Configuring a new Airport Extreme with an existing Wireless Modem Router

I have an existing Wireless Modem Router (brand: Riger) and have an existing wireless network. Recently purchased an AirPort.
What is the best way to install a new AirPort Extreme? I know i have to connect the AirPort Extreme to the modem via ethernet cable.
Do i allow the AirPort to use the existing setting from my old wireless modem router?
Or do i create a new network with different name and password?
Anybody can help or show me where i can look up on this?
Thanks

Hello akramaziz. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Since the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) will be connected to the existing Wireless Modem Router by Ethernet, it should be reconfigured as a bridge.
(ref: AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode))
As a bridge, the AEBSn will allow the existing router to continue to provide both NAT & DHCP services for all network clients.

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I'm trying to hookup my new AirPort Extreme with my net gear 7550 router/modem from Frontier. I'm not getting a wifi signal from the airport. What am I doing wrong?

What am I doing wrong?

I'm trying to use AirPort Untility to configure the old APExtreme to extend the network, but it won't let me.
"Extend" is only used if the two AirPort Extremes are connecting using wireless only.
"Create" is the correct setting to use since the AirPort Exremes are connecting using Ethernet.
Configure the second AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network using the exact same wireless network name, same security setttings and same wireless password as the "main" AirPort Extreme and make sure that you are choosing the Bridge Mode option for the second AirPort Extreme before clicking Update to save the settings.
When you do this, everything will act like one big wireless network and computers will automatically pick up a signal from the AirPort with the strongest signal based on their location.
This Apple document more details on this....which is called a Roaming Network.
Roaming network

Proper way to mix new Airport Extreme with Airport Express, wired and wirel

I currently have several macs. Two of them have 1000 airport (macbook pro and macpro), the other 3 have 100 speed.
I have one Airport Express I'm using now. I'd like a faster setup though.
Here's how I've got it wired up now:
1. I go from my cable modem into a 10/100 Linksys wired router
2. A Net gear 10/100/1000 4-port switch is hooked to the router
3. My airport Express is hooked to the switch
4. my 4 other macs then are hard wired with regular ethernet cable to the switch.
So, my wireless is only for the device(s) that need it, and all other macs go through wires to the switch.
Now, I want to buy a new Airport Extreme to increase my wireless speed when copying files and sharing my iTunes library.
Will having the Express on the network make the Extreme jump down to 100 speed? Or, should I buy a new router, a 10/100/1000 router, and just plug the new Extreme right into it, thereby separating it technically from the slower Express/wired stuff?
I guess I won't even need the Express anymore unless I use it for my older macs that don't have the new n speed airport cards, right?
any insight would be helpful, I'd hate to buy stuff I don't need, and vice versa.

Please try taking the readings again using iStumbler's Inspector feature (select Edit > Inspector from iStumbler's menu) to determine the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at your iMac for the following two cases:
o Case_#1: Just the AEBSn. (Temporarily unplug the AX for this reading.)
o Case_#2: When the network is configured for WDS.
Within the Inspector, on the Properties tab, note the values for "signal" & "noise" for each of these cases. These values should be negative.
SNR is the signal level (in dBm) minus the noise level (in dBm). For example, a signal level of -53dBm measured near an access point and typical noise level of -90dBm yields a SNR of 37dB, a healthy value for wireless LANs.
SNR Guideline
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
For Case_#1, if the SNR is 20+dB, you may consider not using a WDS as this SNR value would represent decent Wi-Fi performance at your iMac's location from the AEBSn alone. If it's less than 20dB, then the WDS would be required. ... and, if this is the case, you would want to place the AX within the 20+dB range of the AEBSn to make sure it has the strongest signal to repeat.

Adding new airport extreme to an existing airport express network...

i currently have a home airport network comprising two airport express units; one attached to the cable modem in the bedroom and the other downstairs in my study (extending the existing network and feeding a shared USB printer and airtunes speakers). i've recently bought an airport extreme, to improve network performance. i also plan to add a NAS in the next week or so.
ideally i'd like to situate the new airport extreme in the study, as i don't want to have to keep the NAS in my bedroom!
my question is this, if i add the new airport extreme to the existing airport network, will i see the benefit of the 802.11n connection, or should the extreme be set up as the primary base station?

... will i see slower transfer speeds (than if it was connected to the extreme) to / from the NAS when accessing it wirelessly from elsewhere in the house?
No. The transfer speed will be limited by the slowest connection, which is almost certainly your wireless connection speed.
If you buy a switch, buy a gigabit switch. Not because a slower one will limit your transfer speed, but because the Extreme is Gigabit and any newer equipment is likely to be as well. The advantage would only be relevant to the wired LAN.
The Express's Ethernet is not Gigabit but there is no reason for it to be, since it cannot connect to anything other than a slower wireless connection anyway.

Do you have to set up AE inBridge mode with existing wireless modem router?

Hi
I've just bought the AE and Apple TV. My plan was to basically use my existing Netgear wireless modem router for the internet only and set up the AE as the wireless router. I also bought the AE to boost the strength, print wirelessly and I thought it might work better with the Apple TV. The other things I use on my home network are ipad, iphone 4, HP DV6 Notebook, Toshiba Notebook and PS3.
I've plugged the Netgear into the AE with an Ethernet cable. I initially started with the "replace existing access point with AE", as I thought I was replacing the Netgear with the AE. This option left me with internet working and a blinking amber light on the AE.
I then did a hard reset and started again. I diabled the wireless on my old modem/router and chose the "create wireless network" option in airport utility. I think it worked because I have internet and a green light but to be honest I have no idea what I did. I know it's in bridge mode but only because I didn't know how to set up the other options.
Also, I've ended up with three networks out of this process. The default network for the AE (but it has one of those yellow error icons next to it in the available network list), the one I set up and a 5ghz of the one I set up. Neither the default network of the 5ghz network show up in the Internet and Networking control panel, which is where I delete them. I just thought this was odd.
What I'd like to know:
Do you have to set it up in bridge mode when you have an existing wireless modem/router?
If not, is there any benefit to setting the AE up as the router instead of using the Netgear?
If I create a new network should the default network still be showing up in my list of available networks or have I done something wrong?
If I have a 5ghz network, does that mean that the other network I created is only 2.4ghz or is it still dual band?
Considering the devices I have would it be beneficial for me to have a 5ghz network for certain devices only like the Apple TV?
As you can probably tell I have no idea what I am doing. I'm basically just clicking stuff and seeing if it works.
Any help/advice is much appreciated
Thanks
Jo

Hello Jo Sugden. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Do you have to set it up in bridge mode when you have an existing wireless modem/router?
You don't have to but, most likely, it will be the best configuration choice when you have the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) connected to your main Internet router by Ethernet. In this configuration, all NAT & DHCP services will continue to be provided by the Netgear router. This will allow all wired or wireless clients connected to the AEBSn to get their IP address (and be on the same subnet) from the Netgear ... and this would allow clients connected to either router to "see" each other.
If not, is there any benefit to setting the AE up as the router instead of using the Netgear?
If, for some reason, you wanted to create a separate subnet, configuring the AEBSn as a router would allow for this.
If I create a new network should the default network still be showing up in my list of available networks or have I done something wrong?
By default, your AEBSn will create two wireless networks with the same Network Name; one broadcasting in the 5 GHz band, and the other in the 2.4 GHz band. The default name for both of these will be Apple Network NNNNNN. You have the option, within the AirPort Utility, to change the names of each network.
When connected by Ethernet, and in bridge mode, it would be beneficial to name your AEBSn's networks the same as that provided by the Netgear. This would create what is called a "roaming" network ... where you literally can roam with a laptop from one router to the other and still be on the "same" network. This also is a way to extend the wireless range of the Netgear.
If I have a 5ghz network, does that mean that the other network I created is only 2.4ghz or is it still dual band?
As a minimum, you will have three wireless networks: one provided by the Netgear and two provided by the AEBSn. By giving them all the same Network Name, they will appear as one to any wireless client. However, they will all show up in a utility like iStumbler or AirRadar.
Considering the devices I have would it be beneficial for me to have a 5ghz network for certain devices only like the Apple TV?
Yes. Operating a wireless network in the 802.11n Radio Mode in the 5 GHz Radio Band offers the best potential bandwidth ... around 300+ Mbps. The only real drawback of the higher frequency band is that the signal strength drops off more rapidly with distance than in the lower frequency band. Also higher frequencies cannot penetrate objects (like walls) as well.
Ideally, you would want to place your Apple TV or other streaming devices in the same room as the 5 GHz network ... or connect them to the router by Ethernet.

Using a new Airport Extreme with FIOS

I am contemplating the purchase of an Airport Extreme Router to use with Verizon FIOS. I want to take advantage of the new Airport Extreme 802.11ac for use with planned future Apple Product purchases such as a MacBook Air along with the inevitable upgrades to other products such as Apple TV of which I already have the 3rd Generation and will definitely purchase the next if it is higher speed compatible. I just upgraded my internet service to 50/25Mbps and the current router is a speed bottle neck. While my speeds are almost 60 Mbps download and over 30Mbps upload with a LAN connection to the router/modem, my download speed only increased to just over 21 Mbps from the former 15Mbps using WiFi. I have read articles on using the AirPort “bridge” setting etc but my question is will I be able to connect AirPort Exteme 802.11ac to my Verizon modem/router and take full advantage of the faster internet speeds when using 802.11ac compatible equipment. I do not wish to change from COAX to Ethernet at the Optical Network terminal and use AirPort's modem as it would be too much hassle dealing with Verizon.

You would connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the FIOS modem to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme.
AirPort Utility will pretty much walk you through the installation with guided steps.
In general, you will configure the AirPort Extreme to "create a wireless network", name the network, assign a password, etc. The wireless security will be set at WPA2 Personal, which is the most secure setting for home use.
As a final step, the AirPort would be configured to operate in Bridge Mode, since you already have another router "upstream" on the network.
You can connect wired devices to either the FIOS modem/router or the AirPort Extreme. If you turn off the wireless function on the FIOS modem/router, all of your wireless devices will connect to the network generated by the AirPort Exteme. The signal will be passed on to the FIOS modem/router through the wired Ethernet connection.

Help!?! Can't read configuration of new Airport Extreme, Help!?! Can't read configuration of new Airport Extreme

Trying to set up to print with MacBook Pro, OSX 10.5.8, Canon MX870 series printer, and NEW AirPort Extreme. I get the message that "an error occurred while reading the confirguration (-6753)" At wit's end... tried using ethernet cable connection- MacBook Pro to Airport Extreme... same message. That was the suggestion from the Express Lane tech. That perhaps our WiFi at our physical location was interferring. Have tried ethernet cable to Airport... same. Also tried USB cable... same message. Used same MacBook Pro and Canon printer a year ago, but with an older Airport Extreme, and it worked perfectly... wirelessly. HELP please, please

Also am having problems with my roomates HP Laptop... It connects for only a few seconds/minutes then has an issue... Really shady??? Any Ideas? He is Running Windows XP
G5 1.8 (2003) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Setting up New Airport Extreme with Verizon Fios Actiontec MI-424-WR Modem

I just purchased the new Airport Extreme to run my network at home. My internet provider is Verizon Fios. With their installs, they use an Actiontec MI424WR modem/router. I would like to disable the router part of the Actiontec and use the AEBS for my router. Any advice on how to accomplish this? Thanks.

ufbrad24, Welcome to the discussion area!
FiOS does not require a modem. The Actiontec device is a router only.
You could replace the Actiontec completely with the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS). Many have discovered that this can be done by a quick call to Verizon.

Can't see HD on new Airport Extreme with TimeMachine software

Just bought a new Airport Extreme for which set up was easy -- I plugged it into my router via ethernet, ran the configuration and was good to go.
The AirPort Extreme is plugged in and appears to be set up correctly as the green light is glowing on the front and I can see it in the Airport Utility as well as surf the 'net and send and receive emails, etc.
I plugged a new 1TB FW800/USB drive into the Airport Extreme (via USB) after formating it on my MBP and verifying the two 500 GB partitions I created; one partition for the MBP and the other new Mini I just installed in my studio.
I can sign in succesfully into the Airport, but when I select the Tab for Disks, neither partitions nor the disk itself are showing up -- without which I can not designate the partitions to each Mac.
I have rebooted the AirPort and re-verified the 1TB FW800/USB drive ...
The goal is to use the Time Machine software for backing up each Mac to its respective partition wirelessly.
Any ideas?
Thank you ....

TM over network to FW shared drive is an interesting work around.
There are some tricks to this kind of setup.
See http://code.stephenmorley.org/articles/time-machine-on-a-network-drive/
Make sure BTW the drive is partitioned GUID .. if it was a windows drive at some point it may still have MBR.. and that will not work... in some cases.
It is better to connect AFP than SMB.. but I presume you are doing that although you don't state it.
I would try using ethernet to do the setup as well.. not just wireless.
Wireless should be in the same vlan as the ethernet.. but I have run into troubles recently where things weren't what they appeared.

CAN"T EXTEND RANGE OF NEW AIRPORT EXTREME WITH OLD AIRPORT EXPRESS

Hello Everyone,
I am having a heck of a time getting my new network setup with this new 802.11n Airport Extreme... Here is what I currently have going on:
I have a G5 1.8 it is my main computer and in ROOM #1... Connected to it is my NEW AIRPORT EXTREME via an Ethernet cable to one of the available ports. Also connected to the NEW AIRPORT EXTREME is my CABLE MODEM... This works great, It is setup and I have internet via Ethernet... I CAN EVEN CONNECT IN ROOM #2 with a PC and an Apacer wireless adapter...
Here is the problem
When I try to add an Airport Express V6.3 to extended the range of my network it can NEVER seem to connect to the network. I have checked the option to allow extension of the NEW AIRPORT in AIRPORT UTILITY and tried both with WEP security and with NO SECURITY... I cannot get the Express to extend the range of my network period... It has an error when joining the network???
Can Anyone Please Help Me?
PS. The reason to extend the network is so I can use the Notebooks in ROOM #3 and so a TIVO can see the Network! It is not far away!
G5 1.8 (2003) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Also am having problems with my roomates HP Laptop... It connects for only a few seconds/minutes then has an issue... Really shady??? Any Ideas? He is Running Windows XP
G5 1.8 (2003) Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Extend new airport extreme with 2 additional airports

Hi,
Just got a brand new airport extreme (ac model) and this is now my setup:
1. New Extreme is main router
2. Older 4th gen Extreme is extending main Extreme
3. Airport Express N (1st gen) is extending older Extreme
Things seem to work but when using iStumber for testing (normally what I do) I only see 4 networks not 5. I do not see a network for my Express although it seems that I have a connection there based on signal strength. Both extenders have green lights (and of course the main), but I'm a bit confused by this. I have my network with a different name for 5GHz (didn't realize older Extreme would extend both bands but seems to be the case), but I'm only intending to extend the 2.4GHz band with the Express. Also funny thing is when I'm near my Express in iStumbler the strongest network seems to be the 2.4GHz band from my main router which should be impossible since I'm too far away. Unless when being extended now the Express is being masked to appear as my main router? But this was never the case before when I only had one extender...
Ok hope this makes sense can someone please educate me on this thanks for your time,
rc

I thought you could put more than 2
You can....but each extender must communicate directly to the main router. Apple's extend feature works like the hub and spokes of a wheel.
Your new AirPort Extreme is the "hub". The old Extreme resides at the end of a "spoke", and as such it communicates directly to the "hub".
You can have other extenders at the ends of other "spokes", but each one of them communicates directly to the "hub"......not to another extender at the end of another "spoke".
So even thought Extend is selected it just functions as Join?
Yes, if you try to make it connect to another extender.
Should I just change it to Join?
Up to you. it does not matter.
And now if I can only use the 2 Extremes since they are both dual-band there is no reason to really have separate names is there?
Again, up to you. Things are a lot simpler though, if you use just one network name.
in the Airport Utility overview sometimes all 3 airports are coming stacked on top of each other and sometimes my new Extreme is on top and the older ones are side by side underneath does this make a difference?
First, I hope you are not using AirPort Utility on an iPhone or iPad, because things do not always appear accurately on those devices.
The "new" Extreme" should be at the top of the stack. The old Extreme with a dotted line between the new and old indicates that the old Extreme is connecting using wireless and extending.
If the Express appears side by side with old Extreme, it is extending. If it appears under the old Extreme, then it is connecting to the old Extreme and it is not extending.
If you experiment with the location of the Express, you might be able to get it to extend the new AirPort Extreme. It will help if it is closer to the new Extreme than it is to the old Extreme.

Configure an older airport extreme with an ipad1

I'm a complete noob regarding wireless. I bought an ipad1 and an older aiport extreme (the white round one) off of ebay and am not sure how to get it all up and running. My Mac Pro does not have a wifi card so I can't use that. I plan to connect the airport to my router via ethernet. I've read that you can't configure an airport extreme with the ipad. What do I need to do to set up the extreme so the ipad can see and use it?
thanks

If the extreme is already configured, can I edit it using the app?
Sure, if AirPort Utility recognizes the AirPort Extreme. Otherwise, you have to perform a Factory Default Reset on the Extreme and start over from scratch
Open AirPort Utility, select the Extreme, and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons to get to the wireless settings.
You want Wireless Mode set to "'Create a wireless network"
Wireless Network Name is your choice
Radio Mode = Automatic or 802.11b/g
Channel =Automatic
Wireless Security = WPA/WPA2 Personal
Password = Your choice
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings.

After setting up airport extreme to my existing wireless network after restart unable to conect even the light is green is telling me need to manage network im usin airport utility in pc

I try to set up my airport extreme thru my existing wifi network using airport utility 5.6 on pc after i was done said that after restarting unable to located extreme to check in my manage networks Ican se green light on extreme but can not find in network to manually add on. Any help woul be appreciated!

If nothing works, try a factory reset: disconnect the Extreme from power, press the reset button, plug in power while still pressing the reset button, release reset button after 5 seconds or so.
This method usually helps me with problems with my Airport Extreme and Express (this happens seldom by the way). The only disadvantage is that you have to set it up again completely.

New Airport Extreme with old Time Capsule?

I just bought a new 802.11ac Airport Extreme to increase the speed and range of my home network. My network currently runs on an 802.11g Time Capsule. I would like to continue to back up to the old Time Capsule. Should I just set up the old Time Capsule with wireless off in bridge mode or should I place the Time Capsule somewhere else in the house strategically, leaving wireless on, to improve range? Someone told me adding a G-speed access point or client to the network would slow things down.
Thank you SO much for the help; I'm sort of a wireless networking dummie.
Steve

My network currently runs on an 802.11g Time Capsule.
I assume you meant to say 802.11n Time Capsule. There are no 802.11g models.
I would like to continue to back up to the old Time Capsule. Should I just set up the old Time Capsule with wireless off in bridge mode or should I place the Time Capsule somewhere else in the house strategically, leaving wireless on, to improve range?
You can do either. If you hare happy with the coverage of the 802.11ac AirPort Extreme, then I would recommend that you go with your first idea. I would connect the Time Capsule directly to the new Extreme using an Ethernet cable, disable its wireless and reconfigure it as a bridge.

How can I set up airport extreme using my existing 11.g router

My existing router (ZyXEL - supplied by Telefonica with my land line) is an 11.g type and does not allow me to use iPad/iPod in certain areas of my home. Yesterday I bought an Airport Extreme and was told that I could either connect my existing router's ADSL line directly into the Extreme and connect to my Mac and other peripherals using USB or ethernet cable, or connect from the existing router.
I tried each method using Airport Utility in each case and also trying the different options offered in the set-up. It doesn't seem to want to work.
Can anyone help me please.

Further to my earlier (and first) posting, I have been playing with the airport extreme and it now works via my existing router but, it's range is less than 15 metres and that is no better than my existing 11.g router.
Does anyone know how I can increase this range?
p.s. any help in the simplest terms please.

Configuring a new Airport Extreme with an existing Wireless Modem Router

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