Airport Extreme/express how to extend network range

Can anyone guide me step by step through the process of using an Airport Express to extend an Airport Extreme bases wireless network. I think I have to use the WDS but I have no idea how to do it. A step by step manual will be very much appreciated.
thank you
Charlie

Hello Degator. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Try the following as a guideline ...
802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (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.)
Main Base Station Setup - AEBSn
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the AEBSn that you will 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 AEBSn, 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 (MAC address) of the AX that you will 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 - AirPort Express Base Station (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 choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the base station password, if necessary.
o Enter the same network password as the AEBSn, 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 AEBSn from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID (MAC address) of the AEBSn in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks Using AirPort Utility.

Similar Messages

Verizon FIOS, Time Capsule, and Airport Express - How to Extend Network

OK, I just got Verizon FIOS (TV, Internet, and phone). Don't care for the wireless router that is required to be used with it (want 802.11n and Time Capsule). I turned of the wireless on the Verizon FIOS router and installed a Time Capsule in Bridge Mode, which is how the Verizon rep told me to install it. As I understand it, the Verizon FIOS router is still handling DHCP, NAT, etc. I would like to extend the wireless network to reach some dead spots in my house. I have read that the Airport Express can be used to extend a wireless network from an Airport Extreme or Time Capsule, but it appears that I need to set up a WDS with the Time Capsule as the base station, which is apparently not possible on the Time Capsule in Bridge Mode. I am desperately seeking any advice on how to use Verizon FIOS, my Time Capsule, and extend the wireless network to reach the farther corners of the house. I am using a Macbook and a Thinkpad as well as an iPhone on the wireless network with a Dell desktop connected to the Time Capsule via Ethernet. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Before I switched, I had Cox Cable with a Buffalo wireless router and it had great range. Now I seem to be in a worse situation from a wireless perspective with higher TV and Internet quality. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the discussions!
+I would like to extend the wireless network to reach some dead spots in my house. I have read that the Airport Express can be used to extend a wireless network from an Airport Extreme or Time Capsule, but it appears that I need to set up a WDS with the Time Capsule as the base station, which is apparently not possible on the Time Capsule in Bridge Mode+
If you have an AirPort Express(n), you can configure it to "extend a wireless network". This is a more efficient way to add additional wireless coverage (and much easier to configure than a WDS arrangement).
However, if you have an older "b/g" AirPort Express, you must use the WDS configuration method with this device and the Time Capsule if you want to increase your wireless coverage.

AirPort Express won't extend network range

I spent 5 hours on the phone with three different apple reps changing every possible setting on the airport express that i wanted to use to extend the range of my existing network and even though AirPort utility said everything was set up right, the AX was only connected as a client. It was on the network, but not broadcasting ANY signal. This was at an office building with an AirPort Extreme as the base station. Both devices are brand new. 802.11n. I then took it home to see if it would extend the range of my home network which is set up using an AirPort Express as the base station. After trying every possible set up option there i was left with the same result. No broadcasting from the remote Express. It broadcasts when it's a base station, but not as a remote extender. What's the problem?!

I am going nuts too trying to configure my Airport Express to extend the range of my Airport Extreme. Nothing seems to work and I've been at this off and on for months. The Extreme works fine (it's an "n") but the Express (I think a "g") won't cooperate. And Apple has no current definitive step-by-step instructions that help at all. Does anyone out there have a solution? Shouldn't this just be plug-and-play with a few tweaks to the settings?

How to extend the range of my Airport Extreme network by adding an Airport Express

How to extend the range of my Airport Extreme network by adding an Airport Express?

You have to make sure that the AirPort Express is in Factory Default Settings. If it is straight out of the box, it is ready to be configured.
The instructions that I will provide are for using AirPort Utility 6.0, which you have.
Locate the Express in the same room as the AirPort Extreme for the configuration. Power it up and allow a full minute for the Express to display a blinking amber light.
Make sure that the wireless is turned on your Mac
Open AirPort Utility 6.0 and look at the small rectangle in the upper left hand corner of the display. It should now read something like "Other AirPort Base Stations (1)"
Click on the rectangle, and then click on the AirPort Express xxxxxx listing
AirPort Utility will take a minute or two to analyze the settings on your network and then suggest that the Express be configured to "Extend" your wireless network.
Edit the Base Station name to your liking, then click Next in the lower right hand corner
Allow a full minute or two let AirPort Utility do its work
When you see Setup Complete, click Done at the lower right of the window.
Now move the AirPort Express to a location that is approximately half way between the AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage.
You should be in business.

Hi i would like to know how to extend the range of my time capsule wifi network(500G 802.11n) using an airport express. i have a double storey home and would like to extend range to my upstairs bedrooms.i have a time capsules network setup via a netgear a

hi i would like to know how to extend the range of my time capsule wifi network(500G 802.11n) using an airport express. i have a double storey home and would like to extend range to my upstairs bedrooms.i have a time capsules network setup via a netgear adsl.i have a second imac upstairs which connects to time capsule wifi network (it is within range as it is directly abobe on 1st floor)
could you tell me how best to set airport express up to extend my wifi range?

Greetings,
This is called an "Extended wireless network".
Read this article for details and steps on how to extend your TimeCapsule's network:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Cheers.

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.

How to extend the range with a second Airport Express? Do I need a DSL cable?

How to extend the range with a second Airport Express? Do I need a DSL cable?

Thanks, now we need a bit more information, please, in order to provide you with the correct information that you need.
I assume that you already have one AirPort Express.....either a model A1264 or A1392.....set up and operating OK, is that correct?
If yes, you can extend the network either by using wireless or an Ethernet cable with a second AirPort Express.....either the A1264 or A1392 model. A wired connection is the way to go, if possible, since it provides better performance. But, wireless might work OK for you if you want to try that.
Let us know "how" you want to extend......wireless or wired?

How to set up 6th Generation AirPort Extreme to cable modem as a wireless router and then connect my 3rd Generation Time Capsule to AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender?

What is the best way to set up my 6th Generation AirPort Extreme (A1521) to my cable modem as a wireless router and then connect my 3rd Generation Time Capsule (A1355) to my AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender? I live in a small 1 story house and I currently have the Airport Extreme connected to my cable modem in the living room and the Time Capsule plugged into the wall in my bedroom. I am able to wirelessly connect to the internet using the AirPort Extreme as my router and I can also do wireless back ups to my Time Capsule. My problem is that my connection seems to be really slow! My 1TB Time Capsule back up is only half way complete and it has been 3 days! My computer has been backing up all day and night for almost 72 hours and its still not even 75% complete. I have backed up to this Time Capsule in the past and it never took this long. I am thinking that when I set up my AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule using AirPort Utility I must have set it up incorrectly or something.
How do I set up my Airport Extreme and Time Capsule for the fastest possible internet speed and back up speed?
Thank you,

AirPort Utility 5.6 works with AirPort Extreme 802.11g base stations.
It works with N version airports.
It will also show details of the AC model but cannot be used for the setup.. mostly.
I purposely got the new 6th Gen Airport Extreme so my internet connection would be a lot faster!
Your network will be much faster when you have AC client directly connected to the AE. Older client will go no faster.. but what is worse.. extend wireless is mixing new and old wireless standards.. guess what one wins.. OLD.. So when you extend wireless.. you have no improvement whatsoever. This whole post is about extending wireless.. so you cannot extend to older equipment and do any better.. maybe slightly better signal although from your comments that isn't happening either.
I would rather not have to use an ethernet at all with the TC and I don't know EOP adapters are!
If you do not use ethernet then you are going to be forced to accept slow speed.
EOP (ethernet over power). Also called homeplug in the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HomePlug
Provides a method of networking over power cabling that already exists in your house.
So what your saying is for the fastest internet speed and back up speed possible I should keep my Airport Extreme plugged into my Modem and keep my TC set up as a wireless extender? Then when I want to do back ups I should plug an ethernet cable from my TC to my MacBook Pro?
To spell this out.
A wireless link to an extended device will go very slowly.. if it is not direct.
So lets say you have a laptop sitting in the lounge.. Your connection goes.. Laptop- - - - - AE- - - - -TC.
That means two wireless links.. wireless has this nasty half duplex and single channel nature.. it can send or receive (Tx or Rx) but not at the same time.
Ethernet by contrast does both at once. It is full duplex.
Wireless can talk to one client at a time.. so if there are multiple items using wireless lets say 4 devices.. then your computer gets a 25% time slice. Since wireless cannot handle multiple simultaneous connections.
Ethernet by contrast can connect multiple computers to multiple destinations at the same time.. all transmitting and receiving at full speed.
When you put all this together.. there are a couple of rules for fast connection.
1. Use ethernet at all times. Where you cannot use ethernet use anything but wireless.. eg EOP (homeplug) at least to try and get rid of wireless.
2. Where you must use wireless use it sparingly and make sure it is never more than one hop.. ie never have an extend wireless (repeater is more usual term). Repeater will cause instant slowdown of 50% and maybe up to 75% just because it is so inefficient.
3. Fastest wireless is 5ghz but it has very short range.. you need to be up close and personal to get it working.
Apple routers however unless you do manual setup I suggest are set to connect to best signal strength not best speed. It will therefore use 2.4ghz at 25% less speed than 5ghz because it is 1db better signal.. this madness means you need to setup manually for the best setup.

How do I add a repeater Airport Extreme? Need a little more range.

Just added the new Airport Extreme to my home/office network. Since my macbook pro is a dual core and not a dual core2, I am not able to use the new "n" wireless network. Not happy. So...I need more range to hit my office which is through 3 walls. How do I go about setting up a repeater. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you...Thomas

Neptune is correct and your impression of N to
dismay
you is not founded. My G side of my network is now
4
to 5 times faster than before the N router and
just
about as fast as the N side of my network. So
there
are efficiencies to be gained from the N router.
I concur. Adding the 2 AE 802.11n allows all my
802.11g connected devices to use the maximum speed
provided by my DSL line, 1.5 Gbit. I tested this
using dslreports.com tools. I can get the maximum
speed provided by my DSL provider (Verizon) from
anywhere in my hour (on 3 different floors).
Also I can use my iTunes streaming server (off a
Infrant NAS) to go to maximum speed. And Apple TV
streaming is working from all my machines, Macs and
PCs.
So there are MANY benefits to using multiple AEs with
801.11g devices.
Thanks to all. Just installed another airport extreme....but have no idea how to add it to my current network. I want to make it a repeater to extend my network. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Tom

Airport Extreme & Express "extended" but signal is still weak

I have a brand new Airport Extreme 802.11n and an old Airport Express 802.11g
Airport Extreme is set to "extend wireless network"
Airport Express is set to "join a wireless network" - green light is on and says its connected to the network.
Airport Extreme is downstairs at home, Airport Express is upstairs. Also have Apple TV upstairs.
Apple TV is only getting a two bar signal at the moment from Airport Extreme (and takes forever to transfer files from main computer downstairs). Want to extend network by plugging in Airport Express upstairs and getting stronger signal for Apple TV.
Yet when I plug in Airport Express upstairs - right next to Apple TV - and the green light is on, etc. Apple TV still is only getting two-bar signal - so it appears it's not picking up "extended network" via Express.
Isn't this how an extended network is supposed to work or do I have it all wrong?
THANKS!

Joining a network using the older "b/g" model will not extend the network.
In the case you describe, your Apple TV is connected to the main base station and so is your Airport Express. The Apple TV cannot connect to the Airport Express.
Also, if you do set up the WDS, you would want to put the Airport Express about half way between your main base station and the Apple TV...
If you want to stay with your old Airport Express, you will have to set up a "WDS" network on both devices. However, the speed of your network will be cut down to 54mbps instead of 130 on 2.4GHz band or 300 on the 5GHz band.
I replaced my older Airport Express units with the newer "n" models.
See this Apple doc on how to set up WDS for the older units.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2044?viewlocale=en_US
Also see this document.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1515

Airport Extreme Base Station as Extender to Airport Extreme Time Machine

I have tried this a few times, but to no avail: Tonight I purchased an Airport Extreme Base Station (AE) to set up as an extender to my Airport Extreme Time Capsule (AETC). The Airport Utility finds the router and goes through set-up seemingly fine, with green lights on both. Then shortly after (within a minute) the AE reboots on it's own, followed by the AETC rebooting (again, on it's own) and this occurs repeatedly. I reset the AE completely and run through the set-up and the same thing occurs. I've also done soft resets to the AETC. Long and short of it - the restarting discontinues once I unplug the power cord from the AE. Then the AETC resumes as it has - providing fine wifi and speed. It appears the AE rebooting on its own makes the AETC reboot. Any ideas? Thanks!

howto - extending airport 802.11n networks
Pre-Requistites
1) Ensure all have most recent firmware - 7.7.3 for AC devices, 7.6.4 for 802.11n devices
2) Have most recent Airport Utility (OS X 10.7 thru 10.9, use 6.3.2, IOS6/7 use 1.3.3)
3) Only have the Primary Airport/TimeCapsule powered on for now
Set up the Primary/Anchor Airport Base Station
1) Do this over ethernet - ensure that the Modem and TimeCapsule/Airport is connected on the WAN port
2) You'll be prompted by Airport Utility to name the Network and the Base Station
Network is the SSID of the Wireless LAN
BaseStation is the name of the Airport/TimeCapsule
3) You'll be prompted for a password - this will be for both the WLAN and the Base Station on initial setup
Note here - there are at least three passwords to worry about post setup
a) BaseStation Management - in this how-to, this will be carried thru to the extended basestations
b) WLAN Access
c) Disk Access for TimeCapsule and AirDisk
They can be same or unique, up to you...
Configure the Airport/TimeCapsule for WiFi/Network
4) Select the named BS in Airport Utility - click the 'edit' button
5) Review 'Base Station' Tab
5a) BaseStation Name
5b) BaseStation Password - you can change this now if desired, this does not affect WLAN password
6) Review Internet Tab
6a) set as appropriate for your network - e.g DHCP or other depending on needs
6aa) focus here is getting the primary BS set up first
6b) Click Internet Options - this is IPV6 setup - for now...
6ba) Set to Link-Local Only, click save, you can go back and change this later if needed
7) Go to Wireless Tab
7a) Set Network Mode to "Create a wireless network"
7b) Check Wireless Network Name
7c) Wireless Security - recommend WPA2 Personal - this is important as you'll need this later
7d) Wireless Password - the password entered in step 5b above is what is used here, feel free to modify or not - if so, note this
7e) disregard Enable Guest Network for now
7f) Click Wireless Options
7g) ensure 5Ghz network name is unselected
7h) Country as appropriate - since I'm in California, I choose United States
7i) Leave 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Channels as "Automatic" for now, click save if needed
8) Click Network Tab
8a) if this is your primary router - use DHCP and NAT
8b) Click Network Options
8c) DHCP Lease - I use 12 hours
8d) IPv4 DHCP Range - every here is a bit different, but my recommendation for most folks
192.168.1.100 to 150
Use what works for you, keeping in mind that the AP Extreme, TimeCapsule, and 2012 Airport Express can handle 50 clients, max
8e) Ensure that Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol is selected
8f) can worry about Enable default host at: [] later, this is the DMZ'ed host
8g) can choose to enable IGMP Snooping or not - doesn't affect the primary setup
8h) click save
TimeCapsule Only - for Airport Extreme, worry about AirDisk later
This is TimeMachine support, along with FileShares
9) Select Disks - you should see a partitiion named "Data"
9a) ensure that Enable file sharing is selected
9b) ensure that Share disks over WAN is unchecked for now
9c) Secure Shared Disks:
Choices here -
device password - noted in step 5b above
disk password - this will be for all LAN clients that can see the Data Partitiion
accounts - you can set up separate users and passwords - this is beyond scope of this how-to
Recommendation if using as TimeMachine only, use a disk password - note this as you'll need it for timemachine on the clients
Save Settings to the Airport/TimeCapsule
10) Click the "update' button
The Airport/TimeCapsule will restart
Everything now should show green and shiny - open a web browser and attempt to go to Apple/Google/Yahoo, to ensure that you've got network connectivity
Reviewing things in the Airport 6.3 utility, you should see your base station and the Internet - both with green status
Once done here, let's extend the Wireless Network
Note - again, it helps to be connected to the primary base station on ethernet, wireless makes things, erm, challenging
11) with another decive - Mac/iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch or PC, ensure that Wireless LAN is working on the primary AP/Basestation
Once this is done, then proceed to the next step
Enable the "Extended" Airport - can be another TimeCapsule, Airport Express or Airport Extreme
For purposes of this discussion - assume all ore 802.11n capable at a minimum, so this applies towards more recent gear
a) Airport Extreme AC (2013)
b) Airport TimeCapsule AC (2013)
c) Airport Express 2012 Dual-Band (Looks like AppleTV)
d) Airport Extreme 802.11n 5th Gen, TimeCapsule 4th Gen
e) Airport Express 802.11n - similar to the 802.11g variant, looks like a MacBook Pro power adapter
Assumptions here is that the extended airport is factory defaults - see link below for more info:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3728
Once this is done, plug in the Airport that is intended for extending the wireless network
after about a minute or so, you should see a blinking orange light, this is normal...
In Airport Utility, you should see in the upper left hand, "Other Wi-Fi Devices (1)" - click this, if you don't see this, exit and restart Airport Utility
12) clicking on the button, you should see an entry menu as "Airport Extreme xxxxxx", select this
13) Once selected, you'll see "This Airport Extreme/Express/TimeCapsule will be set up to extend "Primary Base Station"
14) Enter the name for this base station - it should be unique from the name of the Primary noted in step 5a
15) Click "next"
16) Should see "setting up this base station to wirelessly extend..."
you'll see some progress messages.. this is the two basestations handshaking....
If successful, you'll see the BaseStation named in step 14 as "is now wireless extending "base station named in (step 5a)"
STOP - the Airport is now extended, repeat steps 11 thru 16 for each addtional Airport
For advanced features - such as port forwarding, DMZ, IPv6 Tunnels, Back to my Mac, etc - perform this only on the Primary Base station outlined in steps 1 thru 8h
Good Luck!

I am unable to see my Airport Extreme/Express on my MacBook via Airport Utility

I have two issues:
1. I am unable to see my Airport Extreme and my Airport Express via my MacBook Air's Airport Utility when I scan for Base Stations. However, the computer is happily connected to the wireless network of my Extreme (the Express is used to extend range)
2. I am unable to see a HDD that is connected via USB cable to the Airport Extreme.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks

Further info:
Setup
MacBook Air running OS X 10.5.8
AirPort Extreme Base Station
AirPort Express used to extend range
AirPort Utility v5.5.3
The MacBook Air is actually connected to the wireless network provided by the two AirPorts!
Oddly, I see both AirPorts just fine when using my older PowerBook G4 with an older version of the AirPort Utility.
In addition, I cannot see the external HDD connected to the AirPort Extreme Base Station, and my wireless printer (HP D410a) suddenly stopped working via the MacBook Air. However, it works just fine from my iPhone, which is connected to the same AirPort Extreme/Express wireless network.
Recently, at the request of Sky Broadband, I switched to fixed IP addresses instead of DHCP, as I was having issues with the DHCP set-up.

Can the AirPort Extreme work as an extender?

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender? (I have tried to research this online, of course, but I haven't had much luck.)
Background: The only option from our ISP is a router/modem combination. It used to be plugged directly into my dad's (Dell and Windows) desktop computer, but I was having trouble connecting all my devices wirelessly. So, I moved it into the kitchen and plugged it into the phone line (we have AT&T DSL) and got a USB wireless adapter for my dad's computer (because he didn't think he needed the wireless option on his "fancy" new Dell). I also have a different brand of adapter plugged into my old iMac G3, which I LOVE using.
Since doing this, my dad has constantly complained of his Internet not working correctly, things loading slowly, and having trouble connecting at all. (Full disclosure: he STILL uses the complete desktop version of AOL and refuses to give it up.) However, I've had no trouble on ANY of my devices--the G3, my white MacBook, my iPad, my iPod, or my mom's Kindle Fire. This leads me to believe the problem lies in the fact that he's using AOL because I usually don't have trouble when I briefly use Chrome on his desktop.
I've tried finding different solutions, including flashing an old router to use an extender and researching different extenders and bridges and such, but nothing looks like a viable solution because of all our components.
I'm wondering if the AirPort Extreme (probably the A1143;or any of the other AirPort devices) can work as an extender. To appease my dad, it'd be best to take the modem/router back to his man cave so he can hook it back up to his computer, but I'm not sure if the AirPort can pick up the wireless signal and perhaps be plugged directly into my G3 and otherwise act as an extender for my other devices (while searching for an Internet solution for my G3, I read on here that someone did this, but there was no further information on how it worked) or if I can plug it into the kitchen phone line and keep the USB adapter for the G3 and have wireless access to all my other things.
Help?
(I can't find the original support article where a responder mentioned using the AirPort station with an iMac G3, but i did locate this one: https://discussions.apple.com/message/13080786#13080786)
(My iMac is one of the later ones. It's running 10.4.1 and is a 600MHz model.)

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender?
Simple answer: Yes....IF....the AirPort Extreme is extending a wireless network that is being provided by another Apple 802.11n wireless router.
Another way of saying the same thing is that it will take a minimum of two Apple 802.11n wireless routers to extend a signal wirelessly.
The more complex answer involves distances and obstructions involved in the setup, or alternate solutions such as running Ethernet cabling or using Ethernet powerline adapters.

Extending network range

I have a NetComm NB5Plus4W ADSL2+ (802.11g) wireless modem router connecting my MacBook wirelessly to the internet. I also have an iMac in another part of the house which I would like to connect to the internet through the same modem, but for some reason the signal strength goes from full strength to nothing without any reason. I have the highest internet speed available in Australia with a dedicated connection.
I don't understand why this is possible when no other conditions have changed within the structure of the house. I have even tried moving the iMac to another room only 5 meters from the router without achieving a connection.
Sometimes there is a connection, sometimes there is not. But when there is it always seems to be full strength. There appears to be no in-between (half-strength signals)
Can anyone make a suggestion.

There doesn't appear to be anything in the network settings that refer to interference robustness. Is this something that is associated with using Airport Express or Time Capsule? If so, I'm using a 3rd party modem router.
Interferences Robustness is a WiFi base station setting. However, every manufacture uses different terms. Interferences Robustness is one used by Apple in their Airport Extreme/Express/Time Capsule line of base stations.
What you want to look for are WiFi base station settings that maximize power, and reduce the bit rate. More power is obvious. A slower bit rate allows more bandwidth for representing a bit so both base station and Mac have a higher chance of seeing the data.
You really need to follow the advice about checking for interference from neighbors. Download one of the WiFi sniffers
WiFi Scanner
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/33185/wifi-scanner>
AP Grapher
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11859/ap-grapher>
iStumbler
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11753/istumbler>
KisMAC
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10133/kismac>
AirRadar
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/27740/airradar>
AirMoose
<http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/25661/airmoose>
Also 2.4GHz cordless phones, Microwave ovens, 2.4GHz baby monitors, Garage Door openers, along with other WiFi base stations can all interfere with your WiFi connections (and any of these things can be yours or your neighbors).
And depending on how your walls are constructed you can loose signal there. Concrete walls, walls using metal studs instead of wood 2x4s, house hold appliances between the base station and Mac, etc...
If you can not get WiFi to work, you could look at running an ethernet cable to the iMac, or an ethernet cable to a room closer to the iMac and setting up a WiFi extension (in bridge mode), or getting ethernet over powerline adaptors.

Can I use the AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender to my Time Capsule ?

Can I use AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender ? I own a Time Capsule and want to extend my wireless network using the AirPort Extreme just because both have wifi AC. Also, does the AirPort Extreme need to be hook up via Ethernet if I extend

The problem with extending using a wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme is this.......
The extender can only "extend" the speed of signal that it receives. The signal starts to lose speed as soon as it leaves the Time Capsule, and the signal will lose quite a bit of speed as it passes through the ceiling due to the thick construction. The ceiling presents what is known as "interference" to the wireless signal.
So, the signal has slowed somewhat by the time that it reaches an AirPort Extreme that would be installed on the main floor. That AirPort Extreme acting as an extender can make the signal that it receives go further, but it cannot make it go faster. A better term than "extender" really might be "repeater".
If you install an AirPort Extreme on the main floor, the signal upstairs will be stronger than it is now, and depending on how many obstructions there are between the AirPort Extreme and the upstairs area, the signal may be noticeably faster upstairs than it is now as well.
With wireless connections between devices, there are always so many compromises and variables involved that it is just not possible to predict what the actual performance might be in your home until you try things out in your home. For that reason, it is always a good idea to understand the store's return policy in advance in case a new item does not deliver the performance that you are hoping to achieve.
Now, let's say that you are able to pull an Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule to the main floor, and the AirPort Extreme is connected there in a nice, central location. Then, you could expect to receive about the same performance on the main floor that you receive in the basement, since the AirPort Extreme is receiving a full speed signal over the Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule. You can run an Ethernet cable about 330 feet, or about 100 meters with virtually no signal loss.
The performance upstairs will improve as well, since the AirPort Extreme has a full speed signal to broadcast....not the slower speed signal that would receive from the Time Capsule if it connects using wireless.
If you want to achieve the same type of performance upstairs that you have in the basement and main floor, then you will need to pull an additional Ethernet cable up to the upstairs floor and add another AirPort there.
That would probably be the "best" wireless network system that you could install if you are looking at all the options. Few of us are lucky enough to be able to install the "best" network, but those that are receive remarkable wireless performance in return for their investment.

Airport Extreme/express how to extend network range

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