?
I think you have it confused with extending a network wirelessly. That is not possible with the snow AirPort base station (ABS). -
I am planning to buy 2TB time capsule which is [2TB hard drive + Airport Extreme] and two Airport Express to extend the range of my wifi network. we have a large family & because of that we have 1 macbook, 2 laptops , 2 desktops, 4 iphones, 2 ipads, 3 android phones, 2 apple tvs, 2 ps3's. all of these devices are on my Wifi network but some of them are off usually ps3, apple tv and desktops computers r off but still their is alot of traffic. Now i am buying this 2TB time capsule instead of Airport Extreme so that i can save money by getting 2TB hard drive for me only & not the whole family so i want to know if i can keep the hard drive private & at the same time i want to share my internet connection with all of these devices which belongs to my family members, will this be okay ? and they wont be able to access my hard drive ? & will i be able to access my hard drive if i m connected to any of those two airport express & not the main time capsule. indirectly i will be connected to time capsule by using airport expresses in client mode correct me if i am wrong
You can use TC with whatever wireless you currently have.. if it works you should not need to buy a pair of express as well. The best method is to bridge the TC and plug it into the main router.
You can certainly keep it private for your own access only.. simply set a disk password only you know. Easy.
As long as you have a single network, then wherever you connect in the network will be able to access the TC.. but also note file speeds to the TC with multiple wireless hops will be terrible slow.
Also note all security on the TC is an illusion. It is a home device.. press reset and anybody can then access it. You can even get past disk password. If you want security keep the device off the network.. use an external hard disk plugged directly into the computer. -
Adding two Airport Express to New Ariport Extreme - need help with settings
First, I have a brand new Airport Extreme (square N one) that is up and working just fine. The SSID is "Unstable Network". Under the Wireless tab...The Wireless mode is currently: "Create a Wireless Network". The "Allow this network to be Extended" box is not checked. Radio Mode is "Automatic". Radio Channel Selection is set to "Automatic". What do these need to be changed to?
2nd: I have an older Aiport Express that I used to use for itunes and a receiver. I want to add this to my Airport Extreme Network to extend the wireless network to the basement and stream itunes to my remote receiver. I can see this Airport Express using Airport Utility. The SSID of this Airport Express is "Unstable Network Extender". Under the wireless tab....Wireless mode is set to "Join a Wireless Network" The network it is assigned to is my Airport Extreme SSID "Unstable Network". It shows up as IP address 10.0.1.6. What should these setting be to both extend the network and allow itunes to stream?
3rd: I have a second Airport Express that I would like to plug in at a remote end of my house on the second floor to extend my network even further. It is currently hardwired and I can see it in Airport Utility. The SSID is "Unstable Network Extender 2". The setting are the same as the other Airport Express. It shows up as IP address 10.0.1.13. What should they be to extend the network.
Thank you in advance to anyone that can clearly spell out what my setting should be. I am non-technical for the most part, but was technical enough to set up my Airport Extreme but can't figure out how to extend everything.Since you will have a mix (802.11g/802.11n) AirPorts, and that you want to "daisy" chain the two AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) to extend the wireless network, you will need to configure the three of them for a static Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
Here are the basic steps to do so:
(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete. In this case, I suggest that you temporarily connect both AXs to the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) by Ethernet. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.) Finally, I strongly suggest that you perform a "hard" reset on the AEBSn and "factory default" resets on the AXs to get them back to their original "out-of-the-box" configurations before you start.)
For reference in this setup:
o AEBSn = main base station
o AX#1 = relay base station
o AX#2 = remote base station
Main Base Station Setup - AEBSn
o On the Mac click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by AEBSn.
o Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the AEBSn, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then, choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu. (Note: You may have to hold down the <Option> key before making this selection to get the WDS option.)
o Click WDS, and then, choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the relay base station - AX#1.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Relay Base Station Setup - AX#1
o In the AirPort Utility select AX#1, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the AEBSn from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS relay” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the AEBSn in the Main AirPort ID field.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of AX#2.
o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.
Remote Base Station Setup - AX#2
o In the AirPort Utility select AX#2, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the AEBSn from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the AEBSn in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.) -
Using iTunes to play music on two Airport Expresses simultaneously
Hi everyone,
I'm trying to set up a system where iTunes 7.0 on my Windows 2000 PC can play simultaneously to two Airport Expresses.
I've set up the first AE (call it AE1) by connecting it to my LAN with an Ethernet cable; it appears in the Base Station Chooser and I can find it and set it up. I set it up to 'Create a wireless network' and check both boxes in the iTunes tab, and give it an iTunes speaker name. At this point, everything's happy: I can see AE1 in iTunes, and play music to the speakers, and my Nintendo Wii can even get to the internet using AE1. I've left AE1 plugged in to the network.
Now the problem: I bought another Airport Express, call it AE2, and I want the new one to hook up to the existing network and let me play iTunes through the new one, as well. I connected AE2 to my LAN with ethernet and it showed up in the Base Station Chooser; I set it up to 'Join an Existing Wireless Network' and gave it the exact same Network Name: "Mike Home Network". I checked both checkboxes in the iTunes tab and gave the speakers a name. I then unhooked the ethernet, plugged in the speakers to AE2, and unplugged and replugged AE2 to restart it. The light flashes green, goes to yellow for a while, then goes solid green. (So I assume it found a network to hook up to.) iTunes shows the Multiple Speakers button, and I can pick AE1, but no sign of AE2.
I restart iTunes, but it still can't find AE2. Some support suggests using the wizard, but I'm on 2000 so it's not supported.
So my questions:
* Can I verify somehow that AE2 hooked up to the network that AE1 created? Ping it or telnet to it or something? (I can ping AE1 just fine.)
* Is 'Join an Existing Network' the right way to do this?
(I also tried WDS with no success, but I may have done it wrong.)
* AE1 is distributing IP addresses; AE2 is not. Is this correct?
Access Control is turned off on both AE's.
I have Wireless Security set to 'Off' on both.
(I'll re-enable it once I get these two going.)
They're about 20 feet apart.
Wireless channel is 'Automatic' on both. (Also tried it with both on channel 8)
Firmware on both AE's is 6.3
Itunes is version 7
Any suggestions? Anything at all, I'm absolutely stumped and this seems like it should be really straightforward....
Windows 2000Figured it out! thanks everyone for the help.
In the end, I fixed it by turning off 'Distribute IP Addresses' on AE1.
The problem was, if you want iTunes to find the wireless Airport Express, iTunes must be able to see the wireless AE's IP address. When AE1 was distributing IP addresses, it was performing NAT, which meant that iTunes on my PC could not distinguish between AE1 and AE2 behind it.
This is not clear in any of the documentation; I can't be the first person to be confused by this. -
I have an Airport Express that connects to my printer. I'd like to add a scanner, and two back up drives (one for use with Time Capsule, another specifically for photographs backed up from Adobe Lightroom.
The printer connects to the Airport Express through a USB hub and is recognized. I cannot get the scanner nor either of the back up drives to be recognized. Is there a way to do it or will I need to rely on a USB hub wired to the USB port of the MacBookPro? If it is possible, can you walk me through the set up for each?
Thanks,
Doug EarleI'd like to add a scanner, and two back up drives (one for use with Time Capsule, another specifically for photographs backed up from Adobe Lightroom.
Unfortunately, the USB port on the AirPort Express will only work with a compatible printer.
It will not work with a scanner, copier, or hard drive.
It should be possible to do what you want by connecting a powered USB hub to your Mac and then connecting the devices to the powered hub.
The setup for the scanner and hard drive would be covered by the manfacturers documentation, so providing specific advice for those types of products would be outside the realm of this support area.
But, if you can provide model numbers, it is always possible that another user who is using those products might see this post. -
How to hook up TWO Airport Expresses and base to reduce AirTunes dropouts?
Any suggestions on the best way to set up Airport Extreme base station with two Airport Expresses to allow iTunes to drive two separate stereos?
I've had a lot of problems with random Airtunes dropouts with this system, even now that I have removed all security from the network (removal of which definitely helps AirTunes). And I can consistently play music through ONE of the stereos without dropouts. But whenever I try to use the Multiple Speakers option in iTunes, the dropouts start again.
I've changed my channel to one that none of my neighbors is using. I've tried moving all of the Airports away from other electronics. Right now the two Expresses are clients of the network created on the Extreme base, which is where the cable modem is connected. Is there some better way to do it? Like use the Expresses as relays instead of clients, or something?While I don't have any suggestions to make beyond what you have already tried, I can tell you that configuring the Airport Express units as relay or remote base stations will likely make the problem worse because of the bandwidth penalty you get from such a setup.
In case you haven't yet seen it, this is what Apple has to say on the topic:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108065 -
Help!! can't get my airport express to connect to my network
I have set up my airport express to connect to my network so I can play itunes with it but it says that the Airport has been set up but cannot connect To my network. I've tried it on both my computer and my wife's computer and we have the same problem. I have been able to connect in the past with my Airport express that I had for this one but for some reason I can't seem to connect it using this airport express. Any help would be much appreciated.
When joining a non-Apple WEP encrypted wireless network with an AirPort, you must use one of two different styles for password entry depending on whether the network is protected with an ASCII or HEX key.
ASCII password
If using a password that is plain ASCII text, use the double quotation mark (") before and after the password. These are case-sensitive, and they are at least five characters long for 40-bit encrypted networks or at least 13 characters long for 128-bit encrypted networks.
Hexadecimal password
If using a password that uses only the hexadecimal range of characters, add a dollar sign ($) before the password. These passwords are at least 10 characters long for 40-bit encrypted networks or at least 26 characters long for 128-bit encrypted networks. -
Adding two airport expresses to my network
I live in a flat that is currently covered perfectly by my wireless network (non Apple wireless router, and no intention to change).
On the network I have (amongst many other devices..!) one wired Apple TV in the living room, linked to TV / surround sound. If I were to buy two Airport Express units, one for the hifi in one room (kitchen!) and one for another hifi (bedroom), will these simply link in to my existing network wirelessly ?
Thanks.Sorry, I am not following this.
Are you saying that the baby monitor needs to connect to the Ethernet port on the Express?
If that is the case, unfortunately the older A1084 is not compatible with Apple's newer "extend a wireless network feature".
You will need a model A1264 for that, or the "new" AirPort Express, model A1392. -
Two Airport Express no longer playing AirPlay?
Hi all,
I've had two Airport Express devices for about 3 years now, they all work fine as access points, have been kept up to date with firmware etc. but since a couple of months ago or so (I don't exactly know when, I've been away for some time) any attempt at playing from iTunes on my 2010 macbook pro fail with "connection timed out" problems. The airport express can be seen and managed just fine in the configuration utility. I even tried using a second airport express with the same result.
Nothing has changed in my network or computer hardware, the only changes have been updates to mountain lion (after which it still worked I should add) and the usual itunes updates.
Is this Apple scheming me into buying new hardware?
Cheers
- Baltsome times the electricity blinks in the house... have you tried restarting both units... just unplug it for ten seconds then plug back in.
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