Buy 802.11N AirPort Extreme & Use old 802.11g as router to connect xbox

My son's xbox 360 was connected via an airport express to my wireless LAN which uses the older "dome" 802.11g airport base station. This worked well until the airport express express "burned out". I was going to buy a new airport express 802.11N for $99 but then realized that by buying an airport extreme 802.11N base station (for $179) and using my old 802.11g base station instead of a new airport express 802.11N to connect to the xbox, I would be upgrading my household LAN to 802.11N for only $79 more than the cost of a new airport express.
I am concerned that by using the 802.11g as a router to connect to the xbox I woud be slowing down the whole network thus defeating the purpose of upgrading my current LAN with a new 802.11N extreme base station.
Is there a "right" way to configure the network so as to use my old
802.11g airport extreme as a wireless router (instead of a new airport express) to connect to the xbox without slowing the whole network?
What do people do with their old 802.11g airport extremes when they upgrade to the 802.11N airport extreme base station?

+My question is this: may I toggle the 2004 g extreme on and off -as needed- to extend or use a printer?+
If all of the devices on the network are "n", then you'll be able to make use of Apples new "extend a wireless network" configuration. The wireless will operate at much faster "n" speeds.
If you add a new AirPort Extreme "n" and you want the older "g" Extreme to "extend", you'll still have to use the older WDS setup on all of the routers on the network. This will drop the entire network down to "g" levels and cause a signficant loss of bandwidth as well. In effect, it would be the same as if you had all older "g" routers on your network.
You could configure the older Extreme to "join" the wireless network. It would not provide any additional wireless coverage configured this way, but it would allow the other "n" devices to operate at "n" levels. You could plug a printer into this device assuming that it's compatible with remote printing at the USB port of the Extreme.
I would not recommend turning a network device on and off as this will surely cause connection issues with other network devices, probably sooner rather than later. If you plan to use the older "g" Extreme to provide a print function, plan on leaving it powered on with the rest of the network.

Similar Messages

Trying to extend by 802.11n airport extreme using a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber, trying to extend by 802.11n airport extreme using a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber

trying to extend my wireles network using a 802.11n airport extreme and pluging in a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber not solid green
what am i doing wrong
btw I have airport utility 5.5.3

trying to extend my wireles network using a 802.11n airport extreme and pluging in a 802.11n airport express
Can you clarify what you mean by "plugging in"? Are you saying that you are pluggin in an Ethernet cable to the AirPort Express from the AirPort Extreme?
Or, does "plugging in" mean wireless?

Airport Drives Me CRAZY! New 802.11n Network Slower Than Old 802.11g/b

I've been using Macs since 1988 and consider myself an advanced user. However, every time I setup a new Airport wireless network or re-configure an existing one, I feel like a helpless newbie trying to figure out how to open a folder on my desktop. No matter how many times I read the manual or the help files or these forums, I can never grasp what seems like it should be a simple path from A to B to C.
Anyway, here's my current situation: I've been successfully (I think) running a 6 year old AP Extreme Base Station [AE] (in my home office addition) and 2 Airport Expresses [AX] (one AX roughly 15 feet from the base station--through sheetrock, and the second AX roughly 30 feet from the first AX--through sheetrock and some wooden stairs. (so roughly 45 feet from AE to 2nd AX). It wasn't the speediest thing going but it did the trick with older Macs.
I recently bought a MacBook Pro which supports 802.11n. I most often use this laptop at the point in the house furthest away from the AE (Base Station) The AE (Base Station) is in my home office connected to my MacPro desktop (see #1 below). In addition, the family iMac is also in that room furthest from the AE. Using the new MacBook Pro with the old 802.11/g/b network turned out to be painfully slow. I was experiencing the same slow network connection my family has complained about for years with their older Macs and 802.11g/b.
I decided it was time to upgrade the whole network, if only to speed up my MacBook Pro connection. Bought new 802.11n Airport Extreme (MC340LL/A) and 2 new 802.11n Airport Expresses (MB321LL/A). Setup did not go smoothly. Again, my normally competent Mac persona was reduced to a babbling three-year-old. Had three different Apple techs on the phone trying to help me through it. Got different, contradictory instructions from the last two. Finally got all three units working, only to find that not only does my MacBook Pro seem even more sluggish than when connected to the old 802.11g/b network, but my wife tells me web pages are taking at least twice as long to load as with the old network.
As concisely as I can lay this out:
*1. Airport Extreme (Base Station)*
Connected via Ethernet from its WAN port to my Comcast cable modem. One Ethernet (LAN) port on that AE is then connected via Ethernet to my Netgear 8-port Ethernet switch. Ethernet from switch to Ethernet port 1 on my MacPro. (MacPro does NOT have an Airport card because I forgot to order one. Also I confirmed that this setup was functional by connecting to the AE wirelessly with my MacBook Pro showing the name I'd given the new network prior to adding the two AX's to the mix).
Some Airport Extreme settings of note (all accessed via "Manual Setup" button):
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.5.1
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Channel: 149 (Automatic), 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 3
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over WAN: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Allow this network to be extended: Checked
Airport Tab > Guest Network:
Nothing checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect Using: Ethernet
Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address [Think this one is probably wrong]
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Internet Tab > DHCP:
Shows Beginning & Ending Address
Internet Tab > NAT:
Enable default host at: Unchecked and blank field
Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol: Checked
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*2. Airport Express #1: Living Room Express (Closest to AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 1
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*3. Airport Express #2: Dining Room Express (Furthest from AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 2
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
SETUP/GOALS:
With Airport Extreme (Base Station) as the starting point, have the two Airport Express units with the strongest, fastest signal possible, provide Internet access (and file sharing, iTunes speakers capability) to three Macs (one older iMac, one older PowerBook and my new MacBookPro). Again, I believe my new MacBook Pro is the only one with 802.11n support, so I don't expect the other Macs to take advantage of the speed boost offered by the three new 802.11n devices.
+Any and all help with this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!+

{quote}With the AirPort Extreme, in the AirPort panel, Wireless tab, click on the button for "Wireless Network Options", check the box for "5 GHz Network Name", and enter a different network name. (That can be trivially different, such as the name of the main network suffixed with an underscore and the digit 5.) Once configured that way, connect your "N" gear to each network in turn to see if one is any better than the other. (If you're wondering what effect this would have, it allows segregating your "N" gear from the older gear to prevent the older gear from slowing down your network. However, distance and interference from things like walls may negate any advantage.){quote}
William: I was gone most of yesterday, but had a chance to implement your recommendations today. I added the 5 GHz network as you suggested, but in order to connect to that at all with my 802.n11 MacBokk Pro, I need to be within a few feet of the AE (base station). If I try to access that network even from the next room (well within reach of both the AE and the livingroom AX, I get one bar and "failure to connect" messages just trying to logon to that network.
However, I did some experimenting that (as of right now, anyway) resulted in much faster network access, not only from my MacBook, but also from the older iMac which is the furthest Mac from the AE. According to my wife, that iMac is "loading web pages faster than I've ever seen them!"
Here's what I did:
1. Moved all three units to places where it seemed they would have the least amount of interference with the clearest path from unit to unit, also raising the height of both AXs from about 2-3 feet from the floor to about 5-6 feet from the floor.
2. Changed one setting on the AE (base station): Wireless Tab > Wireless Network Options > Multicast Rate ---> Changed this from Low to High.
I have a feeling the location shifts made the real difference, but I will try changing the multicast rate back to "Low" just to see what happens.
Paul

802.11n AirPort Extreme and Express

Hello,
Thank you in advance for all your help and replies, I truly appreciate it.
I'm looking to purchase an 802.11n Airport Extreme and AirPort Express. I want to setup the Extreme next to my DSL modem and setup the Express in another room and have it extend the wireless network. The Express will also serve as an ethernet port from my DVR unit. I have read different posts that indicated that if I setup the Express to wirelessly connect to the Extreme, via WDS, or some other method, the wireless network will be downgraded to 802.11g. I currently have a 802.11g wireless network. I have one Buffalo Technology 802.11g wireless router and one Buffalo Technology 802.11g router (setup as an access point) and can do everything I need except connect a external HD via USB.
If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password. Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
So, do I understand what I have read correctly, that connecting an 802.11n Extreme and 802.11n Express via wireless (WDS, or other method) will downgrade the network to 802.11g? Are there any other recommendations on how I should connect these two devices and provide 802.11n service?
Again, thank you in advance.
--GMReed

When using the "extend" feature with the new 802.11n base stations, the extended wireless network operates in the 802.11n mode. I believe you may be referring to one of two things that may have led you to that conclusion: 1) When extending a network with the older static version of a WDS, the extended network operates in the 802.11g mode. This is true when either or both base stations are 802.11g models, and 2) Non-"n" wireless clients, connected to a "n" network, will bring the network down to the lowest bandwidth level of the oldest standard. Although connecting these types of clients does affect the overall bandwidth available to "n" clients, it does NOT bring the overall wireless network down to "g" or "b" level.
>If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password.
By default, both base stations must uses the same Network Name or SSID and wireless password to work properly.
>Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
For MAC filtering in an extended network, both base stations must be configured with the same MAC addresses for all clients that you want access to the extended network. The Extreme would provide DHCP service, but (unfortunately) you cannot extend the guest network.

802.11n + Airport Extreme Base Station: Questions?

I'm no aficionado on wireless technology but I thought the new 802.11n spec was just a draft and nothing was set in stone, so how can Apple upgrade and sell products to this spec??
Is anyone of the opinion that a lot of the post 10.4.8 wireless connectivity problems being experienced by a lot of iMac and Pro intel-mac users is to do with Apple trying to roll out SW and HW that conform to this new spec instead of, in the first instance, ensuring robust solutions with the common 802.11g protocol with their new intel range? In effect, are they trying to run before they can walk with this?
Would having a new Airport Extreme Base Station thus Airport Extreme card upgraded to be 802.11n compatible, instead of a 3rd party modem/router at 802.11g solve all these connectivity problems, or, is anyone else experiencing the same problems with the new Base Station and 802.11n enabled card??
Lastly, is anyone aware if apple intend to upgrade and release a new [plugin] Airport Express Base Station compatible with the new 802.11n draft?
I have two AE's acting as print servers and powering remote speakers; would enabling my 17” iMac C2D to 802.11n affect output to the Airport Express base stations???
Luke
17" iMac Intel Core Duo, 2.16, 2G RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) ADSL Nation X-Station Modem/Route; 2 x Airport Express Base Stations
17" iMac Intel Core Duo, 2.16, 2G RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8)
17" iMac Intel Core Duo, 2.16, 2G RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I too do not see why the rush to Draft N when the specs might change enough to make a substantial purchase worthless once the standard is finalized. I have read too many articles mentioning that the current technology isn't worth it just yet.
Furthermore, many people are buying Draft N networking thinking that it will give them a huge boost in their internet. Since even the slower 802.11G is faster that what most ISPs provide, no one will see faster downloads. The main benefits are range and speeds on your local area network - that is in transferring files from one computer to another.
It is possible that the problems some users are seeing is due to the cards Draft N status, but I do not think so. If that were the case, we would be seeing a lot of complaints in the PC world since they are using the same equipment and I haven't seen complaints there.
Since 802.11N is 802.11N it should not make a difference whether it is Apple or D-Link or any other brand, but as a draft standard there are variations in the implementation that I have read about in the PC world. Some routers are better than others and some should just be avoided.
Apple doesn't allow us to speculate here, but I am sure that sooner or later Apple will update the Airport Express to Draft N as well.
Updating your iMac to Draft N should not make a difference at all with your current setup.

Can I Use 802.11n Base Station and 802.11n AirPort Express in an 802.11 ac Time Capsule Main Base Station WDS Network?

I havea "wirelessly challenged" 2-story home and need to extend the range. Currently I have an 802.11n Main Base Station with an 802.11n Airport Express Remote. It's not getting the job done (upstairs connection is weak).
I am considering getting an 802.11ac Airport Time Capsule to help, even though I currently only have devices with 802.11n wireless connectivity (future-proof a little).
I an planning on setting up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) Network:
1.) Setting up the Time Capsule as the Main Base Station connected to a Cable modem
2.) Reconfiguring and Setting up the current AirPort Extreme 802.11n as a Relay Base Station
3.) Reconfiguring and Setting up the current AirPort Express 802.11n as a Remote Station
I cannot "hard wire" one Base Statio to the other.
Will this work?

Will this work?
Unfortunately, no. WDS is a older, very inefficient way to extend the wireless network signal.
As such, newer operating systems like Lion, Mountain Lion and Mavericks do not even offer settings for this older WDS type of network.
In addition, the new Time Capsule has no capabilities to use WDS settings at all, even if you used a Mac with another operating system to try to set things up.
Even if it were possible to set up a WDS network, the speed on the network would be incredibly slow. As you know, WDS only operates at "g" wireless speed levels. Each "relay" or "remote" that you add to the network each cuts that bandwidth or speed in half.
With a WDS "main", "relay" and "remote", the network would be operating at about 14 Mbps......a tiny fraction of what the devices would be capable of providing normally.

How can I set up airport extreme using my existing 11.g router

My existing router (ZyXEL - supplied by Telefonica with my land line) is an 11.g type and does not allow me to use iPad/iPod in certain areas of my home. Yesterday I bought an Airport Extreme and was told that I could either connect my existing router's ADSL line directly into the Extreme and connect to my Mac and other peripherals using USB or ethernet cable, or connect from the existing router.
I tried each method using Airport Utility in each case and also trying the different options offered in the set-up. It doesn't seem to want to work.
Can anyone help me please.

Further to my earlier (and first) posting, I have been playing with the airport extreme and it now works via my existing router but, it's range is less than 15 metres and that is no better than my existing 11.g router.
Does anyone know how I can increase this range?
p.s. any help in the simplest terms please.

Airport Express 802.11n + Airport Extreme 802.11n 2.4ghz but not 5ghz?

I can't get my Airport Express 802.11 to extend the network of my Airport Extreme 802.11n using 5Ghz only... but it will work with "n only 2.4Ghz"....
any solutions?
Message was edited by: Eric Carpenter

Addtional info both AE's now have ver 7.5.2 installed, prior it was 7.6 and situation is still the same.

Upgrading to a 802.11n Airport Express Card in my Macbook Pro

I found this question on the forums answered over 4 years ago and thought to ask it to get a more current response given that both hardware and sellers have changed significantly in the time passed.
I've also found it difficult to replace the wireless card in my Macbook Pro. I was able to track down the current part number in my device as being 661-3890; but I figure it may be better just to upgrade to an 802.11n compatible card. I've found a few listings on ebay but they are not straight forward. I want to make sure that anything I might buy is at least compatible with my computer.
A creditable site, OWC, has a part number 661-5048 they sell that is compatible but is on the upper end of the price spectrum. I have the A1150 Macbook Pro (1,1) which I believe is also referred to as the late 2006/early 2007 model. In my research I was able to deduce that some people have had success replacing their cards with the Atheros AR5BXB6 card although there appears to be some debate regarding the different Manufacture Part numbers (482261-001 and 482261-002). There are a few of these listed on auctions (used and new) but the range in price is $100.
I'm new to the Mac screen and would appreciate any help in the right direction as I have yet to find an authority that confidently and clearly states what cards are compatible with my box. Thanks!

Here is the ifixit link:
www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-802-11n-Airport-Extreme-Card/IF185-038
I just want to know what cards are compatiable so I can pick up a reasonblily priced one on ebay.
Model Name:          MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:          MacBookPro1,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed:          2 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          2 MB
Memory:          2 GB
Bus Speed:          667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          MBP11.0055.B08
SMC Version (system):          1.2f10
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State:          Enabled
Software Versions:
Menu Extra:          6.2.1 (621.1)
configd plug-in:          6.2.4 (624.2)
System Profiler:          6.0 (600.9)
Network Preference:          6.2.1 (621.1)
AirPort Utility:          5.5.2 (552.11)
IO80211 Family:          3.1.4 (314.1.1)
Interfaces:
en1:
Card Type:          AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Firmware Version:          Atheros 5424: 2.1.14.5
Locale:          FCC
Country Code:
Supported PHY Modes:          802.11 a/b/g
Supported Channels:          1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165

CAN"T EXTEND RANGE OF NEW AIRPORT EXTREME WITH OLD AIRPORT EXPRESS

Hello Everyone,
I am having a heck of a time getting my new network setup with this new 802.11n Airport Extreme... Here is what I currently have going on:
I have a G5 1.8 it is my main computer and in ROOM #1... Connected to it is my NEW AIRPORT EXTREME via an Ethernet cable to one of the available ports. Also connected to the NEW AIRPORT EXTREME is my CABLE MODEM... This works great, It is setup and I have internet via Ethernet... I CAN EVEN CONNECT IN ROOM #2 with a PC and an Apacer wireless adapter...
Here is the problem
When I try to add an Airport Express V6.3 to extended the range of my network it can NEVER seem to connect to the network. I have checked the option to allow extension of the NEW AIRPORT in AIRPORT UTILITY and tried both with WEP security and with NO SECURITY... I cannot get the Express to extend the range of my network period... It has an error when joining the network???
Can Anyone Please Help Me?
PS. The reason to extend the network is so I can use the Notebooks in ROOM #3 and so a TIVO can see the Network! It is not far away!
G5 1.8 (2003) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Also am having problems with my roomates HP Laptop... It connects for only a few seconds/minutes then has an issue... Really shady??? Any Ideas? He is Running Windows XP
G5 1.8 (2003) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Windows XP laptop can't connect to Airport Extreme used to extend network.

Have a time capsule for main wireless. PC works fine connecting to it. Have added Airport Extreme to extend network. The mac sees it fine and the PC can connect to it via airport utility but won't connect as wireless and the internet. Running WPA2. Have the latest firmware in each. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for clarifying. If you don't mind, let's double-check your extended-network setup configuration:
o Open AirPort Utility and select the Time Capsule (TC), and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless.
o Verify that both “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu and “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox are selected.
o Next, select the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn), and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Verify that “Extend a wireless network” has been selected from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu. Also verify that the correct Network Name is shown for the network you want the AEBSn to extend.
Do your settings match these?

Airport extreme used in a bar/campsite - payment question

a friend who owns a campsite in france wants to install airport extreme in the bar and charge people to hook up wirelessly. Is it possible to assign a 'guest' machine for a limited amount of time eg 30 mins via a login code or once its open and the code is given out is it then open the whole time? Also is it possible to have multiple codes for 20 users or would they all need the same code?

Hello seasiderdave. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Is it possible to assign a 'guest' machine for a limited amount of time eg 30 mins via a login code or once its open and the code is given out is it then open the whole time?
I would think yes. This would be similar to what a number of hotels that provide Internet access do today. However, this would require something like a web portal front-end that would present a login screen.
From the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station's (AEBSn) perspective, you could utilize the "Access Control" feature to limit a network device by either a time period or by working in conjunction with a RADIUS server to validate user credentials.

Configuring a new Airport Extreme with an existing Wireless Modem Router

I have an existing Wireless Modem Router (brand: Riger) and have an existing wireless network. Recently purchased an AirPort.
What is the best way to install a new AirPort Extreme? I know i have to connect the AirPort Extreme to the modem via ethernet cable.
Do i allow the AirPort to use the existing setting from my old wireless modem router?
Or do i create a new network with different name and password?
Anybody can help or show me where i can look up on this?
Thanks

Hello akramaziz. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Since the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) will be connected to the existing Wireless Modem Router by Ethernet, it should be reconfigured as a bridge.
(ref: AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode))
As a bridge, the AEBSn will allow the existing router to continue to provide both NAT & DHCP services for all network clients.

Configuring WDS w/ Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n & Express 802.11g

I currently have an Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n Model: A1301 (located downstairs) and an older Airport Express 802.11g Model: A1084 (located upstairs) which I had been using to stream iTunes to my upstairs stereo (which worked flawlessly). Recently a friend of mine recommended that I reconfigure my network to a Wireless Distribution System setup which would allow me to create a remote wireless node which improves my wireless signal strength upstairs, allows an interface to Airplay to play our music from our iPod's/Pad's and also provides an hard-wired Ethernet connection for my newly delivered Network Extender for my cell phone. So I followed the URL: support.apple.com/kb/HT4262 to assist in this conversion and found that I was unable to configure my network as desired. While this documentation is very good, there is one snafu that I worked out that finally allowed a successful setup. Follow the instructions for:
- Connecting a WDS main base station to the Internet
- Configuring a WDS main base station
- Configuring a WDS remote base station (See last line of instructions for the correct WDS Main ID)
Ensure all Wi-Fi base stations are powered on and allow them time to appear in the AirPort Menu Extra.
From the AirPort Menu Extra, select an 802.11g Wi-Fi base station to configure as a WDS remote.
In AirPort Utility, select the WDS remote Wi-Fi base station in the Base Station Chooser, and click Manual Setup.
Select the AirPort icon from the Toolbar, and click on the Wireless tab.
From Wireless Mode select Participate in a WDS network.
Click on the WDS tab.
From WDS Mode, select WDS remote.
Enable Allow wireless clients (see the first note below).
If not already supplied, enter the 2.4Ghz AirPort ID of the WDS main, then click Update.
There are two Apple ID's for the dual-band Extreme (2.4 & 5.0Ghz). Be sure to use the 2.4Ghz ID which is listed under the "Summary Tab" of the utility. What is confusing is that in the AirPort Utility, when you position the mouse cursor over the graphic of the Extreme on the left-hand side of the GUI, you are presented with a yellow dialog box which displays the 5Ghz ID and this can be misleading especially when you are trying to connect to an older 2.4Ghz Express ...

My Express is the A1264 802.11n model. My Extreme is the A1354 model.
The most crucial issue is the the Tivo, because the Premiere only works with Ethernet (I dont' have and wont' buy the upgraded wireless doohickey), but of course I would prefer that the Express also act to extend the signal, and I particularly want it do so using WEP access (or nothing, see below), since I have a second Tivo which ONLY works wirelessly and which ONLY works using WEP, not WPA.
Since there were so many different issues and needs going on, I was excited about the Dual Band because it meant I could potentially get 5G speeds for my iPad and perhaps the Tivo Premiere connection, while allowing a completely separate band for the OLD Tivo.
The other option I've been trying out (to accommodate the Tivo2 that can't handle WEP) is having no security, but making the networks hidden.
A third option I tried to make work was to create a "guest network" for just the Tivo2.
But what I'm finding out (it's what I always struggle with...networking is a nightmare.) is that if you take one from Column A, Column B disappears, so to speak.
The way it used to work on the non-dual band Extreme was as I mapped above, and the Tivo2 and my iPad used the wireless signal with no problem while the Express was Ethernet connected to the TivoPremiere, but it did so using WDS, which doesn't even seem to exist as a possibility, forget teh fact that it undermines the speed boost (so I read)
I've frankly never been able to understand the differences between the various modes and structures, and believe it or not I'm very smart and very comfortable with computers and Macs, having worked on them for 25 years.
And one of the biggest reasons I've had such a hard time is because of the many times that I have updated after making changes, Airport Utility tells me it worked, but nothing happens and then after too much frustration I end up unplugging and shutting down every single piece of equipment and rebooting everything and then it DOES work. Sometimes. But I can't be doing that every time I make one tweak, I'll go insane!
And the number of pin-resets I've done on the Express, the Dual band, and even the cable modem would make your head spin!
So there's my story. Kinda. Does it make any sense? At least in terms of my goals?
Your help is more appreciated than you can imagine.

HT4262 Can I extend a WiFi Network, using a 802.11n Airport Base Station with a 802.11g Airport Express?

Having a new Apple AirPort Extreme (802.11n) I need to extend the network since even the AirPort Extreme provides after about 30 Feet maximum only 50% signal strength in 2.4 GHz and maximum 41% signal strength in the 5 GHz band.
I have an Apple Airport Express (802.11g) but I am not sure that it can extend with it the network to get a better signal strength?
I know I can only use the Apple Airport Utility 5.6 to access the AirPort Express, but I can see also the AirPort Extreme though it (5.6).
Also, it seems that my "old" Wireless Motorola Cable Modem (SBG900) for the same distance (about 30 Feet), which is a 802.11g, gives still a better signal strength (62%) than the Apple Airport Extreme...
I guess I need the proper instructions how to, if it is possible.
Any intelligent answers available? Thanks.

This is very confusing. The AirPort Express Base Station has three settings (under "Wireless" in the AirpPort Utility 5.6) "Create a wireless Network", "Participate in a WDS network" and "Join a wireless network".
Whereas the first is self-explanatory the second and third seem to indicate, that a relation with an existing Network can be created. This is also indicated, when selecting as the "Wireless Mode:" "Join a wireless network" and then selecting "Wireless Network Name:" where then all available networks 802.11 b/g/n pop up you can choose which to use.
Now, it does not make any sense, that if all these settings and selections are available, that the AirPort Express cannot extend an existing network, considering that the AirPort Extreme, which is a 802.11b/g/n can be connected to. Even the AirPort Utility 6.0 sees the AirPort Express 802.11b/g but when selected alerts that "This version of AirPort Utility doesn't support this base station. Use AirPort Utility 5.6 to configure or manage this base station. AirPort Utility 5.6 is available at AirPort Service and Support." And as said, that AirPort Utility 5.6 sees everything and has said setting options.
The way as I see this it is, that if I can pickup an existing network, created with an AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n with an AirPort Express 802.11b/g and have the option to "Join a wireless network" such AirPort Express should be able to broadcast the picked up and joint network. Otherwise the setting options for the AirPort Express are nothing else than a distortion of reality to me.
Also, before I got the new AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n I had an AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11b/g (gray) and there I was able to extend the network via the AirPort Express 802.11b/g.
So the above comments do not make sense to me.
Hope you understand that and have a better explanation available.

Buy 802.11N AirPort Extreme & Use old 802.11g as router to connect xbox

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