Airport Express extending Time Capsule Range

I have a fairly old Airport Express. 2-3 years old. Does this mean its not possible to extend the range on my Time Capsule running as main wireless? I just want to extend the range, but tried to join the network my Time Capsule was running (while backing up my Macbook Pro).
I'm wondering, was it unable to join because my Time Capsule was currently backing up files? Or is it unable to do so because of the 802.11n (or lack thereof).
Hope this makes some sense. Thanks

You can extend the wireless range of the Time Capsule (TC) with the older 802.11g AirPort base stations in a configuration known as a Wireless Distribution System (WDS). However, note that the new combined network will only operate in the 802.11g radio mode.
Here are the basic steps in configuring a WDS with these two devices:
(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 for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS.)
o Perform a "hard" reset on the Time Capsule (TC) and a "factory default" reset on the 802.11b/g AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
Main Base Station Setup - TC
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the TC.
o Open AirPort Utility.
o Select the TC, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base
Station menu.
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 AX.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup - AX
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the AX.
o Open AirPort Utility.
o Select the AX, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
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.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

Similar Messages

Airport express / extreme / Time Capsule Range

Airport express / extreme / Time Capsule Range
Can anyone please tell me what is the approximate range of Apple Airport Products.
While doing sell in Apple store customer always ask us this question and we don't had any answer for it.
So please if anyone has the answer do reply on this.
- - - Akshay k. (ACMT)

The range is about 50 meters or 150 feet.....but this assumes that the AirPort is being used in a very large open space like a aircraft hangar.....with no obstructions in the signal path.
Chances are, your home is laid out a bit differently, so without knowing a number of variable factors like.....
1) How many walls there will be in the signal path between wireless devices
2) The actual construction type of the walls, ceilings, etc
3) Heavy furniture, large mirrors, etc. in the signal path
4 ) Other wireless networks around your home
5) Other wireless devices like cordless phones, BlueTooth devices, etc.
It would be impossible to tell you what the actual range might be in your home.
In general, assuming normal modern home construction, you would not want the wireless signal to pass through more than 2 or 3 walls....since each wall will absorb on average about 15-25% of the wireless signal. A ceiling will absorb even more because of its thickness.

Airport Express extending Time Capsule network causes network failure?

I have a 1GB Time Capsule used as my 'main' wireless access point for my home network. I purchased an Airport Express for use about halfway through across the home so that I could play iTunes music in that area... no problem. That works. However my office is also right next to the Airport Express.
So if the Airport Express is -not- plugged in I have a great signal from the Time Capsule and things work without a hitch. Once I plug the Airport Express in, every 20~30min my MacBook Pro shows I have a full-power network connection, but it wont actually do anything. I have to turn off the MacBook's wireless, then turn it back on... then again it only works for a short while. If I unplug the Airport Express this is no longer an issue. :/
So I know the Airport Express is part of the issue. But also, I know it must be setup correctly since I can go all the way to the back of the house and have a network connection [when normally without the Express I would not have a connection at all]. Clearly it's extending the network.
Any ideas why my MacBook might be getting 'stuck'? I'm relatively new to Apple gear, but long time PC user and very skilled with networking... but never experienced anything like this... but also this is the first time I've ever extended a network.
Open to any suggestions... thanks all!

Welcome to the discussion area!
Something is wrong, whether it's an incorrect setting or a defective AirPort Express because the "extend" setup normally works very well. I've gone 3-4 months with no problems at all since I added an Express last fall and the network is up 24/7.
Check to make sure that your MacBook is actually connecting to the AirPort Express (AX) as follows:
Open AirPort Utility, click on the AirPort Express and note the AirPort ID for the AX
Hold down the option key on your computer and click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen and you will see details about the connection. You should see the AirPort ID of the AX. If not, you are not connecting to it.
You can also check a few settings using AirPort Utility to see if the Time Capsule (TC) and AX are setup to "extend".
For the TC:
Click Manual Setup and click the Wireless tab below the icons
Wireless Mode should be "Create a wireless network"
There should be a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
For the AX:
Click Manual Setup and the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode should be "extend a wireless network"
Network Name should be the name of the TC network
Check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Security and Password settings are the same as the TC
Is that what you see?

Best way to extend wireless via airport express and time capsule

best way to extend wireless via airport express and time capsule
i live in a two storey house where i use my airport express to create a wireless network in the main floor, and time capsule to extend it in the upper floor, where my room is. i have like 16 mbps in the main floor, and 2-3 mbps in the upper floor after having speediest.
i used time capsule in the upper floor because i use wireless backup daily and don't want to put internet down while i im doin it and consequently my parent can have internet access in the main floor, am i right? or do i have make just the opposite in order to have a good internet speed?
secondly, while checking airport express wireless mode on airport utility, there is like 4 different type of radio mode(802 11n bg comp, 802 11n 2.4, 802 11n a comp, 802 11n 5ghz) which i have no idea what they mean
what do you recommend?
we have like iphone4, iphone 3g, mbookpro, ipad, ipad 2, samsung tv and a sony vaio laptop in the wireless network
thank you

What you have would appear to be working but I can comment how I would redefine your setup. Note that both Airport Express and Time Capsule can function as wireless base stations so you do have wireless everywhere and at all times — using the Time Capsules for backups doesn’t mean your parents won’t have internet access regardless of the where the base stations are located.
You appear to have devices to connect to your network that use the 2.4 GHz band with 802.11g such as the iPhone 3G and perhaps the 5 GHz band with 802.11n such as likely the Macbook Pro if it’s a recent model. The iPhone 4 can use 5 GHz and 802.11n. Can’t comment on the Sony and Samsung but you can check their specs.
Now the Time Capsule (if it’s a recent version), can simultaneously supply 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band signals, but the Airport Express (if it’s recent) can only use one of those bands at one time. Likely the lowest common denominator for your devices is going to be the 2.4 GHz band since the devices that are capable of using 5 GHZ also support 2.4 GHz. If you don’t use 5 GHz, you won’t lose much in a two-storey home because likely it’s the 2.4 GHz band is better signal anyway because 5 GHz signals drop off quickly with several walls/floors to penetrate.
You also didn’t mention if the Airport Express is used to support a printer and/or AirPlay (using iTunes to play on remote speakers via the Airport Express connection) but that might also be a factor in the best location to place the Airport Express. Although the printer could be switched between the Time Capsule and the Airport Express if needed, only the Airport Express will support your remote speakers.
Recommend you use the Time Capsule as the Base station. When using Airport Utility to define the network, after you name your network, etc., select the Wireless tab, check the box “Allow this network to be extended” and set the Radio Mode to "802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)”.
Using the Airport Utility, click on the Airport Express; after you define the device and network name, select the Wireless tab, define the Wireless Mode as “Extend a Wireless Network” and check the box “Allow wireless clients”.
Hope that helps.

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range.

You cannot extend wifi from a different brand router..
Only apple to apple.
But the apple router does not have to be the main router.. it can be in bridge.. as long as it is creating a wireless network it will work fine.

Conflicts with Airport Express and Time Capsule

I am using Airport Express and Time Capsule at the same time. Connection to the web is via a router. Very often I do have conflicts. How shall I connect the gadgets? At the moment I connect the router to Airport Express (network cable).
Time machine back up doesn't work properly.
Is there anybody able to help me?
Regards

What broadband type do you have?
It can be impossible to plug a TC into the existing connection because the virgin media router has special setup or logins which are not revealed to end users.
If it is a fibre connection for instance the TC may simply not work. They have issues with many fibre ISP putting the gateway address outside the subnet of the main public IP.. (don't worry if it is too technical .. it amounts to .. it don't work! )
You may need to wait until Sat.
Get in a big supply of home videos or something and try and starve off your addiction.

Airport express and time capsule config?

I have an airport express for Wi-Fi internet and printing. I have purchased a time capsule as a back -up drive to work with time machine. Should I
set it up seperately from the airport express or
replace airport express with time capsule ?
What's the best config and can I retqin existing netwrok ID and password?
Thanks for pointing me in right direction.

Hi Yoreilly:
i'm not sure just what setup is right for you. and i'm sure the newer Airport Express is way improved over mine (got mine few yrs ago). but my Airport express works as extension from your Time Cap Wi-Fi. Airport does not put out wireless Wi-Fi signal on it's own.
1> if yours can take your phone line & send out Wi-fi signal on it's own, then more power to you/ & you could sell back your Time Cap & just have a WD backup drive, or seagate external drive for less.
2> otherwise, your airport express needs to connect to your Time Cap, to answer you #2.
3> usually the application helps where you have dead spots in your house, or your location of Time Cap can't reach places in your house where U need Wi-Fi signal, or where you can't thread an ethernet cable out to your printer or device.
not sure how you are setup with your wireless printer now. but if your setup allows you to print by only using the Airport Exp, sure you can use the TimeCap separately as it's own Back-up drive. the thing is it has Wi-fi capability that you wouldn't be using with that setup.
hope this helps, & didn't confuse,
m

Printing completely broken on both airport express and time capsule

Printing seems to be broken on both my old time capsul, generation one, and a new airport express. Here's what happens.
1. Connect printer directly to the Mac and everything prints fine.
2. Reconnect printer to the Airport or timecapsule. Delete all the printers. Power cycle everything. Add printer. Print and it keeps trying to connect to the printer forever.
It use to work and it may have been a recient firmware update that broke it. Any help would be appreciated. I've been through all of the support documents and still nothing. The printer is an old Epson Stylus R280. I'm running 10.9 with all the latest drivers and updates.

If you want to run a N speeds, run a cable from Time Capsule to Airport Express, set Time Capsule as your primary router, and turn off DHCP on Airport Express. This will create two networks, your Express will have one SSID, and the Time Capsule another SSID. One G network and one N network. Don't include the express in your network, keep it separate from Time Capsule to avoid it from coming down to G speeds. Make sense?

Cannot connect Airport Express to Time Capsule?

I had an existing wireless network with an Airport Extreme base that was extended with a first generation Airport Express. I replaced the Airport Extreme with Time Capsule because I needed the backup drive. Now I can't get the Express to integrate. When I try to bring it online, it brings everything down. I've reset it back to its defaults and am installing as if its new. The problem is that it brings everything else down. The two are connected via ethernet. For now I've had to take the Express offline until I can find a solution. Any advice?

Welcome to the discussions!
I don't have a solid answer yet to your issue, but would offer a few comments that might help sort things out.
I'm confused by your statement that you are able to extend the 2.4 GHz network, because the dual band TC does not allow the guest network to be extended. Check AirPort Utility - Manual Setup. Click the Wireless tab. I don't have a dual band TC, but I believe if you click the Options button, you will see more info about extending.
While there is a check box next to "Allow this network to be extended" for the main network, there is not a check box for the "Guest" network. It's not there, or least it's not there in the guide that I'm looking at.
I suspect that your computer was picking up the 2.4 GHz network from the TC, not from your Extreme. To verify this, open AirPort Utility again and click on Manual Setup for the TC. On the summary page, note the MAC address for wireless on the TC. Now, do the same thing for the Extreme.
Use your computer now to check things. Hold down the option key and click on the Airport icon at the top of the screen. The MAC address of the device that you are connected to will be displayed.
Have you tried to move the Extreme to a more remote location? You note that you have the two devices, TC and Extreme very close together. As a test, position the Extreme approximately half way between the TC and the area that you want to extend to and see if you can connect with your computer. Check to see if your computer is connecting to the Extreme or the TC by holding down the option key as above.
You have probably already done this, but check on the setup for the Extreme using AirPort Utility - Manual Setup - Wireless tab. There is a check box either on the Wireless page or the Options page to "Allow wireless clients". This must be checked for wireless clients to be able to connect to the the Extreme.
Post back with your findings and we'll try to figure this out.

Airport Express w/Time Capsule drops connection

I just integrated my new Time Capsule into our all-Mac network here a couple of days ago and its been fine for the most part but I've noticed that the existing airport express flashes amber for a few seconds every so often (usually once per hour or so) and disconnects everyone sharing files and connections. I have Leopard Server 10.5.2 running as well and this didn't seem to be happening before introducing Server to the mix (it was connected about 48 hours AFTER the time capsule) but the problem seems to lie with the Airport Express. Things are connected as follows:
Cable modem --> Airport Extreme
Airport Extreme --> 2 ethernet connections to Macs, 1 ethernet connection to Time Capsule
Time Capsule --> 1 ethernet connection to Mac Mini running Leopard Server
I have bridge mode set up and a couple of portables connected to it as well as an Apple TV, all of these seem to be connecting and staying connected just fine - it's the two Mac's connected directly to the Airport Extreme that get hit - the light on the unit (AE) flashes amber for maybe 2-3 seconds and I lose connection to any other macs I was connected to - I can easily re-connect with no problems at all but its obviously kind of a pain when you're working on files from the server, etc. and everything more or less locks up while OS X loses these connections.
Does anyone have any insight into why this might be happening? I've never had any trouble with this prior to Time Capsule/Leopard Server, both of which I allowed to more or less set their own settings on the Airport Extreme figuring that it isn't too complex a set up or anything, it's not like we're a full on 20 client office here or something, just 5 total macs, no pc's, etc.
any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I'm running into exactly the same problem. Configuration is the same as Jackoschild's. I get about an hour of good connection, then signal drops off and I get a rapid set of connects then disconnects. Very frustrating. I'm considering turning off the Airport on the Time Capsule and going with my 54g wireless built-in to the FIOS router it is attached to. Total of two iMacs running 10.5.2 (one 20" G5, one 24" iMac) and four PCs (Windows XP SP2) demonstrating the problem. I NEVER had a drop issue with the FIOS ActionTek wireless.
Any solutions?

How to extend wireless with airport express and time capsule

So, I have a time capsule & because of the thick walls in my apartment, I can barely use my ipad and iphone at night in my bedroom! (my macbookPRO stays at 3 bars however!)
I bought an airport express thinking I could plug it closer to or inside my bedroom to boost the signal - but it doesn't seem to work that way - any tips on how to set this up?
TWO ADDITIONAL Qs:
Does connecting directly to my time capsule (which i'm assuming i'd need another ethernet cable) help with the boost? (then negates the other great uses for the airport express it seems)
Isn't there a way to do the boost with the express wirelessly? I'd really love to get wireless speakers, use airplay AND be able to use my devices just two rooms away .... HELP!
thanks so much (when did apple phone support start to be closed on Sundays?)
cheers.

Suggest that you check your setup again to make sure that the settings are correct on both the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.
Open AirPort Utility, select the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Make sure that a check mark is entered next to "Allow this network to be extended".( If the box is not checked, the Time Capsule will not extend to the AirPort Express)
Click Update to save your settings and close AirPort Utility
Next, open AirPort Utility again, select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab
Settings should look like this:
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Time Capsule network
Check mark entered next to "Allow wireless clients"
Wireless Security = Same setting as the Time Capsule
Wireless Password = Same password as the Time Capsule network
Confirm Password
Update to save settings and close AirPort Utility
Locate the AirPort Express approximately half way between the Time Capsule and area that needs more wireless coverage. You may need to experiment on placement to find the best compomise.
Post back on your results.

Extend Airport Express with Time Capsule? So just one Wi-Fi network in my house ? Possible?

Hi!
I did Google and try to get it working at home - but I can't get it to work. I want to be able to walk in my house without my iPhone/iPad loosing the Wi-Fi signal because now there is downstairs and a upstairs wi-fi network.
So the thing I want is.. I got a Airport Express on the ground floor which is for my Wi-Fi network there.
On my 2nd floor I want my Time Capsule to extend this network - so that my iPhone picks that Wi-Fi up straight away. Now when I am upstairs my iPhone is still connected to the wi-fi from downstairs (which it can't reach) and so I am not connected. Which results in me having to manually switch to the upstairs network..
My question : Is it possible to setup a Wi-Fi network downstairs and have my Time Capsule repeat it (so not a new network) for upstairs use?
Hope someone can help me and this is possible!
Thnx in advance!

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
That's possible. See > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

Extending network with Airport Express from Time Capsule Base Station

I have a working Time Capsule wireless base station that's setup and working successfully. I want to extend my network and connect to my stereo for playing via iTunes. I've spent hours trying to get the Airport Express to connect.
What's the correct basic approach? Time Capsule base and adding the AE to the network? Setting up WDS? If anyone has the proper settings for both the TC and the AE I would be very appreciative.

I still say this needs to be addressed by Apple on why there isn't 2 different forums for the old Express or the new Express.... Just like the Extreme Base Station. A lot of time is wasted on the forum on which Express a person has.....
1. Old Express with "g" ????
2. New Express with "n" ????
If you have the old Express, you need to set it up using WDS along with the TC.
If you have a new Express, then you can just check the TC settings for "allow this network to be extended" and set the Express to extend the network. This is much easier than setting up a WDS.
Good Luck
Joseph Kriz

Extending wifi with airport express and time capsule

Hi All
I'm new to macs and moving over in a big way!
I started with a time capsule and all was fine apart from the coverage in the house.
It seemed easy to extend the wifi so purchased an AE 802.11n and extended the network.
It does extend and I can connect to the internet but the network is now really really slow and the time capsule backup wont work.
connection is :
Ethernet modem - Airport express ( as its close to my audio equipment ) - extended WIFI conection via 802.11n.
Any suggestions? why is it so slow?
Im at 7.3.1 firmware on both AE and time capsule and the Macbook pro is at 10.5.3.
Any suggestions?

I've managed to change the 5gHz of ther Airport Express that's extending the network.
As mentioned, main AE is on channel 48, and I now have the 2nd AE on channel 36 - which means my TV can now see the network. Also tested speed via my mavbook air on the same 5gHz network as it all seems OK (A while ago I spotted my Time Capsule was on the same channel 48 as main AE and throughput was abysmal! Bad enough to make me reset the TC to factory defaults and setup again - which is when the TC got channel 120).
Anyway, the fix... I changed the 2nd AE to create a wireless network (instead of extend), and manually set the channel to 36. I then set it back to extend, and it seems to have kept channel 36.

Airport extreme to extend time capsule range - performance degradation

I have a time capsule - had no wireless coverage on my patio. Installed an extreme base station as an extender and the good news is I now have coverage on my patio. Bad news is the performance in my office went from good to bad. Office had thruput of 5Mb per sec before installing the extender to around 300Kb per second after installing the extreme base station as an extender. When I unplug the extreme base station performance in the office goes back to good - 5Mb per second. Of course when I unplug extreme base station I lose coverage on the patio. I thought the network on my mac book pro would pick the transmitter with the strongest signal. When moving to the office I would restart the MACbook PRO to make sure it wasn't still using the same transmitter as when I moved to patio to office. The workaround is to leave the extender unplugged unless I am on the patio - an ugly kludge. Any insight help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

Thanks for all your help and the explanations.
Not looking to beat a dead horse - everything is working to my satisfaction but but my head is spinning on some of this stuff.
Originally on the TC 'Radio Mode' was set to '802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)'.
I changed it to '802.11n only (5Ghz)'. That resolved my issues and I am very happy about that.
Per your post the iphone was not 802.11n capable and my poking around on GOOGLE seems to confirm that.
However, my iphone 3g looks like it is utilizing my wireless network. I see a fan icon vs. 3g icon. When I first take the iphone off sleep, the icon is 3g but it changes to the fan icon. I can confirm it is using my wireless network through an application. The app is IPOD keeper which syncs my passwords. It shows it is picking up an DHCP ip address and port number from my private wireless network. 192.168.2.xxx.
My wife has a first gen iphone and an Ipad - she is out of town and I can't test those devices. If the first gen iphone can't utilize the wireless network - no big deal - it's simply a phone for her. Hopefully the Ipad will work - that is a big deal for her.
I'm always trying to learn and appreciate your time and help.

Airport Express extending Time Capsule Range

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