Article to setup Extreme for N only and optimize settings?!?!

Question

I just replaced an older b/g AIrport Extreme with a newer dual band N version of Airport Extreme. I also replaced my Express b/g with an N version as well. I have the Extreme connected to my Verizon FIOS modem by ethernet and manually configured to "bridge" mode with the goal of maximizing the FIOS speed that can be obtained (versus extending the FIOS wireless network from the Verizon router). I am totally confused about what steps to take to ensure that my new "bridged" network with the Extreme and, subsequently, the Express, only use N and not a/b/g WiFi for the network. I have Airport Utility v5.5. Is there an article or another post that goes through this step by step... for dummies I have found a bunch of posts that address this general topic, but the feedback provided to the OP is usually assuming I know some piece of info that I just don't actually know... one step ahead of me. Thanks for any guidance or feedback to point me in the right direction!

Answer 1

You mentioned in your post that you had manually configured the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) to act as a “bridge” for your Fios router, so I assume that you have likely already configured some other aspects of the AEBS at this time, so I will not go into a lot of detail on some items that are normally fairly intuitive.
If you have not already installed the software that came on the CD with your AEBS, it would be a good idea to do so as some of the most recent dual band products are using a version of AirPort Utility that is not yet available for download from Apple’s site and its also likely that you have a more recent version of the firmware for the AEBS which is also not available for download.
In general, I think it helps most users to temporarily connect an ethernet cable from their computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AEBS to configure the device rather than trying to use wireless. So, if you are having difficulty with wireless in trying to configure the AEBS, use the ethernet option.
Speaking of ethernet, you mentioned that you wanted the best performance possible for your network and that would start with the ethernet cables. Make sure they are either CAT5e or CAT6 cables to take advantage of the Gigabit speeds that the AEBS is capable of handling.
Open Airport Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to enter a name for your device and a device password along with time and time zone settings
Next, click the Wireless tab next to the Base Station tab to display the wireless settings page
Wireless Mode would be Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name is your choice
Put a check mark in the box next to Allow this network to be extended
Radio Mode should be 802.11n only 5 GHz to provide the fastest speed possible.
You may need to hold down the “option” key on your computer while you click on the selection box to display all the available choices. If you later find that the 5 GHz setting does not penetrate as well as hoped, you will need to return to this area to change the setting to 802.11n only 2.4 GHz
Channel…hold down the option key again when you click on this box. Select one of the higher numbered channels.
Wireless Security would be WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password is your choice
Click the Wireless Options button and make sure there is a check mark next to Use Wide Channels and click Done
Click the Internet icon in the row of icons and check the Connection Sharing setting at the bottom. It should be set to “Off (Bridge Mode)”
Click Update at the lower right and the AEBS will restart in 20-30 seconds and the light should turn green.
Now, take your Macbook and test to make sure that you can get a good internet connection near the AEBS. If so, move your Macbook to the room and position it as close as possible to the location where the AirPort Express (AX) will be installed and check to make sure that you get a good internet connection.
Hold down the “option” key on your computer while you click on the fan shaped Airport icon at the top of your screen. Look for the Transmit Rate number and jot that down for future reference. Move your Macbook around to other locations between the AEBS and the AX location and you will see that the Transmit Rate changes. It will be higher near the AEBS and will fall off as you move away from the AEBS.
Also, please download Air Radar and use the Scan feature at the lower right of the window to get a different look at the signal strength of your AEBS network. Air Radar is not free, but there is a 15 day trial period. Look at the Fios network as well in terms of signal strength where the AX will be located.
You can also use Air Radar to locate any other visible wireless networks in the area to help identify them in case you experience wireless interference issues.
At the tentative AX location,
What is the Transmit Rate that you see?
How strong is the signal from the AEBS in terms of percentage using Air Radar?
How strong is the signal from the Fios router in terms of percentage using Air Radar?
If you connect your Macbook to the Fios network, can you get a Transmit Rate number for that?
Please post back on your results and any questions you have to this point and we’ll decide how best to tackle the “extend” challenge. There will likely be some compromise choices to be made on this next step.