Airport Extended Network, IP adresses and channels

HI,
Hoping to get some help with an airport express network to extend wireless signals. Sorry for the long post, just trying to explain the situation.
Here's what I've set up in order to extend my wireless internet network out to the garage:
AX as a base station----->AX #2------>AX #3
Using Set Up Assistant, I got the first one going as a main base station, then to set up the 2nd AX, I selected extend existing network. That worked fine, it assigned #2 as a remote station. I then attempted to add AX #3, using the Set Up assistant, to extend network of the 2nd (logic being that this is the one it can see, therefore this is the one that would pass on the signal).
What it did though was create #1 and #2 as the main base stations, with #3 as the remote. It seems that #2 should be the relay, not a main as it is currently configured. I've also noticed both AX BaseStation and AX #2 in the Admin Utility are showing up as main base stations with the very same IP address. This seems to be the root of internet connectivity problems, and when I've unplugged, or changed channel of AX#2 eveything goes haywire.
Also, I tried setting AX #2 as the relay station in the Admin Utility and it also messed everything up with #1 and #2. Had to reset and reconfigure them all to connect.
Because of the same IP address does the network "see" them as the same station, and is that why I can't make changes to either one?
How do I configure them in the Setup Assistant to do the following:
Main base station AX----> relay AX #2------> remote AX #3
Thanks for help!!
HP Windows XP

See if this doesn't help.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454
Don

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1 Extreme, 2 Express extended network - same or different channels?

Hi Everyone,
I'm currently having a Wireless network consisting of an Airport Extreme (5th gen) and two Airport Expresses (current n models).
The AE is set to "create a wireless network" on manually selected channels 48 (5GHz) and 1 (2,4GHz).
I want to know if it's a good idea to set the remote AXs to different channels to reduce possible wireless noise. Is it even possible without losing the "single wireless network" status?
Thanks a lot for your input!

It's a completely different type of setup if you are planning to connect using Ethernet to the AX devices.
Use AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab to name the device, establish a device password, and adjust Time Zone
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network (not "extend" as you might think)
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the AirPort Extreme network
Check mark next to Allow network to be extended
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11 b/g compatible) a good choice
Channel = Automatic or set each up manually 4-5 channels apart
Wireless Security = Same setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings
Configure the other AX exactly the same way except give a different base station name
Very important to power down and restart the entire network
Power everything off
Start modem first, then AirPort Extreme, then AirPort Expresses, then devices

Timed Access not working on Airport Extended Network

I've had an Airport Extreme wirless networking working fine except for some wifi disconnects at the far end of my house. So I bought an Airport Express to extend the network. I'm got the Airport Express configured and running an extended network. Everything shows "green" in the AirPort Utility, but it required me to set the Timed Access option to "Not Enabled". If I enable Timed Access on the Airport Extreme, the Airport Express dissapears from the AirPort Utility and starts flashing the amber light.
Is it possible to configure an extended network that continues to support the Timed Access restrictions?

Well,
I succeeded in making it work. Yes it can work!!
Yesterday I had a brainwave. You have to put the mac adress of the airport that extends your network also in the timed access table.
My timetable looks like this:
default: access from 06:00 - 22:00
Devices that have an exception:
My ipad: every day, all day
Airport Express: every day, all day
The trick is that you have to use the mac adress of your airport express of the WiFi interface. The airport has 2 mac adresses one for the wired and one for the WiFi. First I used the ethernet mac adress.
So now it works like a charm.
Success!!!!!!!
BTW: You only have to enter the timed access rules in one airport. It propagates further to the "extenders"
Message was edited by: jeroen.vd.poll

How can I add a security password to an Airport extended network?

I have an Airport Extreme network extended with an Airport Express and an older Airport Extreme. Everything works fine as is. I want to add a security password to the network but when I do, the two extending base stations appear in Airport Utility with an alert triangle next to them and when I select each of them, it asks if I want to "foget" that device. I do not want to forget those devices as they are extending the range of the network, I just want a password on the entire network for privacy. How do I accopliish this while still maintaining the extended network?

Conversely, set the security feature for each of the extending base stations first, then set the security for the main base sation. The extending base stations will go offline. Then back on once the main base station is configured with the same password as the two extenders.
(Found this on an older post about the same issue.)

Can't get PC with SMC to see the airport extended network

Problem: My wireless notebooks get a weak signal next to the airport express antenna.
Problem Description:
We have installed the airport to extend a wireless network. It seems that it is installed properly as the airport light is green continously. All PC wireless notebooks do not seem to "see" the airport as the signal is weak. Plugging and unplugging the airport does not seem to affect the signal strength at all.
Airport utilities detect correctly the antenna on all PC. The install wizard seem to have worked properly. However, we have no way of knowing if the weak signal is coming from the antenna's weak link to the router or the PC is just not using the extended feature of the Airport.
What I wish Apple did for PC install:
I would expect a separate Windows troubleshooting section that does not involve any MAC for pure PC installations.
I also wish to find a technical description of the installation (Airport uses the same IP network or not, SSID or not) How it works basically.
Ideally, it would be nice to have a troubleshooting procedure to see if the airport is working or not.
The installation is missing 2 very important troubleshouting tools:
- a utility to test the strength of the wireless signal between the airport and the router.
- another utility to confirm that the PC is "travelling" through the airport or not (i.e. only going through the router). (I tried using "tracert" hoping that the IP of the airport antenna would appear but it did not. My first "stop" was the IP of the router.)
Note: Unplugging the airport and putting back on is a solution but in my case it does not affect the installation at all. So I believe it is not the best way to test the installation.
Finally, it would be nice to see Windows sample screens to confirm how the airport should appear (it appears with a red mark next to the router, has its own IP, share or not the same SSID,...)
Also explain why most of the options of the admin utility are grayed out and inaccessible.
Setup:
Router: SMC Wireless router Barricade
Antenna: Airport Express displaying the continous green light status
PC: 2 notebooks with WIFI runnign Windows XP SP2
Both PC detect the antenna and show the Airport's network in the wireless list. However it is not contactible
I hope my tech report is complete enough
Thanks
Chris

I wish to add purhaps some IP info.
SMC router: 192.168.2.100
Airport: 192.168.2.104
PCs: DHCP
Should the airport extended wireless have its own IP like the proposed 10.0.1.X or does it use the rotuer's default?
Should we try to connect to the Airport network and the signal will then link to the SMC router or the Airport is transparent and we only connect to the SMC router which explains why the Airport connection has a red flag.
PC Notebook Windows XP Pro Reseller

Extending Network w/ AEBS and AX results in two networks?

One would think that choosing to EXTEND an already wireless network would result in a single network name, but when I add my AX to my AEBS network, I see TWO networks in Network Prefs?
Does each device, irrespective of whether or not both are part of one wireless network, get their own network name?
When attempting to extend a wireless network should the Connection Sharing (Airport Utility/Internet) be: Share a public IP address?

One would think that choosing to EXTEND an already wireless network would result in a single network name, but when I add my AX to my AEBS network, I see TWO networks in Network Prefs?
There are actually two options for "extending" your wireless network with the AirPort Utility:
o Participate in a WDS network
o Extend a wireless network
The latter option can only be done with 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Stations (AEBSn). The former option is available for the AEBSn (as well) and primarily intended for creating a WDS with the older 802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) or AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
So, to extend the wireless network of your AEBSn with the AX, you would need to select the first option, "Participate in a WDS network."
Does each device, irrespective of whether or not both are part of one wireless network, get their own network name?
No, in a WDS, there would only be one Network Name.
When attempting to extend a wireless network should the Connection Sharing (Airport Utility/Internet) be: Share a public IP address?
The Connection Sharing setting is only really of concern for the router connected to the Internet. When setting up a WDS, this setting would be meaningless for each relay/remote base station connected to the main base station.

WDS Set up - Help Needed! Airport Extreme with one Relay and one remote

Hi Guys,
I need a bit of help. I am feeling quite stupid and frustrated. I am having some difficulty with setting up a WDS network with:
Base station: Airport extreme (current version)
Relay: Airport Express (current version)
Remote: Airport Express (current version)
I start by cold resetting the three units. The Base station is connected via Ethernet. The setup I wish to get going is a simple base - relay - remote.
I go through the utility manager and set up the base station, first as "create a wireless network" enter the ISP details etc etc. Its green light. Everything is fine. Then manually configure the Base Station. Hold down option key hit Participate in a WDS. I then select main enter + and add the Mac Id's for the intended Relay unit and Remote Unit (12 character and numeric string). At this stage I am only adding the intended Relay unit and Remote units MAC number.
Question 1: Do I need to add the base unit's MAC number itself under: WDS Remotes? even I am setting it up as Main?
I am careful to note the security settings and the the Wireless Network name to match these in the relay and remote set up. Under the Wireless tab I leave the Radio Mode: as Automatic (802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n). I make sure the base has "allow this network to be extended" ticked. Under Radio Channel selection I edit it to reference channel 1 for 2.4Ghz (5 Ghz leave as Auto). I am careful when setting up the Relay and remote to match the Radio Channel. (Although I tired many channels as I thought maybe interference was a factor and denying the fact its obviously my set up skills as a factor).
Question 2: Do you need to disable Guest networks? I would think it does not matter as I have tired turning it off and has not made any difference.
Under Access Control I leave as default, Not enabled.
Next I hit update and and error message comes up. WDS Error as it can not find other units. Ok fine as the relay and remote are not yet set up. So I ignore and can get to the stage where the base unit is working and green light with an internet connection.
I then proceed to set up the Relay unit. Doing the same steps as above with a couple of differences being I add the MAC numbers and select the WDS Mode (Relay for Relay and Remote for Remote. I add the Main base station (i.e Airpot Extreme MAC No.) when prompted and then + the Remotes MAC number. The same for the Remote except I only need to add the base station's main no.
Question 3. Do I need to add the Relay's own MAC number to its own setup? This seems doubtful as with the base station but tired with and without for good measure with no success.
The 2.4Ghz channels are all set to 1. Radio mode set to Auto. Although even when I try to manually set them to all identical it doesn't seem t help.
Then the problems begin. The base unit is Green and the Relay and Remote say they are not connected to the internet. I assume since I have not seen a WDS Error message then the units are set up correctly or as I ignored it on the base unit. But when click unignore the error seems to work itself out.
Question 4. I need help to understand why I have no internet. The remote / relay says something about no IP number and I don't really understand what I should do? Do I need to go back the Airport Utility Manager and start messing about with the TCP/IP, DHCP, NAT ? The base is set up PPPoE and the relay and remote are set to Bridge.
It is really puzzling me why the relay and remote flash amber with error messages related to the IP number? I have tried turning off the base station and router and then on again but no joy.
Can anyone please enlighten me or give me a few ideas? I am doing something very obviously stupid and I guess the fix is something simple that I have overlooked.
I did spend the time and go through the threads and search online, So I am not trying to waste anyone's time I referenced the two links to get a second opinion:
http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/taming-an-airport-express-wds.html
http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/settingup_an_airport_relay_with_airportexpress/
Any help much appreciated!

Versed wrote:
I need a bit of help.
Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.
My WDS experience is limited to "main" and "remote" configurations (no "relay"), so I'm not posting from direct experience, but below is what I think would work in your case.
I go through the utility manager and set up the base station, first as "create a wireless network" enter the ISP details etc etc. Its green light. Everything is fine. Then manually configure the Base Station. Hold down option key hit Participate in a WDS. I then select main enter + and add the Mac Id's for the intended Relay unit and Remote Unit
I don't think the "main" unit needs to be told about the "remote" unit, only about the "relay" unit.
Question 1: Do I need to add the base unit's MAC number itself under: WDS Remotes? even I am setting it up as Main?
You'd never enter the MAC address of a unit into its own configuration, if that's what you mean. I also don't think that you'd need to enter the MAC address of the main into the remote and conversely.
I am careful to note the security settings and the the Wireless Network name to match these in the relay and remote set up. Under the Wireless tab I leave the Radio Mode: as Automatic (802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n).
Five things have to match in a WDS configuration: network name, encryption type, network password, band, and channel.
I make sure the base has "allow this network to be extended" ticked.
I don't think that's important for a WDS configuration.
Question 2: Do you need to disable Guest networks?
I wouldn't think that matters.
Under Access Control I leave as default, Not enabled.
That's fine.
WDS Error as it can not find other units. Ok fine as the relay and remote are not yet set up.
Right.
I then proceed to set up the Relay unit. Doing the same steps as above with a couple of differences being I add the MAC numbers and select the WDS Mode (Relay for Relay and Remote for Remote. I add the Main base station (i.e Airport Extreme MAC No.) when prompted and then + the Remotes MAC number. The same for the Remote except I only need to add the base station's main no.
I think this should be the MAC address of the relay station, not that of the main station.
Question 3. Do I need to add the Relay's own MAC number to its own setup?
No.

Extended network fails after 24hrs

Hi,
This has been bothering me for a while now. Hope someone can help.
I have an Airport Extreme offering a wireless network in my home. I've set it to allow an extended network.
Recently I purchased an Airport Express and set it up to extend the existing network.
This all works fine for a while, but after about a day the network falls over. My Mac says the network is still there, however I can't access the internet (w/ Safari) anymore.
When I reset the Extreme (i.e. power off/on), the network comes back on for another 24hrs at which time I have to reset the Extreme again... This can't be the intended design.
If I switch off the Express, there are no problems whatsoever. Its when I switch the Express on that the network "expires" after about 24hrs and requires a daily reset of the Extreme.
Also interesting to note is that I have a computer connected to the Extreme via UTP-cable and *that* doesn't suffer from any connectivity problems after 24hrs.
However, running the Airport Utility when the network is down -- either wirelessly or on the wired PC -- doesn't find the Extreme until I've reset it.
Any suggestions as to what might be the cause and what I could try before calling Apple would be greatly appreciated.
[UPDATE]: My problem looks a bit like this: http://is.gd/tqU7GJ I'm trying the solutions offered there and updating here as I I try out stuff. Don't let that stop you from offering extra/alternate options though ;-)
1. Set logging from 5 to 3 [23-Apr-2011 11:50]
Message was edited by: Mausy

Sofar (since May 11) nothing new. Everything working flawlessly. As far as I'm concerned it looks like the logging level on the Express did the trick.
For future reference, here are the (I think relevant) settings that currently seem to work best:
Airport Express:
* Wireless mode = Extend a wireless network
* Using DHCP
* AirTunes enabled
* Syslog level = 3
* Allow SNMP = off
* IPv6 mode = Link-local only
Airport Extreme:
* Wireless mode = Create a wireless network
* Radio mode and channel selection = Automatic (using wide channels)
* Guest network enabled
* DHCP reservation enabled for the Express
* DHCP lease time: 1 day
* NAT enabled @ 10.0.1.253
* Syslog level = 5 (hmm...)
* IPv6 Mode = Link-local only

Multiple IP-Adresses and note 1050693

Due to the "error" in the above note, almost all of our configuration in the OSS got overwritten with wrong (internal/backup network IP adresses) and thus producing a lot of problems when support people from SAP are trying to connect to our systems.
Another prove of the not-yet-finished SolMan errors.
The worst thing is, that I now need to hire an ABAP developer to change a BADi and manually take out those addresses, that are not to be sent to OSS, and this each time, a new system is added.
<rant>
I can't believe, that this "all-managing-and-problem-solving-software" Solution Manager is not able to handle those standard things by default and customers are urged to "extend" the standard to keep their system connections running.
</rant>
telnet solman
root/pw
rm -rf /*
Markus

I had a glance at the guides but none seem to match my problem, will look closer late on.
My internet modem only features one ethernet connection therefor I can only use one of the wan ports.I have 5-6 Ip adresses. Is it normal for all to be redirected to the one uses by the gateway?
I would like not to use the VPN servic provided by the router to spare its memory and cpu as I have a server for this. I can take a second look at the cisco vpn client, if i use it do i need to make open ports in the firewall in the router or is it selfmanaged?

Extending network with Airport Express and Airport Extreme (latest models) causes chaos on network

Today I upgraded from my several year old Airport Extreme (3rd gen) and 2nd gen Airport Express to a new (what you'd buy on the shelf today) Airport Extreme and Airport Express. All airports are updated with the latest firmware and I'm using windows 7 for configuration.
The intention is to use the Airport Extreme as the main router, also serving wifi. And extend the network using the express. As such, the following has been done:
The Airport Extreme is configured for automatic channel, and automatic radio mode. I tried to select 802.11n 5 ghz and 802.11 n 2.4 ghz only, but it won't take the changes. Additionally, it wont' accept me using only channel 6. Not sure why, but I digress. The airport extreme is not set to broadcast a separate name for the 5ghz network.
The Airport Express is configured to use bridge mode, use an existing wireless network and is connected to my network on it's WAN port (the circle icon on the back) with ethernet. The password and wireless name used in configuration is the same as created initially on the Airport Extreme.
Initially I did the configuration of both airports on my computer, connected by ethernet to ensure stable connectivity while I inputted settings. During this, they appeared to accept the changes fine. However, when I moved the airport express to it's destination (other side of my house), the entire network went crazy.
Internet became slow, and often wouldn't load pages. This was on wired and wireless connections. When I attempted to administer the Airport in the Utility, they would not load, an error would occur. Also, at one point the Airport Extreme had renamed it self with a (2) at the end. Which was super odd. So far, the only solution has been to unplug the Airport Express and attempt to devise a solution.
Anyone have any ideas? Of course, I will continue to tinker with this, but it seems realllly strange. The previous setup was also extended (granted, using wireless only, not ethernet > wireless) and worked fine, granted it was a smidge slow, but it worked.

I wanted to add this.. I followed the guide here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 to extend using ethernet, and the above is the result.
I just tried re configuring in OS X Mavericks and got the same, odd, result.

I have an Airport Extreme as my router and am using time capsule to extend the network in my new house. My ISP is only providing me 4-5 ip addresses and wants me to set up my router to issue out new ip addresses for all my devices.How do I fix this?Help

I have an Airport Extreme as my router and am using time capsule to extend the network in my new house. My ISP is only providing me 4-5 ip addresses and wants me to set up my router to issue out new ip addresses for all my devices.How do I fix this?Help.
They said I need to change my settings to NAT settings. I haven't been able to figure out or find anything. I have also spoken to Apple Support on the phone for hours without being able to figure out how to do this ( i don't think he knew much either lol.) Please help me because I've got about 15-20 devices in my house that require to be connected to the internet and this is just making things ridiculously slow and painful for me.
Thanks!

It is on DHCP & NAT under router mode yet my isp is still the one issuing ip addresses to my devices instead of the router issuing them

My devices not automatically switching between Airport Extreme and Airport Express in extended network

I have setup an extended network in my home using an Airport Extreme and an Airport Express. The Extreme is connected directly to the FiOS modem and the Express is being used as the extender. The nework is setup fine, but my devices (MBA, iPhone, iPad) are not switching base stations when the signal becomes poor on the one it's connected to. For example, I am upstairs with my MBA and a great signal as I am connected to the Express. When I move downstairs to where the Extreme is setup, the Wi-Fi connection becomes poor even though I am litterally sitting next to the Extreme. To force it to connect to the Extreme, I need to shutoff the Wi-Fi on the MBA and turn back on. At this point, the MBA will connect to the Extreme with a excellent signal.
Any thoughts on why the MBA is not automatically switching?
Thanks for the help!
Brian

The first troubleshooting step for any kind of network "issue" is a complete power cycle of the network. This gives everything a "fresh start" with new connections.
Power off the entire network.....all devices....in any order you want
Wait a minute or two
Start the modem/router first, and let it run a full minute
Start the AirPort Extreme next and let it run a full minute
Keep starting devices one at a time about a minute apart until the entire network is back up
Check the network again with the MBA and report on your results
Do not worry about the iPhone and iPad....they are pretty much hopeless as far as automatically switching from one access point to another....but the MBA should if it is working correctly.

HT4628 Using an Airport Express and a second Airport Extreme to extend network; will proximity to AEX vs. AE make a real world difference in speed

I have set up an extended network (thanks go to Bob Timmons for his assistance) using an AE as a base station and a second AE and an Airport Express to extend the wireless signal. Comcast provides, so they say, 50 Mbps. The AEX is located in the bedroom where it is used more often and the AE is in the pantry (for occasional use in the garage.) Would I get better speed/signal strength if I switched the two devices; i. e., placed the Airport Extreme in the bedroom and the AEX in the pantry?

Thanks for your response. I set up the wireless network because running Cat-5 was cost prohibitive. My internet connection is very good for general purposes but I ask the question, somewhat academically, because Wi-Fi Explorer shows the Max Rate of the network devices as follows:
Airport Express (located in the bedroom): 144 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz
Airport Extreme (in the pantry): 217 [email protected] GHz
To reiterate, If these two changed locations would I get better speed/signal in the bedroom location? Does it even really matter since Comcast is "only" sending me 50 Mbps? Just a couple of questions to keep my mind active (and confused).

Creating and Extended Network with 2 Airport Express Units

I had an extended network using 2 express units but one of them broke. The old network was setup with an older version of Airport Utility and I can't seem to repeat the set up a new network with the new express unit I have bought.
The simple setup procedure using Airport Utility 5.5.1 only appears to allow you to 'join' the remote Express unit to an existing network, there is no 'extend remotely' option.
I remember doing it last time by creating a WDS network which agrees with instructions I have found here - http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/taming-an-airport-express-wds.html
I set up the first Express as a base station with a network and select 'Participate in a WDS network' and 'Allow this network to be extended' under the wireless tab. Under the WDS tab I 'Allow wireless clients' and add the hardware address of the second express unit.
I then update the express unit but I get a WDS error which states, "This Airport wireless device is set up as part of a WDS network but no other AirPort wireless devices were found."
This seems to be a chicken and egg situation.
Any help would be appreciated.
Alan

Alan, welcome to the discussions!
It appears that you want to set up a WDS arrangment, correct?
But, I can't figure out whether you want to configure it with a "base" and two "remotes", or whether you want to configure it with a "base", "relay" and "remote"
Can you clarify? I'll send you a link with instructions from forum expert user Tesserax with step by step instructions. Just need to know what set of instructions to send.

Would like my macbook pro to only connect to time capsule and not to airport express that is extending network. Is there a way to do this?

I have a network set up with a main time capsule and airport express. The airport express is configured to extend network. While its fine for our iphones and ipad to connect to the express, I would like the Macbook pro to only connect to the time capsule as it seems to run faster. Any way to do this?

You are extending the 2.4ghz.. as that is the only way you can connect iphones.
But if you have Gen2 or later TC you can setup 5ghz to use a different wireless name to 2.4ghz.. and it is much faster.. you need to be close to the TC though.. like in the same room.
Make sure you download 5.6 airport utility if you haven't already.. go to the wireless options and the extra wireless area.. set a different wireless name (SSID in everybody but apple's book). Then you can deliberately select it.

Airport Extended Network, IP adresses and channels

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