Configure standalone 1250 AP to support 802.11n

Been searching this forum about 802.11n setup. So far, I learned (from this forum) that to support 802.11n, I must use WPA2/AES (or open auth), and I need to ensure WMM is enable.
Q-1. Besides the above two, are there any other requirement I need to address in my configuration?
Q-2. Do I have to enable both 2.4Mhz and 5Mhz radio for 802.11n performance?
Q-3. Is there WPA2/TKIP option? If so, would this option support 802.11n? Or, it has to be WPA2/AES?
Q-4. From the command line, how can I verify if I have WMM enable?
I have read the 1250 AP Configuration guide, but I don't see specific discussion/chapter about 802.11n. If there is any good reading I can do, please let me know.
Thanks.

I will try to answer your questions:)
Q-1. Besides the above two, are there any other requirement I need to address in my configuration?
You need to configure 40mhz channel width in the AP 802.11a radio
Q-2. Do I have to enable both 2.4Mhz and 5Mhz radio for 802.11n performance?
Only enable 'N' on the 5ghz side due to only having 3 non-overlapping channels on the 2.4ghz
Q-3. Is there WPA2/TKIP option? If so, would this option support 802.11n? Or, it has to be WPA2/AES?
AES is the supported encryption standard for 802.11N.... not TKIP. WPA2/AES or OPEN is your only option
Q-4. From the command line, how can I verify if I have WMM enable?
show wlan
Issue the config wlan wmm {disabled | allowed | required} wlan-id command in order to enable WMM mode

Similar Messages

Does the iPhone support 802.11n?

After reading the tech specs via the link below, it looks like the iPhone does not support 802.11n, however, I remember reading somewhere that it did.
Can anyone confirm?
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

No and not necessary in respect to data transfer with the iPhone since no data can be transferred from a computer or hard drive to the iPhone or from an iPhone to a computer or hard drive available on an "N" network.
Connecting an iPhone to an "N" network where all computers are "N" compatible lowers the overall data transfer speed between computers connected to the network.
"N" has no effect on internet access speed for connected computers and the iPhone which is determined by the ISP with none offering Internet access upload and download speeds approaching data transfer speeds between connected conputers.

How do I tell if my MacBook Pro supports 802.11n 5GHz?

As I wait for my Apple Extreme Base Station, I was wondering if it would make sense to create two different SSID networks. One Mixed b/g for 2.4GHz devices and another one solely for 5GHz. I know my ATV2 supports 802.11n in 5GHz. As I go down my list of devices in my house, I can't tell if my MacBook Pros support the 5GHz. Both MacBook Pros are Mid 2010 models.
The reason for creating two different networks is that the AEBS downgrades your network based on the lowest device (i.e. b/g would be forced on a n device if such device connects to your network).

LOLuMad wrote:
I know my ATV2 supports 802.11n in 5GHz. […] I can't tell if my MacBook Pros support the 5GHz. Both MacBook Pros are Mid 2010 models.
Of course, you are aware that n operates in both 2.4 and 5GHz.
Check AirPort in System Profiler. It should list supported modes and supported channels. Then compare supported channels to the list of WLAN channels in the 5GHz band.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels>

Does the 4th Gen iPod touch and the iPads really support 802.11n?

Ok so I see on the boxes of my iPad and my iPod touch 4 say that they support 802.11n wifi connections. The iPad even supports 5Ghz 802.11n. However when I change the settings on my network to '802.11n only', only my MacBook Pro can connect to the network.
Config Details:
802.11 Band - 2.4Ghz
802.11n Mode - Auto
Bandwith - 20Mhz
Security - WPA2-PSK [AES]
What's really going on?? I also see that all the devices are in 'g mode' and only my computer is in 'n mode' based on the router settings.

I do use it a lot for games...they tend to be larger files. My songs are whatever my dad buys and whatever I buy. Once I import this big batch of songs I will be at 700 songs and then will only add more when Dad or I buy them. I make a lot of money for a high schooler but my mom doesn't like how much I spend on iTunes (she's not into music the way I am). I don't want to have to pick and choose on which apps I have on my iPod. Songs, I can pick and choose if necessary. I just hate running low on available space.

Does anyone know if the macbook air supports 802.11n 5Ghz ?

Does anyone know if the macbook air supports 802.11n Ghz ?

Every MacBook Air supports 802.11 a/b/g/n and the 2013 models added 802.11 ac

How do I check if my Macbook Pro support 802.11n?

I am thinking of upgrading my wireless router to 802.11n, but I don't know if my Macbook Pro's wireless card support this?
I bought my 15.4 inch Mac book pro in Nov 2007. Currently I am running on 10.5.8. Please kindly where to check my wireless card status.

Click here for information.
(47970)

Does MBP 2010 support 802.11n at 300Mbps?, Does MBP 2010 support 802.11n at 300Mbps?

My MBP is connected ro an accesspoint 802.11n router.
It operates at about 140Mbps.
The router has double 20Meg ability but the MBP doesn't seem to do it. Should it?

Hi and thanks for your comments.
Indeed my prblem may be the dual band router and my adjacent hot spots.
I have more than adequate cable odem speed. In fact, although I pay for 10Mbps my ISP provides speeds as hight as it can until the pipe gets "clogged" then slows down to a lower speed.
The reason I obtained the SMCD3GN router was so I could send large video files between my PC and my MAC for multiprocessor processing and archive.
I have attempted to use a channel that is not the same as local heavy users or adjacent to one.
If you have any further comments or suggestions please let me know.
I shall also contact the supplier when the open tomorrow (ita a holiday here in Canada)
Thanks again.
Barry
Here are the airport-option values:
PHY 802.11n
Channel 10(2.4gHz)
RSSI -51
Transmit rate 78
MCS index 12
The network utility shows
The accesspoint is stu up as "greenfield" which I believe means 80211.n only and all my clients can handle 802.11n.

How do I find out if my mac's airport card supports 802.11n ?

It just says Airport Extreme in System profile and it also says that on my wife's iBook - wondering about maximising our network speeds with an upgrade to AEBS and TV.
thanks

You can replace your Macbook Pro airport card with the 2 antennae "N" card designed for the Mac Pro.
Just search these forums....
or
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=4239103#4239103

Does iPhone support 802.11n?

Or it is only g?

Thanks for the pointer. I did read the user guide but I couldn't find any info about WiFi standard. I just reread it again and use the find feature in Adobe Reader but still couldn't find it. I must be getting old.

Airport Drives Me CRAZY! New 802.11n Network Slower Than Old 802.11g/b

I've been using Macs since 1988 and consider myself an advanced user. However, every time I setup a new Airport wireless network or re-configure an existing one, I feel like a helpless newbie trying to figure out how to open a folder on my desktop. No matter how many times I read the manual or the help files or these forums, I can never grasp what seems like it should be a simple path from A to B to C.
Anyway, here's my current situation: I've been successfully (I think) running a 6 year old AP Extreme Base Station [AE] (in my home office addition) and 2 Airport Expresses [AX] (one AX roughly 15 feet from the base station--through sheetrock, and the second AX roughly 30 feet from the first AX--through sheetrock and some wooden stairs. (so roughly 45 feet from AE to 2nd AX). It wasn't the speediest thing going but it did the trick with older Macs.
I recently bought a MacBook Pro which supports 802.11n. I most often use this laptop at the point in the house furthest away from the AE (Base Station) The AE (Base Station) is in my home office connected to my MacPro desktop (see #1 below). In addition, the family iMac is also in that room furthest from the AE. Using the new MacBook Pro with the old 802.11/g/b network turned out to be painfully slow. I was experiencing the same slow network connection my family has complained about for years with their older Macs and 802.11g/b.
I decided it was time to upgrade the whole network, if only to speed up my MacBook Pro connection. Bought new 802.11n Airport Extreme (MC340LL/A) and 2 new 802.11n Airport Expresses (MB321LL/A). Setup did not go smoothly. Again, my normally competent Mac persona was reduced to a babbling three-year-old. Had three different Apple techs on the phone trying to help me through it. Got different, contradictory instructions from the last two. Finally got all three units working, only to find that not only does my MacBook Pro seem even more sluggish than when connected to the old 802.11g/b network, but my wife tells me web pages are taking at least twice as long to load as with the old network.
As concisely as I can lay this out:
*1. Airport Extreme (Base Station)*
Connected via Ethernet from its WAN port to my Comcast cable modem. One Ethernet (LAN) port on that AE is then connected via Ethernet to my Netgear 8-port Ethernet switch. Ethernet from switch to Ethernet port 1 on my MacPro. (MacPro does NOT have an Airport card because I forgot to order one. Also I confirmed that this setup was functional by connecting to the AE wirelessly with my MacBook Pro showing the name I'd given the new network prior to adding the two AX's to the mix).
Some Airport Extreme settings of note (all accessed via "Manual Setup" button):
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.5.1
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Channel: 149 (Automatic), 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 3
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over WAN: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Allow this network to be extended: Checked
Airport Tab > Guest Network:
Nothing checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect Using: Ethernet
Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address [Think this one is probably wrong]
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Internet Tab > DHCP:
Shows Beginning & Ending Address
Internet Tab > NAT:
Enable default host at: Unchecked and blank field
Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol: Checked
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*2. Airport Express #1: Living Room Express (Closest to AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 1
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
*3. Airport Express #2: Dining Room Express (Furthest from AE (Base Station)*
Airport Tab > Summary
Version 7.4.2
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Connect using: Wireless Network
Channel: 1 (Automatic)
Wireless Clients: 2
Airport Tab > Base Station:
Allow Setup over the Internet using Bonjour: Unchecked
Airport Tab > Wireless:
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Allow wireless clients: checked
Airport Tab > Access Control:
MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Internet Tab > Internet Connection:
Connect using: Greyed-out, not selectable
Connection sharing: Greyed-out, not selectable
Internet Tab > TCP/IP:
Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
Shows IP Address
Internet Tab > Advanced
Didn't touch anything here, so all at defaults
SETUP/GOALS:
With Airport Extreme (Base Station) as the starting point, have the two Airport Express units with the strongest, fastest signal possible, provide Internet access (and file sharing, iTunes speakers capability) to three Macs (one older iMac, one older PowerBook and my new MacBookPro). Again, I believe my new MacBook Pro is the only one with 802.11n support, so I don't expect the other Macs to take advantage of the speed boost offered by the three new 802.11n devices.
+Any and all help with this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!+

{quote}With the AirPort Extreme, in the AirPort panel, Wireless tab, click on the button for "Wireless Network Options", check the box for "5 GHz Network Name", and enter a different network name. (That can be trivially different, such as the name of the main network suffixed with an underscore and the digit 5.) Once configured that way, connect your "N" gear to each network in turn to see if one is any better than the other. (If you're wondering what effect this would have, it allows segregating your "N" gear from the older gear to prevent the older gear from slowing down your network. However, distance and interference from things like walls may negate any advantage.){quote}
William: I was gone most of yesterday, but had a chance to implement your recommendations today. I added the 5 GHz network as you suggested, but in order to connect to that at all with my 802.n11 MacBokk Pro, I need to be within a few feet of the AE (base station). If I try to access that network even from the next room (well within reach of both the AE and the livingroom AX, I get one bar and "failure to connect" messages just trying to logon to that network.
However, I did some experimenting that (as of right now, anyway) resulted in much faster network access, not only from my MacBook, but also from the older iMac which is the furthest Mac from the AE. According to my wife, that iMac is "loading web pages faster than I've ever seen them!"
Here's what I did:
1. Moved all three units to places where it seemed they would have the least amount of interference with the clearest path from unit to unit, also raising the height of both AXs from about 2-3 feet from the floor to about 5-6 feet from the floor.
2. Changed one setting on the AE (base station): Wireless Tab > Wireless Network Options > Multicast Rate ---> Changed this from Low to High.
I have a feeling the location shifts made the real difference, but I will try changing the multicast rate back to "Low" just to see what happens.
Paul

My macbook pro I7 does not have 802.11n compability

Hello you all.
My macbok pro I7 was bought since 8 months ago and is this:
Macbook Pro Information
Nombre del modelo: MacBook Pro
Identificador del modelo: MacBookPro9,2
Nombre del procesador: Intel Core i7
Velocidad del procesador: 2,9 GHz
Cantidad de procesadores: 1
Cantidad total de núcleos: 2
Caché de nivel 2 (por núcleo): 256 KB
Caché de nivel 3: 4 MB
Memoria: 8 GB
the problems is that my WIFI network adapter only support 802.11a/b/g. and doesn't support 802.11 /n or /ac
Do you know if this problems could solve updating firmware or my hardware wifi adapter doesn't support 802.11n or /ac
Thank you all
Best regards
MacBook Pro WIFI Adapter Information
Interfaces:
en1:
Tipo de tarjeta: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0xF5)
Versión del firmware: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.22)
Dirección MAC: a8:bb:cf:03:d2:10
Configuración regional: FCC
Código del país: LA
Modos PHY compatibles: 802.11 a/b/g
Canales admitidos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Wake on Wireless: Compatible
AirDrop: Compatible
Estado: No asociado
No
Estado: N

Thank Linc
ufff i feel walking to a dark room...
What do you suggest to start looking for....
1.fix my router if is possible in admin setup or
2. Find a new router with this feature
Thanks
Update: Dear Linc, Look this. I am at work now, and i try to connect to the guest WAP after i posted this message.
Surprise, these change de LAOS country code to US and now 802.11/n, but still left to /ac This is the reason for i bought a 868L dlink router to use 5ghz.
en1:
Tipo de tarjeta:      AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0xF5)
Versión del firmware:           Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.22)
Dirección MAC:    a8:bb:cf:03:d2:10
Configuración regional:         FCC
Código del país:    US
Modos PHY compatibles:     802.11 a/b/g/n
Canales admitidos:                1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Wake on Wireless:                Compatible
AirDrop:               Compatible
Estado: Conectado
Información de la red actual:
I re-ask the question.
What do you suggest to fix my ROUTER.
1.fix my router if is possible in admin setup or
2. Find a new router with this feature
here some hints of my configuration:
1. My ISP provider, provides a optics fiber router brand ZYXEL model ZNID24-xx and my dlink router DIR 868L is behind connected to LAN port1.
2. DIR 868L 2,4 ghz wireless network setup in mixed /g /n Channel 1. (I tried every channel in only /n )
3. Update the last firmware for DIR868L
Thank you!
best regards

802.11n implementation- First steps

We have around 35 access pints (1230,1240,1260) and 500 clients (RDTs and printers ) in our warehouse running on 802.11b/g, some of the clients support 802.11n and some of them don't. We are planning to upgrade all our clients by the end of the year so that they all can support 802.11n.
We are getting reports about intermittent wireless connectivity issues from our warehouse and some of APs have peak client count of 55. We can't add any more APs in those areas because of the interference(only 3 non over lapping channels in 2.4ghz), so we decided to add new APs with 802.11n antennas (11n antennas only) in those areas so that all the clients that support 802.11n can connect to the new APs.
Do you see any caveats in that design. AES,TEKIP and WMM is already enabled on all our WLANs, is there anything else I have to do other than enabling (wireless--802.11a/n--High Throughput-11n ) mode on the controller and configuring the antennas on the APs? And also does enabling 802.11n (5Ghz) in greenfield mode on an AP has any affect on the AP that only has 802.11b/g antennas?
Below is a logical diagram, thanks for the help
Siddhartha

Leo,
Below is the diagram, the distance from the ground to the AP is 9 feet and all the AP s have two external patch anenna (AIR-ANT2460P-R) facing the ground.
Siddhartha

Mac mini server, Snow Leopard, Linksys E4200, 802.11n

Hi,
I have mac mini server and wifi router linksys e4200.
Something goes wrong after software update on mac mini. For clarify I updated a firmware on E4200 too but I think that is not a problem.
Now I can't get full speed from 802.11n mode.
My download speed extemely decreases from 160Mbit(always before update) to 27Mbit
My router supports 3 modes of 802.11n
1. Mixed
2. Only Wireless-A
3. Only Wireless-N
It always was in mixed mode on 802.11n befare. That's mean it supports b/g/a/n
I switched it to 'Wireless-N' and can't get it work. My mac mini shows me the wifi network but it can't connect to that network.
Then I turned my router in Wireless-A. Now I can connect to wifi network but my download speed always no more 27Mbit
Also these results I see in Mixed mode.
As I understand my N mode does not work.
Another strange thing the System profiler shows me that my AirPort does not suppor N mode.
How to fix it?
Regards
Software Versions:
Menu Extra:          6.2.2 (622.2)
configd plug-in:          6.2.5 (625.6)
System Profiler:          6.0.1 (601.1)
Network Preference:          6.2.2 (622.2)
AirPort Utility:          5.6.1 (561.3)
IO80211 Family:          3.2 (320.1)
Interfaces:
en1:
Card Type:          AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x93)
Firmware Version:          Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.131.42.4)
Locale:          FCC
Country Code:          RU
Supported PHY Modes:          802.11 a/b/g
Supported Channels:          1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Wake On Wireless:          Supported
Status:          Connected
Current Network Information:
Regul-2.4Ghz:
PHY Mode:          802.11g
BSSID:          c0:c1:c0:e8:df:1e
Channel:          1
Country Code:          RU
Network Type:          Infrastructure
Security:          WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise:          -45 dBm / -94 dBm
Transmit Rate:          54
Other Local Wireless Networks:
Regul-5Ghz:
PHY Mode:          802.11n
BSSID:          c0:c1:c0:e8:df:1f
Channel:          36,1
Network Type:          Infrastructure
Security:          WPA2 Personal
Signal / Noise:          -43 dBm / -88 dBm
System Version:          Mac OS X Server 10.6.8 (10K549)
Server Configuration:          Advanced
Kernel Version:          Darwin 10.8.0
Boot Volume:          Server HD
Boot Mode:          Normal
Computer Name:          rusik
User Name:          Rusik (rusik)
Secure Virtual Memory:          Not Enabled
64-bit Kernel and Extensions:          Yes
Time since boot:          1:24

Thanks for answer
So please tell me does my Mac mini server supports 802.11n or it supports only a,b,g modes?
From the specs for this Mac mini
Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
model MC438LL/A
intel core 2 duo 2.66Ghz
2010 edition

AEBSn - Unable to switch to 802.11n - Installation Bugged!

If you have a fairly recent Mac and an AEBS which supports 802.11n (the Gigabit or "802.11n" model) then you are supposed to be able to get 802.11n which has advantages over 802.11g.
I run late-2006 iMacs and these are 802.11n possible machines, providing 802.11n has been enabled. Downloading the "2007-002" enabler is not necessary, as the enabler will tell you. That's because a similar enabler is embedded into the AEBS installer on the supplied disc.
I assumed that the instal process for the Gigabit AEBS would handle things automatically in terms of getting everything moving at 802.11n speed or at least allow easy selection.
Nothing like it. This is a warning to others.
I noticed in my Airport Utility that I was running at 2.4GHz and not 5GHz which is for 802.11n. So clever me decided to simply switch and restart my AEBS. (An incentive too was to move above all the shops across the road. They seem to have channels 1, 6, and 11 working hard.)
Lost my connection to the AEBS as a result of that. The AEBS instal process did NOT update my computers to support 802.11n. Can be checked via Network Utilities. I hadn't thought to check first.
133MAC in Australia were very helpful - they spent almost an hour working through things his morning. Top Notch support!
Solution required the Airport instal to be rerun but a lot of other poking around first in order that the embedded 802.11n enabler would indeed run. And you'll need a LAN cable and possibly need to move one computer over to the AEBS!
Couldn't find an Apple Knowledgebase article on this problem with the Airport instal disc but I suspect it is a known issue.
(I had nothing quirky in my network setup / machines. All using the most recent system software updates, default settings in network and sharing preferences and so on)

Yes I know about all that as these are the very options presented in the pop-up menu on the relevant configuration tab.
What I'm saying is that selecting the 5GHz option resulted in my iMacs being unable to communicate with the AEBSn through WiFi - the 5GHz spectrum.
Leaving the AEBSn in "default radio mode" as you call it will mean that it will actually be using 802.11g at 2.4GHz due to its inability to use 802.11n at 2.4GHz or 5GHz. The Apple Tech people I spoke to recognised this.
Many purchasers of the AEBSn, like myself, will really want to take advantage of the 802.11n capabilities in the 5GHz spectrum. They wish to dedictae the AEBSn to 5GHz throughput and deliberately exclude 802.11b/g on their AEBSn. Let some other boxes take care of that in the 2.4GHz range.
For a little home office thing with a mix of old and new clients the default setting for the AEBSn is a very good thing as the admin doesn't really care about throughput.

AirPort Extreme 802.11ac boosted w/ 802.11n Express?

for the past year or so I have had a perfect set up that has worked wonderfully. It was an airport extreme hardwired to two different airport expresses. I had a perfect set up all three devices had the exact same Wi-Fi name and all three supported 802.11n. So why ruin a good thing? Well here's why…
recently we have obtained some new Apple devices such as new iPhone sixes and also new MacBook air is. All of our new devices are capable of supporting 802.11ac. So now I have decided to purchase the new airport extreme sixth generation which supports this new protocol of 802.11ac.
My question is this, if I have my main airport extreme configured the same way I used to have it, but now I have airport expresses that do not support this new 802.11ac protocol, am I doing myself a disservice? The boosters are located on our third level in the master bedroom where where most of the surfing is done with the newer 802.11ac devices.
with the brand-new sixth generation extreme located in my basement, most of the house is covered however in the furthest rooms, such as the master bedroom, I have an airport express hardwired and functioning fine. But my question is this how can I be sure that the MacBook air is that support 802.11 ac are actually staying connected to the basement brand-new sixth generation airport extreme instead of the closer proximity airport express?
I wish that my airport express is also supported the new protocol so that I can be sure that my entire house is covered by 802.11ac. There's nothing wrong with using 802.11n, but the reason I purchased the new extreme router was to take advantage of the faster and stronger signal of 802.11ac.
The airport expresses that I am running in my house are the newer white ones that looks to be the same shape as an Apple TV. These are not the ones with the FlipOut prongs that plug directly into the wall but instead they are the ones that have a regular power cord and it look like small little hockey pucks. Well, squares versions of hockey pucks that is.
this entire post was verbally dictated using my iPad air, so hopefully I have caught all of my typos or incorrect wording. But I think you can get the general just of my question here. I was hoping I would not need to use the airport expresses to boost the signal, but I think my home might be too big for one single router located centrally in my basement. I have it as Close to the ceiling as I could get it so the second floor is completely covered and most of the upper floor is covered and the entire basement is covered of course. It's just a few rooms that are above the garage and a few further rooms such as kids bedrooms and very important, the master bathroom. We all know how important that is. Thanks in advance to anybody who can help me with this issue.

if I have my main airport extreme configured the same way I used to have it, but now I have airport expresses that do not support this new 802.11ac protocol, am I doing myself a disservice?
Yes and no.
Yes, if you want "ac" capable devices in a remote location near the AirPort Expresses to connect at "ac" levels......because they won't.
No, if you need the extra range provided by the Express, and don't mind that the "ac" devices connect at slower "n" speeds through the AirPort Express.
But my question is this how can I be sure that the MacBook air is that support 802.11 ac are actually staying connected to the basement brand-new sixth generation airport extreme instead of the closer proximity airport express?
You can't, if all the AirPorts are producing a signal with the same wireless network name......since the MacBook Air will connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal.....not the AirPort with the fastest signal.
IF....you assigned a different name to the wireless network that the Express devices were creating....then....you could "point" the MacBook Air at the basement AirPort network created by the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac down there.....but chances are, the MacBook Air will never connect at "ac" levels since they are carried on the 5 GHz band, which is much weaker than the 2.4 GHz signals.
In other words, 5 GHz "ac" signals are pretty much "same room" or "line-of-sight" signals. 5 GHz just won't penetrate walls and other obstructions nearly as well as slower, but much stronger 2.4 GHz signals.
The bottom line.....if you want the MacBook Air to connect at "ac" level speeds in the remote location, you will need another AirPort Extreme 802.11ac product in place of at least one AirPort Express, maybe both.

Configure standalone 1250 AP to support 802.11n

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