Can I discover who is using my airport extreme network?

I am seeing variable performance of my Airport Extreme wi-fi network in terms of download speed. Some of the variance could, I think, come from the number of other users and the rate at which they are consuming bandwidth. I don't know of a way to see: 1. Who is using the network and 2. Their activity level. Is there a way to do so?

You can see the AirPort ID of each device that is connected to the wireless network, but information on how much bandwidth each device is using is not available in any Apple application.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click directly on Wireless Clients (near the bottom of the page)
A window will open to display the AirPort ID of each wireless device that is currently connected to the network

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How do i see who is using my airport extreme

Looking for help in determining who is connected to my airport extreme and can I monitor their activity?

First, download and install AirPort Utility 5.6 which will contain the features you need. It is compatible with Lion as well as Mountain Lion, however, the installer app will refuse to install it on Mountain Lion. As I recall it installs on Lion without complaint.
This dilemma is easily solved though. You simply need to extract the app from the installer package using a package extractor like Pacifist.
Download Pacifist here: http://www.charlessoft.com/
Download AirPort Utility 5.6 here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
After you get AirPort Utility 5.6 installed and running, come back and read the following.
I don't know of a better solution than to use Airport Utility - click Advanced, > Logs and Statistics > Logs. You will see the MAC addresses of the devices connected to your Airport. They're cryptic, but if you familiarize yourself with the MAC addresses of all your devices it's easy to spot an intruder.
MAC addresses are almost always printed somewhere on the exterior case of network devices. Keep a list of them in a convenient place.
"Monitoring activity" is more of a challenge. Depending on exactly what you want to monitor, you would need third party software to do that... I recall hearing about a program called Net Nanny so search for something like that.

HT4145 How can I use an Airport Extreme to act as a Range Extender for an Alcatel One Touch Y800Z WiFi modem/router? I get a message saying it cannot be extended. Thank you. Arup

How can I use an Airport Extreme to act as a Range Extender for an Alcatel One Touch Y800Z WiFi modem/router? As we live in a rural area and our landline broadband speeds are awful, I have moved on to a 3G provider in the UK (EE/Orange) and set up the wireless modem which is working very well with an iMac. I have an Airport Extreme base station which was previously connected with an Ethernet cable to the landline router, and two Airport Express stations as Range Extenders. I would now like to use the Airport Extreme and the two Express stations to extend the range of the Alcatel WiFi device. I have tried automatic and manual set up with the Airport Utility but at the crucial step for selecting a network to extend, although the WiFi device is recognised, I get a message saying it cannot be extended.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Arup

This is a problem with a lot of cheap end wifi hotspot like devices.. sometimes you can just swap the sim out to a real 3G wireless router.. that is a better approach IMHO than wireless repeater ever will be.
In the meantime..
Have a go with the suggestion.. place the express as wireless bridge. With a computer connected to the wifi from alcatel unit.. (I am amazed Alcatel still are in domestic market.. I thought they sold out). Set the express to join the wifi.. you do this in the airport utility.. old one is easy.. but in v6 you have to trust to luck so to speak and hope the auto setup works.. tell us if you have trouble.
With the Express bridging.. you can then plug it by ethernet into the TC.. which will be in router bridge..
ie
You can then run the connection from wireless or ethernet on the TC.. and it will relay back to the alcatel for internet.. all a bit dodgy but who knows.. it may give you what you need.
Wireless repeater is never particularly reliable in my experience. I would avoid it if possible.

Who is using my airport

is there really no way to find out who is currently using my airport extreme. I know I can get MAC addresses by using the airport utility. But I want to know who is using my airport right now, not who has been using it is the past week.

The wireless clients listed by the airport utility may be connected currently or it may have been connected 6 hours ago.
Not in the Wireless Clients window of the AirPort Utility application that I am using.
Sounds like you may be looking at the DHCP Clients window.
Wireless Clients will display a wireless device that is currently connected, and if the device logs off the wireless, that device will disappear from the Wireless Clients window within a few seconds.
When the device logs back on to the wireless, it appears again within a few seconds in Wireless Clients.
So, I will stand by my statement that Wireless Clients displays clients that are currently connected to the wireless network.
DHCP Clients (which from your description is what you are looking at) will display a client and the time that a new lease was granted or renewed, which could be minutes or hours depending on when that occurred. The device listing under DHCP Clients does not indicate whether the device is currently active on the wireless network or not....only that it has been granted a DHCP lease for the network.
If you are using more than one AirPort and have a device extending the network, the wireless device may be showing up under Wireless Clients on the extending device and not showing up on the "main" router. That is normal. In this case, the wireless device would be a Wireless Client of the "extending" device, but a DHCP Client of the "main" router.
At least, that is the way AirPort Utility and Wireless Clients and DHCP Clients works here. Check the Wireless Clients tab on your version of AirPort Utility to see if it behaves as my verson does.

Silly question, maybe. I want to change from Verizon DSL to cable, but cable company doesn't supply router. can I use my Airport Extreme as wireless router?

We currently have the following wireless home-network configuration, powered by Verizon DSL.
2 macbook pro’s
1 emachine
HP PhotoSmart 6122 all-in-one printer
Apple TV
Apple Airport Extreme Base Port A 1408
Westell 7500 router
Thinking I’d get wider wireless coverage throughout my 2 bedroom home, I purchased the Airport Extreme. It is connected to the router via its sole usb port. The result was only a tiny increase in speed, and no increase in coverage, so I don’t know why I have it.
We now want to change from DSL to cable, thus ditching Verizon. Our new cable provider supplies the cable box, but no router for wireless networking.
Here are my questions.
Can I use the Airport Extreme (AE) as a wireless router?
If so, how should I hook it up? Should the usb cable go from the AE to the cable box, and all the other devices connect wirelessly?
If not, how should I be using the AE to some advantage? What can I get out of the investment?
Thank you very much for your help! Beatriz

What I wrote has nothing to do with what the cable company charges for their installation. And, usually they will help with the router setup even if you supply your own router. I don't know what they will charge for the modem.
Note that you need to get just a modem. You don't want a modem/router combination. That will make using an AEBS effectively nearly impossible. You will need to ask specifically for just a standalone modem, and that you will supply your own router.

How can I use an AirPort Extreme to expand a normal Wi-Fi router range?

I used to use my AirPort Extreme as my router, connecting it to an old modem I had. Recently, I had some problems with that modem and had it changed. Now, the new one is also a router, so I decided to use it instead of the AirPort Extreme. However, I don't want to let such an expensive router not doing anything, so I decided I would use it to expand the range of my new router/modem. Is it possible to expand the range of a non-Airport Extreme/Express router, like mine? I tried configuring it to "Expand a network", and it was even in "Bridge Mode", but even with those configurations, it's yellow light kept blinking and AirPort Utility said that it the AirPort Extreme wasn't being able expand the network, and told me to check if the normal router was on and if AirPort Extreme was within its range, and the answer is an obvious yes for both (I can assure you it's within range). Am I doing something wrong, or is it simply not possible?

Is it possible to expand the range of a non-Airport Extreme/Express router, like mine?
Yes, if you connect the AirPort Extreme to one of the LAN <-> ports on the modem/router using a wired Ethernet connection.
Extremely unlikely if you are asking about having the AirPort Extreme connect wirelessly to the modem/router and extend or repeat the signal in that manner.
The reason for this is that Apple designs their routers to only the extend the signal from another Apple router wirelessly.

Can I use an airport extreme to extend the range of my wireless modem

Can I use an Airport Extreme to extend the range of my wireless modem?
At one end of my house I have a dual band wireless ADSL modem which provides my internet connection and I want to extend (improve) the wireless coverage to the other of the hosue where my Apple TV (2nd gen) is located. I have being trying to extend my wireless network with an Airport Extreme but so far without success. I can get the Airport to join the wireless network, but I suspect that it is only acting as another client and not actually extending the wireless range. There is a setting in the Airport configuration to "extend and existing network", however when I choose this option the Airport no longer connects to my existing wireless network and I am beginning to suspect that this fuction only works with another Apple device (Airport Extreme or Express).
Has anyone been able to extend the range of a third party wireless router / modem with an AirPort Extreme? If so, any advice that you can offer wold be appreciated.
Regards
Michael

Thanks Tesserax,
Your answer has confirmed my suspicions.
Option 1 from your suggested solutions is not a goer because the modem and Airport Extreme are in different parts of the house making it impractical to run a cable between the two devices.
I did try option 2 and bought a Netgear range extender, which according to Netgear it would work with my D-Link modem - not.
However I have managed to work around the problem (sort of) by using the Airport Extreme to create a wireless network between my iMac 27 and my Apple TV. The idea is that the iMac will act as a router between ethernet connected ADSL modem and the wirelessly connected Apple TV.
The good news is that I am now able to play the content from my iTunes library on my Apple TV without interruptions due to a poor wireless connection . Although the connection from the Apple TV to the internet is not working I think this is most likely just a configuration issue and for me it is not really a show stopper.

I have Verizon FiOS service for phone, internet and TV but I only have one TV hooked up for it for just basic cable service with no DVR and no need for widgets. Can I use an Airport Extreme as my router and not use the FiOs router?

I want to use an Airport Extreme as my router. I currently have a Verizon FiOS router. I have Verizon for phone, internet and TV. However, TV-wise, I just have a basic service for one TV with just a regular box. No HD, no DVR. Don't need access to a menu, widgets, on-demand. Can I eliminate the FiOS Router and just use the Airport Extreme and still have phone and internet?

I know that it will increase my wireless coverage in my house but will it increase the speeds?
Not sure what you are asking here. The AirPort Extreme is only going to be as fast as the Internet connection that it receives.....which is 75/75. It cannot take a 75/75 connection and make it go any faster.
If you locate the AirPort Extreme in an area where you need more wireless signal coverage, the AirPort Extreme would deliver 75/75 in that area. But, keep in mind that the AirPort Extreme must connect to the FIOS router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.
If you are asking if the AirPort Extreme can wirelessly connect to the FIOS modem router, and extend the FIOS wireless network, the AirPort Extreme would not be compatible with a FIOS product for that purpose.

Can I use the Time Capsule strictly for system backup and continue to use my Airport Extreme for all my wireless needs

I want to use the Apple Time Capsule as an external drive and continue to use my Airport Extreme for all my wireless needs. Can I do that? The reason I ask is that my Time Machine utility cannot find the TIme Capsule - it only shows me the Airport Extreme, even when I "Rescan". SO I am unable to use the Time Capsule.

You will need to connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule.
Perform a "hard reset" on the Time Capsule by holding in the reset button for 9-10 seconds, then give it another minute to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open AirPort Utility, select the Time Capsule, and click Manual Setup
Click the Time Capsule tab located below the row of icons to assign a name to the Time Capsule, a device password, and adjust Time Zone settings.
Next, click the Wireless tab located to the right of the Time Capsule tab
Change the setting for Wireless Mode to Off
Click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update at the lower right to save the settings and allow 30 seconds for the Time Capsule to restart to a green light.
You are all set

Can I use the AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender to my Time Capsule ?

Can I use AirPort Extreme as a wireless extender ? I own a Time Capsule and want to extend my wireless network using the AirPort Extreme just because both have wifi AC. Also, does the AirPort Extreme need to be hook up via Ethernet if I extend

The problem with extending using a wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme is this.......
The extender can only "extend" the speed of signal that it receives. The signal starts to lose speed as soon as it leaves the Time Capsule, and the signal will lose quite a bit of speed as it passes through the ceiling due to the thick construction. The ceiling presents what is known as "interference" to the wireless signal.
So, the signal has slowed somewhat by the time that it reaches an AirPort Extreme that would be installed on the main floor. That AirPort Extreme acting as an extender can make the signal that it receives go further, but it cannot make it go faster. A better term than "extender" really might be "repeater".
If you install an AirPort Extreme on the main floor, the signal upstairs will be stronger than it is now, and depending on how many obstructions there are between the AirPort Extreme and the upstairs area, the signal may be noticeably faster upstairs than it is now as well.
With wireless connections between devices, there are always so many compromises and variables involved that it is just not possible to predict what the actual performance might be in your home until you try things out in your home. For that reason, it is always a good idea to understand the store's return policy in advance in case a new item does not deliver the performance that you are hoping to achieve.
Now, let's say that you are able to pull an Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule to the main floor, and the AirPort Extreme is connected there in a nice, central location. Then, you could expect to receive about the same performance on the main floor that you receive in the basement, since the AirPort Extreme is receiving a full speed signal over the Ethernet cable from the Time Capsule. You can run an Ethernet cable about 330 feet, or about 100 meters with virtually no signal loss.
The performance upstairs will improve as well, since the AirPort Extreme has a full speed signal to broadcast....not the slower speed signal that would receive from the Time Capsule if it connects using wireless.
If you want to achieve the same type of performance upstairs that you have in the basement and main floor, then you will need to pull an additional Ethernet cable up to the upstairs floor and add another AirPort there.
That would probably be the "best" wireless network system that you could install if you are looking at all the options. Few of us are lucky enough to be able to install the "best" network, but those that are receive remarkable wireless performance in return for their investment.

Can i see who is using my wifi

can i see who is using my wifi????

We can't help you, you will need to call a local PC/Mac tech to come in and secure your network, likely they will recommend a newer faster router that has better security and fresher firmware updates.
Plus they can set your routers channel(s) to be far away from others in the area that might be causing your problems.
It's a shame but a lot of the older routers were shipped to be easy to set up by the user, but are severly lacking in security so anyone in the neighborhood can use it or hack it.
Print out my guide and ask the comptuer tech to apply those strick standards to your router or new one, you'll be secure after that.
Even the Comcast router/modems are insecure now despite enabling WPA2(AES) because they don't use enough random characters and only numbers, which is easy to crack on any computer with a decent graphics card.
It would take a massive botnet several hundred years to brute force my network.

Can I use an Airport Extreme as a modem and wireless router?

I realize this shows my ignorance, but I am wondering if I need to lease my isp's (Comcast) modem or if I can use and Airport Extreme instead. Thanks for your help.

AirPort Extreme is a router only.....no modem on board.....so you will need a modem to work with the AirPort Extreme if you want to be able to access the Internet.

Can i use an airport extreme card in a powerbook 400MHz ?

i have an older powerbook 400MHz which is second hand and i have no manual for it. does anyone know if i can install an airport extreme card?
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

wcslingsby, Welcome to the discussion area!
No you can not use an AirPort Extreme card with your PowerBook.
Your PowerBook G4 400 MHz requires the original AirPort card.

Can i use my airport extreme as a modem with comcast

can i use my airport extreme as a modem with comcast cable

No, since there is no modem on board an AirPort Extreme, so you will need to use an outboard modem if you want the AirPort Extreme to have Internet access.

Can I use my Airport Extreme as a wireless bridge?

Can I use my Airport Extreme as a wireless bridge?

When you say "wireless bridge", I assume that you want the AirPort Extreme to receive a wireless signal and provide an Ethernet output, correct?
If you have another Apple router providing your "main" wireless network, the AirPort Extreme could possibly be configured to "Extend a wireless network".
In that setting, the Extreme provides more wireless coverage and Ethernet ports are enabled, so you could connect an Ethernet device that way.
But, the AirPort Extreme cannot do this with a product from another manufacturer.
So, in order to answer your question specifically, can you provide the make and model number of your "main" router?

Can I discover who is using my airport extreme network?

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