Can the AirPort Extreme work as an extender?

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender? (I have tried to research this online, of course, but I haven't had much luck.)
Background: The only option from our ISP is a router/modem combination. It used to be plugged directly into my dad's (Dell and Windows) desktop computer, but I was having trouble connecting all my devices wirelessly. So, I moved it into the kitchen and plugged it into the phone line (we have AT&T DSL) and got a USB wireless adapter for my dad's computer (because he didn't think he needed the wireless option on his "fancy" new Dell). I also have a different brand of adapter plugged into my old iMac G3, which I LOVE using.
Since doing this, my dad has constantly complained of his Internet not working correctly, things loading slowly, and having trouble connecting at all. (Full disclosure: he STILL uses the complete desktop version of AOL and refuses to give it up.) However, I've had no trouble on ANY of my devices--the G3, my white MacBook, my iPad, my iPod, or my mom's Kindle Fire. This leads me to believe the problem lies in the fact that he's using AOL because I usually don't have trouble when I briefly use Chrome on his desktop.
I've tried finding different solutions, including flashing an old router to use an extender and researching different extenders and bridges and such, but nothing looks like a viable solution because of all our components.
I'm wondering if the AirPort Extreme (probably the A1143;or any of the other AirPort devices) can work as an extender. To appease my dad, it'd be best to take the modem/router back to his man cave so he can hook it back up to his computer, but I'm not sure if the AirPort can pick up the wireless signal and perhaps be plugged directly into my G3 and otherwise act as an extender for my other devices (while searching for an Internet solution for my G3, I read on here that someone did this, but there was no further information on how it worked) or if I can plug it into the kitchen phone line and keep the USB adapter for the G3 and have wireless access to all my other things.
Help?
(I can't find the original support article where a responder mentioned using the AirPort station with an iMac G3, but i did locate this one: https://discussions.apple.com/message/13080786#13080786)
(My iMac is one of the later ones. It's running 10.4.1 and is a 600MHz model.)

Simple question: Can the AirPort Extreme work as a wireless network extender?
Simple answer: Yes....IF....the AirPort Extreme is extending a wireless network that is being provided by another Apple 802.11n wireless router.
Another way of saying the same thing is that it will take a minimum of two Apple 802.11n wireless routers to extend a signal wirelessly.
The more complex answer involves distances and obstructions involved in the setup, or alternate solutions such as running Ethernet cabling or using Ethernet powerline adapters.

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Can the AirPort Extreme support more than one printer at a time?

can the AirPort Extreme support more than one USB printer at a time if it is connected to a USB Hub?

can the AirPort Extreme support more than one USB printer at a time if it is connected to a USB Hub?
Yes.....IF.....you use a powered USB hub.
I have had 3 printers connected at the same time in the past and assume that more would work as long you have a powered hub to support the number of ports that you need.

Can the AirPort Extreme Base Station be plug-in to the power forever?

Hi,
sorry for my english but this is my question: Can the AirPort Extreme Base Station be plug-in to the power (electricity) forever? I mean, I don't have to un-plug the Base Station sometimes? Thanks
Alvaro

Sounds more like an issue with your router and
network than a problem with AEBS.
Which router?
I certainly do not need to reboot my AEBS like that,
I think I have rebooted it once in two years!
I would start a new thread describing your network in
more detail and the issues with the AEBS.
Thank you, but my diagnosis is the result of many days
of experiment with about hundreds of users. It's a bug,
I know were it is. It was reported to Apple in september
(2005).
It isn't that easy to upgrade at the same time all the
wireless (802.11b and 802.11g) that do have to interoperate
smoothly within the same space.
I don't think anyone need to waste more time on these
bugged firmware versions (5.6 & 5.7) as I already explained
it. They work smoothly just in a limited environment
which they were conceived for: one Mac connected to one
AEBS connected to one FAI.
You can't recommand these version to colleagues who have
to live in a real world with other wireless equipment
(a Mac not updated, an ABS not updated,
a Cisco wireless card emitting to 100 mW and smashing all
the neibourhood, a pre 802.11g+ card using 2 channels at
the same time...).
dan

Will the airport extreme work with Iphone 4 and Ipod 3 gen without a pc or mac.

will the airport extreme work with Iphone 4 and Ipod 3 gen without a pc or mac.

You can setup an Airport device using the Apple Airport Utility for iPhone
Download it for free in the App Store on your iPhone...
It's under "Utilities" and the "Top Free" utilities.

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 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.

Make a hard drive attached to the Airport Extreme work with Time Capsule?

I have an external hard drive attached to my airport extreme that shows up on my desktop as if it was attached locally, but time machine recognizes it as the wrong format. In the Get Info screen, the drive's format appears to be 'Appleshare', when it is actually Mac OS Extended (Journaled). How can I make it appear as Mac OS extended again?

There is nothing wrong. The drive will appear as Appleshare since the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) is providing file sharing services. That should not be a problem for Time Machine use.

Are we able to use the AirPort Extreme has a wifi extender

are we able to use the AirPort Extreme has a wifi extender

Yes, if you plan to extend using wireless only and you use it with another Apple wireless router....an AirPort Express, Time Capsule, or another AirPort Extreme.
The AirPort Extreme will need to be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the "main" AirPort, as the "extender" can only extend the quality of signal that it receives.

Does the Airport Extreme work w/Time Capsule (as prior info. said?)

Seems to me that any person contemplating the purchase of a new Airport Extreme should at least be able to see both what it is and is not capable of doing... Time Machine does not support a properly mounted Airport Extreme disk. Period. Unless this is the darker side of the product-- or lest this technical incompatibility is found to be "inappropriate" subject matter, I see no reason why this is not a valid technical question to be answered by Apple.
Why does the AE not fully support the feature-set of Leopard? Time Machine incompatibility is a serious and costly issue for all of us who bought AE's just weeks prior to Leopard's release...
Apple did indeed state (prior to release), that Leopard and Time Machine would fully support the Airport Extreme's disk-mounting feature. This is no longer the case, however, and it seems that Apple simply does not want this subject to be brought to light... This is a technical problem that can (and should) be solved via new software for the AE, or within Leopard itself.
I have been told to "call Customer Relations about this instead"-- however, no phone number was provided. In my experience, that department has proven to be incredibly difficult to connect with via Tech. Support. Why can't this issue be addressed here? Technical. Software. Hardware. Leopard.

Kevin Brening wrote:
Just because this issue can't be solved, does not justify pulling the post from this forum-- as this information is vital to absolutely anyone who is contemplating the purchase of an Airport Extreme.
Actually it does. If you rant about a feature missing or spam the forum (which you did both) it will be removed. Read the Terms of Use you agreed to when you signed up:
+1) Stay on topic. Apple Discussions is here to help people use Apple products and technologies more effectively. Unless otherwise noted, do not add Submissions about nontechnical topics, including:+
+1. Speculations or rumors about unannounced products.+
+2. Discussions of Apple policies or procedures or speculation on Apple decisions.+
+2) Be polite. Everyone should feel comfortable reading Submissions and participating in discussions. Apple will not tolerate flames or other inappropriate statements, material, or links. Most often, a "flame" is simply a statement that is taunting and thus arbitrarily inflammatory. However, this also includes those which are libelous, defamatory, indecent, harmful, harassing, intimidating, threatening, hateful, objectionable, discriminatory, abusive, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or offensive in a sexual, racial, cultural, or ethnic context.+
+3) Post constructive comments and questions. Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should either be a technical support question or a technical support answer. If your Submission contains the phrase “I’m sorry for the rant, but…” you are likely in violation of this policy.+
This is a technical incompatibility, and as such, has a valid place in this forum.
Not really. Its a missing feature, not an incompatibility. Incompatibilities are things that a product should be able to do but can not due to conflicts. The AEBS was never compatible with the retail version of Time Machine, nor was it every said to be compatible with the retail version so its is a missing feature.
Message was edited by: Ansuz82

I have the Airport extreme working on my computer but am unable to connect any other device to the Wi Fi

Is there a setting I have incorrect?

Ok, thanks for clarifying your modem model. Per your input, this would be the correct configuration (physically) for both the modem and the AirPort Express. By default, the Express would broadcast an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a network name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. A switch connected to the Express' LAN (opposing arrows) ports, as you have it, would provide additional Ethernet connections beyond the single one provided by the Express. The key here is that the Express, by default, would have NAT & DHCP services enabled. You would NOT want the Express to be in Bridge mode (both of those services disabled.)

Can this be done? Airport extreme connected wireless in extend mode to connect a wireless Mac Pro with an ethernet cable from the extended airport extreme..

Can this be done? Airport extreme connected wireless in extend mode to connect a wireless Mac Pro with an ethernet cable from the extended airport extreme.

This will work.....IF....you also have an Apple AirPort router configured to provide your wireless network.
In other words, you need to have two Apple AirPort routers to extend a wireless network.
When the AirPort Extreme is configured to "extend" the wireless of the "main" AirPort, it will provide more wireless coverage and the Ethernet ports are enabled, so you could connect your Mac Pro to any of the Ethernet ports and use that as a network and Internet connection.

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.

AirPort Extreme- Works in 1 room, not the other

For the first month I lived in this house, the AirPort Extreme worked great in every room and in both the front and back yards. The unit is in my bedroom. When in my office, about 15 feet away, the unit works fine and my computer shows full signal strength. When in the living room, 5 feet away from the office, I have no signal at all. So, I ask, ***? Is there any type of diagnostic I can run, or any sort of reset I can perform? Unplugging and plugging back in does not do the trick. Is there a software update I am lacking, or some preventative maintenance I need to perform? This is pretty frustrating.

WTFmac, Welcome to the discussion area!
It may be RF interference caused by another RF signal or the material used in your house is blocking the signal.
Is your AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) using 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz? If 2.4 GHz have you tried changing the channel used by the AEBS?

Airport Extreme works fine but I can't see it in Airport Utility

Have seen numerous posts on this issue but no solutions!
I have a MB Pro running 10.4.11, Airport Extreme and Airport Utility 5.2.1. The Airport Extreme works perfectly, with no connection issues, but I cannot see it anymore in Airport Utility. I have another Airport Express hooked up to my stereo (for airtunes only), and can see this in Airport Utility, but not the Extreme. The Extreme used to appear here, but no more. Otherwise works fine. Just need to be able to reconfigure it.
Anyone know what the fix is????

I have this same issue. Internet works, I can connect to it, but i doesn't show in the Airport Utility. Also, it doesn't let me connect to other computers or my AirDIsk. I am using 10.5. Unplug and plugin style reset fixes it...for a while. Any ideas anyone?

How do I make an Airport Extreme work with a Linksys WRT160N

I have a Linksys WRT160N V3 Router that I have connected to my cable modem. I have an iMac in another room along with a PC based laptop. Range is fine to get them to connect wirelessly. However what I would like to do is to also connect my Blu-Ray device to the internet. However it isn't wireless. I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N. What I want to do is hardwire connect my Blu-Ray player and perhaps my iMac to the Airport Extreme using my WRT160n's access to the cable modem. Basically I'm trying to make to wirelss routers talk to each other. I can't seem to make the Airport Extreme work. Any assistance would be great.
Thanks,
Tim

Welcome to the discussions, Gonzotoo!
+I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N+
Unfortunately, this is not correct. The AirPort Extreme does not have the capability that you need. If you could connect the Linksys and Extreme together using an ethernet cable, it would function as you wish. Or, if it's not possible to connect them using an ethernet cable, you might take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home.

Can the AirPort Extreme work as an extender?

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