Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of my Comcast wireless gateway?

We recently moved to a big old brick and stone farmhouse. When Comcast came they installed their new wireless gateway. Unfortunately the construction of my house is pretty solid. It effectively blocks the signal at the far end on the second floor. I've been trying to use an Airport Express, newest model, to extend the range of my network. Using the Airport Utility, it seems like it connects but the signal is no better. Does the Airport Express only work as a range extender on Apple wireless devices, or am I missing something when I use the Airport Utility to set up the extended network?

The AirPort Express can extend the wireless signal from the Comcast gateway if it is permanently connected to the gateway using a wired Ethernet connection, and the Express is configured to create a wireless network using the same name and password as the Comcast wireless network.
The Express cannot wirelessly extend the signal from the Comcast gateway, since the wireless "extend" feature will only work with other Apple routers.
The Express can "join" the wireless network provided by the Comcast gateway for use with AirPlay or a remote printer at the USB port, but when the Express "joins" a network, it does not provide any additional wireless signal coverage in that setting.

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Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of an existing Airport Extreme?

I would like to extend the range of my existing Airport Extreme. If I connect an Airport express to my existing network will it rebroadcast the WiFi signal and therefore exrtend the overall range?

If I connect an Airport express to my existing network will it rebroadcast the WiFi signal and therefore exrtend the overall range?
The AirPort Express 802.11n can do this if it is located where it can receive a strong signal from the AirPort Extreme in order to "extend" it.

Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2

I am using a Linksys wired router as the beginning of my home network. There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network. I have an iBook on the other side of the wall and about 10 feet and an iMac about 20 feet with one wall in between. These two have some fluctuation in their signal but only between 4 bars and 3. I just got an iPad 2 and it is causing me grief because it struggles to maintain a connection just another 10 feet from the iBook. If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router. That kind of defeats the purpose of buying an iPad. So, my question is how to rearrange the network so the iPad is happy in the living room where I mostly use it. I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room. Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network? I know I can use it to get music from iTunes to speakers but would that placement also work as a wireless extender? Would just buying another router for the Xbox location and putting the Airport there also be a better solution?

ladybastet, let's clean up some terminology. You should designate only one router for your network. At present that is the Linksys. Your wireless access point is the Express, and it gets its network connection from the Linksys. Is that correct?
If I put it next to the iMac when it has full 4 bars the iPad gets maybe 2. The iPad has full bars if next to the router.
Now that you know your Linksys is the router, is the above correct? Unless the Linksys is also a wireless access point, the iPad's proximity to it will not matter. Only its proximity to the device creating the wireless network is a factor. In your case, I believe that is the Express.
There is an ethernet cable running from it through a wall to the Xbox 360 and an Airport Express serving as the base for the wireless network.
I'm not sure I understand. Is one Ethernet cable going to two places? What is it connected to, precisely?
Right now the Airport is wired to the router. Is this necessary for it to be a part of the network?
In the case of a wired router, yes.
I'm wondering if you have things configured properly, particularly if you have configured the iMac to share its network connection over AirPort. I'm even wondering if your iPad has unintentionally joined a neighbor's wireless network.
I had considered moving the iMac and using it as a base station to free the Airport Express for other duty but where I want to move it is further away from the living room.
Using the iMac to share a wired Ethernet connection to create its own wireless network is certainly possible, but it is less than ideal. For one, the iMac would have to be powered on all the time.
You do not need or want another router.
It is impossible for me to be certain of your network environment (meaning, the size and configuration of your home, the proximity of competing wireless networks, the number of network devices, and the potential for interference) but you might be better off replacing the wired Linksys router with an AirPort Extreme. That would give you the ability to create a "roaming network" or to use your Express to extend the Extreme's wireless network. I think this would be the easiest solution, but given the uncertainly of your description this expense may not be necessary.
Much of my confusion stems from your original question: "Can my Airport Express be used to extend the signal for an iPad2" - the quick answer is yes, but a prerequisite question is, "what signal?" The only "signal" I can determine that may be relevant is the one created by the Express. Once we have the terminology fixed, perhaps we can fix what's wrong with your network.

I just purchased the airport Express to use in hotels while traveling to create a wireless network from the hotels wired dsl. A friend said to set up the network from home prior to traveling. How do I set this up? Thanks.

I just purchased the airport Express to use in hotels while traveling to create a wireless network from the hotels wired dsl. A friend said to set up the network from home prior to traveling. How do I set this up? Thanks.

In addition to RyanJC's comments, the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) can store up to five different http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108081 configuration profiles. You will need to use the AirPort Utility to create & save these profiles.
To create a new profile:
Open AirPort Utility, select your AX from the list, and then, click "Manual Setup."
From the AirPort Utility menu, select "Base Station," and then "Manage Profiles."
Click "+" to create a new profile; give it a name, and then, click OK.
Set options, such as network name, passwords, Internet connection method, etc.
When done setting the options, click Update.
To switch profiles:
Open the AirPort Utility, select your AX from the list, and then, click "Manual Setup."
From the AirPort Utility menu, select "Base Station," and then "Manage Profiles."
Click on the desired profile, and then, click OK to apply the new profile and restart the AX.
Just remember to switch to the desired configuration profile before removing power from the AX.

Can i extend the range of an airport extreme with another airport extreme and use the ports on the airport extreme i used to extend the network?

That seems like a complicated question.
I have a Time Capsule (which the HD *****, but that is matter for another discussion) and want to extend the range with an Airport Extreme because I have 2 devices in one room that do not do wireless but have Ethernet ports.
The room has iffy WiFy connectivity too.
I want to know if the 3 ports on the Airport Extreme still work after configuring it as an extender rather than a router.

The thing is that I want to know if I can put the Airport Extreme at the edge of the room where the existing Base does not reach.
This will not work.
Remember, an "extending" AirPort can only extend the quality of wireless signal that it receives. For that reason, it must be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal in order to work effectively.
For example, let's say that your "main" router was on one end of the house and you want to extend the signal to reach the other end of the house. In this case, you would locate the "extending" AirPort about half way between the main router and the other side of the house.

Can and Airport Express be used as a wireless adapter for a computer?

Or to rephrase - Can an Airport Express that's connected to an existing wireless network wirelessly let a computer without a wireless adapter connect by plugging the computer's ethernet into the Express ethernet?
This would turn the Express into a fairly stupid and expensive wireless adapter, I'm sure, but it might be a handy trick in a pinch.
Thanks
MJ

Yes. For example, with the latest "n" version, if you update to firmware 7.3.1, you can set it to "Join a wireless network" and tick the box "Allow Ethernet clients". This will do as you describe.
This works for me with a PC that is both a Windows box (XPsp3) and a Linux box (OpenSUSE 10.3).
However, I am less than enamored with my Express in this mode. It has frequent disconnects, when the thing just looses the wireless connection for some reason. If you are in the US, there may be other options you want to consider - or wait until a 7.3.2 update and hope that it fixes the general unreliability f the current Express. Here in UK, there are few other options.

Can airport express be used to extend a network that does not use an apple airport as the primary base station.

I have a verizon fios cable modem that incorporates a wireless base station using 802.11n and wep 40 bit security. I decided that I could improve poor reception by using two airport expresses as range extenders. I cannot seem to configure them for this function. When I do a manual setup and choose extend a network, I get a message that says the network cannot be extended. I have been able to join the network, and I think they would work as clients, but I'm trying to use them in as additonal base stations to extend my network.
The primary base station, and the two airport express units are all within range of each other.
Now that I have the two units (purchased on sale from Apple this past week), the directions in the manual only include instructions for using them as network extenders with a primary basestation that is Apple? Is this the case?

Unfortunately, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible with Apple's implementation of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)...so it very unlikely that your non-AirPort router can be extended wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
Your only option would be to connect the AX to the Verizon-provided gateway by Ethernet or use Powerline adapters to create a pseudo Ethernet connection between them. A wireless-only connection will not work.

Can an airport express be used as a wired ethernet out port?

I moved my cable boxes which require a wired Cat5 or Cat6 internet connection. Can I setup an airport express by connecting to my home internet wirelessly (via my airport extreme base station) then using the ethernet port on the express to provide a wired access point to my internet for my cable box without having to run a cat5/6 cable all the way from my internet router to the cable box? Or does the extreme only broadcast internet wirelessly?

It can be used as a bridge for ethernet. however, both performance and reliability is extremely bad.
Highly recommended running a wire to your new switch.

Can an Airport Express be used to transmit directly from a preamp to an amp

I wish to connect my stereo system to a remote amp powering ceiling speakers about 50 ft away from the main system. Is there a way to put one Airport Express on the amp for receiving the signal and another on the preamp output RCA plugs.

If your need to use the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) to extend the motorpark's wireless, then the answer (most likely) is no. This is because, unless the motorpark's Wi-Fi router is another AirPort, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible to do so.
However, if your intent is just to add the AX as a wireless client, for streaming iTunes and/or share a USB printer, then it may be possible if you know the Network Name (SSID) and encryption password (if one is used) of the router you are connecting to.,

Error on Airport Express when using to extend Airport Extreme Base Station

I have had continual problems trying to get my Airport Express (n) to extend my Airport Extreme Base Station. The signal it is receiving is "good". The settings are correct (as far as I can tell) and it was working for a brief period of a month or so.
Now it is not working and I have a red 1 in a circle (like an update is needed... but it will not take me to an update) on the Sirport Express in my Airport Utility.
Under "Status", it says "Extended Network" with a green crcle, but the main circle on by the name is flashing green, and will not send a signal.
Also in "Status", it says this: "This AirPort base station was unable to extend the wireless network. Make sure the wireless network you're trying to extend was set up and is working correctly, that you entered a matching wireless network password into this device, and that this device is in range of the wireless network."
I have done all of those and yet..... STILL not working. Ugh.
Any thoughts? Procedures?
Thanks in advance.

At this point, I would suggest that you perform a "factory default" reset on the AirPort Express. In its default mode, the Express will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN.
Your Mac should recognize that there is a "new" AirPort Express present. You will find this on the dropdown menu from the AirPort icon on the OS X menu bar. Select the Express from the dropdown menu and the AirPort Utility should automatically start up to allow you to configure it.

Can an airport express be used as a home plug.

Can I use the Ethernet port on my a e as a homeplug

When you say "homeplug", if you are referring to Ethernet over Powerline, or EOP, the answer would be no.
However, if you had a separate EOP adapter, you could connect an Ethernet cable from the adapter to the AirPort Express.

Can an airport express be used to connect to things other than apple products?

I have not yet bought this product, but I was wondering if it will only connect to apple products or other products for example my PS3?

Yes, if you have an AirPort Express 802.11n. If you are not sure, look on the side of the device for the Model Number. You want to see # A1264.
This also assumes that the AirPort Express is located at a point where it can receive a strong signal from the Time Capsule.

Can AP Extreme be used to extend the range of my Linksys router?

I use a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and want to get a stronger signal at the other end of the house. Is there some way I can use an Apple Airport Extreme Base station as a substation of the Linksys to provide signal to the weak spot?

It may be possible as certain models of the Linksys WRT54G are known to be WDS-compatible with the AirPorts. I suggest that you do a Google-search on the terms "WRT54G AirPort WDS." You'll find a number of articles on those who were successful in doing so.
Here are a couple Apple Discussions articles to get you started:
o Topic : How to extend your Linksys WRT54G with AE
o Topic : kair: Linksys WRT54G and WDS

I have a Airplay network in my house. As expected, the signal is weak when I am outside on the deck. I would like to extend the range of the network. Can I buy another airplay device to extend the range outside?

See the question above

Please check out the following Apple Support article for details on how to use additional base stations to extend your AirPort's wireless network.

Can i use my airport to extend the range of my wireless network?

I currently have a two wireless networks set up in my home. Network 1 is the wireless router provided by Verizon Fios. It has a stong signal in about half of my home. Network 2 - I attached my airport to one of the LAN ports in the the back of the Fios router. I want to use my airport as a way to extend the range of my Fios wireless network. Is this possible?

Network 2 can effectively "extend" Network 1 if the AirPort is permanently connected to the Fios router using an Ethernet connection.
You would configure the AirPort to "create a wireless network" using exactly the same wireless network name, security settings and password as the Fios network. Additionally, the AirPort must be configured in Bridge Mode for this to work correctly.
The most difficult part of doing this will be to find the exact type of wireless security that the Fios router is using and then find a corresponding compatible match on the AirPort. If the settings do not match up exactly, you'll have two networks which will require separate log ons.
Configured correctly, your laptop will be able to "roam" from one area of the house to another and stay on the same network. That's why this type of setup is called a "roaming network".
If you can locate the security settings for the Fios router and post back with that info, we can provide you with a step by step configuration for the AirPort if you need it.

Can an Airport Express be used to extend the range of my Comcast wireless gateway?

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