Can I configure a wireless home network with two cable routers (both with separate connections to the same cable company)? Issue is poor signal strength even with multiple Airport Expresses added to the network.

I have a wireless home network consisting of a time capsule, two airport expresses and a cable modem. Even with this configuration I get a very weak signal in much of be condo - the walls, etc. are solid concrete. I want to see if I can add another separately connected cable modem and connect one of the existing airport express to it by Ethernet cable. If so, this would give me two wired hubs and greatly improve signal strength. I do not know if this configuration will in fact work or if I will just wind up with two, separate and unrelateable networks. Unfortunately, there is no way to run any additional Ethernet cable and I doubt simply adding more Airport Express will help. Thanks.

Try Ethernet over Power adapters.. these are very popular for your kind of environment.. being able to make non-wireless link to another area where you can setup a wireless access point.
Airport Express are not great for wireless power.. if you really have issues with wireless strength in a bad environment apple stuff is not the way to go.
The comparison chart here.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/58-2_4-ghz-dn?see=P_F
This is their worst test location you can also see averages.. the latest airport extreme.. is there a long way down.. and that is a much better wireless device than Airport Express.
The Ubiquiti power AP is small cheap and designed for precisely this duty.. useless in an apple wireless network.. you will need to run ethernet or EOP adapters back to the main router.. but if the normal omni directional antennas don't provide enough signal you can get directional ones.. I suspect you can cover your whole apartment with a pair of these and high gain directional antenna.

Similar Messages

Poor network speed with 1st generation time capsule and multiple airport express 5Ghz. My network speed slows to a crawl when not close to the time capsule. I get the range that I need, but the speed is painfully slow.

Hello,
I have a first generation time capsule running 802.11n (b/g compatable) and the airport expresse's are the newer 5ghz models. I have 3 airport express's and I have the range that I need. I can run the time capsule using 802.11n 5ghz, but I loose the range and can't connect to all of the airport express's. My computers and mobile devices run 802.11n. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase the network speed. Would the new airport extreme fix the problem?
Thank you

Unfortunately, you are experiencing one of the downsides to 5 GHz. That's because the higher frequency 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals.
After all, you always have to give up something to gain something else. In the case of 5 GHz, you gain potential speed but in return, you must give up penetration power and distance capability.
In order to work well, 5 GHz signals need to almost have a line-of-sight relationship between devices. Unless you can achieve this, you will do much better to leave the Time Capsule running at the 802.11n (b/g compatible) 2.4 GHz Radio Mode and allow the Express devices to "extend" that network.
As for the location of the AirPort Express devices in an exended network, that is critical for best performance. That's because the Express can only "extend" the quality and bandwidth of the signal that it receives. Post back if you need a few more tips on how to find the best location for the AirPort Express devices.
Would the new airport extreme fix the problem?
Unfortunately, no.

HT1515 The wifi router I use to connect to the internet is in the room directly above me. I am trying to use my airport express to extend the network for better coverage down here. It works fine with the setting "join a network" but will not extend it.

I have 2 airport expresses. The issue is the same with both of them. What am I doing wrong?

I assume that you already have one Express configured to "join" the network.
Power up the other Express for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button firmly on the back of the device for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN <--> port on the "joining" Express to the WAN "O" port on the second Express.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click Other WiFi Devices
Click on AirPort Express
Click the Other Options button and select the option to Create a new wireless network.
Follow the guided steps, and ignore the step about powering off the modem and restarting.
Once the Express restarts, it will still have a slow, blinking amber light. Open AirPort Utility and click on the amber dot, then select the option to ignore the Double NAT error so the Express will display a green light.
Select the wireless network that you named during the setup of the second Express and enter the password to connect to the network.

Connecting to multiple Airport Express base stations at the same time?

I want to be able to use wireless internet and stream music to my stereo at the same time, but I only have a single internet connection behind my stereo and it's connected to the Pay TV. My options seem to be getting a new line installed behind the stereo so I can insert this into the same Airport Express base station I use for my music, or buying a second Airport Express base station and connecting it to one of the other internet connections in the room, then connecting to both Airport Express base stations at the same time.
Is this possible? Are there other alternatives?
Many thanks

Nate, Welcome to the discussion area!
Once you have a network, you can connect multiple AirPort Express (AX) to that network (wirelessly or via Ethernet). When your computer joins that network it can access all the AX.
You could take your current internet connection and run it into an inexpensive router with multiple Ethernet ports (not the AX). If this is a wireless router then your AXs could be located elsewhere and connect as wireless clients to that network. Once you computer joined that network it could stream music to the AXs.

Just bought a new iphone4 and was loading os6 and now it won't turn on. the apple glows like it is starting up, then the screen goes black and then repeats the same process over and over. i have tried to reboot multiple times now

just bought a new iphone4 and was loading os6 and now it won't turn on. the apple glows like it is starting up, then the screen goes black and then repeats the same process over and over. i have tried to reboot multiple times now

I am assuming the phone was working prior to you installing IOS 6? Did you use itunes to install IOS 6 or just run from the phone?
When I tried to do the Over The Air update to IOS6 on my iPhone 4, it errored out and I had to connect it to iTunes and select "Restore" from the summary screen after iTunes finds the phone is connected. If this works for you, it will go through a couple of reboots that take a few minutes to complete. It should then give you the option to start with a fresh new phone or to use one of your previous backups to load your contacts and other information, provided you have backed up the phone previously.
I hope this helps you my friend!

I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

I have tryed to connect an AirPort Express to my wireless network. But I alwais get the errocode -4. Can anybody help. I have reset the AirPort Express and updated the software.

The ZyXEL P-2601HN-F1, as you know, is a combination DSL modem & 802.11n wireless router (or gateway device).
For your goal you will want to take a look at this Apple Support article for details on how to configure an AX for iTunes.
If you are still having difficulties with the AX joining the ZyXEL's wireless network, you can try the following:
Temporarily disable wireless encryption.
If you are hidding the SSID, disable that feature.
Change the Mode Select setting to: 802.11g Only
Change the Channel Selection from "Auto" to a set channel, like 1, 6, or 11

Airport Extreme with Airport Express for extending WiFi Network...

I have had an iMac for quite a few years now and never needed WiFi until this week. I purchased a Macbook Air, an Airport Extreme and an Airport Express over the last 24 hrs. I opened the Airport Extreme first and followed the somewhat easy installation procedures. My iMac is wired via Ethernet cable to my Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme is connected to a Motorola Cable Modem using Time-Warner. I also happen to have a Verizon Network Extender connected via Ethernet cable to the Airport Extreme. The spot where I most frequently would be using the Macbook Air, is about as far away from my iMac and Airport Extreme Base Network Router as you could be. The WiFi works, shows only one bar on the Airport icon. Consequently I want to plug my Airport Express in near this location to give me a better WiFi signal (and thus perhaps faster performance). I have read both the Airport Express Manual and the Airport Extreme Manual but neither talks all that much about the network extension function with the exception of connecting a stereo to an existing WiFi network. I am wondering what the specific steps are to add the Airport Express as a Network Extender. I also wonder if my Macbook Air will be able to access my iMac as the iMac is connected via Ethernet to the Airport Extreme vs. using the Airport Network. Any help will be most appreciated.

Julie Kruyne wrote:
I am trying to do the exact same thing and am having some difficulties.
It was easier for "WiseJD" because he was using two Apple base stations, instead of your AT&T router.
I select Manual Setup, it just sits there thinking - I can't get into the actual set up.
So you see the Express in AirPort Utility, but when you select it and select "Manual Setup", nothing happens?
When setting up the Express to extend my existing wireless network (AT&T 2WIRE modem and Airport Extreme), do I initially connect the Express, via Ethernet cable, to the modem or the Extreme?
I'll guess that the AT&T device is connected to your broadband connection. Is the 2WIRE device either without Wi-Fi support or is that turned off? How is the Extreme configured, in particular in the AirPort/Wireless panel "Wireless Mode" setting and in the Internet/Internet Connection panel, "Connection Sharing" setting?
If anyone could provide a step by step process on exactly how to set up the Express to extend my existing network, I would be grateful.
I have very little experience with mixed-vendor home networking, but someone should be able to help.

Hello I have 2 seperate airport express systems on my network, each connecting to a stereo in a different room. suddenly, the one in the living room will not stop flashing amber, but the one in the bedroom works fine. I have already tried resetting it

Hello
I have 2 seperate airport express systems on my network, each connecting to a stereo in a different room. suddenly, the one in the living room will not stop flashing amber, but the one in the bedroom works fine. I have already tried resetting it with a pin, resetting it while plugging it in, and trying to find it in airport express setup (the setup assistant can't find it at all).
What am i doing wrong?

How do I configure the AX to connect to the hub's wireless network? It will only scan one base station Airport Express at a time in the Airport Utility. I think what I am trying to do is use the hub as a router to the two AX's. Is there a specific way to set this up?
To set up the AX to join a wireless network as a "Wireless Client," using the AirPort Utility, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, try these settings:
Launch the AirPort Utility.
Select the AX.
If not already connected to the AX's wireless network, go ahead and switch to it when prompted.
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <type in the network name/SSID of the wireless network that you want to join or select it from the pop-up menu>
Wireless Security: None OR, if you are using security on your wireless network:
Wireless Security: <Select the appropriate level of security for the existing wireless network: WPA/WPA2 Personal | WPA2 Personal>
Password: <enter your wireless network security password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the same security password>
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX.

Adding a 2nd Airport Express to extend the network using WDS

I am a bit of a novice, but after I installed an airport express with my d-link wireless router to play itunes on my home stero, the music kept breaking up and stopping. I tried to change the channel, but it said mine was set on automatic and I cannot figure out how to change manually.
So reading apple's suggestions, they said to get another aiport express and extend the network with WDS. I purchased my 2nd express today and have been trying to install it using the airport express assistant. I have had to reset the 2nd express and the original several times. However, what i keep running into is after it gets through all the steps, it asks me for a password for "this basestation". I have read several help topics and it looks like i need to use "public" for this new airport express. I get through that step and then it gives me an unknown error (-6753). Does anyone know what this is? Or is there a way to set-up the 2nd airport express manually? Do I even need a 2nd one? Should I just get an airport extreme? Will that extend the range of my wireless network? Any help is greatly appreciated. I have been at this for about 6 hours now. My wife is going to kill me.

Will the manual for D-Link describe how to set up the
first airport express as a roaming network
No
do that via the apple settings once its connected via
ethernet cable?
Yes
Different channel.
Same network name, same security.
Ensure that distribute IP addresses (under Network) is unchecked.
When this is done, will I still be able to play
itunes through the first airport express?
Yes
Also, then once I do that with the first, then do I
just do the regular set-up for the second as a
network extender via the airport express assistant?
Yes
iFelix

Airport Express won't join network and disappears from view once configured

Hi. I am having trouble getting my brand new Airport Express to connect to my network. I would appreciate any help you can provide. Here are the details:
Computer: iMac, G5 running OS X Tiger.
Network: Cable modem hooked to a netgear wireless b/g router. The router is configured to use WEP 128 bit encryption. I have connectivity on the router throughout the house on several computers and handheld devices (iPhone, etc).
Airport Express Version: 5.3.1
My goal is to add the AE to my current network in order to stream music from iTunes to my receiver.
When I initially opened up the airtunes utility to set up the AE the setup program was able to find the AE and walk through the configuration process. I followed the steps, entered the correct network name, encryption algorithm, password, etc. When I completed setup and hit the update AE button the AE disappeared from the setup application and the device began to flash yellow. While troubleshooting I have reset the AE dozens of times over the past couple of days. I have done both the reset with power on (press reset for 10 seconds waiting for the quickflash) and the hard reset (plugging the AE in with the reset button depressed until the quickflash starts). In either case, the AE is rarely detected by the setup utility (about 1 in 10 times). When it is detected, I walk through the set up and get the same results. I have attempted configuration using both the manual configuration option and the automatic "wizard-like" method.
I have tried to configure the AE wirelessly with it plugged in next to the computer and using a direct hookup via ethernet cable. Both methods produce the same results - flashing yellow light with AE undetectable by any Airport applications.
I have also tried to load an older version of the firmware (5.3) on the AE. When I hit the update AE button after configuring the update to go from the current version to version 5.3 I get an error message stating that "an error occured while attempting to update."
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Hi guys,
I think I'm having the same problem as you all, and its driving me crazzzzy!. I added an AX to my existing network with a AEX all thru gigabyte switch, including the new AX. I set the brand new AX up with all the settings, hit update, all settings were configured and its working fine (i can see it in iTunes, stream music to it, all works fine) EXCEPT when i go to AU and try to go into the manual setting of the AX it just hangs, and after about 2 min, i get an error message:
"An error occurred while reading the configuration. Please make sure your Apple wireless device is plugged in and in range of your computer or connected via Ethernet and try again. (-6722)"
I have tried resetting it hard/soft/default but not sure if it really does reset it, still keeps same password, and network settings. Tried connecting it next to my existing AEX incase the AX is trying to communicate via WIFI instead of the hard wired ethernet. I'll try hard wiring it directly to my mac as some have had success.
I have tried using OX 10.5.3, but still misbehaves as b4 with OSX.4.11. So its not my mac setup.
I'll try to find the old firmwares as some have described, that might work....????
This seems a common problem to many, I hope that Steve & the Apple engineers have got these messages and are fixing the problem as we speak.
marc

How do I install a new airport express and link a second airport express to extend the network of the first airport express?

I currently have a linksys wireless router attached to the Internet. I have an A1264 Airport Express connected by Ethernet to the linksys router. I have two network names, one for each wireless network.
I purchased a new A1392 Airport Express to replace the linksys router and join to the A1264 Airport Express, and I want to have one network name as a result.
How do I do this? I realize that I have to reconfigure the A1264 device so that it is an extension of the A1392 device.

You have a fairly complicated set up, so I suggest that it would make sense to tackle things in stages, testing each stage as you go, before proceding to the next stage.
Stage 1 would be setting up the A1392 first to the cable modem, and then making sure that everything is working correctly on the A1392 Express
Stage 2 would be adding the Netgear switch and testing each port with a laptop connected via Ethernet to make sure that everything is operational on the switch
Stage 3 would be connecting the A1264 Express and testing to make sure that it is extending the network correctly
Stage 4 would be adding other Ethernet devices to the Netgear switch and testing each one at a time before adding the next device. There is some question about whether an iOS device can print to an Ethernet connected printer....even if the printer is AirPrint compatible. You may need to connect the HP using wireless...not Ethernet....to gain full AirPrint functionality, or use another application that will allow printing like Printopia or Print Central using the Ethernet connection on the HP.
Stage 5 would be adding the printer to the A1264 AirPort Express.
You do not mention how the printer will connect to the A1264 Express, but I assume that it will be USB from your description. Most printers will work, but you really will not know if your printer will work until you try.
Remember that only printing will be supported at the USB port of the Express. If you have an all-in-one type device, scan, maintenance, and other advanced features will not be operational whent the device is connected to the AirPort Express.
If you want to print from an iOS device like an iPad or iPhone, plan to add additonal software like Printopia or Print Central to possibly allow this function. There are no guarantees here as far as the iOS devices.

Airport express stopped extending the network

Hi all,
I have had working an Airport Extreme acting as a wifi base plus an Airport Express to extend the network for more than one year and could receive an excellent wifi coverage all over the appartment.
Recently, I decided to update my laptop OS version (an old Leopard) first to Snow Leopard and immediately after to Lion. After lots of software updates, at some point I begun receiving warnings to update the Extreme firmware. I did so and that same day I realized that the Express was not working as network extender any more. I further got frustrated to see that the latest Airport Utility didn't even "like" my Express and I had to downgrade to Airport Utility 5.6 in order to be able to configure the Express.
This was almost one month ago and I have spent many hours and tried all kind of combinations since then. For instance, I checked that the express was ok by creating with it a new network. This worked perfectly. I also reseted the Express to manufaturing defaults several times. I have even created a full new network from the beginning. Nothing works.
Both devices show green lights, but when I'm close to the Express, the BSSID I get is that of the Extreme, not the Express BSSID. I can see the Express in Airport Utility 6 but it is shown as connected to the Extreme with a dashed line.
I don't know what else to try. The worse thing is that even by buying a new Express I don't get any guarantee that the problem won't persist, since the network extension has worked perfectly in the past and doesn't work any more.
Any ideas are welcome.
Best,
Pedro.

I am starting to think that I have a non-functional device.
That is looking like a possibility.
Try a Factory Default Reset if you have not done so already.
Leave the Express powered off for 15-20 minutes
Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it for an additional 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
Try to configure the Express in the same room as the main router. Restart the main router before you try to configure the Express. If it works, then move it further away....but do not reset it....to see if it will connect and behave.
If you still cannot configure the Express after the Factory Default Reset, I think you have a defective Express.

HT4260 Can I use a new airport express to extend a network?

If I am using an AirPort Extreme as my main wifi, but it is in bridge mode because I already have another router setup in dhcp on my network, can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?

can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?
Yes, assuming that you are asking about a new Express, or the 802.11n version.
This is very easy to do with the Mountain Lion operating system that you have.
(The "roaming network" link above assumes that you are using the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system...although the general information there is good).
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.
Power up the AirPort Express and wait a full minute
Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for the heading of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express there
AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze your network and then announce that the Express will be setup to "extend" your AirPort Extreme network
Enter a device name for the Express and click Next
AirPort Setup will take another minute to configure the Express
When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done
That's it.

Can I use an Airport Express to extend a network, but give it a separate SSID network name?

I have an Airport Extreme, and can successfully connect an Airport Express to extend the wireless network. However I want to give the Airport Express a separate SSID so that I can specifically connect to it. Is it possible to configure the Airport Express in this way?

AirPort base stations have essentially three network choices: join, create, or extend.
If you want to connect to a specific network, something must "create" that network. An Express can do that, but it must derive its connection via Ethernet since it cannot simultaneously become a client of one wireless network while creating another.
It is exactly as CRMDVM wrote but that's why.

Can't get G5, Airport Express, G4 Powerbook to network

I've got an Asante ethernet router connecting my G5, cable modem and Airport Express/PowerBook. Both computers see the Airport Express and access the modem. I turned off "Distribute IP addresses" in the Airport Admin utility. And, yes, sharing is turned on.
I had no problem getting the two computers to see each other hardwired through the router. I cannot, though, get the two computers to see each other via wireless. What am I missing? All I want to do is unteather my PowerBook from the network and I can find no info about this type of hook up.
Jeff
PS - there is no info about a hook up like this in any manual or tech page

Just be be clear, you have an ethernet cable connected from the Asante router to the AX ethernet port, correct?

Can I configure a wireless home network with two cable routers (both with separate connections to the same cable company)? Issue is poor signal strength even with multiple Airport Expresses added to the network.

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