Airport and a wireless network

I set up a wireless network via an Airport Extreme, then I extended it via a second Airport Extreme.  Now I have two wireless networks, one named  "Network" and the second one named "network 5Ghz"  both are working and both use the same password.   Why is this happening?  How do I correct it?

Apple's default setting is to use the same wireless network name for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals.  This is the simplest setting for most users to use.....the reason being that wireless devices will automatically connect to the best signal quality based on their capabilities and distance in relation to the router.
Personally, I use this setting as well, since I'm willing to let the wireless device choose what they think is the best signal with which to connect.
However, there are some folks who swear by assigning a separate name to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals. Their reasoning is usually along the lines of......"I have a 5 GHz signal and I want my laptop to connect to it".
So, they point the laptop at the 5 GHz network.  This works great if the laptop is in close proximity to the router.......(the same place the laptop will automatically connect anyway when the same default name is used for both bands)......but as the laptop moves further away from the router, it will usually try to hang onto the 5 GHz signal much longer than it should......at a location where the 2.4 GHz signal is stronger (and probably faster).
So, it is your choice here. Using the same name for both bands is much simpler for most users in my opinion. Most users will get better results with less effort with Apple's default setting. That is why I recommend this setting for most users. 
If you want to spend more time trying to figure out which signal is better at any given location, and you don't mind changing networks on devices all the time.....then try the separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz settings. You too may swear by this. 

Similar Messages

  • Can an Airport extend a wireless network and support a USB printer at the same time?

    Can an Airport extend a wireless network and support a USB printer at the same time?

    Yes, if the AirPort Express is extending the wireless signal produced by another Apple router. The Express cannot wirelessly extend a network produced by a non-Apple router.
    In addition to extending the network and connecting a printer, AirPlay can also be enabled on the AirPort Express, with all services operating simultaneously.
    Please note that only the print function will work if you connect an All-in-One type device to the USB port on the Express. Advanced features like copy, scan, mainentance, etc are not supported when an All-in-One device is connected to the USB port on an AirPort router.

  • I have connected my time capsule to motorola SG6580 modem via ethernet.  I have a wireless network on the motorola and a wireless network from the time capsule.  I get duplicate IPs error messages sometimes. How do I fix?

    I have connected my time capsule to motorola SG6580 modem via ethernet.  I have a wireless network on the motorola and a wireless network from the time capsule.  I get duplicate IPs error messages (no connection) sometimes when trying to connect devices to the wireless network. How do I fix? Sometimes devices cannot connect to the network because of conflicting IPs.  I look on the Motorola and every device has a unique IP assigned but occasionally a device has taken the IP of another device.  I have been writing down all the devices and the IPs they have been using.  It happens more with PCs than Macs, ipads or iPhones.

    If the Time Capsule is set up correctly in bridge mode, then it is the responsibility of the Motorola modem/router to provide the correct IP address assignments for all devices on the network.
    Check to insure that the Time Capsule is correctly set up to operate in bridge mode as follows:
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    Once you have confirmed that the Time Capsule is configured correctly, everything else is the responsibility of the Motorola modem/router as far as network routing and IP address assignments for devices.
    If you continue to have IP address issues, then you should contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provided the Motorola device to you and ask them to fix the issue.

  • HT4259 Q: Can I use an older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

    Q: Can I use my older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, Are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

    If you want to extend, using wireless only, the 802.11g Express doesn't support this.
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  • Using airport express for itunes and another wireless network for internet

    Is there any way i can use my airport express just for playin music through airtunes, and log onto the internet using a different wireless network?

    Hello bleno567. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Is there any way i can use my airport express just for playin music through airtunes, and log onto the internet using a different wireless network?
    Yes, you just need to configure the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), that will be used to stream iTunes, as a wireless client.

  • Airport Express, Vista and FON Wireless network

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    Hi Donny
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  • New Airport Extreme N wireless network setup questions (WDS, D-Link)

    I have finally been able to set up my Airport Extreme N network after numerous attempts over the last few weeks. I was getting a very weak signal in front of the house where my wife's G4 is connected wireless to an old Airport card and where all the systems (XBOX 360; Wii and PS3) are also wirelessly hitting the network.
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    Also, prior to going to an all Apple wireless network setup, I bought the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655). I was regretfully about to return it to Best Buy but I had an idea which may or may not work. I know that the D-Link does not support WDS but if I was to set it up as the main router and added the "main" Airport basestation as a wired bridge could I maintain the WDS network? The reason I ask this is because I would love to keep the gigabit for the wired machines in the office. Also, I am wondering if the D-Link notebook card is incompatible with the Airport network.
    All I know is that I have spent alot of money and sleepless nights just trying to set this network up but thankfully Best Buy has a thirty day return policy so I will return what I can't use.
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    V
    MacPro   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
    MacPro   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    Hello!
    I have noticed that some manufacturers (Linksys and possibly D-LINK) only accept upper-case WEP keys only.
    This drove me nuts when trying to integrate a Linksys PC PCMCIA card into my old "g" network.
    As far as using WEP, it's bad and broken; but I understand that your choice of security is limited to the devices that you are trying to network.
    For what it's worth, I have my network set up with the AEBS 'n' connected to my Cable Modem, with one of the ports going to a gigabit switch for my wired network. I then have two AirTunes set up as WDS extensions for music & Internet delivery to two separate areas. The AEBS 'n" serves up DHCP and routing for the entire network.
    It works quite well; I get 54 mbits/sec for the two WDS AirTunes, and 145 mbits/sec to one of my ATV's. My gigabit wired machines see data rates of 15-27 MBytes/sec (depending on the type of transfer).
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  • Time capsule blinking amber and my wireless network has vanished after factory reset

    Hello,
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    If you performed a factory default reset, the TC is now broadcasting a wireless network with a name like Apple Network xxxxxx, where the "x" could be either a letter or number.
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  • SOLUTION TO Time Capsule and extend wireless network using AEBS, Printers..

    Hello GUYS
    I find the solution: at least I have extended wireless using TC and old AEBS.
    : well everybody have same problems to initialize second AEBS, and set it up.
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    End of part 1
    Part 2:
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    -> in the bar top click wireless and select AEBS. You have to do this otherwise Airport utility will not recognise AEBS.
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    -> write down the Airport ID.
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    I setup WPA2Personal again with the same password( same on TC)
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    select Allow wireless clients
    and now write the TC airport ID into WDS main: number (it is on your paper)
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    switch off utility.
    no go to right top and change airport back to TC.
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    Click Wireless:
    Select Participate in WDS Network
    Click WDS: wds mode to Main
    allow wireless clients: and write into WDS remotes AEBS ID, (it is on the paper).
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    both airports will restart.
    and you are extended.
    You made it. Go to Utility Cmd,shift, U and you should be able to see both airports.
    Now what you have to do is to take AEBS to different place.
    Put it somewhere in second room. Go back to your computer. Leave it for couple of minutes. 10 -15 is ok.
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    Before you start with time machine: read what files to include
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    instructions

  • Airport Express Join Wireless Network Disables Ethernet

    I have one of the the older Airport Express (firmware 6.3) and I'm trying to use it to connect a non-wireless machine to an existing network.
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    If I choose "join a wireless network" it appears to disable the ethenet port. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong.
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    Unfortunately, the Ethernet port is disabled when you configure the older AirPort Express version that you have to "join a wireless network"
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  • Check Point VPN and local wireless network

    I need to use Check Point VPN to access a client's remote network. Now I cannot access my wireless printer or AirPort base station, even when I have disconnected and shutdown the Check Point client. I have removed the Check Point startup items from LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons in order to restart without Check Point loading at start up.
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  • Airport not detecting wireless networks

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    Try resetting the SMC and PRAM
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  • Airport Express extending wireless network issue in bridge mode

    Hi,
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  • 2 Extremes, 2 IP Ranges and 1 wireless network

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    Sorry, I can't duplicate your setup here, but don't think that what you are trying to do will be possible with two Apple routers.
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    Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

  • Airport connects to wireless network, can't get on internet

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    Hi Duane,
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    It says:
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