Better N performance on Airport Extreme

I just bought an Airport Extreme dual band to use with my Windows machines. Through a post on another forum on here, I found out my N connections are actually using the 2.4ghz band and not the 5ghz band.
I have a Zxyel wireless N card in the one desktop, and the stock N card in an Acer laptop. Do I have to upgrade these in order to get on the 5ghz portion? I have one machine that is still on G, and I'd prefer not to share bandwidth with it if at all possible.
Just trying to tweak this new router as much as possible for best performance. It is already hands down faster than the Belkin router it replaced.

Welcome to the discussions!
If you setup your AirPort Extreme using the step by step guide in AirPort Utility, your AirPort Extreme (AEBS) has been configured to use the same wireless network name with both the 2.4 GHZ network and 5 GHz network.
Your computer(s) will normally log onto the strongest signal that they see and if this is coming from the 2.4 GHz network, that is where they will connect.
You have the option of giving the 5 GHz network a separate name. If you do this, you can direct your computers to log onto that network (assuming they can handle a 5 GHz signal. Sorry, I can't tell you whether your Windows machines will be able to do this or not. Might be worth a try to find out, though.
To assign a different name to the 5 GHz network:
Open AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Click the Wireless Network Options button
Put a check mark in the box next to 5 GHz Name. AirPort Utility will automatically add (5 GHZ) to the name of your current network
Click Done
Click Update
Now try to have your computer(s) locate and log onto the network with the (5 GHz) name. Be advised that 5 GHz signals do not penetrate or travel as well as 2.4 GHz signals due to their higher frequencies, so you will probably find that 5 GHz may be close to a line-of-sight deal.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

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I finally bit the bullet on friday night and purchased the Airport Extreme. I could not be happier!
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Hello people,
I recently talked to a friend of mine (Mac user) who told me that Time Capsule has in fact a better WiFi capability than Airport Extreme since it has to cope with all the traffic for Time Machine. I dunno if this rumor is right but if it is i'd like to know more since i'm looking for a WiFi router and if Time Capsule gives better signal strength and thus larger or better bandwidth than i might just go with it.
So what do you people think?
Thanks
Andrei D.

So you are sure then that there are no hidden functions or hardware capabilities that would allow Time Capsule to have better wireless capabilities?
Yes.

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I am using an older (2006) 54Mbps AirPort Extreme Base Station and want to extend the range. I am experiencing issues with dropped or slow signals in rooms that I would consider tough to reach (basement for example). Can I use an AirPort Express to extend the range of the WI-FI and how exactly is this done? Or would I be better off updating the AirPort Extreme Base Station? It's worked flawlessly for 6 years, just have more wireless requirements.
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I am using an older (2006) 54Mbps AirPort Extreme Base Station ... Can I use an AirPort Express to extend the range of the WI-FI and how exactly is this done?
The short answer is yes; the longer answer is that the only way to "wirelessly extend" the range of your 802.11b/g-only Extreme is to create a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
Not only is a WDS a tedious pain to set up, even for experienced users, its performance is likely to be disappointing. It may not even solve your dropped signals or slow throughput.
There are better ways to extend your wireless range. By far the best and least expensive alternative is to connect an additional base station to your existing Extreme with an Ethernet cable. If you don't want to do that, and you understandably decide against a WDS, then your remaining alternative is to buy a newer, 802.11n capable Extreme or Express. They can use Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature that will eliminate nearly all the disadvantages of a WDS.
Read this to determine how to create a WDS: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4262

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I just bought an airport extrm to replace an old wi-fi router w/issues. Despite a solid green light on the airport extreme, the computer won't even connect to the internet using LAN cable plugged into wi-fi airport and LAN into ISP supplied Cisco modem. The Computer does see and connect to the named airport wi-fi but that connection will not connect to internet. Airport Utility icon shows the wi-fi with a green circle, but internet is yello. Cisco modem is online (confirmed by ISP).
How do I get this thing to work?

Sorry, I have not used this modem, so cannot provide any specific information on the device as far as custom configuration that may be required.
You may want to wait for another user who is familar with this modem to answer.
In the meantime.....if you have not already done so.....power off the modem by unplugging the power cord from the back of the device
Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the modem
Leave the modem powered off at least 15 minutes, 30 would be better
Power off the AirPort Extreme by pulling the power cord from the back of the device
After the modem power down period, connect the Ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme
Power up the cable modem, and let it run for 10 minutes
Then, power up the AirPort Extreme and let it run a few minutes
Check the connection to see if the modem has issued a valid IP address to the AirPort Extreme so that it can connect to the Internet.

Extra Antenna on Airport Extreme

My present Snow Airport does not give me full coverage in my house - I have to be relatively near it to get good signal (i.e. - 1 or 2 rooms away and not upstairs).
My question is this - if I buy an Airport Extreme with an extra Antenna (e.g. Dr. Bott Omni antenna), does plugging in the antenna into the airport turn the airports internal antenna off? Given the short lead on the Antenna, I'm thinking that I could site the Extreme BS downstairs and run the Antenna through the ceiling to upstairs. This would use the BS's antenna for downstairs and the external Antenna for upstairs - would this work?
Would I be better off buying an Airport Extreme BS and an Airport Express instead? I've heard third party routers are cheaper - can they act as remote stations just as easily? By the way, I only have standard airport card in my G3 iBook. My G3 iMac is cabled to the the Airport.
Many thanks for all your help.

Shane,
It might help to relocate your base station a short distance to avoid metal being in between (pipes, ductwork). I especially had a problem with a bathroom with a cast iron tub, medicine cabinet, etc. being between two rooms.
You might also want to verify that you have the latest firmware actually uploaded into the base station, as well as the software. A couple of times I noticed that I downloaded such things but never followed through to completion and the installers were sitting unused in my Utilities folder.

How do I extend my Airport Extreme version 5.7 for better wireless at a distance?

From my researching of this problem, it seems like I may need to "extend" my Airport Extreme version 5.7 to strengthen my signal at a distance. It is used, but I was able to reset and set it up to my network. The previous user was getting much better performance. When at my desk, right next to the router and Airport Express, I get up to 19Mbps. At a distance of 30-50 ft. (which I often use) wirelessly, I can only get up to 4Mbps. Will "extending" the Airport help those speeds and strengthen the connection so as not to burden it even farther with 3 users connected to the network or is there something else that I can do? Am I just being picky? I am an Apple novice and have read everything I can to figure out my problems, but this one is still lingering. Problem or not?
Info: if needed
Airport Extreme v 5.7 - only one as a base station
Wireless network with ZyXel Q1000 router - Airport Extreme is connected to that via ethernet cable.
I use a Toshiba Satellite laptop, less than a year old running Windows 7.
Often work about 30-50 feet away wirelessly and speeds are up to par without Airport Extreme, got it to strengthen signal as another user will be added to my network shortly. Speeds at a distance 4Mbps or less. Next to router and Airport 19 Mbps.
I have Century Link 20Mbps high speed internet service.
Airport "dome" has three lights on top. Middle is steady green and the two on each side periodically blink white.
Successfully set up using airport utility for PC. It shows up on that list and on my wireless connection list.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions or positive comments.
david
badboyfun - apple novice.

I'm having a bit of trouble confirming that the ZyXEL is a combination modem & wireless-N router. If it is, then you really won't get any advantages of using the 802.11g AirPort.
If the range of your ZyXEL is limited, you may find that doing either or both of the following will help: 1) Move the ZyXEL so that it is higher vs. lower in the room, that is away from any closed areas or placed in a metal cabinet, and 2) Changing radio channels. The latter is especially important in you live in an area where there are a number of competing Wi-Fi.
A good utility to find out, is iStumbler. You would use this to find these other Wi-Fi and find which have the strongest signal value. Those that do, you would also want to note which channel they are operating on, and then, change yours to one that is at least 3-5 channels away. So, for example, if you find strong ones on channels 1 & 6, change yours to 11.

Airport Extreme Poor WiFi Performance

I've been doing periodic bandwidth tests with speedtest.net for several years now. I have an account, so my results are saved. I do them from a Mac Mini and also from my iPad.
The MacMini is hardwired to an Airport Extreme. The iPad is, of course, using WiFi. Usually it is on the 5GHz network, but sometimes (I have no idea why) it selects the 2.4GHz network. The 5GHz network is "n only", the 2.4GHz network is b/g/n. Security is WPA/WPA Personal. The Airport Extreme is on firmware 7.6.1. (I rolled back in December, a couple of months after I noticed the degraded WiFi performance.)
Until mid-October of last year, the results on the iPad were similar to those on the MacMini.
For example:
On October 4 : iPad - 10.27 Mbps; Mini - 11.25 Mbps
On July 21   : iPad - 10.13 Mbps; Mini - 11.39 Mbps
However, beginning with tests done in late October, the results for the iPad are markedly inferior to those of the Mini:
On January 17: iPad - 00.49 Mbps; Mini - 06.14 Mbps
Today        : iPad - 00.87 Mbps; Mini - 08.69 Mbps
Oddly, when I switch the iPad to the 2.4GHz network, it does much better: 2.40 Mbps (today) But, still, much worse than before October and much worse than the Mac Mini. All the iPhones in the house are on the 2.4GHz network and get results similar to the iPad. However, none of them have as much test history saved.
I don't think it's a question of interference. None of my neighbors have 5GHz capable routers. On 2.4 GHz, I'm using channel 1. Both of my neighbors with routers are on channel 6. No cordless phones or other cordless devices in this house.
I have recently reset the network settings on both the iPad and iPhone.
So, what did I do to mess up the WiFi on my Airport Extreme?

Thanks.
Model is A1408.
I set the 2.4GHz network to channel 8.
I had to leave the 5GHz network to "Automatic" because choosing 36, 40 or 44 prevented both of my Airport Expresses from connecting. They would only connect with "Automatic".
All the names are alphanumeric and short: mgn, mgn5ghz, AirEx, etc.
I disconnected my MacMini's ethernet cable and just used WiFi. As expected, bandwidth decreased from the normal 10Mbps to about 2.8 Mbps.
I did not do a factory reset as family is about to come home and I don't want to be fiddling when they're expecting working WiFi. I'll do it tomorrow.
Here's the Wireless Diagnostics Log:
# --- Check Connectivity
# --- Wi-Fi Interface
          Interface Name                    : en1
          MAC Address                    : 00:24:36:f0:a9:33
          Network Name                    : mgn
          Active PHY Mode                    : 802.11n
          Security                    : WPA2 Personal
          SSID                    : mgn
          BSSID                    : b8:8d:12:63:32:8d
          Country                    : TH
          RSSI                    : -51 dBm
          Noise                    : -89 dBm
          Rate                    : 130 Mbps
          Channel                    : 8
          Channel Width                    : 20MHz
# --- Bluetooth
          Power State                    : On
          Paired Devices                    : 0
# --- Wireless Environment
          2.4 GHz Networks          : 2
          5 GHz Networks                    : 2
          Current Channel Networks          : 2
          Recommended 2.4GHz Channels          : [ 11 6 1 2 3 4 5 7 9 10 12 13 ] 8
          Recommended 5GHz Channels          : [ 36 40 44 48 153 157 161 165 ] 149
# --- Network Configuration
          Primary IPv4 Interface          : en1
          IPv4 Address                    : 192.168.0.76
          IPv4 Router                    : 192.168.0.1
          Primary IPv6 Interface          : None
          IPv6 Address                    : None
          IPv6 Router                    : None
          DNS Servers                    : 192.168.0.1
                                          8.8.8.8
                                          8.8.4.4
# --- Debug Log Entries
01/20/14 16:48:29.6470           Large preferred networks list count <31>
01/20/14 16:48:43.2710           SMTP port check time out
01/20/14 16:48:43.2760           Current Wi-Fi network is an AirPort network

Airport Express or Airport Extreme better for Apple TV

I currently have an Airport Express router (1st gen). Among items used on it are two iPhones, two Macs, and an iPad in addition to Apple TV. Load times for Apple TV are just so-so. Thus far, I've been connecting to my Macbook Air to watch things downloaded from iTunes, as it's much faster to download contact via Macbook. I would prefer faster loading and whatnot and have Comcast Blast internet. Would switching out the Airport Express for an Airport Extreme make a difference in Apple TV performance? Let me know - thanks.

I was getting lousy connection speeds (between 3 Mbps and 7 Mbps) when I had the Airport Express in another room. After moving it to the same room as the Apple TV, I get speeds of between 25 Mbps and 33 Mbps. It seems as though the Airport Express just broadcasts a very weak signal through walls and into adjacent rooms. Would the Airport Extreme broadcast a much stronger signal?
Now, the performance of the Apple TV is much better, but still not flawless. For instance, last night, I was trying to watch a TV episode, and it wouldn't load. I got a message saying that iTunes experienced an error. At 9am this morning, it works perfectly. Does iTunes just get overloaded with users at peak times?

The Airport extreme vs vingor2750vn, which is better?

I want to buy a Airport extreme,
But is it better than the vingor2750Vn,
because my internet is really slow.
Maybe if I get the Airport router from apple
my internet will inprove.
But I am not sure if it will help

It is basically the same.. range, performance of wireless and router should be identical or very near to.
See the review here which compares them.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4577/airport-extreme-5th-gen-and-time-capsule-4th- gen-review-faster-wifi-/4
The advantage of the TC is time machine.. Airport extreme might work for TM but apple do not support it and lots of people have issues with it.
But if you are not going to use Time Machine with the TC then there are cheaper and better options.. especially for windows.

I have an AirPort Extreme time capsule . I need to extend my wifi network range. Which devise is better ?? Airport express or AirPort Extreme ??

I have an AirPort Extreme time capsule . I need to extend my wifi network range. Which devise is better ?? Airport express or AirPort Extreme ??

Since you have the new Time Capsule, then you will need a new AirPort Extreme to match the performance capabilities of the Time Capsule.
If best quality is preferred, you will need to connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection between the devices. The advantage of doing it this way is that you can locate the AirPort Extreme exactly where it is needed...and there will be no loss of signal through the Ethernet cable.
A wireless connection will result in a significant drop in performance, but it might be OK for your uses, if you want to try it that way first to see if the performance is acceptable.
It is really important that the AirPort Extreme be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the Time Capsule.
A line-of-sight relationship between the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme would be the goal, with the AirPort Extreme located about half way between the Time Capsule and the general area where you need more wireless signal coverage.

Speed or Performance Issue with Airport Extreme 802.11n

Background:
Router 1: Linksys Wireless G 2.4GHz Router WRT54G (have been using for 1.5 years)
Router 2: Airport Extreme 802.11n Base Station Model: A1143 (just arrived)
Macs: Intel MacBook Pro & MacBook both Newtwork Adapters upgraded to 802.11 a/b/g/n and verified via "Netwrok Utility". The Netwrok Utility also displays the link speed at 54 mb under interface info. when the Linksys G router is selected and the link speed at 144 mb when the airport extreme n is selected.
Observation & Issue:
Currently, for testing both network routers have been used seperatly (connected directly via the cable modem) and speeds for each latop verified via http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ and normal "human" usage web surfing observations via Safari. Results below:
1. When using the Linksys G router both the MacBook and MacBook Pro appear to be performing well and responsive with little or no wait on graphically/media intense sites such as apple.com
The speakeast.net/speedtest/ (using the NYC hub close by) downoad test displays 8MB to 10MB speeds
2. On the otherhand, when using the Airpot extreme both the MacBook and MacBook Pro appear to be performing slower than usual with higher waits for image and page downloads.
In addition, the speakeast.net/speedtest/ (using the NYC hub close by) downoad test displays 2MB to 3MB speeds. Lower than what we experienced using the older router.
Request for advide or help:
1) Is this normal? Assuming it is not, what esle can I look at that can help me determine the root cause. The Airport Utility does not offer much assistance in this matter.
2) Thus far I have opted to revert back to my Linksys g router. However, before returning the product... any other adivce on a potential miss in the configuration or setup would be of great help.
3) Other's experiencing the same?
MacBook Intel & MacBook Pro Intel Mac OS X (10.4.8) SUing Comcast Cable Modem

Contacted Apple Support (have an AppleCare account) tonight and the issue has been resolved with the caveat that I cannot have a mixed (g & n) radio mode on the same airport extreme base without significant loss of performance. These are the steps I was walked through to resolve my particular case:
1) Verify that your hardware is indeed upgraded to use n (see steps in my original post)
2) Open the AirPort Utility (new program that was installed from the install disc under applications/utility)
3) Click on the Airport Extreme image on the right hand column to open the Airport Extreme settings
4) Select the "Wireless" tab, then "Radio Mode" drop down and select 802.11n only (5 GHz)
5) Select Update to apply new settings.
Results:
When running the speakeasy.net/speedtest I am seeing results that are indeed better. However, the test shows that the top speed lowers a bit and jumps back up unlike when I am on my old g router, which does not have such a jump.
This test is not perfect but a good gauge. If anyone has any other ideas to test performance more accurately, please do let me know.
Note: Only n enabled devices now work with the n router. I will keep my old g router as a backup and for my work pc laptop.
Hope the above helps and thanks.
MacBook Intel & MacBook Pro Intel Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Internet performance degrades over time with AirPort Extreme

Hello, we have an AirPort Extreme (802.11n) which is about two years old, and I've noticed lately that if I don't reset it for say, a month or so, internet speeds become extremely slow, and there is no way to regain normal speeds without resetting it... I was just wondering if this is normal for an AirPort Extreme, and also, could this be due to the age of the unit (i.e. do AirPort Extremes slowly lose performance over time, and is buying a new one the only answer)? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

U have to find a good channel.
on 2.4ghz this is 6 unless other routers in the area are using it. if so use another channel.
Other things that can interfere: Microwave oven, frige - any thing that emits em fields
5ghz is better.
vicinity of your laptop makes a big difference - i get up to 57Mbps on speedtest net in vicinity of time capsule @ 5ghz.
Best performance is on ethernet cable.
Hope this helps

New Airport Extreme better?

I have the old Airport Express(round disc shaped) and our PBG4 & MBP simply don't connect in certain parts of our house.
I'm wondering if the newer Extreme(ml053?) would work since it claims twice the range.
BTW, we tried software updates and it didn't help.
Thanks

Hi stage4survivor,
The range of any particular computer operating under a particular protocol is going to depend on things like case design and material, aerial placement, etc. My MBP wasn't that different to my PB12, when I was operating both on 802.11g (with an older "space ship" Airport Extreme base station like yours), but some other PB's had better wireless capability than my "first gen" alu PB12. It wouldn't surprise me if some PB's have better range under "g" than MBPs do. The MBP, under, "n" is a much better performer however.
On 802.11n (or even on "mixed mode" g/n), however, the MBP beat the pants off the "g only" PB.
I suspect that you will find that if you get an 802.11n AE base station it will solve your problems as far as the MBP is concerned. My suggestion in terms of your old base station was simply in terms of using it to get broader coverage in current problem areas in your house when using 802.11g with the PB.
Hope that makes things clearer.
Cheers
Rod

Better N performance on Airport Extreme

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