Best way to add airplay to an airport extreme base station????

Hello educated apple users,
I am in the process of setting up my wirless network and entertainment sytem in my home.
I originally bought the airport express which was great acting as a wireless router as well as connecting my home stereo system receiver to it via an audio y cable, which allowed me to use airplay.
However, since I needed additional ethernet ports for my SmartTV as well as other wireless speakers I have (SONOS), I went and excanged the airport express for an Airport Extreme. Much to my dismay, the Airport Extreme does not have the audio input for airplay like the Airport Express does!! Another reason why I went and got the Airport Extreme was so that I could plug my external harddrive, which has all of my music on it, and access my music without having to have the harddrive connected directly to my Macbook Pro.
So I cannot decide what the best option is.
I want to use airplay with my home entertainment system
I need multiple ethernet ports
I want to connect my harddrive to my router
Option #1 - I've thought about getting the Express back, and just getting an ethernet hub, but that that still wouldn't allow me to connect my harddrive to the network.
Option #2 - Keep the Extreme, and find another way to use airplay with my home entertaintment system (maybe an Apple TV?)
Option #3 - Keep the Extreme, and get another Express unit just for the airplay functionality. Is this even possible?
I am obviously looking for the most efficient, effective and economical solution. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!!

Here is reference chart for SNR:
40+          Superior
35            Excellent
30            Very Good
25            Good
20            Fair
15            Low
10            Very Low
5              Not usable
SNR is by far the best tool to measure wireless connection quality. That is why Apple, and so many other WiFi utilities either don't even use it, or hide it. if I look at AirPort Utility and see a "good" signal quality, then look at SNR, that "good" is really Low to Very Low.
When you extend a network using wireless, you would want to locate an extending AirPort at a location where it receives at least a 25 db SNR. Higher would be better.
Unfortunately, 13db and 9db indicate that the AirPorts are located much too far from the office AirPort to pick up a high quality signal....or.....there are too many obstructions....walls, ceilings, furniture, etc in the signal path between the extending AirPorts and the Office AirPort.....or a combination of too much distance and too many obstructions is also possible.
Without knowing the very detailed layout of your home, I am not sure what to suggest at this point. I am afraid that you are going to need to look for better locations for the AirPorts, keeping in mind that the most remote AirPort needs to be closer to the Office AirPort than it is to other AirPort in order for both AirPorts to extend the signal reliably.
Apple's "extend" setup was really designed for layouts where the "main" AirPort is located centrally in the home, and the "extending" AirPorts are located like satellites at either end of the house. This way, the "extending" AirPort will usually pick up a decent quality signal to extend, and both extending AirPorts are located much closer to the "main" AirPort than they are to each other, so the network has a much better chance of working reliably.

Similar Messages

How to add NAS to existing Airport Extreme Base Station Network...

Hi! I have a Airport Express network (DSL provided via a DSL modem) that is connected to the PC via ethernet, iMac 333 via Wireless adapter, and Powerbook via wireless card. I am bursting at the seams with components!!
I have the printer set up via the AE.
I would like to add a NAS to the works. (Just to see if it can frustrate me even more! )
How exactly would I hook this up? Any suggestions? Has anyone done this? Have a favorite NAS device you can recommend? We are looking to install this for a centralized place to store all our music, photos, movies, etc. We have TONS of digital media to store and it is clogging up our respective hard drives!
Thanks in advance for the help!!
Minder
Ti Powerbook 15 inch Mac OS X (10.4.6) iMac Grape 333MHz, Custom built PC and a Flower Power iMac soon coming home with me too...
Ti Powerbook 15 inch Mac OS X (10.4.6) iMac Grape 333MHz also

It is unclear... Do you have an AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) or AirPort Express (AX)?
If you have an AEBS then you should have this configuration:
DSL modem<->[WAN] AEBS [LAN]<->PC
If that is your current setup, you would need to modify it by adding an Ethernet switch (or hub) so that it looks like this:
DSL modem<->[WAN] AEBS [LAN]<->switch<-+->PC
.......................................|->NAS

Is there ANY way to get QOS with an airport extreme base station?

I recently moved and decided to go with Primus VOIP for my phone line. It works fine as long as i don't have any torrents going...if i do then call quality goes to **** (i wish someone would've told me before)
I was told to use a QOS on teh VOIP ports...but my airport extreme doesn't support this (and apparently neither will the new one). Honestly this is something Apple REALLY needs to fix. This is outrageous. They're supposed to be on teh cutting edge of technology, and their routers don't even won't properply with VOIP services??? That's ********.
Is there any way i could get this to work - perhaps thru software?
It seems the only solution i have is to get a Linksys router and sell off the airport

Sorry that this may not seem like an ideal solution, but one option is to use an application that runs on a Windows PC that allows you to format HDDs for HFS+. Once formatted as such, it can be shared out to either OS X, Windows, or Linux users from an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule. HFS+, like NTFS, supports much larger HDDs.

How to add Ethernet ports to an Airport Extreme Base Station?

I have successfully connected an HP Office Jet 6310 to the Airport Extreme Base Station, after downloading the latest software from HP. It is printing wirelessly, and it is great so far.
The only problem is that the cable modem connected to ADSL has only one Ethernet port, and the Airport Extreme Base Station also has one Ethernet port. However, I need one more port to connect a phone (Vonage Telephone Adapter = VTA).
What is the easiest way to achieve this? I saw several other messages discussing hubs and routers, but the answer is not clear yet. If I purchase an additional router, should it be connected between the cable modem and the Airport Extreme Base Station, or the other way round?
Any help or advice would be appreciated!
Thank you in advance for your time.
MacBook Pro with 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.7)

One final vital piece of information, which should be my conclusion on this topic.
Following the advice received, I purchased a Switch from Linksys. Since the device didn't work for my purpose (dividing the Ethernet connexion into an Ethernet line for the HP printer and the Vonage phone), I called the Linksys support.
I was told that what I needed was not a switch, but a router. I thus had to get reimbursed for the switch and hunt for the proper router.
Finally, today, I have been able to find the item corresponding to my needs:
A Belkin Wireless G Router F5D7230-4
It costs less than 50 US$ and has all the necessary Ethernet ports. The setup is very simple, and I got it operational within a couple of minutes, despite some small problems getting the setup Wizard to work. It is Mac OS X compatible.
Thus, at the end, I have got the HP 6310 Office printer and the Vonage VTA phone working together, with a robust Wireless network including WPA security. I would recommend this type of setting.
The only trouble is that the AirMac Extreme Base Station has become completely useless! I will perhaps keep it as a souvenir, or as a decoration in the living room... This wouldn't have happened if the creators of this nice object, which is extremely expensive for what it provides, would have thought of including at least two Ethernet ports!
The unexpected reply to my query could thus be ironically formulated by saying: "replace the Airport Extreme Base Station with a cheaper an more efficient device." Sorry for that!
With my best regards to those who took the trouble to read this thread to the end.
Yours, Hotaru

What is the most sensible way to extend a wifi signal. I am in a cinderblock house and I have to buy something that will give me a single network but added range from my airport extreme base station.

What is the most sensible way to extend a wifi signal. I am in a cinderblock house and I have to buy something that will give me a single network but added range from my airport extreme base station.

Use an Airport Express. Configure the AEBS to allow it's wireless network to be extended. This is a dropdown menu option under the Wireless tab. Configure the Airport Express to Extend an Existing Network also under it's Wireless tab. You will need to provide the name of your network used in the AEBS as well as the network's access password.

Currently use Airport Express -1st Generation-to access internet -purchased 2014 Airport Extreme base station -can I import Express back up configuration to keep current settings . Or is it best to do new Airport Extreme as a new Network .

Currently use Airport Express -1st Generation-to access internet -purchased 2014 Airport Extreme base station -can I import Express back up configuration to keep current settings . Or is it best to do new Airport Extreme as a new Network .

Just spoke with Cisco about the router. They said the router is compatible with the E1500. They suggested that I contact Apple to see if their default IP address was that same as the router (192.168.1.1). They told me I would have to change it if that was the case. How would I do that?

Hi Everyone, I am Sreedhar , I need to extend the Wireless Network which is connected through cable in Airport Express, Without Airport Extreme Base Station is there any way to extend my WIFI

Need Help

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

Certain web address not available when using Airport Extreme Base Station

Hello. To access my "secure" account at the local library, I must use a web address that contains a colon followed by a number. I believe that this is a port number, but I confess that all the discussions here regarding ports are going well over my head, and I may be incorrect with this assumption.
My problem is that while I CAN access this site by connecting to my DSL router directly via ethernet cable from my iMac G5, I cannot access the site when connecting to the internet in the mode: iMac Airport to Airport Extreme Base Station to DSL router via ethernet.
The format of the web address is: http://xxxx.yyyy.net:####/zzzzz/, where #### is the number I guess may be specifying a port and causing my problem.
Can anyone advise me, in simple terms, how to get to this address when in the Airport--internet connection mode? Will the solution have any adverse side effects?
Regards and Thanks
iMac G5, 2.5 year old AEBS Mac OS X (10.3.9) Westell 327W 4-port DSL Modem, not using wireless feature.

Very likely the embedded firewall that comes with your AirPort blocks the port you are trying to use.
In order to solve this, best way is to modify the AirPort settings (open the AirPort maintenance app):
Click at the tab "port forwarding" and add the desired port as "public port" to the list. "private IP" is the IP of your Mac and for "private port" type in the port number again.
If you are unsure about the IP of your Mac, look at the network maintenance application.
Well, one side-effect is that you have an open port in your configuration which could cause security issues... but only if you are paranoid So there is nothing to care about (note that without the AirPort inbetween your Mac and your modem, this port would be not blocked and freely accessible

Solution to Airport Extreme Base Station + Airport Express networking probs

I've been investigating this for 3 straight days after inadvertently destabilizing my network. There are tons of posts discussing a variety of issues, all of which seem related. My goal here is to provide links to other relevant posts and explain what I ended up doing to get things to work.
First, the background. You can skip below to SOLUTION if you don't really care... However, I highly recommend you take the time to read everything, as you'll get other useful information in the BACKGROUND section. I'm guessing many of you have similar, related problems so BACKGROUND might help provide context (and solutions) to some things you are seeing...
MY SETUP:
AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) of type b/g (round one, not square one), connects to the cable modem, and creates a WDS network that is then shared across two standard AirPort Express (AEX) units (100megabit, not the gigabit ones). One AEX serves as a relay unit that accepts clients, the other serves as a remote unit that also accepts clients. The intent is to show a single network throughout the house and let users log on to one network and move between networking units without having to switch from network to network.
I have a variety of networked devices throughout the house all running on the same network (2 Mac Pros, a Powerbook G4, a Mac Mini, an Apple TV, a Windows XP laptop, two iPhones, two wifi printers, and a 5-unit Sonos system, plus the AEBS and two AEXs). Yeah, I'm a geek.
The Mac Pros are both running 10.4.11, and the Powerbook is running 10.5.2.
AEBS is running firmware 5.7
AEXs are running firmware 6.3
All Macs were initially accessing configs via the recently released AirPort Utility 5.3.1. More on that later.
BACKGROUND:
I've had this network setup working for about a year now. Recently, I've been having poor network performance problems and came to the conclusion it was a LAN problem (ie. problem with my home network, as opposed to with my ISP). Upon initial investigation, I began by looking at my networking logs (via AirPort Utility 5.3.1). You get to those by selecting the unit in question, choosing "Manual Configuration", the selecting the "Advanced" tab up top with the "Logging and SNMP" sub-tab. Click the "Logs and Statistics" button therein for log details from that unit.
The first thing I noticed was "Administrative access denied to ff80::xxxxxxxxx" messages - a lot of them. I didn't recognize the ff80:: address in question, and so became concerned it was someone outside the network trying to hack one (or all) of the AEBS/AEX units. You can see threads discussing that investigation here:
"Hack or panic?" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438486
"Administrative access denied" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438865
Long and short of it is that the recent AirPort Utility 5.3.1 release (current as of March 13) seems to have problems (keychain) when attempting to access the AEBS and AEX units. The "Administrative access denied" logs actually refer to the client machine you are using when you try to read the logs. The ff80::xxxxxx address is simply the IPv6 address for the machine you are using; if you turn off IPv6 on your client machine, that address should switch over to begin showing a regular IP address instead (something like 10.0.1.xxx), which makes it easier to associate the IP to the machine. I explain how to deactivate IPv6 on both Tiger (10.4.x) and Leopard (1.5.x) here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6814978#6814978
Anyway, in the process of investigating the "Administrative access denied" problem, I began tinkering with my AEX settings. Specifically, I ended up performing a hard factory reset (unplug unit, plug back in while holding down the little button with paper click/pen for ~10-15 seconds until light flashes green 4x then reverts to amber/yellow/orange). I began reconfiguring my entire WDS network using the newly updated AirPort Utility 5.3.1, and that's when the trouble started.
(If you are having problems seeing either your AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, read this:)
In short, each time I thought I had properly configured things and then confirmed settings (kicking off a reboot on the AEX unit) the unit would restart with new settings but not properly join the WDS and not show up in the AirPort Utility list of units. More specifically, I would start with a "wiped" AEX and see both the AEBS and the AEX in my AirPort Utility list, but upon confirm/reboot the AEX would disappear and the AEBS would remain. However, that's not 100% correct. It seems that sometimes I would end up with the AEX and NOT the AEBS. Because both the AEX and AEBS were theoretically "hosting" the same network name (remember, WDS shares the network name across units) my auto-login feature for my client computer's wifi seemed to "jump on" whichever unit it first saw hosting the default network name for my house. In other words, it seems what was really happening was that I was ending up with two separate networks in my house, both with the same name but not talking to each other (as opposed to two units sharing the same network name and internet connection). The AEX would continue to blink orange/amber/yellow (whichever color it is to your eyes ) because it could not grab an internet connection -- and if I was on the network through that AEX unit I would not get internet. But if i was connected through the AEBS I would continue to have internet access. As far as my client computer (my Mac Pro) was concerned, I was on the home wifi network even if I was on the AEX rather than the AEBS -- it would show the home wifi network name as the name of the network it had connected to. But when I opened the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 I would see only the AEX (if I was connected through it) or the AEBS (if connected through it) -- a clear indication that the units were not truly sharing the same network.
I tried rebooting and reconfiguring the AEBS and AEX about 50 times (literally). I even tracked down an older version of the AirPort Utility 5.2.1 via this thread (see Tesserax post):
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1067565
One interesting thing re: 5.2.1 is that the "Administrative access denied" errors summarized above disappeared. As explained in a post reference above, the going theory is that this a permissions/keychain problem new and unique to AirPort Utility 5.3.1. However, even though 5.2.1 does have a slightly different interface with different settings, I still couldn't get the WDS to work.
EVENTUALLY, I came across this post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
MuaddibOfArrakis walks through setting up a WDS from scratch, and the workflow is different than what is possible with either AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or 5.2.1. He's doing it with the old version of AirPort Admin Utility, which I fortunately saved a copy of many moons ago when I had somewhat-related problems with my WDS (since forgotten). In fact, it's a lot easier. What's nice about this older app is that it literally does the heavy lifting of "connecting" the AEBS and AEX units during the configuration -- it reboots both at the same time as the config is happening, and lets you choose from a list of available units to "add" to your WDS network. In short, it's a FAR SUPERIOR workflow even though some of the GUI isn't as intuitive as the newer AirPort Utilities that were designed to replace it.
SOLUTION:
If still have a copy of the AirPort Admin Utility follow the instructions from MuaddibOfArrakis here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
If not, try setting up your WDS network using AirPort Utility (hereafter AU), with these configs (take from my now-working network), as viewed through AirPort Utility 5.3.1.
I. Configure your AEBS.
Select the AEBS from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the AirPort tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) assign a name for that specific unit, so you can later identify the specific unit from the list of units -- this is the name that will show up beside the unit in the AU list of configurable units. You can name it something like "kitchen", or "office". I have mine numbered, so XXXXXv1, XXXXXv2 etc where the XXXXX is the name of the shared network and the numbers help me tell the units apart. Just be sure you name each uniquely, and if you have several you might write the name on the unit itself.
ii.) pick a password for logging into that unit. This is different from the network password, its a security check to get in and change the configs on this unit later. Be sure to remember it in your keychain for the sake of simplicity, and write it down somewhere secure.
iii.) if you choose to set time automatically, pick a location that you will use consistently across all your units. I use time.apple.com.
iv.) uncheck "Allow configuration over Ethernet WAN port" unless you want to be able to remotely mess with settings -- which you almost certainly do not need to do.
v.) I left the "Options" button alone - no settings there.
b. Under the "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: "Participate in a WDS network"
ii.) Network Name: this will be the name of your wifi network shared by all units, so be sure to remember what you pick. If you are already connected to this AEBS via wifi while you are making these changes, then you can use the same wifi name you already have set up -- you don't have to change it. Note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
iii.) pick a Radio Mode. I'm using b/g compatible. You'll want to do the same, unless you are on the new gigabit AEX. I'm pretty sure about this, but not 100% -- others post if I'm wrong.
iv.) choose a Channel. This can be a more complicated procedure, but for now just pick something consistent across all your units. If you get everything working and find that you're having intermittent network problems, you could later try changing your Channel -- it can pick up interference from phones, microwaves, etc and changing it can help.
v.) I have wireless security set to WPA/WPA2 Personal.
vi.) Wireless Password is the password for access to your wifi network (not your unit itself). If you are connecting to your AEBS via wifi while doing this config, then you can use the same password you have already set up. Pick a good one unless you want other folks jumping on your wifi and stealing your bandwidth and/or credit card numbers . Remember it in your keychain and write it down someplace secure, because you'll need it for the other units too. As noted above, note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
vii.) Click the "Wireless Options" button. I have my multicast rate set to 2mbps, transmit at 100%, timeout at 1 hour, and i have checked the "Create a closed network". This last step keeps your network from advertising itself to the outside world. Users can only find it by explicitly typing the network name into their wifi settings (e.g. AirPort -> Other... then enter Network Name, Security and Password). I leave interference robustness unchecked.
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
i.) the AEBS should have it's WDS Mode set to "WDS main".
ii.) Check the "allow wireless clients" box on the AEBS; this lets you connect client machines to it directly too.
iii.) hit the plus button to add the Remote system (AEX). There are two types of configs for the AEX's - "remote" and "relay". Assuming you have 3 units like me (2 AEX and 1 AEBS) the key question is whether you will place each AEX within direct reach of the AEBS (remotes), or if you will have one AEX in the middle connecting to an AEBS on one side and an AEX on the other -- where the furthest AEX is out of reach from the AEBS (remote) and connects only to the AEX in the middle (relay). I'm using a relay setup. If you are using relay, you can still set up the AEX relay to serve client computers too -- it doesnt have to JUST relay. More on that later. For now, you want to add only AEX units that will talk DIRECTLY to the AEBS. So if you have a setup like mine, just add one (the one in the middle - the relay). If you have two remotes connecting directly to the AEBS, you will add them both here. When you hit the '+' button it will ask for both an ID and description. For description I use the name I'm assigning to each unique unit (as above, "kitchen" or XXXXXv1 or whatever you use). For AirPort ID, use the number listed on the AEX unit itself (not the number for "Ethernet", also on the AEX unit).
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) I have it set to "Not Enabled". I'd suggest you start that way too, and you can go change it later if you get everything working correctly.
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: Ethernet
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
b. Under the "DHCP" sub-tab:
i.) DHCP Beginning Address: 10.0 . 1 . 2
ii.) DHCP Ending Address: 10.0.1.200
DHCP Lease: 4 hours
c. Under the "NAT" sub-tab:
i.) nothing should be checked;
ii.) nothing under Port Mappings either
3. Under the "Printers and Advanced" tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there.
THAT'S IT.
=============
I. Configure your AEX(s)
Select the AEX from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the "AirPort" tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) pick a unique name for this unit, same logic as for AEBS
ii.) pick a password specific for accessing this unit, same logic as for AEBS
iii.) Set time automatically: be sure to use the same settings used on your AEBS
iv.) Options: no need to set any
b. Under "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
ii.) Network Name: same name used for AEBS, this is the name of your wifi network
iii.) Channel: same as AEBS
iv.) All settings here (those above, plus Security and Password & in Options button) should be the same as for AEBS settings on this tab
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
...if AEX is "in the middle" (as described above):
i.) WDS Mode: WDS relay
ii.) Allow wireless clients: check (unless you only want to bridge between the edges without letting folks connect on this AEX in the middle)
iii.) WDS Main: set to the AirPort ID (aka MAC address) for the AEBS. You can find it on the bottom of the AEBS, either labeled as such or at the bottom beside the logo of a wireless signal (square logo, with semi-circles mimicing a radio signal).
iv.) WDS Remotes: click the '+' to add any AEX's that will connect to this relay rather than directly to the AEBS. Same deal as above, use the name in the description and use the AirPort ID from the side of the AEX (not the Ethernet ID).
.....if AEX is connecting to a relay ("on the end", as above) or if there is no relay and AEX connects directly to the AEBS:
i.) WDS Model: WDS remote
ii.) Allow wireless clients: checked
iii.) WDS Main: if connected to a relay, use the AirPort ID of the relay AEX. If connected to the AEBS directly, use the AirPort ID of the AEBS
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled (for now, you can change later)
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: AirPort (WDS) -- should be selected and gray'ed out.
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
3. Under the Music, Printers and Advanced tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there. You can worry about AirTunes settings later...
That should be it. I'd recommend setting up the AEBS first, then the relay (if applicable), then the remotes. Initially, you can bring each unit in the same room with you for configuring. After configured and restarted the AEX should blink then turn solid green. If it turns green you should be good to go.
HOPE THIS HELPS. As noted above, I did not config through AirPort Utility 5.3.1 so I haven't tested this procedure through that app. However, after getting my network to work I went back and transposed all settings into this post to help others. Please provide feedback on whether or not this is working, so we can collectively try to move towards a setup procedure that works for everyone....
Good luck!
Message was edited by: b.byrd

I'm not convinced that the problem lies in Airport Utility. This same thing was happening to me, nearly exactly as you describe it. The thing is that with me, the problems clearly started when I updated the firmware in my Airport Express (n). That's when all the wacky stuff started happening. Sometimes it would show up in AU, sometimes it didn't and even if it didn't, I could still access the internet through it.
But as you said, the problems got really bad when another Express (b/g) was put on the network with it. Even when it did work, the (b/g) would make it impossibly slow.
You know more about this than me, and clearly have more patience if you've restarted the network fifty times. I gave up at about ten.
In any case, your solution is more of a work around and if you're still having that slow connection problem, I'm not sure you've got it. But thanks for your reporting of this. At least I know I'm not crazy.

Wirelessly Connecting HP Laserjet P3015 to Airport Extreme Base Station

Hi, I just purchased a new Airport Extreme Base Station, and was able to establish an internet connection to it. I'd like to find out if it's possible to connect the HP Laserjet Enterprise P3015 to the Extreme, wirelessly rather than via a USB Cable. I've looked at the HP page for this printer, but I'm baffled by all the lingo. I believe it's a newer model of HP printer (or maybe it isn't?) but I bought it new from HP recently.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=S upportFAQ&lang=en&cc=us&docIndexId=64178&taskId=101&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesI d=3815797&printver=true#10
Is there a term for the type of printer that can be wirelessly connected? Should the printer, by default, give off a signal that I can pick up? I don't see anything popping up in Airport Utility 6.3
I'm using OS10.7.5 by the way.
I'm off to post a message on the suitable HP forum (if I can find it ) but I'm so used to the Apple Community knowing what's what, that I was hoping that some kind soul here might just have experience with this.
Thank you.
PS. From what I can understand from the "Trouble-shooting FAQ," wireless printing is possible, but I just don't see an option for syncing it up with a MAC? Maybe it only works with Windows?

wuzradioman
I don't see where the P3015 printer is wifi capable. Therefor, you cannot use wifi to directly communicate with it.
Thanks for the reply Wuzradioman. I dug around (several) of HP's sites and it looks like the info was slightly different for the same printer listed on both the Home and Business sites. I did find a link on a 3rd HP page (which I've since misplaced!) that indicates that the P3015 requires a wireless card to be installed. But when I clicked the link for "accessories and additional hardware" a link to the card was nowhere to be found. I'll try to dig up that link in the event that some other poor soul has the same printer and a similar question.
Vernon Alexander
I find the HP printers (they're called wireless printers by the way) to be cumbersome to connect wirelessly. there's a lot of manual work involved that can be time-consuming. For example, I found it incredibly irritating to enter the wireless access passcode.
Thanks for the reply. After talking to some other people, this seems to be the consensus on wireless printing. I guess there's a reason, esp. in enterprise environments, that printers are often hard-wired.
Bob Timmons
you can run an Ethernet cable over a much longer distance than a USB cable, so Ethernet might be the best option, and the one I would prefer.
As far as wireless, If you connected an AirPort Express to the printer and disguised it near the printer, then you could locate the printer anywhere you want and have it connect using wireless to the network.
Instead of installing a wireless "card" inside the printer, you use an outboard device to accomplish the same task.
Thanks Bob. I did end up hooking up via a Cat-5e cable from printer to Airport Extreme base. Previously, I had the printer hooked up via USB cable (at a shorter distance) to my Airport Express, which the Extreme now replaces.
Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the HP Laserjet P3015n printer recognized after having connected it via Cat5e cable to the Airport Extreme. 1) there's still somethign about it being attached to the old Airport Express (which is now used to extend my network. 2) The P3015 is identified as a P3010 - which is a carry-over from when I had originally set up the printer on my (then) main base station which was the Airport Express. I didn't (or rather "stopped") questioning the fact that the P3015 was recognized as a P3010 just because it was the only way I could get the printer to be recognized at the time.\\
But I suppose this new challenge merits a separate thread, which I'll start after I do a search of the support forums. Maybe there's something obvious I'm not doing to get the printer sorted out.

Airport Extreme Base Station - I am ready to throw this thing...

Dear All,
I'm about ready to throw this thing out the window, along w/ everything else from Apple I own... Sorry, at my wits-end and have finally had it with this thing.
My g/f and I live in an apt with an Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS), 10/100baseT Switch, Xbox 360, PC clone tower (PowerSpec), and two Centrino Laptops... The topology our network is the following
DSL == Modem => AEBS => 10/100 Switch => (XBox 360, Powerspec)
Every other day, the AEBS drops out for no obvious reason. Not only for no reason, it DROPS the connection and causes interference on our wired network. If I'm playing Call of Duty 2, for instance, and using Skype at the same time, anywhere from 10-30min later, the WiFi connection will drop altogether and the wired network will go down too.
I've done multiple hard-resets and the issue persists. Apple wants $80 to talk to me (after we paid $150 for it because it's supposedly "the best") after only owning it for a little over a year. It seems that this problem has been persistent.
My g/f finally cracked down and bought a Verizon EVDO card and uses it while she is out, but in the house because she cannot use our home network reliably.
I've tried using it on WPA2, WEP, and even left it open but the thing still drops for no reason...sometimes within hours, or two two days. I'll come home, boot up my laptop, and the WiFi is completely gone...non-existant. Boot hers, same thing... I doubt it's interference because we have 1 cordless phone and it's a 900mhz, which we rarely use anyway.
Does anyone else have any of the problem(s) we're having? This has been semi-often since we got it, and all Apple told us was "interference" and won't help us because we use PC (I used to own a Mac, hence why I got this).

Update: Well, the AEBS 'bombed' out again when I got home on Friday, no access whatsoever.
I unplugged my DSL modem from it, plugged it in directly to my HP notebook, and was surfing the 'net w/out a problem. Power cycled the AEBS and it worked fine. That was just over one day on firmware v5.5.1, longer than it lasted on v5.7.
Here's my conclusion...
I'm 'convinced' that v5.7 is buggy and it's known, or well documented. It will cost more money to fix it, or release a new firmware version that repairs the bugs from v5.7, than to just leave it alone and hope people either downgrade to v5.5.1 or purchase a new AEBS (w/ 802.11n).
After countless hours of dealing w/ this, of which I feel like a complete and utter fool, I went out and bought a competitor's product (Linksys) and installed it on Saturday morning. As of this writing, I've had no drop-outs and the access seems to be more punctual, or responsive than when I was accessing under my AEBS. Therefore, I'm happy to say my problem of unreliable WiFi access in my apt is solved, but only after spending $50 to purchase a new router.
I spent $180 on the AEBS and I can remember the first time I had to call AppleCare about printing issues I was having with it; I could print from Windows XP (both wired and wireless), but not from Tiger OSX 10.4. No-one had a clue, but was only told that the issue was my "printer" not the AEBS or my Mac. Despite repeated attempts to re-inform that it works just fine under Windows XP with both my Lexmark and Canon inkjets, it would not print properly (bombed out half/way through the page) under Mac OSX.
So, here on my shelf, sits the Airport Extreme Base Station that I paid $180 for, and it is basically useless. Apple could care less about it, but then again, why should they--after all, it had a 1 year warranty and despite trying to resolve issues I had w/ it while it was in fact within the warranty period, that time has come and gone.

Cannot access certain web sites through Airport Extreme Base Station

I use the old (round) Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS). Approximately three weeks ago I could no longer connect to americanexpress.com or to Godaddy or their mail servers. About a week ago the Godaddy sites started working again, but the American Express sites are still not working.
My current setup:
- AEBS connected to Time Warner New York cable modem
- Three Airport Express units - two connected to speakers, and one set up with WDS to provide Ethernet access to computer (PowerMac G5), which is in a separate room from cable modem
- I also have an Airport card in my G5 to connect directly to the wireless network (but that doesn't solve any of my problems)
I have tried resetting all the units, and have also tried running the network with all the Airport Express units turned off, none of which as allowed me to access American Express.
I have the exact same problems with my work-issued Windows 2000 laptop when logged in to the wireless network.
When I plug a computer directly in to the cable modem, I have no problem accessing any of the sites, which leads me to believe that the solution somehow lies with the AEBS - I just can't figure out what it is.
Any help/suggestions are much appreciated.
PowerMac G5, 23" Cinema Display, Airport Extreme Base Station (802.11b/g) Mac OS X (10.4.9)

If you're having trouble with throughput performance or just connecting to some websites, try changing the MTU value, on your Mac, to 1492. (The default value is 1500.) To do so, you can use a utility, like Cocktail or via OS X's Terminal.
MTU will vary with connection type. Cable and non-PPPoE, can use up to 1500, whereas PPPoE connections (WinPoet, RASPPPOE, Enternet, etc.) can only use up to 1492. For secure VPN connections (i.e., IPSec) use a MTU value less than 1500.
The best value for MTU is that value just before the packets get fragmented. To test, use the Ping utility.
OS X: ping -D -s 1472 www.dslreports.com
WinXP: ping -f -l 1472 www.dslreports.com
Reduce 1472 by 10 until you no longer get the “packet needs to be fragmented” error message. Then increase by 1 until you are 1 less from getting the same error message. Add 28 more to this (since your ping packet size, not including IP/ICMP header is 28 bytes). This will be your MaxMTU. (Note: If you can ping thru at 1472, stop, you’re done! Add 28 and your MaxMTU is 1500.)

Airport Extreme Base Station as an wireless Extender to new Airport time capsule

After many months of time machine back up problems. (verify back up failing) I am considering biting the bullet and getting a new 2TB Airport extreme time capsule. Can I use the old (late 2013 801.11ac) airport extreme to extend wifi network?
A few other questions.
1.Does extending reduce wifi performance?
2. If using extreme as extender can I still plug in hard drive or hard drive to it?
3.
currently using imac 21.5 (late 2013) 1TB backing up to 6TB WD mybook live duo (connected to Extreme using ethernet), via airport extreme base station (ac wireless band to mac)
Any guidance appreciated.

Is it possible to quantify how much faster USB back up is compared to 802.11ac between mac and AirPort time capsule?
600GB should take 10 hours by ethernet. And it will be somewhat faster by USB3.. exactly how fast is difficult to predict as the first TM backup itself is slow due to many small files. In terms of raw speed maybe twice but it will depend on the disk used. USB you can use an SSD and get super huge speed. (not that I think you will be buying a 1TB SSD anytime soon).
In terms of raw speed it is cheese and chalk. The max speed of real world file transfer on AC wireless is around 430Mbps and that is using ideal world.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/113-5-ghz-dn-c?see=MAX
This has nothing to do with link speed.. this is how fast a file actually transfers. And that is assuming the iMac and the TC are in the same room. And everything is perfect with nothing else using connection.
The real world speed of USB3 is around 100MB/s to a spinning hard disk..
http://www.macworld.com/article/2039427/how-fast-is-usb-3-0-really-.html
which may indicate the limit is the actual disk speed. In bits per second you x 8.. so the USB3 is 800Mbps. The advantage of USB direct connection is that speed is available at all time. Not when your close or the load on wireless is low.
Further to your comments when extending. Is it only the area covered by extending that has reduced performance or all the wifi signal?
The speed will depend on hops..
So if the computer is using resources on a local router.. and only one wireless hop then it is fast.
If it is using resources via a second router so wireless goes.. computer--- router2----router1-- resource.
Your speed drops 50% at best.. at worst it is really bad.
For example.. computer 1 on router 1 accesses computer 2 hard disk on router2 with everything wireless.
Count the hops. C1-R1, R1-R2, R2-C2
That gives 3 hops. So each packet is transmitted.. along that chain.. each transmission can only begin after it is received in full. Now add some other computers using resources.. say C3 is using internet via R1.. that has to be time sliced. So you get 50% of 50% of 50% of 50%. It is obvious that wireless networks have a huge handicap.. they cannot transmit and receive at the same time.. nor can they talk to more than one client at a time.. so add time slicing to wireless hopping.
Now ethernet is entirely different. It can transmit and receive at the same time.. ie is duplex. And in a switch it can talk to several computers at the same time. That is why we say.. as much as you can ethernet.. and use wireless as the last single hop to a client that needs it.. ie iphone or ipad.. or laptop if you cannot plug in ethernet.
Can the ac wifi format be extended using AirPort Extreme and time capsule.
Over very short range yes. AC wireless is only on 5ghz and is poor penetration of solids.. so this will work but maybe only to the next room.

Connecting Airport Extreme Base Station and HiTron CGN3

A recent installation of Internet/CableTV services by Rogers.ca replaced my Airport Extreme Base Station WiFi network with one based on the Hitron CGN3 Cable Modem/Router. Many of the WiFi enabled evices in the home were switched to the new network without too much hassle. However, my multiple NEST CO/Fire alarms failed to connect and after some hunting I established that the CGN3, although apparently ipv6 'compatible' has this protocol not enabled. There is no input facility in the modem setup to activate the protocol. The importer of the device seems to have chosen to not respond to such tech issues.
It now comes down to either using the CGN3 as a Modem/WiFi server or extending the network to include the Airport Extreme on the CGN3 (don't know how to do that) or vice versa, extending the Airport network to include the CGN3 (don't know how either).
QUESTION:
Does anyone have any idea on how to make the Airport Extreme and HiTron Modem/Router function together since the Extreme has the ipv6 protocol enabled and NEST (and other 'Internet of Things') devices will reconnect, no problem.
More Info:
The only reason for the CGN3 to remain as a WiFi server is its range which seems to cover the required service area with a more powerful, stable signal than the Airport. That is somewhat important since TV services come over the Internet and mobile devices apps available from the Apple store can be used as very capable program guides/selectors and remotes for the HDPVR and secondary HD boxes that feed the TVs, eliminating a remotes collection and associated programming and infra-red transmission hassles. I believe the Cable boxes would accept getting the TV signals from the CGN3 and function commands from the Airport Extreme networks. That remains to be proven. Level 2 Technicians at Rogers and NEST Labs have looked at this and can't access the CGN3's ipv6 function to activate it. They don't know much about the Airport Express.
Second Thought:
On the other hand, a second apple Airport base station would extend the network range to rival the CGN3 and the WiFi function of the CGN3 could be turned off. I tried to connect the two routers by LAN cable but they don't seem to see each other and I don't know enough about network settings to get any further.

Whichever airport you use.. express or extreme doesn't matter much..
It should be setup in bridge mode. Plug an ethernet cable from LAN port on the CGN3 to WAN port on the Apple router.
Go into the airport utility and run through the setup. Don't be too worried if it chooses the wrong setup.. you can go back and edit it after the setup is complete.
You will want to open the Edit.
Then go to the various tabs to ensure it is setup the way you want..
On the Network tab.. bridge mode.
On the wireless tab, create a wireless network.
I recommend you use names that are short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric. eg AEwifi In my case with Time Capsule I use separate wireless names for the two bands. TC24ghz and TC5ghz but that is up to you.. it can make life easier.. then set channels can also make things easier.
Ensure your IPv6 is setup correctly.
The actual internet option will be dhcp.
You will have two wireless networks.. but both will use the CGN3 as router.. the airport if it worked in the past should work. Even if it is not the dhcp server. BUT let me add there is another way to fix this if this setup doesn't work.. please post back your result.. no luck then I will show you how to setup a static IP with the Apple router.

Additional Ethernet ports on Airport Extreme Base Station

I would like to know how one could add additional Ethernet ports to an Airport Extreme Base Station - I need 6 ethernet ports.
Is it possible to daisychain two Airport Express Base Stations so that all computers can see each other, or is it best to buy an ethernet switch?
If the latter is the answer, hardware recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks

Is it possible to daisychain two Airport Express Base Stations so that all computers can see each other, or is it best to buy an ethernet switch?
It would be best (cheapest) to use an Ethernet switch instead of getting a second wireless router with a built-in switch.
If the latter is the answer, hardware recommendations would be appreciated.
A 4-8 port model from any of the name brand vendors should do just fine. An example would be the Linksys SD2008.

Best way to add airplay to an airport extreme base station????

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