AirPort Express AirPlay over network with extender

I'm running a wireless network which includes a Netgear signal extender. With the extender, I have two wireless networks visable:
network name (primary wireless router) & network name_EXT (extended wireless signal)
I purchased the AE for AirPlay and have it hard-wired (RJ-45) into my router. When our devices are connected to the primary wireless network the AirPlay function works perfectly, but when the devices (iPad and iPhones) connect to the extended network (network name_EXT), the AirPlay doesn't work.
The AE is connected by an RJ-45 cable and is on the same network... it seems to me the wireless network shouldn't matter.
Any suggestions to get this to work on the _EXT network?
Thanks.
T

It seems as though, from my experimentation, that Airplay connects to another device through the MAC address and *not* the IP address. There are benefits of using both types of connections (which I won't get into), but the biggest problem with using the MAC address in this case is the that, on most networks (practically everything except for those using WDS), the MAC address of the device in question gets masked as the same MAC address of the router it is connected to. This is bad because when the computer looks for a specific device, (again assuming that Airplay checks for MAC addresses) it will only see the router's MAC address instead of real device's MAC address.
To clarify, say you have two networks, A and B, where A is where the IP addresses are assigned from, usually the router that is either connected to the modem or is the modem itself. Each has its own SSID, A and B respectively. Wireless device WA, which has Airplay, is connected to network A. Wireless device WB is connected to network B and is trying to wirelessly connect to WA. As I mentioned previously, most networks won't be set up with WDS (which preserves the MAC addresses). As WB looks for WA to send the music over Airplay, it won't be able to fully connect because it is trying to send it to the wrong MAC address (of router A) despite it seeing the device. I suspect WB sees WA because it can see WA's IP address.
Now, I haven't been able to confirm this theory with any Apple representative because, after all, they are mostly not knowledgeable in the intricacies of the devices networking. I'm sure if they forwarded the question to an Apple engineer, we would be able to get a concise answer as to why we are having this issue...
I can only hope they will fix this issue before we are forced to buy more hardware to support WDS
But again, this is just my theory, I have no evidence except for knowing that my network is all on the same subnet but the MAC addresses are transformed... it may have something to do with the DD-WRT set-up I have.

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Airport express won't work with Extend Network, only Create Network

My Airport Express when it is setup to extend my network while plugged into Ethernet will Create a network under settings. If I change this to Extend A Network it doesn't work properly. It keeps kicking me on and off WiFi, but the former way works with no foreseen issues. What is going on? I can't extend my guest network with the first option, I don't believe.
I have a 5th Generation AirPort Extreme and a 1st Gen AirPort Express.

My Airport Express when it is setup to extend my network while plugged into Ethernet will Create a network under settings
This is the correct setting to "extend" the network using an Ethernet connection. Technically, this is called a "roaming" network.
If I change this to Extend A Network it doesn't work properly.
This is because "Extend a wireless network" is used only when AirPort devices communicate with each other using wireless only......not Ethernet.
It would help if Apple used settings like "Extend a network using Ethernet" and "Extend a network using wireless only".....but they don't.
The AirPort Extreme will need to be configured as the main router if you want it to provide a Guest Network. It cannot do this if it is configured in Bridge Mode.

Will Airport Express 802.11g network with a new Dual Band Airport Extreme?

Bob Timmons I need your help. I have a older Airport Express, can I use it to extend my wireless network to the far reaches of my house by linking it to my new Airport Extreme 802.11n?
There must be an article on this somewhere.
Thanks!

Welcome back!
If by "older" AirPort Express, you mean it is a "b/g" version, you'll have to use the WDS setup options on both the new AirPort Extreme"n" and the AirPort Express.
Unfortunately, two negative things will occur when you setup WDS:
1) Because WDS is a "g" technology thing, the entire wireless network will drop down to "g" wireless levels. So, you lose any advantages of "n" speeds with your new router.
2) The bandwidth on the entire wireless network will be cut 50%.
Bottom line, you will have a "g" wireless network operating at half of it's capability. That's a tremendous loss of performance for a bit more wireless coverage, but you may disagree.
WDS is difficult for most users to set up because it is very easy to make a mistake. Look over this post to get an idea of what is involved with this. There is also a link to Apple's instructions in this post, but the step by step by expert user Tesserax is easier to follow.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2287950&tstart=0
I do not recommend WDS, but it's your call.

Airport Express and wired network with static IPs

I have a wired network with static IPs. I have a block of free IPs I can use to connect to this network. Manually setting any of one IP from this block on my MacBook Pro via ethernet works great - full network connectivity including internet.
What I wish to do is add an Airport Express in between my MBP and the network, so that I may have greater freedom (wireless opposed to wired). Is the AX capable of this? If yes, what are the correct settings? Keep in mind there is no DHCP server on the network.
I have tried giving the AX an IP manually and then accessing it from the MBP having the AX share IP (effectively becoming it's own DHCP server?). This gives internet connectivity, but I can't see any of the servers on the network. I assume because I'm now on a new subnet.
So I then changed the AX settings to not distribute an IP and gave the MBP another IP from the block (different from the AX). This gives me the network, but no internet.
What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I made a mistake and forgot to set the DNS servers manually. It seems the second method works fine. I've set up WPA2 security as well - I'm assuming this is okay in this situation. What is the correct term for this setup? A wireless access point bridge? Is there anything more I should know about this setup? TIA

HT1126 how to join airport express to existing network with internet

How to connect wireless Airport Express to existing Wireless Network?

Hi - what kind of router do you have?

I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. any soln ?

I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing wireless network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. I am using a set of speakers from kenwood connected to the airport express. The operating system on my macbook is mac os X 10.5.8. i am sure it is not a problem of streaming music online because i have even tried playing music which are stored in my macbook.
Is there any problem with the setting in itunes or quicktime ? Kindly reply...... I am waiting for your valuable suggestion.
Thank you a lot in advance.

I am shocked to have found this same AX audio dropout problem starting TODAY, every few seconds the audio just drops for a couple seconds and then resumes: Latest software versions of everything. No iPad, iPhone or Touch. Internet hardwired to D-Link DES1105 (1000baseT Switch) hardwired to new 80211N AX, AX optical to stereo, AX Wi-Fi internet to basic 1st-gen MacBook operating at 80211G, and an older 'G' AX extender at the far end of the house, away from all this. The MacBook streaming iTunes is usually 12 feet from AX. I've used this setup for years of trouble-free AirTunes / Airplay until today. Today I also found 2 very reliable fixes and 1 way to force a dropout, but first, I read some posts and tried ALL following settings one-at-a-time and restored them ALL because NONE of them helped: Turned off IPV6. Streamed to multiple speakers 'Computer' and 'AX' (restored to just AX). Turned off 'Ask to Join new (WiFi) Networks'. Turned off Bluetooth (can't live without Magic Trackpad, so glad that wasn't it). Here's my discoveries: Lo and behold, each time I click the Airport icon in the Menu (you know it shows you've got 4 bars from AX) when the status switches to 'Looking for Networks' for a second it CAUSES the AX audio to drop out for a couple seconds (it never did that before today.) iTunes still playing, streaming, AX laser still lit, but the 'PCM' light on stereo and the sound GOES OUT EVERY time I click the Airport icon in the menubar, just like the regular, annoying dropouts. So, to reduce traffic I quit Safari (3 tabs, no streaming, just Gmail, Google, and Netflix browsing). Lo and behold, the dropouts stopped altogether. No other Web apps going (not iTunes Store, Genius, Ping, nothing), so I launched Chrome to the same 3 tabs and the dropouts HAVE NOT RETURNED. That's right, not only did simply QUITTING SAFARI cure it, and Chrome doesn't contribute to it, but I can demonstrate it just by forcing my Airport to re-scan. Works for me, written using Chrome. The other reliable fix is to hardwire MacBook to the Switch. This is obviously not ideal, but Airplay audio doesn't drop out over Ethernet. Also, in all my tests, it made no difference whether iTunes did the streaming, or Airfoil did.

Airport Express A1088 Not Working With iTunes 10 AirPlay but works with iPad & iPhone

Hi,
I'm really hoping someone can help me. I have just got an ADSL connection at home and have started using my Airport Express I've had for years but haven't used, model number A1088. I can use the Airport Express to use AirPlay from my iPhone, iPod and iPad. iTunes 10 on my 2010 13" MacBook Pro recognises the Airport Express as an AirPlay device, however when I attempt to play music through remote speakers using the Airport Express as the AirPlay device I receive the error message "An error occurred while connecting to AirPlay device "emptyk86 Airport Express". The network connection failed". I have performed numerous hard resets and resets within the Airport Utility, to no avail. I could accept that as the Aiport Express is quite old now, that it could be broken, but as it works for all iPhones, iPods, and iPads I don't understand what I'm doing wrong!
Thanks for your time.

The same thing started happening to me this morning. I have an old Airport Express, New MacBook Pro, recently updated to Lion, have the latest version of iTunes. Everything worked fine until this morning. I was playing music, stopped it, and when I tried to resume, got the error message. I turned evertying off and on and reset everything. The problem persisted. However, I had no problem playng music from my iPad library through the system using the iPad.
I have a remote app on the iPad and, oddly enough, found that I could play anything (playlists, songs, etc.) from the MacBook Pro iTunes library through the system using the iPad remorte app. Once I had that running, I went back to the MacBook Pro and found I had full functionality with iTunes on the MacBook Pro. I closed and reopened iTunes a couple of times on the MacBook Pro to test it, and found that sometimes it would work fine and sometimes I would get the error message. When I got the error message, I went through the procedure with the iPad to get it going, and that worked most of the time. When it did not work the first time, I found that playing a song from the iPad library first and then going to the remote app seemed to help.
For sure, this is more a workaround than a solution, but maybe someone who understands how these things work might recognize the problem and propose a solution.

I'm trying to add my airport express to my network. The airport utility shows a message that its gathering info about my network then suddenly an unexpected error message appears. Why is that?

i'm trying to add my airport express to my network. The airport utility shows a message that its gathering info about my network then suddenly an unexpected error message appears. Why is that?

Until Bob Timmons gets back to you, first decide what you would like the Express to do. I understand you want it for AirPlay remote speakers, which you can certainly do.
I am assuming that you are not using an Apple AirPort router; if that's not the case stop here and let me know.
If your existing router is not an Apple AirPort Base Station, the Express:
can "join" an existing wireless network as a client, for the sole purpose of streaming music. If that's what you want to do, do not connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable.
can "extend" an existing wired network to serve as an additional wireless access point, which can also stream music. If that's what you want to do, connect its WAN port to an available LAN port on your router using an Ethernet cable.
Then, "hard reset" the Express according to the instructions below, and configure it. The prompts should be self-explanatory. If you run into trouble, describe which of the above two configurations you decided upon, and the point at which you're getting the "unexpected problem".
To "hard reset" an AirPort Base Station: make sure it's powered up, then gently press and hold its tiny reset button. Don't apply any more force than required to feel a tactile click. Keep it depressed for five to ten seconds, long enough for its LED to flash amber rapidly. Release the reset button. Then, the LED will glow amber steadily for about a minute. Then, it will flash amber, slowly, about once every second or two, waiting for you to configure it with AirPort Utility.

AirPort Express - Can not connect to "extended" AirPort Express

Two trips to the Genius Bar tell me that I should be able to Extend my network from a new AirPort Express (n/g/b) to an older AirPort Express (b/g) using the "extend network feature". The two devices are communicating (both lights are green and the wireless channel will change on the remote device if I change it at the base station), but my MBP Core Duo 15" seems to only be connecting to the AirPort Express Base Station (n/g/b) and not to the Remote "extended" AirPort Express (b/g).
This forum seems to indicate that you can only use WDS between the newer AEX (n) and the older AEX (b/g) but the folks at the Apple Store have told me twice now not to use WDS. They said that as long as the two devices have green lights that it is working, but when I click on the Airport Symbol up in the menu bar w/the Option key it tells me the MAC address of the base station only - and when I get very far from the base station, the signal drops out even though the remote AEX is near by.
I did try setting it up using WDS and that works fine, just very slow.
Anyone know if there's a way to be sure that my MBP connects to the remote (extended) AirPort Express?

This forum seems to indicate that you can only use WDS between the newer AEX (n) and the older AEX (b/g)
This is correct....since the older b/g Express does not even have a setting to "extend a wireless network".
If you require confirmation, open AirPort Utility, select the b/g Express, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Now look at the available settings for Wireless Mode.
"Extend a wireless network" is not there.
but the folks at the Apple Store have told me twice now not to use WDS.
They are likely telling you not to use it because the performance on your network will drop dramatically if you do use WDS. Or, they mean well, but they are just wrong on this subject. Here's why:
The only way that you can use an older "g" and newer "n" device together to provide more wireless coverage is to configure both devices for WDS. It's a Catch 22.
WDS operates only at "g" wireless levels. So when you configure the newer "n" Express to operate as part of the WDS (which you must), it becomes a "g" wireless device. You lose any "n" capability on the network
Worse still, every "remote" or "relay" in a WDS setup cuts the bandwidth of the entire network in half...50%. That's huge. In effect, with WDS, you may have a bit more wireless coverage, but you will have a "g" wireless network that operates at half speed.
but when I click on the Airport Symbol w/the Option key it tells me the MAC address of the base station only - and when I get very far from the base station, the signal drops out even though the remote AEX is near by.
The remote AX is not providing any additional wireless coverage.
They said that as long as the two devices have green lights that it is working
Nope, as you can tell by the fact that your "remote" is not providing any additonal wireless coverage.
Anyone know if there's a way to be sure that my MBP connects to the remote (extended) AirPort Express?
Your only option, (unless you add more hardware):
Configure both AX devices to "Participate in a WDS network" setting one up as a "main" and the other a "remote" . The big downside, as mentioned previously, is that you will have a "g" wireless network running at half speed.

AirPort Express doesn't work with SB5100

I'm helping a friend set up a new AirPort Express MC414LL/A Model A1392 (802.11n) with her existing Motorola SB5100 DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem. I was able to setup the AirPort Express from her iPad with a network name and password. Also upgraded the firmware in the AirPort Express. However, the Airport Utility App on my iPad and iPhone connected to the AiPort Express, but showed no connection to the Internet. Furthermore, the PC that had been working fine when connected directly to the SB5100 could not make an Internet connection when connected to the AirPort Express.
I brought the AirPort Express home and connected it to my Verizon FiOS Actiontec modem and it works fine - my iPhone and iPad connect to it and through it to the Internet.
I'm wondering if the SB5100 is incompatible with the AirPort Express??

It should work.
Power down the modem and leave it powered down for a long time, as much as a half hour or longer is sometimes required. While it is powered down, disconnect its coaxial cable. Literally unscrew it and leave it that way.
Connect the Express to your modem, leave them connected, and do not disconnect them from one another without powering down the modem again.
Re-connect everything including power and let the devices complete their startup sequences. This usually takes a moment or two.
If that does not result in success, "hard reset" the Extreme or Express according to the instructions below and start over from the beginning.
If you still have trouble, contact AppleCare because you have done everything reasonable to get it to work.
To "hard reset" an AirPort Base Station: make sure it's powered up, then press and hold its tiny reset button and keep it depressed for five to ten seconds, long enough for its LED to flash amber rapidly. Release the reset button. Then, the LED will glow amber steadily for about a minute. Then, it will flash amber, slowly, about once every second or two, waiting for you to configure it with AirPort Utility.

How do I remove an unwanted Airport Express from my network?

I have been using a Time Capsule for several years. I am having trouble backing up to my Time Capsule. I have discovered an unknown Airport Express in my network. I've changed networks, added passwords to the network, etc. How do I remove this unwanted Airport Express from my network? I think he is wreaking havoc with my system!! Help...

Maybe this is an issue I should consult my ISP about??
No question about that. If you can "see" Travis's device, then he can likely "see" your Time Capsule.
I'm just concerned that whomever the APExpress belongs to could be changing settings on my computer or Time Capsule that would cause the issues with me not being able to backup.
Make sure that you have a Time Capsule base station password. Unless a user has that password, they might be able to "see" your Time Capsule, but they cannot access any of the data on the Time Capsule or change the settings.
Open AirPort Utility, click on the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup
Then, click the Time Capsule tab below the icons to see the device name and password for your device. Make sure that you have entered the password and confirmed. Click Update if you have made any changes.
The message I get is "The backup was not performed because an error occurred while copying files to the backup disk. The problem may be temporary. Try again later to back up. If the problem persists, use Disk Utility to repair your backup disk."
I am not sure what this error means, because I cannot duplicate it here to test.
If it were me, I would try this "fix".
http://pondini.org/TM/A5b.html

Hi, The Airport Express does not work with iOS 7.0.4, I appreciate your help to resolve this event. Thank you,

Hi, The Airport Express does not work with iOS 7.0.4, I appreciate your help to resolve this event. Thank you,

Please locate the model number of the AirPort Express and post back that information.
The model number is located on the side of the AirPort Express. It begins with an "A" followed by four numbers.
We are not sure what you mean by "does not work". Does this mean that the AirPort Express worked at one time and has just recently stopped working?
Have you installed a newer operating system on your iOS device recently?
Or, is this a new AirPort Express that you are trying to configure for the first time?
If yes, what service will the AirPort Express perform on your network?
Please remember that we cannot see your network, so we only know as much about your problem as you can tell us.

Is it possible to use my Airport Express s/n HS4430MTR4P with iTunes 11.0.1 ?

Serial Number: HS4430MTR4P
Model:
- AirPort Express
Codename:
- No codename assigned.
Build Country:
- This unit was built in Taiwan.
Build Year:
- This unit was built in 2004.
Build Week
- Your device was built in week 43 of that year (October).
Production Nr.:
- This unit was number 741 to be built that week.
WiFi:
- 802.11 b/g

I was rather surprised when it didn't work.
I have the latest version of iTunes and the icon appears when they have established connection but when I click on it I get:
The AirPlay device "Mark's Airport Express" is not compatible with this version of iTunes.

Trying to add another Airport Express to a network

One of 2 Airport Expresses that we use to extend signal got wet, and apparently isn't going to work again now that it's dry, so we bought a new one. I have gone into Airport Utility, and I see the Time Capsule, the non-working Airport Express, and the working Airport Express.
We've plugged in the new Airport Express, but nothing shows up in the utility. The light on the new Airport Express is flashing amber.
What am I doing wrong? How do I add this to the network?

Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on using additional AirPort base stations to extend your wireless network.

Can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously

I can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously. My old AE allowed this but can't make the new one work that way.

In your instructions, you say to use the same encryption type as the router has set up. well, I am using the WEP 64 bit encryption and the Airport Utility does not have this...it has 40 bit. Is this a problem, or do I have to be using a the same type of encrytion ?
WEP is available in either 40 or 104-bit, but is usually "advertised" as either 64- or 128-bit respectively. For example, 64-bit WEP uses a 40 bit key (also known as WEP-40), which is concatenated with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV) to form the 64-bit RC4 traffic key. So, WEP 64 on the Linksys & 40-bit is equivalent.
What concerns me more is the loss of bandwidth performance you are experiencing when connecting the AX. When the AX is configured as a wireless client it is acting just like any other wireless devices (computer, laptop, printer, etc.) and not like another router. This should cause little or no bandwidth loss. True the more secure the wireless encryption used WPA2 vs. WEP, the more overhead is required for security, but the differences you are seeing seem excessive.
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your Linksys from providing a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
For Macs:
o MacStumbler
o iStumbler, or
For PCs:
o NetStumbler

AirPort Express AirPlay over network with extender

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