Airport Extreme 802.11n and AirPort Express 802.11g on same network. Speed?

I am migrating all our Macs to 802.11n. I will have a new Extreme 802.11n base station, and all Macs will be newer models with 802.11n. However, I have an older Airport Express 802.11g that we use for the shared printer.
I have read that the ENTIRE network will run at the speed of the slowest device. Is this true? I know that the printer can only communicate at g, but will I also see the macs having to slow down to g? If so, I will upgrade to a new Express.

I have read that the ENTIRE network will run at the speed of the slowest device
That's not exactly true, but it will certainly degrade the network. A new Express (N) is your best solution to maximize the speed of your network.

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Difference between AirPort Extreme base station and airport express

What is the difference between AirPort Extreme base station and airport express

Please see this Apple comparision document for details. Post back on any specific questions including your specific requirements.
http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Airport Express

I wonder...
I do relase reading other posts that connecting my Airport Express as a client, joining my 802.11n (and 54g compatible network) will slow the whole network down.
But I can't do without the airport express, and I don't want to slow down my WAN 100 MBit internet connection either.
Is there a way to split the networks WITHOUT having to switch to the Airport Express-network when I want to play to the Express in iTunes? Has anyone tried some working configs of how to combine these two in a good way?

Saw a recent post just now...I guess the only solution would be to connect the Express by wire to the Extreme!

Cannot create WDS with Airport Extreme 802.11n and Airport Express b/g

I have gone through all the steps to set up a WDS with my Airport Extreme Dual Band and my Airport Express b/g.
Every time I try to set it up and update the AX the AX disappears from the airport utility and I can no longer see it. I can however set it up to "join a network" just fine.
Anyone have any idea why I cannot do this? I haven't seen anything saying that the AE is not compatible with the AX.
Ideally what I would like to do is have the AX extend the network and then use an ethernet cable to connect it to an imac g4, thus giving the computer "wireless" internet.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks

So just to clarify even if I was to buy a new "n" AX I would still be relegated to "g" speeds?
That's correct if you use the WDS settings on both the AEBS and AX.
But, if you had the "n" AX, you could configure it to "extend a wireless network" and maintain "n" speeds on the network. There would still be some bandwidth loss...10-15% or so...that's unavoidable unless you go to an ethernet connection method.
Do you think for my application it might be better to just buy a reputable wireless usb dongle?
If I understand correctly, you need an ethernet connection for a computer. Why not consider a pair of ethernet powerline adapters? One device plugs in near your AEBS and the other near the device that needs the ethernet connection. The pseudo ethernet signal is conducted over the AC powerlines in your home. This is the next best choice when you can't run an ethernet cable through the house.
This would be a faster and more stable connection than any type of wireless application. It's plug and play. In addition to the powerline adapters, all you'll need are two short ethernet cables to connect one adapter to a LAN port on the AEBS and another short ethernet cable to connect from the adapter to the G4's ethernet port.
Any electronics superstore will have a selection to look at. The cost is approximately $75-125 for a pair depending on how much speed you choose.

802.11n and Airport Express iTunes Base station Help me ?

I'll try to keep this simple :
In my Office I have a 24" iMac Intel and the
802.11n resides also in my Office
About 40ft away is my Den which resides:
My MacBook Pro 17" Intel and a Airport Express iTunes
Base Station
Going Back to the 802.11n I have a 2.0 USB AC Powered
Hub connected to the USB port on the back of the 802.11n
of which  said is OK to do
Connected to the USB on the back of the 802.11n:
is a Epson R200 USB InkJet Printer and also on that
Hub is a Lacie Porche 500gb External USB Hard Drive
Again  says is Ok to do
The problem I'm having is that the Cable Modem is
in my Office and is connected via Ethernet to the 802.11n
and I can get a strong connection to the internet
on my iMac 24" Intel in my Office but the MBP 17"
in my Den is having issues getting onto the Internet
now about a week ago I spent 8hrs on the phone W/Apple
about such issues so we erased all the information in
the Disk Utility and started over with the information
in the 802.11n and the iTunes Base Station Express
this has helped until the recent FirmWare Update that
Apple Released a few days ago,
I've tried to actual bring my MBP 17" into the Office
and it gets a better Internet signal than in the Den,
but this wasn't the way it was before the FirmWare Update
Any Suggestions on what I can do to fix this situation
As all worked well with the Express iTunes in the Den
and the 802.11n in the Office and the Cable Modem has
always been in the Office ?
P.S> One problem I forgot to mention is I keep dropping
The Macbook Pro 17" and a Lacie 400gb Hard Drive which is
connected directly to the MBP 17" USB Port which keeps
dropping from my iMac 24" networking it will be working
fine and then I get a message stating that either or both
the MBP 17" and the Lacie Disk (400gb) is Disconnecting
from iMac 24" and then the same will happen on the
MBP 17" with the iMac 24" and any connected drives I'm
sharing from the iMac 24" ?
I'm having a connection problem and I can't get to the
bottom of it and I need some help please
Feel free to email me [email protected]

Updates fixed issue closed question

Network set up using airport extreme, time capsule and airport express

I have searched for relevant answers but can only find different bits here and there.
My set up is as follows:
I have a Linksys wireless router running a stable wireless network for the other computer users in the house and wish to create an extended, additional network using airport extreme connected to the Linksys by ethernet to create the network and then time capsule close to my Mac Mini on my desktop and airport express at the other end of the house to try and extend the range of the network.
I have been trying for 4 days to set this up but without success. I have tried all of the options mentioned in different posts, using WDS, extending a new network etc. I can get connection between the three devices but monitoring on iStumbler there appears to be little improvement in the strength of the signal, iStumbler also shows the time capsule dropping it's signal totally every 10 or so seconds for a few seconds and then I get a positive signal strength for another ten seconds or so.
Can anyone help, it is driving me insane. I am a recent convert to apple computing and have been hugely impressed with all products until now. The claim that the set up of these wireless products is simple seems to be very exaggerated.
I am happy to provide any relevant system or hardware information.
Thanks in anticipation.

I have an AirPort Extreme acting as a wireless base station, connected to a BT router by ethernet.
Then the correct setting for Connection Sharing on the AirPort Extreme would be "Off (Bridge Mode)".
If I set Connection Sharing to "Share a public IP address", I'm told that: "The DCHP range you have entered conflicts with the WAN IP address of your Apple Wi-Fi base station"
Exactly. You have two routers....The BT device and the AirPort Extreme in series with both of them trying to act as the "main" router when you configure the AirPort this way. That won't work.
Only one can be the main router, and it must be the BT device in your setup. So, the AirPort Extreme....and any other AirPorts on your network must be setup to work in Bridge Mode to allow the network to operate correctly.

Airport Extreme base station and Airport Express

I have both the above but have real trouble getting them to both join the same network. I want to use the base station to hook up to he internet and the Airport Express to drive my stereo in another room Both work fine on their own and on separate networks, but I have to switch from one network to the other if I want to browse or listen to music. Very frustrating. I feel sure I should be able to have both airports on the same network but I just can't get it configured. I am a newbie with WIFI so any help gratefully accepted.

The main base station, the AirPort Extreme, needs to be set up to "Create a wireless network". The AirPort Express needs to be set up to "Join a wireless network", which will be network created by the AirPort Extreme.
Is this how you have them configured now?

Setting up Time Capsule with existing AirPort Extreme 802.11n and AirPort Express.

I already have and am using an AirPort Extreme 802.11n with an AirPort Express. I want to set up a Time Capsule 802.11n. Which is the best way to configure this?

... Which is the best way to configure this?
The answer depends on what you need the TC to accomplish. If all you need it to do is perform Time Machine backups, simply have it join your existing network in client mode. It would be if it were to connect to your existing router (presumably your Extreme), not through an "extended" wireless network (presumably your Express).
If you need the TC to "extend" your network so as to serve additional wireless clients, you can do that also. Configure it to "extend" the network created by your Extreme.
As you can see it's quite versatile.

Airport Extreme 802.11n and WDS with 802.11g express

I have an 802.11n Airport Extreme that I have been using with my AppleTV. I have it set to allow for 802.11b/g, since I have an old Powerbook Titanium that cannot be upgraded.
I recently decided to add my Airport Express 802.11g to the mix to act as a bridge for a remote, wired computer. I did this by enabling WDS on the Extreme/Express.
My question is this: by enabling WDS on the extreme, will the AppleTV still be able to connect at 802.11n speeds, or does it get pulled back to 11g? Is there any way to verify/check this on either the Extreme or the AppleTV?
Thanks,
keith

You can check the connection speed of each wireless client attached to a base station using Airport Utility. Launch Airport Utility, click on the Airport button in the toolbar. On the Summary tab you'll see an item called Wireless clients. It shows you how many wireless client devices are connected to that base station.
Click on the words Wireless Clients and you'll get a graph and a list. The graph shows the signal strength of each client. The list shows the client's wireless MAC, the signal and noise levels and the rate at which each device is communicating. On my Extreme-n base stations, I regularly see rates from 1 to 130 and everything inbetween. It looks like each device runs at it's best rate based on signal strength and error rate.
Assuming you know the MAC of your Apple TV (it's on the serial number label) you can see what wireless data rate it's getting this way.
The thing I've noticed is that my Extreme-g base stations seem to connect to clients at higher average rates than my Extreme-n units. In other words, on the g units I'll see more clients at 54 (the max) or 48 and on the n units just a couple will connect at 130 or 54 but most are at lower rates like 27 or 11 (even 2 or 1), even when they are in the same room as the base station.
I find that very odd and would like to understand it. Anybody have any ideas?

Airport extreme (802.11n) and airport exress

Hi, I was hoping someone may be able to provide some advice. I am considering upgrading to the AE (802.11n). However, I am fairly certain that I will need to have a second point somewhere in my home to boost the signal. I have an airport express for airtunes purposes and have read that connecting 802.11g to an 802.11n slows down the network, but does anyone have any specifics? Also any idea of distance capabilities for the new AE? I have three floors I need to provide signal to in my home, currently I have it set up with D-link router and a repeater in a dead area.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hello Kevin Gamarello. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I have an airport express for airtunes purposes and have read that connecting 802.11g to an 802.11n slows down the network, but does anyone have any specifics?
Adding "g" devices to a "n" network will reduce the performance slightly, but not all the way down to "g."
Also any idea of distance capabilities for the new AE?
The new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) has an advertised range of "up to twice the range of networks created with the earlier 802.11g standard." However "actual performance will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network, and other factors. Range will vary with site conditions." In comparison, the earlier 802.11g version had a range of 50' for 802.11g & 150' for 802.11b.

IPhone 4 802.11n and Airport Express with Time Capsule

I have a Time Capsule as my main wireless router, extended by an Airport Express (both are latest versions of the hardware and software). The Time Capsule is a dual-band version (2.4 and 5 GHz).
My new iPhone 4, which is supposed to be 802.11n 2.4 GHz compatible (unlike the iPhone 3Gx models) connects to the Time Capsule, but not to the Airport Express - hence no cover in certain parts of the home. There are no options for frequency when you extend a network - it's mostly plug and play from the main wireless router (the Time Capsule). What to do?

Welcome to the discussions!
+What to do?+
The iPhone does tend to remember the router that it is originally connected to.
If you plan to use the iPhone most of the time when you are in proximity of the AirPort Express, I suggest that you delete the current WiFi connection on the iPhone, restart the device, locate it near the AirPort Express, and set up a new connection to your network.
Works for me. May or may not work for you.

Using both Airport Extreme Base Station and Airport Express

I am using a Airport Extreme and a AX, my goal is to use the base unit on one floor of the home and they AX as an extender.
I have linked the AX unit to join the existing network, now how to do I enable WEP 128 bit?

Here are the WDS setup steps...
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.)
Main Base Station Setup (AEBSn)
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 MAC address of the base stations 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 (AX)
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 MAC address of the main base station in the WDS Main field. The MAC address is also referred to as the AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom of the base station.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
(ref: Pages 41-45 of "Designing AirPort Extreme 802.11n Networks.

My network, based on modem, wifi router (Airport Extreme),Time Capsule and Airport Express simply disconnects with all the lights green on the modem and Extreme, but the other components offline, 5 or so times per day. I suspect the Extreme.

I have a Cisco System3 modem, feeding an Airport Extreme, which connects wirelessly a Timecapsules and an Airport Express both of which extend the network, ie send out more WiFi signal. The system worked well for a long time, say a year and a half and then it started dropping out. All the lights on the modem and airport Extreme stay green, but the other two components are blinking yellow. I've tried limiting the channels, but there are few sources in my neighborhood. I have tried resetting the Extreme which worked for a week and now it's back to its random disconnect behavior. I have read some of these blogs and no one seems to know what to do, especially not Apple. Do I just get another router or what? What do I lose if I use a non Apple router and what would you suggest?

Welcome to the discussion area, Junkcanoe!
I don't have a setup like yours, but might be able to offer some assistance.
Basically I have two jacks, a TC and an AE and I'd like to create a roaming network. Both of them are set to bridge mode with the same SSID, WPA2 security, same password, etc.
This would be the normal way to set up a roaming network, but the wild card here is that we don't know anything about how the main router that supplies the ethernet connections (valid IP addresses) to the condos might be configured.
For example, most apartments, hotels, etc that provide ethernet jacks usually limit the number of devices that can connect to each jack. Hotels tend to limit this to one or two devices. I counted six devices that you say will work properly plus a few more. Since you have two separate ethernet jacks, you may be looking at a situation where each jack is allocated a total of 4 devices, or valid IP addresses.
The bottom line here is that we won't be able to make much progress until we know more how the main router there has been configured. Is it possible for you to ask the complex manager (who will probably need to ask the IT guy) how many devices are allowed to connect per ethernet jack? Another way to ask the same question is how may valid IP addresses will each ethernet jack allow?
If you can, could I ask you to perform an experiment? Rather than have both the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule each connect to a separate ethernet jack, can you temporarily move one device near the other and connect them together using an ethernet cable? (Or, use a long ethernet cable if you don't want to move either device) LAN <-> port on one to LAN <-> port on the other. In other words, you'll only be using one of the ethernet ports in the condo for this experiment.
Any difference in performance or number of devices allowed to connect?
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Airport Extreme Base Station and Airport Express network

Should I be configuring my Airport Express to extend the network of the Airport Extreme Base station or to be joining that network?

"Extend" if you want the Express to provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located. This is a good choice for most users.
"Join" if you you don't need any additional wireless coverage in that area.
In both configurations above.....AirTunes is enabled and the USB port is active use with a "remote" printer.

Airport Extreme, Apple TV and two Expresses

I have a network that runs between the Apple Extreme and the Apple TV. I joined two Expresses to that same network. The Apple TV disconnects now when I play music through the two Expresses.
Should I set up two different networks: Extreme to Apple TV (one network)AND Wireless G Adapter to the two Expresses (a second network)?
Thanks for your help,
Matt

This may work if your assumption (and mine) is that your existing wireless LAN doesn't have enough bandwidth to support an AppleTV and two Airport Expresses.
I assume you are thinking of having one cabled LAN with two wireless access points on it - one dedicated to communicating with AppleTV (using an Airport Extreme N base station) at N-only speeds, and another dedicated to communicating with the two Expresses (could use any wireless router or access point that supports b/g speeds). Yes - that will work and may well solve your problem.

Airport Extreme 802.11n and AirPort Express 802.11g on same network. Speed?

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