Airport Extreme to extend wireless – How best to set this up?

I added an Airport Extreme to my ISP Service provider box in order to extend my home / home office networking capabilities. Currently I have a MBP (May 2010 model) with ethernet & wireless; a PBG4 (Feb 2005 model) with ethernet & wireless; an eMac (Feb 2005 model) with JUST ethernet; and an iPad3 (March 2012) with of course just wireless. But I am not certain that I have set this up optimally.  Here's what I have done and if anyone could comment on this it would be greatly appreciated!
I have my ISP's modem "B-box" (which has 2 ethernet ports OUT plus its own Wireless) which I have used the past year.  The problem is range for wireless and extending ethernet (via cable) to the 3 levels of the house.  So I added an Airport Extreme to solve that issue and believe I am almost there!  The house has 3 levels and I will call them Level A (basement, underground); Level B (ground floor) and Level C (upstairs).  Without Airport Extreme it is possible to get wireless on on 3 levels, but it drops-out often in my main, office (Level-A) location so that was the incentive to get good wireless everywhere using the Airport Extreme.
Here's my setup today:
ISP "B-box" (as it is called) located on Level B and emits a wireless signal and I have called that SteveBelWiFi     ---There is an ethernet cable that goes down to Level A.
On Level A I have my home office with a MacBook Pro-13" (May 2010) running Mountain Lion 10.8.2.  The Ethernet cable from the B-box arrives in my office and is plugged into the WAN port of my new Airport Extreme. 
From this Airport extreme I have the following setup: (there are 3 ethernet out ports on the Airport Extreme - 5th generation - most recent model)
Ethernet cable #1 plugged into my MBP
Ethernet cable #2 running to Level C where it is plugged into an eMac (Feb 2005)
A USB cable going from the USB Out port on the Apple Extreme to an unpowered USB hub
From the hub, one USB cable to my Canon MP640 Printer/Scanner*
From the hub, one USB cable to a 300 mb LaCie external Hard Drive
Ethernet cable #3 plugged into the ethernet port of my Canon MP630 Printer/Scanner *(Needed because when one attaches a printer/scanner to the Airport Extreme via USB it can only print, not scan, so I configured the scanner portion of the MP640 to run via ethernet…)
WIRELESS:  I used Airport Utility to CREATE A WIRELESS NETWORK (not "extend a wireless network")  and so I now have these 2 additional wireless network choices for my Macs or iPad:  Steve Airport WiFi     and also via the Airport Extreme:   Steve Airport WiFi 5GHz
What I would prefer is to have ONE wireless choice instead of 3.  So I am guessing that I could re-setup the Airport Extreme by choosing "Extend a wireless network" (instead of what I did "create a wireless network") so that the SteveBelWiFi is then simply the ONLY wireless choice.  BUT how will this work?  The B-box is still emitting a signal on level B -- correct?  If I "extend" the wireless, I see that I get to choose an existing wireless so I would choose SteveBelWiFi
WELL NOW I'VE GONE AND MESSED-UP EVERYTHING!!!!!!   Before submitting this questions I decided to try to change to "extend a wireless connection" and I chose the      only to get a warning message that this couldn't be done and then a yellow triangle with an "!" inside next to my Airport Extreme.  I did a "factory reset" like this:
To perform a factory default reset on the AirPort Extreme:
First remove power from the Extreme.
Using a paperclip or similar object, depress the reset button, and while still depressed plug the Extreme into power.
Keep the reset button depressed until the status light on the Extreme starts flashing rapidly, and then, release the reset button.
BUT NOTHING-- Airport Utility DOES NOT FIND my Airport Extreme - the only way I can now connect to the internet is to plug-in my B-Box ethernet cable directly to my MacBook Pro.  Everything else-- gone. 
WHY WON'T Airport Utility re-find my Airport Extreme when I do the reset?  I let it glow with the amber button for over 10 minutes, - NOTHING.
Really lost, depressed and fully not understanding this now…
Truly need serious HELP here--  I'm almost shut-down…
Thanks anyone,
Best regards,
Steve Schulte
Thursday 10 January 2013

I left-out one thing:  Prior to the factory when I was trying to choose "Extend a wireless Network"  I of course chose SteveBelWiFi
Regards,
Steve

Similar Messages

  • HELP! Problem with setting up Airport Extreme in "extend wireless network mode"!

    So I am trying to put my AirPort extreme in extend a wireless network mode. So I factory reset it, plugged it in, and went into Airport Utility to set it up. So it finds the device, and I set it up to extend the network. It does everything, and it gets set up. But there is an error message that says it was unable to extend the wireless network. Then 1 minute later, the Airport Extreme drops out, and the Airport Utility says device not found. I tried this multiple times, and it keeps happening. What should I do?

    Unfortunately, the AirPort Extreme will not be able to wirelessly extend a Netgear product. That feature will only work if you are connecting the AirPort Extreme to another Apple router.
    If you want the AirPort Exteme to provide more wireless coverage, you will need to plan to connect it to the Netgear router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.

  • Time Capsule Base via ethernet to an Airport Extreme to extend Wireless

    I have set up a new Time Capsule dual band (TCBStn) as a base station (connected to the internet). I want to connect a new Airport Extreme dual band in a family room far away from the base via Ethernet. This family room has an Apple TV to which I want to stream video. I am not able to connect the AE via the Airport Utility as the Airport Utility does nor recognize the AE.

    My recommendation is to configure your two base station as a "roaming" network. This will allow wired/wireless clients to connect to either and still be able to "see" each other for sharing.
    Please start by powering-down all of your network components as follows:
    o Power-down the modem, Time Capsule (TC), AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS), Apple TV (ATV), and the iMac. Note: The power-down order is not critical.
    o With all of these components powered down, disconnect both the TC & AEBSn from the network, and then, perform a "factory default" reset on both to get them back to their "out-of-the-box" configuration.
    o After both have been reset, remove them from power, and then, reconnect them as follows: modem > \[WAN port] > TC > \[LAN port] > \[WAN port] AEBSn, where ">" represents an Ethernet connection.
    o Power-on the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes.
    o Power-on the TC; wait at least 5-10 minutes.
    o Power-on the AEBSn; wait at least 5-10 minutes.
    o Power-on the iMac.
    o For now, leave the ATV powered-off.
    In this configuration, both routers will be transmitting their own wireless network, each having a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN, where the Ns represent the last six digits of their respective AirPort IDs.
    Now, from the iMac, use the AirPort Utility (in Manual Setup) to access the TC to make the following configuration changes:
    o Time Capsule > Base Station > Time Capsule Name = TC
    o Time Capsule > Wireless > Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
    o Time Capsule > Wireless > Wireless Network Name = <enter the desired Network Name>
    o Time Capsule > Wireless > Radio Channel Selection = Automatic
    o Internet > Internet Connection > Connect Sharing = Share a public IP address
    o Leave all the other default settings (for now).
    o Click on Update to write the new configuration to the TC.
    While still in the AirPort Utility, select the AEBSn, and then, make the following changes:
    o AirPort > Base Station > AirPort Extreme Name = AEBSn
    o AirPort > Wireless > Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
    o AirPort > Wireless > Wireless Network Name = <use the same Network Name that you created for the TC>
    o AirPort > Wireless > Radio Channel Selection = Automatic
    o Internet > Internet Connection > Connect Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
    o Leave all the other default settings (for now).
    o Click on Update to write the new configuration to the AEBSn.
    You should now have a basic roaming network. Verify that your iMac can access the Internet while connected to either base station by wire or wireless. Please post back your results.

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

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

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Best configuration for Time Capsule & Airport Extreme running one wireless network?

    We just moved to a house that does not have Ethernet pre-wired so I've had to re-setup the wireless network in a different configuration and it seems we're experiencing deteriorated wireless signal for devices like laptops.  It will work perfectly fine (and fast! wheee!!!) but then it will slow to a crawl and mostly timeout.  before I reset everything and start from scratch, I'd like some help.  As an FYI, when connected via Ethernet to either of these, Internet is blazingly fast… so my problem here is the Wireless portion. 
    As some background, here is how we had the network set up in the previous house which was working great (although it was wired for Ethernet which made things A LOT easier):
    Airport Extreme (4th Generation)
    Wireless Mode: Create a Wireless Network
    Internet Facing (Connected to the Cable Modem)
    Location: Upstairs Utility Closet (with Smartbox and cable modem)
    Time Capsule (1st Generation)
    Wireless Mode: Extend a Wireless Network
    Joined to existing network above, but also connected to the Ethernet jack
    Location: Upstairs Office
    Here is the current set up we have running:
    Time Capsule (1st Generation)
    Wireless Mode: Create a Wireless Network
    Internet Facing (Connected to the Cable Modem)
    Radio Mode: 802.11n (b/g compatible)
    Location: Upstairs Office
    Airport Extreme (4th Generation)
    Wireless Mode: Extend a Wireless Network
    Joined to existing network above with NO incoming Ethernet connection
    Location: Downstairs Family Room
    My understanding is that the Airport Extreme should pick up and relay the signal downstairs, as well as provide the router for the devices downstairs that need Ethernet (TiVo, Apple TV, etc).
    So, my question is (and thank you in advance for helping me sort this out!), what would be the best configuration to optimize the Wireless performance in the house? 
    Also, for whichever device is the one picking up the existing network and providing the router capabilities for the Tivo and such, is it possible for it to pick up but not rebroadcast the signal?  I think in this new house we may have a good enough signal from the office, without the need to rebroadcast it.  My theory is that in this house, they are too close together and interfere with each other and/or devices aren't sure which to choose so they bounce back and forth endlessly.  Again, just a theory.
    Many thanks again for your help! If I've left out any information, please ask and I can provide. 

    Should they be running on the same channel (as with the "Extend" option previously? Or just both on Automatic channels?
    I would recommend the Automatic setting on both devices because this will allow each router to scan and choose an open channel automatically. If  you want to set the channels manually, keep them separated by at least 4-5 channels. You would not want to ever use the same channel for both devices in this type of "roaming" setup.
    Is there a way to limit bandwidth per device (or action) so that it doesn't monopolize the network and keep other devices from using it?
    Nothing that I am aware of. It sounds like  you have some young users who are likely visiting Bit Torrent sites, which will really gobble up the bandwidth with big, heavy downloads. The Time Machine has to back up the same files again when it makes the next pass, so that clogs things up again.
    Backups would go 3-5 times faster, on average, if the computer(s) could connect using Ethernet, but I understand that wires are not cool with the younger crowd.
    should BOTH the TC and AE be set up in Bridge mode?
    The AirPort Extreme should be set up in Bridge Mode.
    The Time Capsule...it depends. If the TC is connected to a simple cable modem...then the correct setting for Connection Sharing would be "Share a public IP address" on the TC. That is because a simple modem has only 1 IP address to deliver. The TC takes that address and "shares" it with other devices by setting up a local network for all your other devices.
    If the TC is connected to a gateway....a combination modem/router in the same box that usually has 3-4 Ethernet ports on the device....then that device would be considered the main router on the network and the TC would be  configured in Bridge Mode in that case to function correctly on the network.

  • Can I use an airport extreme to extend the range of my wireless modem

    Can I use an Airport Extreme to extend the range of my wireless modem?
    At one end of my house I have a dual band wireless ADSL modem which provides my internet connection and I want to extend (improve) the wireless coverage to the other of the hosue where my Apple TV (2nd gen) is located. I have being trying to extend my wireless network with an Airport Extreme but so far without success. I can get the Airport to join the wireless network, but I suspect that it is only acting as another client and not actually extending the wireless range. There is a setting in the Airport configuration to "extend and existing network", however when I choose this option the Airport no longer connects to my existing wireless network and I am beginning to suspect that this fuction only works with another Apple device (Airport Extreme or Express).
    Has anyone been able to extend the range of a third party wireless router / modem with an AirPort Extreme? If so, any advice that you can offer wold be appreciated.
    Regards
    Michael

    Thanks Tesserax,
    Your answer has confirmed my suspicions.
    Option 1 from your suggested solutions is not a goer because the modem and Airport Extreme are in different parts of the house making it impractical to run a cable between the two devices. 
    I did try option 2 and bought a Netgear range extender, which according to Netgear it would work with my D-Link modem - not.
    However I have managed to work around the problem (sort of) by using the Airport Extreme to create a wireless network between my iMac 27 and my Apple TV. The idea is that the iMac will act as a router between ethernet connected ADSL modem and the wirelessly connected Apple TV.
    The good news is that I am now able to play the content from my iTunes library on my Apple TV without interruptions due to a poor wireless connection . Although the connection from the Apple TV to the internet is not working I think this is most likely just a configuration issue and for me it is not really a show stopper.

  • When using an airport extreme to extend a wireless modern, will the lan ports work?

    When using an airport extreme to extend a wireless modern, will the lAN ports work?

    The AirPort Extreme can extend the wireless signal from another Apple wireless router. When it does, the Ethernet ports on the extending AirPort router are enabled.
    Apple's "extend" feature appears to be a proprietary Apple function, so it would be extremely unlikely that an AirPort Extreme...or any other Apple router....could extend a 3rd party router product wirelessly....if that is really what you are asking here.

  • I have airport extreme as my base, how do I use linksys as the extender

    I have airport extreme as my base, how do I use linksys as the extender

    You would need to connect the Linksys to the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) by Ethernet, and then, configure both of them for a roaming network.

  • Use airport extreme to extend time capsule network

    I have tc and an airport extreme. I want to use the airport extreme to extend my network and because I can use it to connect my directv receiver directly by ethernet. How do I set up the second router to act as an extension?

    Won't using WDS (which is harder to set up) prevent use of 802.11n mode? It's my understanding that WDS is limited to 802.11b/g modes. This would be obviated by simply using the AEBS to extend the existing network and configuring the TC to be extended, correct?
    I don't know. I have 1 802.11n Airport Extreme and a Snow 802.11b/g Airport Extreme and an 802.11b/g Airport Express.
    I have only experimented with WDS between the Snow and Express so I can not speak about 802.11n.
    However, if the Time Capsule and Airport Extreme are still supporting 802.11b/g then they must operate in the 2.4GHz frequence range. This will limit 802.11n performance. This is why I use my 802.11n Airport Extreme in 5GHz ONLY mode servicing just the 802.11n devices, and I use the older Snow and Express in Bridge mode to support my 802.11b/g devices using the 2.4GHz frequences.
    The only way I know to properly extend an 802.11n network is to create a *Roaming WiFi Network*. This involves running an ethernet cable from the Time Capsule to the Airport Extreme. Then configure the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule so they have identical SSID, WiFi encryption method, and password. In addition, the Airport Extreme -> Internet -> Internet Connection tab must have "Connection Sharing:" set to "Off (Bridge Mode)" so that the Time Capsule provides all the routing services and there is only 1 subnet in the home.
    Of course I'm willing to learn new tricks, so if there is a way to wirelessly extend the 802.11n network and stay in the 5GHz frequences, I am interested, as you never know, some day I will most likely own another 802.11n base station.

  • Using an AirPort Extreme to extend my network

    Hi, I am an astronomy fanatic and am looking for the best way to connect my Sphinx SXD2 Vixen mount to my network. It has a LAN Port. My ideas is to purchase an additional AirPort Extreme which will wirelessly extend my network from my home to my observatory outside and then connect my MacMini and Vixen Mount to it.
    This way I can control everything from inside my house where it is nice and warm.
    Will this work? Can an AirPort Extreme act as a wireless hub?
    Thanks
    Herbert

    You basically asked the same question yesterday except this one mentions an AirPort Extreme.
    The same information applies.
    What happened when you tried our suggestions on your other post?

  • HT4259 Is it still possible to configure an AirPort Extreme as a Wireless/Ethernet bridge?

    Hi,
       I have a 4th generation 3TB Time Capsule as my primary wireless device.  I have tried configuring my 4th gen AirPort Extreme as a bridge (passive wireless to Ethernet bridge, not active wireless router) and despite two firmware resets, am unable to do so with either Airport Utility 6.1 or 5.6.1.  I am using a retina MacBook Pro with 10.8.2 to run the Airport Utility.  I know this used to work with earlier versions of the AirPort Extreme firmware (currently 7.6.1 for both devices) and earlier versions of the Airport Utility, because I have done it before and it has worked fine, although I haven't tried this for more than 3 years.  Is it still possible to do this, or am I missing something?

    If you are correct about not being able to configure the Extreme as a bridge then I guess I'm stuck with running the Extreme in extend mode.
    We only answer questions when we've tested it ourselves.  But, you can prove to yourself that the AirPort Extreme cannot act as a simple wireless to Ethernet bridge by trying to configure it to "join" a wireless network. You will see that the Ethernet ports are not enabled in this type of setup.
    Configuring the AirPort Extreme to "extend" a wireless network will enable the Ethernet ports. I'm sure that you understand that although the Extreme has Gigabit Ethernet ports, the "Ethernet" signal that appears at the LAN ports will only be as fast as the wireless connection to the AirPort Extreme allows.
    Perhaps surprisingly, the best that Cisco has to offer in terms of a wireless to Ethernet bridge is an 802.11b/g device with 100 Mbps Ethernet ports. Netgear does a bit better at least offering 802.11n capability, but still 100 Mbps ports.
    The AirPort adapter or a USB wireless adapter might be the simplest way to go if you are concerned about adding an additional wireless access point. Good luck.

  • I am trying to hook up a second airport extreme to extend my network.  Can I do this without having another ethernet connection?

    I am trying to hook up a second airport extreme to extend my wireless network.  Can I do this without having a second ethernet connection?

    Yes. Apple's instructions to do this are here:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

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

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

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

Maybe you are looking for