Can you extend a wifi network using a 2nd wired Airport Extreme ?

Hi
my cable broadbank service enters one corner of my house via a router/modem that I have running in modem mode.
I then have a ethernet cable to a new Airport Extreme (my primary router) next to it that I am using to create a Wifi network (with the same name for 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
I need to get a strong a signal as possible to opposite corners of the house.
At the moment I have a 2nd Airport Extreme (my secondary router) in the opposite corner of the house which Extends the network from the first router.
This AE also has some devices in the same room connected to it by ethernet.
Thise devices are getting very patchy internet service.
I have speeds over 100Mbps available close to my primary router, and around 7 Mbps next to the secondary.
I also have an unused ethernet cable running from the room with the primary router to a room near to the secondary router.
My question:
If I plugged my secondary router into that ethernet cable (into it's input socket) and the other end to the output of the primary router: would I be able to use the secondary router to extend the same Wifi network that the primary was broadcasting ? Or would I end up having to create a completely new network (and then worry about mobile devices switching between them when you move around the house).
Followup question:
If the idea above doesn't pan out - would I typically be better off stationing the secondary router in the middle of the house to extend the network range - or in a far corner as it currently is ?
thanks in advance.
Christian.

If I plugged my secondary router into that ethernet cable (into it's input socket) and the other end to the output of the primary router: would I be able to use the secondary router to extend the same Wifi network that the primary was broadcasting ?
Yes. Apple's set up wizard calls this "extend using Ethernet".  Since there is virtually no signal loss through the Ethernet cable, the second AirPort Extreme will receive a much faster signal to extend.
If the idea above doesn't pan out - would I typically be better off stationing the secondary router in the middle of the house to extend the network range
Yes.  As it stands, the wireless signal has really slowed down a great deal by the time that it reaches the far end of the house. And, the Extreme can only wirelessly extend the speed of signal that it receives from the "main" Extreme.  It can make the signal that it receives stronger, but it cannot make the signal go faster.
So, locating the second Extreme about half way between the "main" Extreme and far end of the house would be the best compromise. The network speed will still slow by at least half when you do it this way, and any obstructions in the signal path will slow the signal even more.
It is easy to see why extending using Ethernet.....if possible.....provides much better performance for the network.

Similar Messages

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

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    I guess I need the proper instructions how to, if it is possible.
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    Hope you understand that and have a better explanation available.

  • When extending my wifi network using an Extreme as my main and an Express to extend.. does it help to make sure that both devices are on the same channel or does it even make a difference if they are on different channels?

    when extending my wifi network using an Extreme as my main and an Express to extend.. does it help to make sure that both devices are on the same channel or does it even make a difference if they are on different channels?

    Have you even tried the process in which i have described in my previous post?
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  • How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

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    Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express?
    I just moved into a house where they have ATT DSL and it is really slow in my room.  I am hoping that I don't have to purchase a booster and I might be able to use my Airport Extreme or Express to boost it.
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    I don't think they want my Extreme as their router, though.  They are PC.
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  • Is it best to extend a Wifi network using Airport Extreme 802.11ac or Express ?

    I previously asked this question with a different emphasis here:
       https://discussions.apple.com/message/24347878#24347878
    so have re-worded to be more relevant to the subject.
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    Per my previous post i would ideally extend using my old Edimax BR-6675nD 450Mbps 2.4GHz/5GHz, however this has been problematic and some previous posts imply that mixing Apple and non-Apple routers is not recommended, if this is not correct please do let me know.
    Thanks in advance.

    Is there a benefit to extending the network via another Airport Extreme 802.11ac versus a (cheaper) Airport Express ?
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  • Can I extend my wifi signal using an Airport Express to Airport Express?

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    Post back to let us know if you want to try the WDS setup or whether you want to upgrade to the newer "extend" setup and we can provide you with instructions on configuration of either method.
    Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

  • How can I extend my wireless network using Airport Express and an Airport Extreme on BT Infinity?

    I have BT Infinity and I am using the Time Capsule with Airport Extreme as my router. Working well (even on wireless). I want to extend the wireless network with an Airport Express, but I cannot work out the settings necessary in Airport Utility. I am using Mountain Lion 10.8.2 on a Mac Pro. Please help!

    BT,
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  • HT4259 How to you extend my existing network using an AirPort Express?

      My current configuration is a Linksys wireless router that I'm connecting to the AirPort Express via Cat. 5 cable.  Only get a flashing yellow light.  Help.

    I got it working but here is the deal.  It is not intuitive; you have to set it on "Create a wireless network", not "Extend a wireless network".  You use extend a wireless network when you do it all wirelessly when the signal from the base is strong enough.  But since I couldn't reach my wireless network to boost it, I had to use the cat. 5.  So I guess it does make sense since I'm going from my WAN by cable to creating a wireless network.  For some reason I thought it was going to be seamless with my existing wireless network so therefore I was extending my wireless network.  Wrong.  Thanks for all your suggestions as I think I would have quit long ago without you help. 

  • Extend my wired Airport Extreme (5th Gen) with a 2nd Wired Airport Extreme (also 5th Gen)

    I have a 5th Generation Airport Extreme in my house hard wired directly from my fiber optic provider
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  • Extend existing wifi network?

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  • I'm trying to extend my wifi network with time capsule but it can't find the existing wifi network

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