Airport Express 802.11g as a repeater of Airport Express 802.11n

I have an Airport network with Airport Extreme 5th generation (802.11n) and it works OK. Also, I have and old Airport Express firmware v6.3 just 802.11g. I want to enhance the network to achieve places with no coverage but I can not configure it as a repeater. Aparently all is working, but it is not repeating.
The Airport Extreme is configured to allow the expansion of the network. Everything looks OK. Maybe it doesn`t work because the Extreme is 802.11n and Express is 802.11g.
To setup the airport express I am using Airport Utility version 5.6. It doesn't have support with the last version.
Thanks
Sandra Perez

Maybe it doesn`t work because the Extreme is 802.11n and Express is 802.11g
Correct. You nailed it.
The older "b/g" Express does not have a setting to "Extend a wireless network"....which only appears on newer "n" AirPorts.
You will need a new AirPort Express for that capability. You can keep the older Express and use it for AirTunes or to connect a remote printer.

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Configuring WDS w/ Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n & Express 802.11g

I currently have an Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n Model: A1301 (located downstairs) and an older Airport Express 802.11g Model: A1084 (located upstairs) which I had been using to stream iTunes to my upstairs stereo (which worked flawlessly). Recently a friend of mine recommended that I reconfigure my network to a Wireless Distribution System setup which would allow me to create a remote wireless node which improves my wireless signal strength upstairs, allows an interface to Airplay to play our music from our iPod's/Pad's and also provides an hard-wired Ethernet connection for my newly delivered Network Extender for my cell phone. So I followed the URL: support.apple.com/kb/HT4262 to assist in this conversion and found that I was unable to configure my network as desired. While this documentation is very good, there is one snafu that I worked out that finally allowed a successful setup. Follow the instructions for:
- Connecting a WDS main base station to the Internet
- Configuring a WDS main base station
- Configuring a WDS remote base station (See last line of instructions for the correct WDS Main ID)
Ensure all Wi-Fi base stations are powered on and allow them time to appear in the AirPort Menu Extra.
From the AirPort Menu Extra, select an 802.11g Wi-Fi base station to configure as a WDS remote.
In AirPort Utility, select the WDS remote Wi-Fi base station in the Base Station Chooser, and click Manual Setup.
Select the AirPort icon from the Toolbar, and click on the Wireless tab.
From Wireless Mode select Participate in a WDS network.
Click on the WDS tab.
From WDS Mode, select WDS remote.
Enable Allow wireless clients (see the first note below).
If not already supplied, enter the 2.4Ghz AirPort ID of the WDS main, then click Update.
There are two Apple ID's for the dual-band Extreme (2.4 & 5.0Ghz). Be sure to use the 2.4Ghz ID which is listed under the "Summary Tab" of the utility. What is confusing is that in the AirPort Utility, when you position the mouse cursor over the graphic of the Extreme on the left-hand side of the GUI, you are presented with a yellow dialog box which displays the 5Ghz ID and this can be misleading especially when you are trying to connect to an older 2.4Ghz Express ...

My Express is the A1264 802.11n model. My Extreme is the A1354 model.
The most crucial issue is the the Tivo, because the Premiere only works with Ethernet (I dont' have and wont' buy the upgraded wireless doohickey), but of course I would prefer that the Express also act to extend the signal, and I particularly want it do so using WEP access (or nothing, see below), since I have a second Tivo which ONLY works wirelessly and which ONLY works using WEP, not WPA.
Since there were so many different issues and needs going on, I was excited about the Dual Band because it meant I could potentially get 5G speeds for my iPad and perhaps the Tivo Premiere connection, while allowing a completely separate band for the OLD Tivo.
The other option I've been trying out (to accommodate the Tivo2 that can't handle WEP) is having no security, but making the networks hidden.
A third option I tried to make work was to create a "guest network" for just the Tivo2.
But what I'm finding out (it's what I always struggle with...networking is a nightmare.) is that if you take one from Column A, Column B disappears, so to speak.
The way it used to work on the non-dual band Extreme was as I mapped above, and the Tivo2 and my iPad used the wireless signal with no problem while the Express was Ethernet connected to the TivoPremiere, but it did so using WDS, which doesn't even seem to exist as a possibility, forget teh fact that it undermines the speed boost (so I read)
I've frankly never been able to understand the differences between the various modes and structures, and believe it or not I'm very smart and very comfortable with computers and Macs, having worked on them for 25 years.
And one of the biggest reasons I've had such a hard time is because of the many times that I have updated after making changes, Airport Utility tells me it worked, but nothing happens and then after too much frustration I end up unplugging and shutting down every single piece of equipment and rebooting everything and then it DOES work. Sometimes. But I can't be doing that every time I make one tweak, I'll go insane!
And the number of pin-resets I've done on the Express, the Dual band, and even the cable modem would make your head spin!
So there's my story. Kinda. Does it make any sense? At least in terms of my goals?
Your help is more appreciated than you can imagine.

Old Airport Express (802.11g) and Intel Core 2 Duo iMac (802.11n)

Hi guys!
I used to have an iMac G5 with *Built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme (802.11g)*
Then I bought an *Airport Express* and I am sure that by the time it was still an *Airport Express with (802.11g)*
Now that I have a brand new new iMac that is *Intel Core 2 Duo iMac (802.11n)*
Will I have problem trying to connect it to the Express because it is n and not g?
Thanks!

No. The Airport Extreme card in your iMac automatically negotiates 802.11b/g/n. It will work just fine with the Airport Express.

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

Let me see if I can help you with the basic WDS configuration steps:
Note: To help facilitate the setup, temporarily connect the AXn directly to the AEBS LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Once the setup is complete, you can move the AXn to the desired location. For all configuration steps you will be using the AirPort Utility. Before starting, be sure to jot down the AppleIDs for both base stations.
802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBS > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS main
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Remotes: <enter the AppleID for the AXn here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.
802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AXn > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network (Note: You may have to hold down the Option (Mac) or Control (PC) key to see this option in the list.)
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS remote
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Main: <enter the AppleID for the AEBS here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.

Can I use an airport express to extend a Cisco E4200 802.11n or 802.11g wireless network?

Can I use an Airport Express to extend a Cisco E4200 802.11n or 802.11g wireless network? I'd like to improve access in a dead spot with an airport express. I know I can connect this wayt for airplay, but how about extending the signal?
Thx! ACB

Apple's "extend a wireless network" function appears to be a proprietary feature that works only with other Apple AirPort routers. As far as we know, this feature is not compatible with devices from other manufacturers.
It would be extremely unlikely that the Express could do what you want, but some things are never known until you try.

HT4262 Can I extend a WiFi Network, using a 802.11n Airport Base Station with a 802.11g Airport Express?

Having a new Apple AirPort Extreme (802.11n) I need to extend the network since even the AirPort Extreme provides after about 30 Feet maximum only 50% signal strength in 2.4 GHz and maximum 41% signal strength in the 5 GHz band.
I have an Apple Airport Express (802.11g) but I am not sure that it can extend with it the network to get a better signal strength?
I know I can only use the Apple Airport Utility 5.6 to access the AirPort Express, but I can see also the AirPort Extreme though it (5.6).
Also, it seems that my "old" Wireless Motorola Cable Modem (SBG900) for the same distance (about 30 Feet), which is a 802.11g, gives still a better signal strength (62%) than the Apple Airport Extreme...
I guess I need the proper instructions how to, if it is possible.
Any intelligent answers available? Thanks.

This is very confusing. The AirPort Express Base Station has three settings (under "Wireless" in the AirpPort Utility 5.6) "Create a wireless Network", "Participate in a WDS network" and "Join a wireless network".
Whereas the first is self-explanatory the second and third seem to indicate, that a relation with an existing Network can be created. This is also indicated, when selecting as the "Wireless Mode:" "Join a wireless network" and then selecting "Wireless Network Name:" where then all available networks 802.11 b/g/n pop up you can choose which to use.
Now, it does not make any sense, that if all these settings and selections are available, that the AirPort Express cannot extend an existing network, considering that the AirPort Extreme, which is a 802.11b/g/n can be connected to. Even the AirPort Utility 6.0 sees the AirPort Express 802.11b/g but when selected alerts that "This version of AirPort Utility doesn't support this base station. Use AirPort Utility 5.6 to configure or manage this base station. AirPort Utility 5.6 is available at AirPort Service and Support." And as said, that AirPort Utility 5.6 sees everything and has said setting options.
The way as I see this it is, that if I can pickup an existing network, created with an AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n with an AirPort Express 802.11b/g and have the option to "Join a wireless network" such AirPort Express should be able to broadcast the picked up and joint network. Otherwise the setting options for the AirPort Express are nothing else than a distortion of reality to me.
Also, before I got the new AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n I had an AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11b/g (gray) and there I was able to extend the network via the AirPort Express 802.11b/g.
So the above comments do not make sense to me.
Hope you understand that and have a better explanation available.

Airport Express 802.11n joining existing Aiport Extreme 802.11g network

We added an Airport Express to support Airtunes on a stereo system to an existing Airport Extreme 802.11g network. The original Extreme had an antenna to extend its range as well. The problem we are having is that the connection from an iMac keeps going up and down. Is there an issue using WDS between Airport units that are of different speeds? Any thoughts on why this might be doing this and how we can get it to operate stably again as it was with just the old Airport Extreme.

I am concerned with the speed being reduced by half per node. Do you mean if I had three access points in a WDS network the speed would be half or does it reduce to one third?
Also, I want to point out in the latest manual, WDS does support 802.11n and mixed, including wide channel, which may over come being halfed but not further reductions.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf
--------excerpt from apple manual -------------------------------------
Setting Up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
When you connect devices wirelessly in a WDS, you set up each device as
either a main, a remote, or a relay device.
You can connect AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Stations or Time Capsules and use the
5 GHz frequency band in the network. Only client computers that have 802.11n wireless
cards installed can join the network. If you want client computers using 802.11b or
802.11g wireless cards to join the network, set up the network using the 2.4 GHz
frequency band, or add 802.11g AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express to the network. See
“Choosing the Radio Mode” on page 21 for information about setting the frequency
band of the network. You can also set up a dual-band network that utilizes both the
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, so client computers using 802.11n wireless cards
can join the 5 GHz segment of the network, and computers using 802.11b or 802.11g
wireless cards can join the 2.4 GHz segment. See “Setting up a Dual-Band (2.4 GHz and
5 GHz) Network” on page 48.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Airport Extreme 802.11n and AirPort Express 802.11g on same network. Speed?

I am migrating all our Macs to 802.11n. I will have a new Extreme 802.11n base station, and all Macs will be newer models with 802.11n. However, I have an older Airport Express 802.11g that we use for the shared printer.
I have read that the ENTIRE network will run at the speed of the slowest device. Is this true? I know that the printer can only communicate at g, but will I also see the macs having to slow down to g? If so, I will upgrade to a new Express.

I have read that the ENTIRE network will run at the speed of the slowest device
That's not exactly true, but it will certainly degrade the network. A new Express (N) is your best solution to maximize the speed of your network.

Airport Extreme 802.11n and WDS with 802.11g express

I have an 802.11n Airport Extreme that I have been using with my AppleTV. I have it set to allow for 802.11b/g, since I have an old Powerbook Titanium that cannot be upgraded.
I recently decided to add my Airport Express 802.11g to the mix to act as a bridge for a remote, wired computer. I did this by enabling WDS on the Extreme/Express.
My question is this: by enabling WDS on the extreme, will the AppleTV still be able to connect at 802.11n speeds, or does it get pulled back to 11g? Is there any way to verify/check this on either the Extreme or the AppleTV?
Thanks,
keith

You can check the connection speed of each wireless client attached to a base station using Airport Utility. Launch Airport Utility, click on the Airport button in the toolbar. On the Summary tab you'll see an item called Wireless clients. It shows you how many wireless client devices are connected to that base station.
Click on the words Wireless Clients and you'll get a graph and a list. The graph shows the signal strength of each client. The list shows the client's wireless MAC, the signal and noise levels and the rate at which each device is communicating. On my Extreme-n base stations, I regularly see rates from 1 to 130 and everything inbetween. It looks like each device runs at it's best rate based on signal strength and error rate.
Assuming you know the MAC of your Apple TV (it's on the serial number label) you can see what wireless data rate it's getting this way.
The thing I've noticed is that my Extreme-g base stations seem to connect to clients at higher average rates than my Extreme-n units. In other words, on the g units I'll see more clients at 54 (the max) or 48 and on the n units just a couple will connect at 130 or 54 but most are at lower rates like 27 or 11 (even 2 or 1), even when they are in the same room as the base station.
I find that very odd and would like to understand it. Anybody have any ideas?

Replacing an airport express 802.11g with an airport express 802.11n

Hi there,
I'm about to replace my airport express base 802.11g with a new airport express base 802.11n.
Is it difficult? Is there a guided procedure? Is there something that I should ABSOLUTELY NOT do (or ABSOLUTELY DO) before, during and/or after the replacement?
My home network is made up by MB 13'', MBP 15'' (both with Intel processor and Leopard) and a Time Machine 802.11n 500Gb.
Thank you in advance.

Federico Platania wrote:
Hi there,
I'm about to replace my airport express base 802.11g with a new airport express base 802.11n.
will the express be your main wireless router or the time capsule ?
Is it difficult?
usually not. see the setup guide

Is Airport Express 802.11n compatibile with Airport Extreme 802.11g?

I can't get my new AExpress 802.11n to coexist with two other 802.11g AExpress and a AExtreme 802.11g. I have tried every type of reset and upgraded all soft/firmware but I can't see all three!
Do I have to ditch my older model Express (g) and Extreme (g) or try and get a second user old model Express (g)?
has anyone got a mix of old and new Express to co-exist?

good response. What to try? I'll admit it is a pain but this would be the basics:
1) reset it as many times as necessary to get it to be recognized
2) reset it with the power unplugged also
3) always use the airport icon found at the top of the desktop file menu(this is the key to find it there first
4) use the preferred pane found in the network pane within system preferences, delete networks that are odd or old and if you can get that express showing there you are almost home. Use the above three to do it also
This is why I got off those routers and now use two TC or two Extreme N or a combination of each. Ethernet as much as possible. Good luck
also
5) use ethernet to configure it then remove it, but once you set its wireless setting make sure you see it in the airport icon.
Message was edited by: Smokerz

Airport Extreme 802.11g with Airport Express 802.11n Aiport Express

I have An Airport Extreme Base Station 11g and an airport express 11g and I needed to buy another Airport Express but this one is 11n and my Airport Utility does not see it. Are these new Airport Express backward compatible? The reason is the kids X-box needs the ethernet jack that the color printer uses.
Can anyone help?
Thanks!

Thank you!
I followed your advice but so far I have been able to make some progress. I went out and bought the Airport Extreme 802.11n as I needed a router too so I like the features on the new one. So I think I have made a complex situation worse, LOL.
So far, the new airport utility can only see the new & old Airport Extreme but cant see the Express-g or express-n airports as they continue to blink amber.
What do I am I doing wrong?
thx

Airport Extreme (802.11n) with Airport Express/Extreme (802.11g/b) ?

If the 802.11n airport extreme is the main router, and used in conjunction with older airport extreme/express (single antenna); what will happen?
Will the network drop to the 802.11g speeds?
Will the benefits of MIMO be lost?

According to this Macworld.com article:Once you add 802.11g or 802.11b devices to the network, the performance of the entire network will be affected; it won’t be reduced all the way down to the slower performance of the respective older standards, but performance won’t be as fast as a single-standard network. (And 802.11b devices will affect performance to a greater extent than 802.11g devices will.)

Extend Airport Extreme 802.11g with Airport Express 802.11n

I bought a new AE 802.11n and I want to extend my network from my old Airport Extreme 802.11g. I can't figure out how to do this.

Unfortunately, the newer "n" AirPorts and older "g" AirPorts are not compatible if you are trying to configure the AirPort Express to "extend a wireless network" using wireless only.
The "extend a wireless network" function and feature is only found on newer "n" AirPorts.
If you can connect the AirPort Express to the older AirPort Extreme using a permanent wired Ethernet connection, it is possible to configure the Express to provide more wireless coverage that way.
Using an older, very difficult setup called WDS, it might be possible to configure the Express using wireless only, but the end result would be a network that provides only half the speed of your older "g" AirPort Extreme, so this is definitely not recommended due to the severe performance drop that will occur on the network.

Airport Extreme (802.11n) & Airport Express (802.11g) single net by wire?

I just bought an Extreme-n to replace my ailing wifi router and wanted to use it with my existing Express-g to make a single wifi network so that I can have my 802.11n devices connect to the Extreme-n and the 802.11b/g devices connect to the Express-g using a shared wifi network. The tricky part is that I want the Express-g to be connected to the Extreme-n via Ethernet, not by relay, to get the best performance. This doesn't seem to be a standard configuration with WDS as it expects the Express-g to be a relay over-the-air, not by Ethernet. Is this possible, or do I have to set up separate wifi networks to do this? For either option, do I need to set up both the Express-g and the Extreme-n to be DHCP servers, or can I just rely on the Extreme-n to serve to both wifi networks?

In Apple's documentation and in threads in this discussion area you will find references to "dual band" networks. That is what you want to set up.
Each base station will create a separate wireless network.
The AirPort Express (AX) will connect via Ethernet to one of the LAN ports on the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS).
The AX will be configured to create a wireless network and to act as a bridge (not sharing a single IP address).
All clients of the AX and AEBS will get IP addresses from the AEBS.

Airport Express 802.11g as a repeater of Airport Express 802.11n

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