Boosting my signal with two airport extremes

I have a wirelessN airport extreme in my basement office. I get a wireless signal for my Tivo on the third floor, but it is around 35% signal strength. So I want to boost the signal to get a stronger signal. Which airport product should I use -- extreme or express? Will pairing these boost the signal?
Thanks

Welcome to the discussion area!
You might want to consider all the options to get the best signal possible to the Tivo.
The absolute "best" way to do this would be to run an ethernet cable from the AirPort Extreme to the Tivo.
If it's not possible to run the ethernet cable, for the "next best" option, you might consider using a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in the home to transmit the ethernet signal. While not quite as solid as a formal ethernet cable connection, the latest generation of powerline adapters provide performance that is almost as good as a normal cable...and with faster and more reliable performance than wireless.
The last option would be wireless. It's possible for either the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme to "extend" the wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme. This would probably work OK for normal internet browsing and audio streaming, but an "extended" wireless network may or may not be able to adequately provide the extra bandwidth required to download movies or video, especially high definition sources.
If you decide to try the wireless route, you might want to understand the store's return policy, just in case things don't work out as well as expected.

Similar Messages

Solution for Poor signal in a wireless WDS network with two Airport Extreme

I have just bought my second Airport Extreme to create a wireless network with the best possible signal. I have one Airport Extreme in my office and the second one (supposedly the remote base) in the living room, two brick walls and 7 meters away. I have follow Apple instructions for the setup, main base "Create a Wifi Network" and Extend network option selected. The remote "join an existent network" and Allow wifi clients selected. According to Apple this is a WDS network between two Airport Extreme.
The network is working and the signal from my iMac is very good in my Office. In the living room the signal with my PC laptop is also very good.
Problem is that my iPod Touch OS 3.0 (I use it as a remote control in my living room with a twonky media server) gets now a very weak wifi signal in my living room, in many cases I lose the wifi sgnal although I sit two meters away from the remote Airport Extreme in the Living Room. If I go to my office with the iPod, then I get a good signal.
I think that only the first Airport Extreme in my Office (Main Base) is emitting a wifi signal and the second Airport Extreme (remote) is only receiving the wifi signal not making a repetition of the wifi signal. (Sorry for my explanation, I am not technical on this.)
I thought that, in a WDS configuration, the remote Airport Extreme WAS suppose to also replicate the wifi signal in my living room.
I have also tried a WDS manual setup with the two airport with the same results.
Is there a solution for this?. Do I have to connect the two Airport Extreme with a wire ethernet in order to be able to have a wifi signal strong enough in my living room for my iPod Touch?.
Thank you for your time.

Thank you Bob for your time.
I understand from your words that with a DHCP reservation I can force de Airport Extreme Main Base to assign an specific IP to a particular client in the network. Is that correct?. If that is the case, I will reserve the 10.0.1.3 to the Twonky Media Server (I need this to be fixed to this IP) and I will change the configuration of the remote Airport Extreme to DHCP automatic.
I will give it a try in a few days. I have spent so many hours with this set up that I am a bit terrified to start again today, to tired from work.
Just one last question. Setting up the remote Airport was very difficult with the Airport Utility. I had to reset and start many times as I always got two errors in the set up:
1.- Internet not connected.
After a minute or so, most of the time the problem was corrected automatically as the remote found the main base that is connected to the internet. I got a confirmation message for this.
2.- Second problem was that Airport Utility said that it could no connect the remote to the specified network. Sometimes (not always) the remote light turn green both in the Airport Extreme and in the Airport Utility, BUT I never got confirmation of a successful installation. Nevertheless, the connection was established because the wifi network exist.
Do I have to "disable the WAN port" during the installation of the remote Airport to avoid the problems?.
Best Regards,
Fernando

Extending a wireless networking with two AirPort Extremes...

Hi All,
So I have two AirPort Extremes (both are 4th generation) and I have been using one as a network extender with my DSL and all was working perfectly. I was getting about 5MB downstream with my DSL, with my iMac hardwired to my extended AirPort. Yesterday, I switched my service provider to Comcast and, of course, I rebooted all of my devices.
Now, when I use the hardwired iMac connection with my extended AirPort, I get very low throughput - like 2 MB downstream. If I wirelessly connect to the AirPort that is wired to the Comcast modem, I get crazy high speeds - like 60MB downstream. (I'm using http://speedtest.net/ to judge these speeds...)
What the heck is going on???
Here's some more info:
Both Extremes are on the latest firmware, 7.6
The extended Extreme is showing that the upstream Extreme is wirelessly connected, with a Signal of -62, Noise of -68, rate of 144, Type Wireless (of course).
I've tried allowing wireless clients on the extended Extreme and not, both ways have the same behavior.
Lastly, and I don't think it matters, but my iMac has the latest version of Lion installed, 10.7.2.
Anyone have any suggestions???
- Thanx!
- Jon

Hi Again,
I'm pretty sure that this issue is going to be pushed farther and farther down in the discussion board.
I would really like to get it solved. Would any AirPort gurus out there like to make 10 bucks? I'm happy to PayPal you if you solve my issue... If not, I remember that there was a website where you could submit an issue and make an offer of payment for solving it. Anyone know what that is?
- Jon

Extending a wireless signal with an Airport Extreme Base Station, and an Airport Express as the "repeater".

I understand that I can extend Airport Extreme wirless "reach" with an Airport Express, but how? I've read through the posts and they say to "connect" the Airport Express. What does that mean, to an outlet, to an ethernet cable, what?

I understand that I can extend Airport Extreme wirless "reach" with an Airport Express, but how?
Enable the option on the AirPort Extreme to "Allow this network to be extended"
Then configure the AirPort Express to "Extend a wireless network"
If you do it this way, the AirPort Express connects to the AirPort Extreme using wireless only.
If you have the ability to run an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Extreme to the AirPort Express and leave it connected permanently, that will provide better performance than the "wireless only" type of connection.

Roaming with Airport Express (bridging) between two Airport Extreme AP's

I have two Airport Extreme base stations set up on a company LAN that provide wireless coverage for our very large facility. Both are set up with the same SSID and WPA settings and they are 5 channels apart, 1 and 6. We have a cart with a computer and it uses an Airport Express / WDS to allow wired Ethernet bridging to our LAN via the wireless. I can't seem to get the Airport Express to "roam" between the two access points, ie, when one AP's signal gets too weak I would expect that the Airport Express would switch to the stronger of the two AP's. Is this a correct assumption?
In the AirPort utility when you set an Airport Express as a remote it only allows you to specify one "main" AP, so I don't know if this is why I can't seem to get it to roam between both AP's. Anyone have any experience / success doing this? Thanks for any information you can provide.
Joe Jenkins

if possible, it sounds like you need to configure a "roaming" network, not a WDS. Of course, I am assuming that all your base stations have access to your LAN via ethernet...
- Configure each base station with the same network name and authentication/password.
- Put each base station in bridge mode (unless you need 1 of them to distribute ip addresses).
- Each base station needs to be on a different channel - and make sure they spread apart, like 3 and 11, as opposed to 3 and 4.
Basically make sure they are configured exactly the same except for the wireless channel.
Roaming should improve.

How do I set up a wireless network with an AirPort Extreme base station and two airport extreme but between apple devices either by ethernet

How do I set up a wireless network with an AirPort Extreme base station and two airport extreme but between apple devices either by ethernet

This Apple support document provides good general information on configuring different types of neworks using multiple AirPort routers.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
In particular, you would want to focus on the information regarding a "Roaming Network"

What is the best out door antenna /signal booster to use with Apple Airports?

I am installing a network at a bed and breakfast that has a cottage that needs wifi. Its a little to far for an airport express. Plus, the owner wants to have wifi available on the grounds of the inn.What is the best out door antenna /signal booster to use with Apple Airports?

I would recommend that you take a look at antenna solutions provided by QuickerTek. They now have several for the 802.11ac AirPorts.

How do I extend a network with an AirPort Extreme from an Arris TG862?

I'm using Comcast as my ISP, and after some issues with a previous Motorola modem, they supplied me with an Arris TG862 Router/Modem combo tower. I have two AirPort Extremes, one of which was previously connected to the old Motorola modem to send wireless into the house, but it only reached halfway, so I had the other AirPort Extreme in the middle of the house to "catch" the signal and then broadcast it out to the rest of the house. This worked fine for a while.
But with the new TG862, it doesn't seem to be an option. From what I've read, if I have the TG862 in one room (connected to the cable), AirPort Extreme #1 in the middle of the house, trying to join the existing network (or extend it?), and AirPort Extreme #2 in the far end of the house (to extend from AirPort #1), it won't work. Apple's "extension" technology isn't compatible with all other modems or routers, and even if it was, I'd have to somehow configure the TG862 to "allow to be extended."
So my question is, IF there is a desktop utilizing the TG862 as a direct connection (because it has no built-in Wi-Fi), is it possible to put the TG862 into bridge mode, connect one of the AirPort Extremes and have it act as the router so I can use AirPort Extreme #2 to extend that network out to the rest of the house? I want to ensure the desktop still has a connection, but there's Wi-Fi that actually goes out through the whole house.
The connected-to-the-cable-desktop is a PC; we have multiple iPhones, iPads, and anywhere from 1 Mac laptop to 1 iMac in the house at any given time.

pcbjr wrote:
Topic title pretty well sums up the question.
I have a TimeCapsule Base Station with two Expresses for extending the network through the house.
We're doing a 3 room addition, and there is not a convenient place to put an Express in a wall outlet in the middle room of the addition, but there's a perfect place to put an Extreme on top of a piece of furniture.
So, can the Extreme act as an "extender" only, in lieu of using an Express?
Hiya.
You can absolutely extend a network with an Extreme. I've got a 5th gen. Extreme extending a network created with a 3rd gen. Time Capsule. On the Extreme, you'll have the option to allow (or not) WiFi clients. I recommend having all units updated to the current firmware (7.6.1 as of this writing). Note that extending doesn't work in daisy-chain fashion, meaning that your Expresses or Extremes will each connect to and extend from the TC. As such, you'll want the TC to be in as central a location as possible to offer the best coverage.

Airport Extreme 5Ghz with 2nd Airport Extreme

I currently have a Airport Extreme Base Station (Latest model).
I have it connected to an Airport Express.
I would like to purchase another Airport Extreme and set this in Bridge Mode. I have it connected to an 8 port switch which is in turn connected to the original Airport Extreme.
If I have two Airport Extreme's will I get Wi-Fi via 5Ghz on 5Ghz capable devices?
What happens when a 2Ghz device connects to the network?
Most importantly can I use this new 2nd Airport Extreme's 3 additional ports to connect a local computer and printer?
If I use my Airport Express will this kill the 5Ghz network?
Thanks,

Can the Airport Express be set up as a PRINT SERVER only with no networking configuration?
No, the Express needs to be configured as a client on the network to act as print server
I noticed teh 5Ghz range is limited compared to 2.4Ghz range. Is there a rule of thumb on range between the two?
5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so they do not penetrate obstructions well. In general...for good performance....5 GHz is pretty much of a line-of-sight deal between the router and computer.
I am assuming I set the 2nd Extreme in Off (Bridge Mode) to turn it into an Access Point?
Yes
Why do I see IP address from devices located on the 2nd floor near the 2nd Extreme in Bridge Mode connected to the 1st Extreme in the basement?
You are seeing wireless devices that are using the wireless on the 2nd Extreme, but the IP addresses have been issued by the 1st Extreme. You can confirm by checking all DHCP Clients on the 1st Extreme.

Can i have two internet connections connected to two airport extremes separately without disturbing the home sharing option.

can i have two internet connections connected to two airport extremes separately without disturbing the home sharing option. i want to have both the airport extremes to use a single imac for streaming music or video to my apple tv's at different places where one apple tv is in the range of one airport extreme.it's not a problem if both airport extremes have different wifi id's with separate internet.The imac which i use for streaming the music and videos is only in the range of only one airport extreme.is it possible if i can stream music or videos to my apple tv which is not in the range of same airport extreme which i use for imac but in the range of other airport extreme.
Finally what i need is i want to use two internet networks as my highest possible internet bandwidth is about 1mbps.and i know that i cant mix both the networks and make it as 2mbps.

Yes, that is possible. Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on how.

Two Airport Extremes no longer working in tandem to extend network

Trouble has cropped up with my home network, I think dating back to the installation of Leopard (though I'm not sure about that). I have been using two Airport Extreme (both 802.11n) to extend my wireless network throughout the house. For some reason, the two no longer seem to be communicating with each other. I have done factory resets on both, gone through the streamlined setup routine outlined in the Knowledge Base article on configuring Airport Extreme networks, and no dice. The remote station, once set up to extend the base network, no longer appears as a separate station in Airport Utility, and its indicator light is a steady amber. I seem to recall this was the case when it was working, too.
Any thoughts?

Here is some more info. I had a look at the posts on this issue from Nov. 19th, where Jane describes setting up the two base stations in a particular sequence using the assisted (not manual) setup process. My problem is that none of the relevant options ... allowing the network to be extended, designating the second base station as a remote station, etc ... come up in the assisted menus. I can only get to those options via the manual setup.
I would also note that I called Apple about this problem. After being informed, to my extreme frustration, that Apple does not support manually setup WDS configurations over the phone, the Apple rep told me (in a decidedly dismissive tone) that I should be using the assisted setup process. So Apple has confirmed that this is the way to go ... but Airport Utility doesn't seem to work that way.
Help? Anyone?

WHY is my iMac so SLOW with my Airport Extreme?!?!?

I have an iMac G5 and an Airport Extreme base station. I just opened Safari on the iMac and in the time it took for it to open the Apple home page I was able to go to my backpack, dig out my HP Netbook, turn it on, log in to Windows, open Safari, and navigate all the way to this page and start typing... and my iMac is STILL trying to load the Apple home page... WHY, APPLE? WHY?? I love my iMac, why won't it work with my Airport Extreme? Everything else I have works fine, in the same locations, and the iMac worked fine when I had a Belkin router... ever since I got this Airport Extreme the iMac has turned into a big white web-surfing glacier. ...Whats's the deal?

Hi,
If you have three or four bars of signal in from the airport it is probably related to the internet cache and not your Airport. But, I also noticed you are using Leopard (the Vista of OSX). Install Onyx and run Automation. Make sure you selct the internet cache in the settings window.
Upgrade to Snow Leopard. It is 30 bucks well spent. Leopard is a monster! Also, as much as I am a macaholic, Google Chrome is a much better browser than Safari.
Onyx - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11582/onyx

HT3546 I have been unsuccessfully trying to extend the wifi of my Time 2T Capsule with an Airport Extreme 2nd Gen. It works for a while and then loses configuration. I have done everything possible, disconnected it, reset it but it keeps failing, what to

I have been unsuccessfully trying to extend the wifi of my Time 2T Capsule with an Airport Extreme 2nd Gen. It works for a while and then loses configuration. I have done everything possible, disconnected it, reset it but it keeps failing, what to do?

What model and firmware is the 2TB TC?
What firmware is the AE?
Does the AE get good signal from the TC in its current location?
Signal can only be extended that is received intact.
Is it extending on 5ghz? As I remember it a Gen2 AE is only single band, although you can choose either 2.4ghz or 5ghz.
I am fairly sure you are going to tell me your TC is AC model..
I would do a couple of things..
1. Fix the wireless name, make it short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.
2. Fix the wireless channel for 2.4ghz so it is not going to jump around.
3. Get real results from the AE in its current location for signal strength.. this is really only possible on v5 utility. And that is a double pain with Mavericks because you cannot use it.
Apple have removed all the useful diagnostics from the airport utility. There is next to nothing left. So you need to use the computer and its diagnostics to find signal levels in the location.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5606

Two Airport Extreme (6th gen): Two seperate networks or one router one bridge?

Greetings All,
I have fiber optic service and the modem that came from the ISP is wirelessly capable of old version of 802.11n and short range as well, it has four lan ports as well. So I bought two Airport Extreme (AE 802.11ac) and its working ok but I'm trying to understand the difference between the two scenarios in terms of efficiency and speed;
1. Fiber optic cable connected to modem. AE1 connected to modem Ethernet port 1
via physical Ethernet cable. AE2 connected to modem Ethernet port 2 via
powerline. DHCP disabled on AE 1 and AE2 and carried out by the modem. Wireless
on modem is of course disabled. SSID the same on both AE1and AE2 but 2.4 and 5
GHz channels are unique for each AE.
2. Fiber optic cable connected to modem. AE1 connected to modem Ethernet port 1 via
physical Ethernet cable. AE2 connected to AE1 Ethernet port 2 via powerline.
DHCP disabled on modem and AE 2 and carried out by AE1. Wireless on modem is of
course disabled. SSID the same on both AE1a nd AE2 but 2.4 and 5 GHz channels
are unique for each AE.
Any thoughts? Am I better off essentially creating two separate wireless networks or just one with one AE as a router and another as a bridge?

Your questions are really about a matter of preference. Both 1) and 2) are correct implementations.
In 1) above, the "modem" (which is actually a modem/router) is providing the routing services for the network.
In 2), the "modem" is acting as just that, a simple modem with AE1 acting as a router and AE2 acting as a "bridge" to AE1.
If you asked the support folks for your modem/router which setup was best, they would say 1). However, if you asked the support folks at Apple which setup to use, they would say 2).
AE1 and AE2 are creating separate wireless networks, but if you use the same wireless network name, or SSID, and password for both networks, everything will act like one "big" network. Technically, this is called a "Roaming Network".

Power Mac G3 Pismo with Airport wireless card in Mac OS X 10.4 won't connect to wireless network with newest Airport Extreme Base Station set at WPA Personal/WPA 2 Personal encryption.

My Power Book G3 Pismo with an Airport wireless card running Mac OS X 10.4.11 will not connect to my new Airport
Extreme Base Station using WPA Personal/WPA 2 Person encryption. The Airport firmware is version 9.52. From
posts I've read online at different places indicates the Airport card should support the WPA encryption. Perhaps the problem
is the Base Station is using a combination setting and the fault is in the base station?
Thanks for any suggestions

Perhaps an inexpensive usb wireless adapter would work as well?
This is probably the simplest way to get the G3 connected to the wireless network.
I'll have to read up on getting an express and using it as a wireless bridge as I am unfamiliar with the concept.
The new AirPort Extreme is broadcasting a wireless signal.
A new AirPort Express could be located close to the G3. The Express will pick up the wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme, then provide an Ethernet connection to the G3 though a short Ethernet cable.
This can work very well......IF.....you keep the G3 at a fixed location, since it will always be connected to the AriPort Express using an Ethernet cable.
I do have an old Linksys Wireless G router. I wonder if that would work?
In theory, yes. But it would have to use much older WEP "security", which is easily cracked in minutes using free tools available on the Internet. So, anyone who really wanted to get on the network could do so. It's an option, but not a very good one.

Boosting my signal with two airport extremes

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