Airport express connection to extend airport extreme

Hi all,
Not sure if this is in the right forum, but any help appreciated. I'm using an Airport Extreme base station for wireless connection to a batch of PCs and Apple Macs. It works great, and hs no problems. I've just purchased the new Airport Express MC414X/A, with the intent to get wireless into a separate unit on my property, approx. 15 metres away, brick walls intervening. My intention was to run Ethernet from the base station to the Express so that I get a better output, the unit being 15 metres closer.
I'm unable to get the concept of how I configure the software to make this happen. I've looked at the Airport Utility graphics within the program, but can't work out how to get the Express connected and working. I'd appreciate any help/advice that can be offered; hopefully in layman terms, if possible.
TIA for any assistance.
Barrie

barriefromcorowa wrote:
Thanks for prompt response. I'm using a late model Airport Extreme as the router, and I purchased the new Airport Extreme N series device, with the new shape (no plug on the device). HTH, and I appreciate any further advice you might give.
Regards
What version of OS X are you using? Also, many people get the airport express (AX) and the airport extreme (AE) mixed up. Are you using two airport extremes... (which is very good) or are you using one airport extreme and the one you just ordered is the new airport express (which is good)?
Also if you go to your Application Folder then your Utility Folder you should have at least one application called Airport Utility... what version of Airport Utility is this that you have (airport utility 5.6 or airportutility 6.x)? to locate what version go the About menu located in the menu bar under the menu category of Airport Utilyt located at the top of the screen, to the right of the apple logo.
Message was edited by: Carlo TD

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Can I extend the range of my Airport Extreme with 2 Airport Express units?

I am using Airport Extreme as my basic router. I have connected 2 airport express units (all new since 12/09) to extend the network about 300 ft into another building to a PC. I am receiving about 65% signal and only one of the express units is extending the signal. Previously I was able to extend the network with a Netgear router and one D-Link extender and achieved 85%.
I would like to use the 2nd express to extend the signal of the 1st express which is extending the Extreme.
If this is not possible, can I use something other than an express with the extreme to extend the wireless network?

Here are the basic steps in setting up a static WDS. Please compare them to what you have done to see if there are any differences. Hopefully, this will give you a clue on what to try.
AEBSn - WDS Setup
(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. 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.)
Main Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
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 main base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base
Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window.
o Enter the base station password if necessary. If the base station is using the
default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu.
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 base station you want to connect to this base station.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as a remote base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (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 remote base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the base station password, if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
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 main base station 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 main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
Relay Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar to join the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the relay base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (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 relay base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
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 main base station 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 main base station in the Main AirPort ID field.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the remote base station this relay base station will connect to.
o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections. For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb. These terrible download speed really only affects the iPhones as my MacBook Pro usually gets the good speed no matter where it is. I don't believe there is anything wrong with my phone because if I am in the part of the house that uses just the extreme the download speeds on the iphone goes up to 50-75mb. As a note I have an AirPort Extreme on the top floor of my house (second floor) that's where my modem is located. On the first floor that's where one airport express is located. I also have another airport express in the basement that is accessed by my landlord. Any thoughts on how to fix this would be helpful.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections.
It appears that your networking goals with the AirPort Express is to use it as a wireless Ethernet bridge instead of using it to extend the wireless range of your AirPort Extreme. The latter requires that the Express Wi-Fi radios be enabled.
If you intended to use the Express as a wireless bridge, you just need to reconfigure it to "Join a wireless" network instead of "Extend a wireless network."
For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb.
In an extended network, the placement of the extending base station is critical as it can only extend the wireless network at the bandwidth at which it receives it.
Please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on optimal base station placement.

Airport Express disconnects wired internet connection when attempting to extend Airport Extreme WiFi network

I just purchased and airport express to extend my wifi network. My base station is an airport extreme, I have one wired connection and a wifi network. When I go through the recommended steps to set up the express and "extend the network", the airport extreme will no longer connect to the internet via ethernet. I have tried various settings and can't seem to resolve the problem. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Ok so we now have a solution to the problem. A friend of mine came round to work this out with me last night and we were able to get it working, but it is not as easy as I had hoped. Fisrtly we plugged the airport express into my router using the ethernet cable (for this I am using an Airport Express Base Station") and in airport utilities selected the airport express. In edit, we then gave the airport express a new range of IP address which did not conflict with any of the other applications that I have already assigned. We also named the Airport Express with a distinguishable name. We then waited for the changes to be registered then unplugged the Airport Express from the router. I then plugged my AppleTV via HDMI into a tv to test it and selected the new wifi network with the new Airport Express distinguishable name. I was able to watch a video that I have on my ipad directly on my tv without being connected to the internet, and was able to play Airplay presentations.
No the easiest solution, and certainly not something that anyone at Apple has talked me through in my lengthy conversations with them at Applecare.
Hope this helps.

Airport express extender not connecting to airport extreme

Mac OSX 10.9.5
Airport Extreme version 7.6.4
Airport Express version 7.6.4
I've done a hard reset of both Extreme and Express, set up Extreme and cannot set up Express as an extender. Airport utility recognizes the Express, but shows an amber light. Amber light also flashing on the airport Express, which is within 2 feet of the Extreme.
"Other Wi-Fi Devices" says no remote airport base satin is discovered. Same situation even when connecting the Express to the Extreme via an ethernet

Temporarily, please power off the AirPort Express and set it aside.
Restart the AirPort Extreme and check to make sure that it is performing correctly. There should be a green light on the AirPort Extreme and devices that are in the same room or adjacent rooms should be able to connect to the Internet.
If you see a slow, flashing amber light on the AirPort Extreme.....
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Uility
Click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme
Look for the setting for Status
Click on the small amber dot there and report back with the exact message that you see

I am trying to stop my Xbox from connecting to my Airport extreme base station and only connect to my airport express extender. Anyone have any ideas?

I have an aiport extreme base station in my living room and an airport express in my bedroom extending the network. For some reason my xbox along with some other devices always connects to the extreme base station in the living room which has a very low signal. Is there a way to setup a seperate network for my express extender so that I can connect only certain devices? HELP

You would probably want your Express to join the network if an extender isn't required. Reset to factory settings and join the network.
If you do want your Express as an extender run an Ethernet cable between the Express and the Verizon router and set the Express up to be in bridge mode, with the same WiFi network name and password as your Verizon router.

How to extend wifi range using Airport Extreme and Airport Express connected via ethernet cable

Hello,
I'm having an Airport Extreme fifth generation in my living room. I bought yesterday an Airport Express to extend the range of my WIFI in the house and I put in in my bed room. The two devices are connected together via an ethernet cable, from airport extreme (lan 1 port) to airport express to (wan port). Now from the airport utility what configuration I have to set to the airport express in order to extend my wifi range? Inside the wireless tab what i have to select in the network mode?
1. Create a wireless network (use same same wireless network name and pass work as the airport extreme)
2. Join a wireless network
3 Extend a wireless network ?
Thank you

You are way overthinking this. The utility will literally configure everything for you automatically. All that you need to do is name the device and click Next during the setup.
You can use your Mac using Mountain Lion or an iPhone or iPad.
Post back if you need the steps.

Can multiple Airport Expresses be connected via ethernet to an Airport Extreme to extend a single WiFi Network?

I am a big fan of both the Airport Extreme and Airport Express. In my work environment, I need to create a good quality single wireless network around 2 large aircraft hangars and some offices at the perimeters. We have a good quality wired Cat5e ethernet network extended between the buildings and offices now. Is this possible and does it seem like a good practical solution? I think that 4 or 5 Airport expresses would easily provide good wireless coverage in the needed areas.

Can multiple AirPort Expresses be connected via ethernet to an AirPort Extreme to extend a single WiFi Network?
Yes, this will work just fine as long as any individual Ethernet cable run will not exceed much over 330 feet or about 100 meters.

Extending Range of Airport Extreme via LAN connection to Airport Express

I am an expat living overseas. I live in a 100 concrete walled house and thus when trying to set up a wireless network I have very limited range. Using Airport Extreme is not a problem downstairs...but to extend the wireless connection upstairs had been a challenge. What I've attempted to do is use the LAN connection on the back of the Airport Express Base Station and run the line upstairs along the side of the house into a room upstairs. I then have connected the ethernet line to an airport express in this room. My computers upstairs recognize the Airport Express and are connected to it...but I can't get an internet connection to those computers. Additionally, the Airport Extreme Base Station does not recognize the Airport Express as part of the network (wireless or LAN). Any suggestions?

I would bring the Expresses to the room where you have your Extreme and factory reset the Expresses so that they are in the original condition when they came out of the box - they will reflect their Apple IDs.
I would then open the Airport Utility (I am assuming you have the new Extreme, not the old one). Scan for the Expresses and then join them to the network.
If they work in the room where your Extreme is located then they are configured appropriately. They I would try moving them back to the room where you want to extend your network. If they then do not work you will know it is not the Express but the amount of concrete and metal in your building.

Can I extend my network by connecting one of my airport express devices to my airport extreme via an ethernet cable? I have CAT5 cable throughout my house but have a wireless network w/ 3 airport expresses

Can I extend my wireless network by connecting one of my airport express devices to my airport extreme via an ethernet cable? I have a wireless network with 3 airport expresses and 1 airport extreme functioning as the base station. I have CAT5 throughout my house.

Welcome to the discussions, mib88!
Can I extend the network a second time with another Airport Express...
The short answer would be no. If you want more details, please continue to the next paragraph.
Apple's "extend a wireless network" works just like the hub and spokes of a wheel. Your main hub is either the Time Capsule or the AirPort Extreme and the AirPort Express is at the end of a spoke. You can add more devices at the ends of other spokes, but these devices will communicate directly to the hub, not to another device at the end of a spoke.
Apple does offer an option which is is known as a "static WDS", which can consist of a "main", "relay" and "remote" device. The problem here is that this type of setup has two huge drawbacks:
1) All of your faster "n" devices will drop down to much slower "g" speeds
2) The bandwidth or speed capability on the network will drop down to only 25% of the original bandwidth with a "main", "relay" and "remote" on the network.
Don't think you want this on your network. Your best option is to connect the new AirPort Express to the "hub" using an ethernet connection. If you can't run the ethernet cable, take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by sending the ethernet signal over the AC powerline in your home.

Extending and airport extreme network with wired connection to a express

I am getting fed up of deadspots in my house that now seem to have become much worse recently. After giving up on configuring my extreme router to avoid issues I now want to extend the network.
If I put in a network cable from the extreme router to an airport express on the other side of the house can this be configured to be the same wireless network?
I know express routers have an option of extending the network is this for wired or wireless or both and if I do this will it show up as one wireless network with no interference issues?. At the moment I am planning on getting an express airport and using some of those power cable ethernet adapters to link the two routers up should this work okay?
Many thanks
Andy

Welcome to the discussions, Andy!
If I put in a network cable from the extreme router to an airport express on the other side of the house can this be configured to be the same wireless network?
Yes, post back if you need more details about this.
and if I do this will it show up as one wireless network with no interference issues?
There will be no interference issues between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express. However, if you live in an area with a number of other wireless networks around you, or you have cordless phones, there may well be some interference issues to tackle.
I am planning on getting an express airport and using some of those power cable ethernet adapters to link the two routers up
That should work assuming that both ethernet powerline adapters will be on the same master electrical circuit. I would suggest that you get a clear understanding of the store's return policy though...just in case.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Hi Everyone, I am Sreedhar , I need to extend the Wireless Network which is connected through cable in Airport Express, Without Airport Extreme Base Station is there any way to extend my WIFI

Need Help

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

How to set-up new Airport Express to extend range of Airport Extreme

Purchased a new Airport Express to use it as a range extender on existing home network with an operating Airport Extreme base station. While I've read instructions, I'm unclear whether the Express needs to be connected by ethernet cable for its initial setup, or can I simply plug it and initialize it wirelessly onto the same household network? (I've tried the latter but without success).

to edex67 and Bob Timmons:
My objective is to extend the wireless range of the Airport Extreme base station wirelessly - so I do appreciate that the Airport Express would needsto be located haflway between the base station and the "dead zone" area.
The suggestion of using a Powerline ethernet connection to the Airport Express has merit (especially as I have one available).
I continue to use OSX 10.6.8 - does this affect my set-up in any way?
My problem had been - and remains - how to configure the Airport Express in range extend mode - I did click these boxes on both the Extreme base station and the Express, however the Express still has flashing amber lights and error codes - one indicating no internet availability on the Airport Express.

How do I include my Airport Express with my base Airport Extreme to extend my in house wireless network??

How do I set up wireless network extension/expansion adding Airport Express to existing Airport Extreme Network??

OK, thanks for the clear information, this really helps.
Locate the AirPort Express about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area that needs more wireless signal coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express, the better the performance will be.
Power off the AirPort Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button firmly...and keep holding for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power cord back into the back of the AirPort Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
This process is tricky.....you almost have to have 3 hands to do this.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, the setup is almost too easy to be true. In that case.....
Tap on Settings (gear icon) on the home screen
Tap on WiFi
Under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station....
Tap on AirPort Express
The utility will analyze things for a minute, then suggest that the Express be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network
Type in a device name that you want to use, then tap Next
The utility will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done and you are good to go.
If you want to use the Mac running (10.6.8) for the setup.......
Make sure that the wireless is turned on at the Mac
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab under the row of icons
Enter a device name for the AirPort Express
Enter a device password for the AirPort Express
Verify the device password
Adjust the Time Zone setting
No other adjustments are needed here
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Set the Wireless Mode to Extend a Wireless Network
Click on the Wireless Network Name box and your AirPort Extreme network name should appear as a choice. Click to select that....or manually enter the exact name of the AirPort Extreme wireless network
Make sure that Wireless Security is set to use WPA2 Personal
Enter the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Verify the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Click Update at the lower right of the window and wait a full minute for the Express to restart. A green light on the Express at this point will be a very good sign that things are up and running correctly.
Your Mac will automatically select the AirPort with the best signal quality. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you may need to manually turn off the WiFi when you move the device near another AirPort, and then turn WiFi back on to get the iOS device to connect to the best signal.
Good luck, please post on your results with the method that you choose.

Airport express connection to extend airport extreme

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