Airport Express and Extreme drop out

Hi,
I have a Airport express that is wired to my router. This is downstairs.
Upstairs i have a Airport Extreme which is wirelessly connected to the airport downstairs.
The Express is set to create a new wireless and the extreme is set to extend.
For some reason or another when im upstairs, which means i'll probably be connected to the extreme, i sometimes find that i cannon connect to the internet. When i go into Airport Utility it can only see the Extreme that's up stairs.
If i go downstairs it then allows me to connect to the internet.
Then go back upstairs and cannot get back on the net.
So i have to disconnect the power to the express and then the connection between the two airports is established.
Both are running the latest firmware, 7.6.
Can anyone help?
Thanks

I have Sunrocket and the same situation. However the last week has had about 90% use... no problems.
I was having people completely unable to understand me. All of a sudden the stuff started working but it still isn't perfect. I can only guess that the AEBS is not liking the setup or otherwise being interfered with. I DO have 2.4GHz phones but the brand was checked out as working fine with AEBS.
My setup Comcast Cable Internet>AEBS>Sunrocket's Gizmo.
I'd love to hear form other Mac/AEBS users and Sunrocket.

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New version airport express and music drop-outs

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What are they differences between AirPort Express and Extreme?

You can find all the differences between the AirPort Express and Extreme in this website > http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

Problems with Airport Express and Extreme

I have tried to set up Airport Express and Extreme. Both proceeded normally in the Air Port Utility until the final stages. Then it said it couldn't find the devices. When I tried again (many times), I couldn't even start the process, even though it did that the first time for both. I'm stumped.

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Any software differences between new airport express and extreme?

I was wondering if there are any features or configuration differences between the two, such as configuring VPN passthrough.
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Using Airport Express and Extreme Together

I have the old Airport Express and have just bought the latest Extreme. I'm sure Extreme will work fine with my iMac but am not so sure it will work with my G4 Powerbook as it does not have the recommended software requirements. Is there anyway I can setup a network using both the old Express and the new Extreme?

Welcome to the discussions!
Your old AirPort Express is a "g" wireless device while your new AirPort Extreme is a newer and much faster "n" wireless device.
If you are asking if you can use your old AirPort Express to "extend" the wireless from the AirPort Extreme using wireless only, the answer is yes....BUT....your new AirPort Extreme will drop down to old "g" wireless levels if you do this.
The setup procedure for this is quite difficult and frustrating for many users. To get an idea of what is involved if you want to try this, see this link for the procedure:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2355832&tstart=0
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Airport Express and Extreme both having timeout issues once every few days.

I have both an Airport Express and an Airport Extreme in the house (one on each side of the house), and for the last few months, we have been experiencing timeout issues with both. About once every few days, my computer (or any other computer here - all Macs) will lose connection to the hub. When I try to reconnect in the Wifi menu, it says "Connection timed out". Also, on my iPhone, when I try to connect, it says "Unable to connect".
All this takes is a quick restart of the Airport (just pull the power out and plug in), but this is VERY frustrating. I've updated to the latest firmware... I'm not sure what else to do.
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Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me. I suggest starting by reviewing the following AirPort User Tip around the details for best base station placement. Let's see if this will help increase the bandwidth performance of your extended network. Most likely, due to combination of distance and Wi-Fi interference, you may not be getting the best bandwidth possible. Please post back your results.

Questions about AirPort Express and Extreme!

I have BT Infinty and the hub is situated in the living room. What I want to do is extend the wi fi to my room which is around 10 metres away.
Are you able to connect the AirPort Express to the network and then create a network for the AirPort Express for my MacBook Pro to connect to?
I have two options and questions
1. Buy a AirPort Extreme and replace my BT hub with that. Then use an AirPort Express to extend the wi fi. But when you extend the wi fi does it mean that when I search for a wireless hotspot from my Mac I connect the the AirPort Express? Or is there a way of making the AirPort express to have a different name?
2. Use my Bt hub and buy a AirPort Express and connect it to my Infinty Connection. BUT is there a way of making a hotspot for the AirPort Express for example
my Infinity connection is named Bt-Infinty2356
I use the AirPort express to connect it and extend the wifi
THEN is it possible to make a hotspot named "AirPort-Express-Muppet" for me to connect from my Mac?
Thanks

I have no experience with the "BT Infinity Modem" and "BT HomeHub", but I assume that they are two separate units?
If yes: connect the modem direct to the Extreme by ethernet cable.
If it is a "combined" unit: connect the Extreme by ethernet cable to one of the ethernet slots on the hub.
In both cases set the Extreme to "Create a wireless network".
Use a Airport Express to "extend a Wireless Network", and extend the Extreme.
Do not expect the Airport Express to extend the BT hub wireless network, because it will not work.
In both cases you have two wireless networks: one from the Hub and one from the Extreme.
Off the record: I have the same situation in France with the "Livebox" (Orange) that is connected to a Netgear WiFi router: two network: the Livebox is just that, the Netgear is "relayed" through Netgear Routers (Switches) to five areas in the "house". The same in Switzerland, but there I used Extreme and Express units instead of the netgear units.
The Hiome Hub should work fine connected to the modem by cable, and the other network also by connected to the cable. Do not mix the different brands: trouble.

3 powerline adaptors with airport express and extreme

Hi all,
I am currently using two airport express and 2 TP-LINK powerline adaptors to create a "roaming" network, however i would like to add another powerline adaptor and an airport extreme to my network.
Modem -> Airport Extreme in the living room with an ethernet cable plugged into the powerline
1st Airport Express plugged into the 2nd powerline adaptor
3rd Airport Express plugged into the 3rd powerline adaptor
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To set up the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) as a bridge, either connect to the AEBSn's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to one of the LAN port of the AEBSn, and then, using the AirPort Utility, make these settings:
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection tab
Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update to apply the new settings
AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - iTunes Setup
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <existing AEBSn's wireless network>
Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup >Music
Enable AirPlay (checked)
iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
Verify Password: (optional)
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX

What are the main differences between airport express and extreme?

what are the main differences between the express and extreme base stations.

In addition to Bob Timmons' link the main differences are as follows:
Extreme has a slightly more powerful antenna (might not be true but from experience it seems to be)
Extreme has USB HDD sharing
Express has AirPlay
Extreme has 3 Gigabit ports (don't be confused by Apple's page. Apple states 4 including WAN, 3 without WAN)
Express is smaller
Express has 10/100 Ethernet whereas Extreme has Gigabit

Airport express streaming audion drop out is unacceptable

The only reason I bought the airport express is because apple discontinued the old Apple TV mk1 - which had an analogue audio out port.
The comments on this group seem to always suggest the following (1) Don't extend a wireless group (2) Don't join a WDS (3) Upgrade firmware (4) choose a less congested channel (4) swing a dead cat around 12 times at midnight.
So the configuratioon
MAC BOOK PRO Snow leopard 10.6.4 -- 2.6Ghx INTEL Core 2 Duo, 4GB 667 Mhz DDR SDRAM
2 Airport Extremes [7.4.2]
1 Airport Express [7.4.2]
1 Time Capsule [7.5.1] (making a total of 3 Airport Extremes)
iTunes 10.0.1 (22)
MAC BOOK PRO disk checks out perfectly - format structure, file structure and hard disk sectors.
All Airport devices are at the latest firmware revision.
no WDS - each Airport Extreme "Creates A Wireless Network" - but uses the Time Capsule for DNS.
THE AIRPORT EXPRESS IS SET TO "NO WIRELESS"
The connection to the Airport Express is 100BaseTX via an intelligent router.
So - basically - NO WIRELESS CONNECTION to the Airport Express from the MAC BOOK.
MAC BOOK PRO -> (100BaseTX) Intelligent Cisco Router -> (100BaseTX) Airport Express
Every 4 or 5 minutes the sound will drop out for a second or so - right in the middle of a song.
The Airport Express has even been configured for NO WIRELESS.
Streaming Netflix to the TV makes no difference to the time between audio drop out - which suggest that the network is more than capable of handling the traffic.
Netflix also streams perfectly to the iPad (Wireless)
Network utilization is negligible. Network reliability seems excellent : 90M Sent packets, 70M Recv Packets ZERO errors ZERO collisions.
I noticed that when I use the iPad for remote control (V2) of iTunes on the MAC BOOK PRO - the drop out is worse (even when the iPad is not doing anything other than, I suppose answering a few "are you still there" inquiries). Interestingly, even with the iPad connected - but - control of iTunes from the Keyboard - the interval between drop outs is significantly greater.
I have not yet tried streaming the AppleTV Mk1 to the Airport Express - my bet is that it will stream perfectly.
It amazing that Netflix can stream perfect video and sound over a 20Mb internet connection (using the same Extreme as the primary DNS ie attached to the Time-Warner modem) and yet Apple cant even get consistent audio in a hard wired 100Mb intranet.
At the low data rates for streaming Audio - finding way to configure the Airport Express to effectively improve its response time hint at a significantly larger issue ie (a) iTunes not running at a sufficiently high priority (b) Small Internal buffer in the Airport Express (c) my guess both (a) and (b)
iTunes is set to "Large Buffer".
I have not yet tried 'nice'ing up the priority of any iTunes processes - as I've gone back to having the house Audio driven by my old reliable Apple TV Mk1.
If Apple cant even get Audio Streaming working properly - I don't hold out much hope for the AppleTV Mk2 (hopefully it has a seriously large buffer to compensate for the pre-emptive scheduling of MAC OS) - This may be one example of Windows being a better streaming Audio Platform that MAC OS.
Given all this information - other than "kill all the processes running on the MAC" - which completely defeats the purpose - that is to say - I had a perfectly great Streaming Audio "Appliance" (the Mk1 AppleTV) - now I'm being forced to use a GP Computer with all the inherent problems of reliability.
Any suggestions ?

No, in fact I abandoned it. Then I tried it again today, (hoping the various iTunes updates would help) it was better ... But after 15 minutes the audio dropped out again. However, my concerns about the apple tv2 were unfounded.

Airport Express Frequent Music Drop-out

Looks like this is a standard, mostly unfixable feature with this. Great.
Anyway - laptop inside on wireless, hooked via AUX to stereo receiver, sending to AE outside hooked to other receiver.
Music plays, but drops out (volume down) frequently. We have cordless phones, no base stations that near. Microwave wasn't on.
Any ideas for troubleshooting?
DC

Ok, thanks for clarifying your current network configuration for me. What is important is to understand the path the audio stream must take to get to the AirPort Express.
Basically, it will be: Laptop >>> AirPort Extreme >>> AirPort Express > Audio Receiver, where ">>>" represents a wireless connection, and ">" represents a wired one.
For the wireless connections, distance, other (non-audio streaming) network traffic, & Wi-Fi interference (cordless phones, walls, other Wi-Fis broadcasting nearby, etc.) will play a toll on the overall bandwidth available left for streaming.
I would suspect the bandwidth will be the least between the two AirPorts. One simple test would be to calculate the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at the location of the Express. SNR (in dB) = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm). You will want SNR to be 25+ dB. You will want to take the measurements with the Express powered-off so that you will be calculating the SNR for the Extreme only at this location.
You can easily obtain the Signal & Noise values (if your laptop is a Mac) from System Profiler.
Click the Apple icon in the menubar
About This Mac
More Info ...
Contents > Network > AirPort > Interfaces > en1 > Current Network Information > Choose your Wi-Fi network > Signal / Noise
While your here, note the following values as well:
PHY Mode
Security
Transmit Rate
Please post back your results.

Itunes remote speaker using Airport Express and Extreme

I have purchased an Airport Extreme and Airport Express, so I can listen Itunes music on my stereo system. For some reason, there is simply no remote speaker selection button on the bottom right of the Itunes windows. Does it has to do with the fact that I am using an old Mac OS X?
My Macmini has no airport card, so I connected the ethernet to the Airport extreme, and plugged the Airport express few feet from the base. Nothing but an orange tilting light comes out of the little box. I can surf the net perfectly but the Itunes is ignoring all my investment on the couple of Airport boxes i purchase...What I am doing wrong?

Yes, I thought that purchasing the Airport extreme as
the ethernet interfase directly connected to the
MacMini, was almost the same as having the airport
card inside the Mini. Where did I get lost?? I have
the extreme directly to the mini, and an express
plugged somewhere close and nothing happens...
The problem is that the mini can only stream iTunes to an Airport Express via Airport. While you have connected it to an Airport basestation, as far as the mini is concerned, it is working via ethernet because that's how the data is leaving the system. It doesn't have an Airport card, thus it can't stream iTunes content to an Airport Express.

Airport Express/Multiple Speakers/Drop Outs

Question -- I have a wireless network at home -- a Linksys wireless router which I use to connect my Dell laptop and my powerbook to the internet. I have two airport express stations ... one for my living room stereo, and one for kitchen speakers. Streaming itunes to one set of speakers works fine, but when I stream to both sets of speakers I get constant hiccups and sound drops during the playback. Any thoughts/suggestions how to fix this problem?

I had this problem. It was because I had interference (ie poor reception to ONE of the airport express units). When the one would cut out they BOTH would cut out. It was really annoying. You can check if this is your problem by placing both of the airport express right near your router (ie in the same room) and see if you get the dropping out (you shouldn't).
My solution was finally only solved by buying a new router and setting up a WDS network. I got a linksys WRT54GL and use the DD-WRT firmware. There are lots of instructions on the net on how to set this up. Then each airport express acts as a repeater. They seem to support each other, and the result for me was that I got wireless coverage EVERYWHERE in my house, and the music stream stopped dropping out.
Also with the DD-WRT firmware you can change the xmit power of the router (and increase it!) to improve coverage.
Hope this helps.
Mike

Airport express and extreme not recognizing each other

i have an existing airport extreme wireless working.
dsl modem to airport extreme hardwired to mac g4 (with 200 gigs of music) streaming to new dell laptop from work.
just purchased airport express to stream music to home stereo via laptop utilizing the media from the desktop mac.
but i cannot get the 2 airports to see each other. the airport express keeps blinking amber. the manual says to open airport assisstant to add express to existing network but i have no such option listed.
i know there must be an easy solution but for the life of me i cannot figure out what it is.
any suggestions?
thanks,
gord
power mac g4 dual 450, 1 gig ram Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Try the following:
- Perform a "factory default" reset of the AX. (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044_
- To facilitate setting up the remote/relay base stations, place them in near proximity of each other during the set up phase.
- Then perform the WDS setup as follows:
Set up the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) as the WDS Main Base Station, by connecting directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the LAN port of the AEBS, and then use the AirPort Admin Utility, located in /Applications/Utilities, to make the following settings.
WDS Tab
- Enable this base station as a WDS: main base station (checked)
- Enable wireless clients on this base station (optional)
- Click "+" to add Remote/Relay Base Stations.
-- Select the Base Station that you want to be the WDS Remote/Relay.
-- AirPort ID: <verify that this is the correct wireless MAC address for the Base Station you are adding as a Remote/Relay.
-- Auto configure as a WDS remote base station (checked)
-- Click "OK."
- Verify that the Remote/Relay Base Station has been added to the list.
- Click "Update," and then verify the settings for the Remote/Relay.
-- Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
-- New network name: <verify that this is the same as the network name for the AEBS>
-- TCP/IP: Configure using DHCP
-- Base Station Password: <the Remote/Relay Base Station password>
-- Confirm: <same as previous step>
-- Click "OK."

Airport Express and Extreme drop out

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