Best bets to extend/boost signals from Airport and AP Extreme

I have a network that uses an Airport Extreme as a base station downstairs in a corner of the house and an Airport Express upstairs at the opposite end of the house. The Express was purchased to improve signal and range.
I get enough bandwidth to open/send emails upstairs and render webpages (albeit slowly) but I cannot stream any media. The upstairs signals on my iPad or iPhone is low.
I've been looking at some range extenders (like Netgear) but wanted to see if Apple people had a better idea. I want something easy to set up that is "fire and forget." Hence, I am skeptical about Netgear (or Linksys) for that matter.

First off, neither Netgear nor Linksys products would be compatible with Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature.
In general, the best location for an "extending" device is a point that is approximately 1/2 the distance from the AirPort Extreme and general area that needs more wireless coverage.
Reason.....The AirPort Express and other devices like them do not "boost" the signal. The "extend" or "repeat" the signal, so they can only "extend" the quality of signal that they receive.
Most users tend to locate the extending device much too far away from the main router for it to work effectively.
I suggest that you experiment a bit with different locations for the Express to see if performance will improve.
If it does not, then you'll need to look at another option like running an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Extreme to the AirPort Express, or if you can't run the cable, using a pair of Ethernet powerline adapters to send a pseudo Ethernet signal over the existing powerlines in your home.

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Best way to Boost Signal from a Time Capsule is?

Is the best way to boost my wifi signal from the time capsule an Airport Express?
Is there anything out there better, faster?
Thanks!

There's a good step by step in the Designing AirPort Networks guide, pages 43-44.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf
When you are configuring an AirPort Express with AirPort Utility, it will usually help to temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the Express. Once you have it configured and updated, you can remove the cable and move the Express back to the desired location.
The key things to keep in mind are that both the base station and the extending device must be configured. All you will need to do on the base station is open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup and Click the Wireless tab. Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended" and update to save changes. If you have a dual band base station, only the main network can be extended.
On the Express, the Wireless Mode is set to "Extend a Wireless Network". When you do this, the wireless network created by the base station will appear so you can select that network to "extend". You will need to enter the password for your wireless etc. It's important to remember to click the check box next to "Allow wireless clients".
By the way, the ethernet port is also active when you setup the Express to extend, so if you need to get ethernet to a device like a DVR, DVD player, etc., this is a nice way to do so.

Is it possible to wirelessly extend a signal from my Airport Express A1264 to my basement without sacrificing speed?

I have a Mac, using OS X, version 10.8.4. My Airport Express A1264 has worked very well. However,
we would like to extend a signal to our basement for PS 3 and movies. I am sure it would be better
using ethernet, but that will not be possible. Is there a way to do it without sacrificing speed, and
if so, what would I need to do? Thanks.

Is there a way to do it without sacrificing speed,
No, not using wireless to extend.
The reason.....the wireless signal loses speed and strength the further that it moves away from a wireless router....and/or....it encounters any obstruction(s) in the signal path.
So, the wireless signal has probably already lost a good deal of strength and speed at the point where you add an AirPort Express. The Express can only extend the quality of signal and speed that it receives. In simple terms, the Express cannot make a slow signal go faster.
You lose no speed in a wire up to 100 meters. Easy to understand why this is a much better way to extend a network.
You can certainly try the wireless approach first....it might be OK....but if not, you will need to run the wire to obtain the performance that you need.
A wire guy can probably do this more quickly and less expensively than you might think. Whatever the cost might be, it will be best investment that you can make if you desire reliable wireless network performance.

Wifi signal from Airport Extreme doesn't reach all areas of my house. Is there a way to extend it without sacrificing bandwidth? Airport Extreme version 7.6.1

The wifi signal from my Airport Extreme doesn't reach all areas of my house. Is there a way to extend it without sacrificing bandwidth? I have an Airport Extreme running version 7.6.1.

You will need to add another device like an AirPort Extreme to provide additional wireless coverage in the house.
The only way to preserve bandwidth on a network would be to connect the two AirPort Extremes using an Ethernet cable connection.
While you can "extend" using wireless only, typically half of the bandwidth on the network is sacrificed when you do this.

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Hello Everyone,
I am using and Airport Time Capsule for backups and it is the main wireless router (not extended).
when I go outside of my appartement, I can still get good reception all around the building.
Is it possible to reduce the strength of the signal using Airport 6.3.2 under OSX 10.9.3? There are no settings for that but maybe I am missing something?
Thank you

I bet this option is turned on in the UK
Unfortunately, you lose the bet if you are running Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks on your Mac(s).
Tell Apple what you want here, since it is extremely unlikely that anyone from Apple will ever see your post on a user-to-user support forum:
Apple - AirPort Extreme - Feedback

How to restore strength of signal from Airport Expresses on a network

I have a newly developed problem with the signal strength from two Airport Expresses drawing a wireless signal from an Airport Extreme downstairs near the router and an IMac. This network has been functioning well for some time. Recently I noted that the signal strength upstairs (for I Pods etc) was weak where it had previously been strong. The Airport Utility program reports that these AExpresses have been properly set up and report no problems (My Airport utility version was 4.something, in spite of supposedly being automatically upgraded, and when I checked "upgrades" that brought the response that there were none, even though the current version is 5.5.2, and I then went and got that upgrade anyway).
After fiddling with the upgraded Airport Utility, without knowing what I was doing, and possibly making the Airport Extreme reset itself, the strength of one of the Airport Expresses, (the one further away) increased almost to previous (normal?) levels, while the closer one stayed weak (the one Airport Utility calls "Base Station" even though, like the further Airport Express, it is an identical Airport Express wirelessly connected to the Airport Extreme downstairs). Both, incidentally are 8011n, if I have that right.
Please forgive this incoherent post, but I am confused about how to trouble shoot a network like this, when something is not going right. I have read a number of the support articles as well as posts in this discussion group, and have learned a lot in general, but not specifically for this problem.
Thanks Rick Ward

Ok, thanks for clarifying your network requirements with the AXns.
For both AXns to be successful in extending the AEBSn's wireless network they need to be within a 25+ dB SNR range of that AEBSn. SNR, or Signal to Noise Ratio, is the base station's Signal strength (in dBm) - Noise level (in dBm). Two primary reasons for low SNR values is Wi-Fi interference and obstacles (like walls/ceilings, etc.) that prevent a signal from passing through.
You can easily calculate the SNR value by using a utility like iStumbler. Ideally, you would run iStumbler on a laptop and take signal & noise measurements at both the location of the AEBSn and at the desired locations of the AXns (with the AXns powered-off). If the SNRs are 25+ dB, then you should be get good performance with placing an AXn there to extend the AEBSn's wireless network. If not, then you won't.
Also, remember, with the 802.11n AirPorts, think of the configuration of the extended network with the main router as the hub of a wheel and the extending routers as spokes on that wheel. You cannot extend the network in a serial fashion (main to relay to remote) in this configuration.

No signal from airport extreme after switching to optimum online

I am pretty new to macs and this is my first message posted. A few days ago I switched from Verizon FIOS to Optimum Online and they changed the modem to a Motoroal Surfboard model. As far as I can tell the wiring was done correctly, but now my airport continues to blink amber and I am not getting any signal from it. The only way it gets picked up is by connecting the ethernet from the airport directly to the my macbook. I tried doing a soft reset and a hard reset, but still no luck. Optimum Online is telling me that it is a mac problem, but that seems odd to me since it was working fine before they switched modems. I know the new modem works because I can access the internet directly through it. When I go through airport utility, it keeps telling me that I need a firmware update, but then it cancels out on me with Error Code 6737. Any ideas??
thanks,
Ralph

even flow wrote:
A few days ago I switched from Verizon FIOS to Optimum Online and they changed the modem to a Motorola Surfboard model. As far as I can tell the wiring was done correctly, but now my airport continues to blink amber and I am not getting any signal from it. The only way it gets picked up is by connecting the ethernet from the airport directly to the my macbook. I tried doing a soft reset and a hard reset, but still no luck. Optimum Online is telling me that it is a mac problem, but that seems odd to me since it was working fine before they switched modems. I know the new modem works because I can access the internet directly through it. When I go through airport utility, it keeps telling me that I need a firmware update, but then it cancels out on me with Error Code 6737. Any ideas?
Some thoughts that may help with your problem:
1) When you connect directly to your new modem, open the "Network" panel of System Preferences and check the "Built-in Ethernet" item to check the setting of the "Configure" drop-down list. It will probably be either "Using DHCP" or something mentioning "PPPoE". Your AirPort unit should be configured using the same method.
2) When you switch between having your computer connected to your modem and having your AirPort unit connected to the modem, you ought to cycle power on the modem. Some modems will lock onto the MAC address of the client device and will refuse to work with anything else until they are reset.

Weak signal from Airport Express on extended network

I'm receiving only 2 bars from my Airport Express even with devices right next to it (see attached pics). I've reset the Airport Express and the extended network setup goes fine there's just a weak signal. If I take my devices to the modem router I get a full signal. Any ideas?
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The AirPort Express does work with virtually any wireless router for AirPlay or a remote printer.
Unfortunately, you must have missed the following clear statement in the product information for the AirPort Express regarding extending a network.
If you already have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, AirPort Express can help. Just place it in range of your primary base station — an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express
http://www.apple.com/airport-express/

Boosting signal of Airport extreme

I am an absolute dunce when it comes to wireless and need some advice!
I have an airport extreme in my office that works with my desktop and also provides adequate signal strength for the remainder of that floor and the one below (usually). But now my son has a wireless device and since his room is in the basement he wishes to use it there. What is the best way for me to boost the signal so that he can use his tablet?
I don't want to dash off and waste money on hardware until I have a better idea of what I need. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Patricia

Ideally, you will want to run Ethernet to the basement, and then, use a Wireless Access Point (WAP) to provide a wireless network for your son's computer in the basement. If Ethernet is not practical or desirable, then another option would be to employ Powerline adapters. These adapters take advantage of your home's electrical wiring to create a pseudo Ethernet circuit between adapters.
You would then place one adapter near the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) and the other near the WAP. Finally, an Ethernet cable would be connected between the adapter and the AEBS/WAP. This would provide a "wired" connection between them.
The end result is that you would have what is known as a "roaming" network where you could literally roam with a laptop and be on the "same" wireless network throughout the whole house.

Can't get wireless signal from Airport Express

I recently bought an Airport Extreme and Airport Express. The base station is in my office which is separate from my house so I bought an antenna from Macwireless.com. I'm able to play iTunes thru the Express perfectly but there's no wireless signal coming from the Express to connect to the internet. Does anyone have any idea what I can do to fix this?
After reading some other posts I found that my old wireless system wasn't acting up at all. It was Mac OS X 10.4.10. causing the disconnections to the internet. Great. Just great.

I'm able to play iTunes thru the Express perfectly but there's no wireless signal coming from the Express to connect to the internet. Does anyone have any idea what I can do to fix this?
If you have the Express and Extreme in a single Network there will be only one available network name to join. In that single wireless network the Express can be set up to extend range of network by using WDS, or simply as a wireless client that can print or use iTunes. If you check the Airport Utility help files it will give full documentation on how to set up either type of wireless network.

How to boost wifi from AirPort Extreme

Is there a way or additional hardware that will boost the strength of wifi in my house. I have router connected to AirPort Extreme which is great in that part of the home but very weak reception on second floor far from unit.

If you want to increase wireless range and coverage try mounting it on the ceiling or wall like with this product:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRSDKX6
It optimizes the 11n/ac speed and throughput so that you can get great performance from your Apple Extreme throughout the entire house!
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Can't read signal from airport

I can connect my macbook directly to the ethernet and the internet works. My airport reads the internet when I plug the ethernet into it also (green light). But my computer won't connect to the internet via the airport. What gives?

ok correction - the AX is NOT successfully connecting to the ISP. There is a green light on the AX, but when I run a network diagnostic through Safari, it says I have an airport detection, but there is a yellow light for network settings, and red lights for everything else (including ISP failed). I tried to configure the AX using airport utilities, but it says that IP is already in use? Not only that, now the airport utility will not detect my AX so I can reconfigure it. Aaaaaaahhhhhh
Again, the situation: the ISP must work because I can get the internet directly from the ethernet to my mac. But the airport is not able to send the signal to my mac.

No signal from Airport

new imac has just arrived along with a wireless D-Link G ADSL2+ router from my service provider. I can connecct to the internet using the etehrnet cable connection with the router but not via airport.
When I open "internet connect" there is no signal showing in he signal level bars. When I try to select my network it sees Dlink Wireless and a few of what must be my neighbours networks.
It then asks for my WEP password which I enter.
I then get an error message saying "There was an error joining the Airport network "dlink Wireless".
Whats up here?. My service provider says that my airport card is duff. How can i check this?
Alternatively how do i prove it is a problem with their router.
Any help PLEASE?
thanks

You could test your card by attempting to join a neighbor's network if they aren't all locked.
If that doesn't work, this might help:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300538

Best bets to extend/boost signals from Airport and AP Extreme

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