Connecting Airport Extreme to Airport Express as an ethernet receiver

1. I am using an airport express to send out my wireless signal.
2. I want to receive that signal using my airport extreme
3. Then I want to be able to extend my airport express network to ethernet connected computers on my airport extreme
4. Then I also want to extend the wireless signal of my airport express using my airport extreme
I currently can NOT get the airport extreme to share the airport express network through the ethernet ports.
The airport extreme says "This base station is setup to extend a wireless network, but the network it is attempting to join does not have 'Allow the network to be extended' selected." (I can't find that select box in the airport express manual setup anywhere!)
Click the link for a diagram of my desired(ideal) network setup:
http://betterproductions.com/networksetup.jpg

bsetter, Welcome to the discussion area!
The airport extreme says "This base station is setup to extend a wireless network, but the network it is attempting to join does not have 'Allow the network to be extended' selected." (I can't find that select box in the airport express manual setup anywhere!)
That is an 802.11n feature. Since the AirPort Express (AX) is NOT 802.11n capable, the AX does not support that feature.
Instead you must configure the AX and AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to connect using WDS. Ensure that your AEBS is configured to operate in an 802.11g compatible mode.

Similar Messages

Connect airport express to hotel Ethernet

If the hotel requires a login to their free Internet, can the user and password be entered from an iPad connected to an airport express or other Wifi router?

Yes, works fine.

Connecting AirPort Express using Fire Wire

Hi, can't see this posted anywhere else. Have been running my MacBook Pro off my AirPort Express quite happily for some time. However recently purchased a Sonos S5 that needs to connect to my wireless router via ethernet. Only problem is the Airport Exp. only has the one ethernet port. So figured I could use the FireWire connection for the Airport/Modem and then the ethernet for the Airport/Sonos.
Only problem is I need to configure the FireWire in System Preferences and despite my attempts at guessing configuration I have no idea what I am actually doing. Not sure if it's an easy answer, but if anyone can help with config I would be very grateful.

Hi, thanks for the response and sorry that I am unclear - not my area of specialty.
Currently I have my airport express router that connects to my modem via ethernet.
I purchased a sonos unit that streams music over the internet and plays it through the unit. It uses its own base station/router to connect to my wireless network so the main unit then becomes wireless and I can move it any where in my house.
As I understand this base unit needs to connect into my router via ethernet. The problem is the Airport Express has one ethernet port and one fire wire port. I was hoping to get around this by using the fire wire to connect to my modem, and then that would leave the ethernet port free for the Sonos base unit.
In case I have just been confusing again the manual for the Sonos refers to the ethernet connection 'use category 5 ethernet cable to connect to a router, computer or additional network device'
This might not be possible, just assumed fire wire would work but no idea how to configure. Possibly it will involve me having to buy a hub (or extreme) to get multiple ethernet ports.
Thanks for your help - I am (obviously) lost here so any advice is great!!

Can I add a second Airport Express using an Ethernet cable to extend my network if the first AX is wirelessly connected to an Xtreme?

Hi, I run a small motel and I am trying to extend the wireless network from the office to the rooms in the next building.
I have an AirPort Xtreme connected to my router with an ethernet cable and it works fine. I have then connected an AirPort Express to this in the next bulding wirelessly (as i cant run an ethernet cable outside) which extends the network over all but the last 2 rooms in the next building. There are bick walls so it sruggles over the distance. I realise I cant connect another airport express wirelessly to extend the network further but can I connect another Airport Express using and ethernet cable to the exisiting Aiport Express to extend the network that extra distance?

You can do this, but as you might imagine, that is going to place even more of a load on the weakest link....the wireless "hop"......between your AirPort Extreme and the current AirPort Express.
So, things will slow down even more. Whether or not that will be acceptable to your guests is open to question. Light browsing and email should be OK. Someone trying to download a large file is going to be waiting longer than they might consider normal.
Things like this, you simply cannot predict in advance. Might be a good idea to understand the store's return policy if the new Express puts more of load on the network than is expected.

How to Connect Airport Express to Existing Wireless Network (Client Mode)

I am posting this for everyone tearing their hair out trying to connect the Airport Express to your own existing home wireless network. After spending 2 hours last night installing this on my father-in-law's home network, I hope to be able to save someone else the agony we went through.
So here's the situation:
Say you already have your own home network set up, and all you want is to be able to use AirTunes to play music off iTunes into your speaker system. And, you don't need the printer sharing capability nor creation of another wireless network (2 of the features of Airport Express). Then this solution is for you - read on.
Unfortunately, Apple's user manual is very unclear how to connect Airport Express to your own network. When you look at the picture diagram they provide, they show Airport Express picking up its signal from another Apple-oriented base. This can make you think you need to buy another piece of hardware to make it work. DON'T If you read through the manual, the Support section here, etc., you will hear lots of talk about "Client Mode" - and that this is the only way to get it to work. Nice - but no one really tells you how to set up the Airport in client mode.
Do yourself a favor, toss that user manual aside and run these steps.
(Note: These directions assume your DSL/Cable Modem is hooked up to a wireless router or acts as its own wireless router)
1. Get a cat5 Ethernet cable (anything but an orange cable - that's a crossover cable) like you would use to connect your PC to your router to pick up the Internet.
2. Connect the Ethernet cable to the router on one end, and to the Airport Express unit on the other end.
3. Plug in your Airport Express unit to the wall (this will not necessarily become its permanent location - you will be able to move it later). The light will glow solid Amber for about 30-45 seconds while it starts up, then blink Amber. At this point, the unit is ready to operate.
4. Install the CD to the PC where your iTunes music is stored. This should be painless. Once you open the program, it should detect the Airport unit.
5. At this point, the on-screen wizard will present you with your options, and walk you through the setup. This is much like the user manual describes - and you should be good to go form here forward.
Some pointers:
- When asked if you want to create a new network, join an existing network, or connect via Ethernet, choose the middle option for joining an existing network. You will need to know the name of your network, the password to connect to the network (if present), and the type of encryption used on the network (e.g. WEP, WPA, etc.). Side note, WPA is recommended, as it is a higher level of security than WEP. You will be able to configure the Airport Express unit to automatically login to your network.
- I would recommend, when creating a password for the Airport Express unit, use the same password as your network, to avoid confusion.
6. The very last step will ask you to save the settings to the Airport Express. Here's the kicker - when you save the settings, you are TRICKING the Airport Express into no longer acting as a network broadcaster, but instead being a "slave" to your own network. What do I mean? You will lose the connection from your PC to the Airport Express - an error message will pop up telling you the unit can no longer be found. While you might think you did something wrong, you actually were successful!
7. Unplug your Airport Express, and disconnect the Ethernet cable from your router and the Airport unit. This will no longer be needed.
8. Go to your desired location where you want to plug in your Airport Express unit. Before plugging it in, connect your Audio cable from the Airport Express to your audio receiver. Once that is connected, then plug in the Airport Express unit. The light will glow solid Amber for 30-45 seconds while it loads, and then will blink Amber for a brief period of time before turning solid GREEN. When this happens, you have successfully connected the Airport Express to your home network!
9. Go back to your PC with iTunes. Open the Airport software - you should now have a listing for your Airport Express unit in the upper left. Click on this, and the wizard will guide you through connecting - you will need the password you created for the unit. You only need to go through this wizard once, and when finished, the software will tell you that can now use iTunes with your Airport unit.
10. Open iTunes. On the lower right, you will see a dropdown for Speakers, and it should be defaulted to My Computer. Click on that drop-down, and you will see the name of your Airport unit. Click on that name, and now your music will broadcast to the Airport unit!
11. Play a song in iTunes. Go to your audio receiver, and connect it to the channel for your external connection to the Airport Express unit. You should hear your music from iTunes. CONGRATULATIONS! =)
I hope these instructions were helpful - I am happy to answer any questions, so feel free to contact me, *******************@*****.**.
<Edited by Moderator>

Thanks for the detailed directions. You are absolutely correct in stating that people should toss the user manual; it's pretty worthless. I have had a problem setting up my new Airport Express as I have described in an earlier post - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1839873&tstart=45
One quick question - does using your setup process set the AE up as part of a distributed network where the AE is acting as a wireless router where it is extending the range of your network? Or, is it simply a wireless connection to your stereo for iTunes? I am interested in having both, since my AE will be at the other end of the house from the main wireless router.
Thanks

When trying to connect airport express keep getting unexpected error please try again. IVE TRIED A HUNDRED TIMES AND HAVE FOUND SUPPORT PAGES UNHELPFUL

when trying to connect airport express keep getting unexpected error please try again. IVE TRIED A HUNDRED TIMES AND HAVE FOUND SUPPORT PAGES UNHELPFUL

Have you tried using a WEP password for your wireless network instead of a WPA one? That fixed it for me.

Cannot connect airport express to ipad I keep receiving the message: "an unexpected error occurred" when I try to connect my Ipad to my airport express. Does anyone have a solution?

cannot connect airport express to ipad
I keep receiving the message: "an unexpected error occurred" when I try to connect my Ipad to my airport express. Does anyone have a solution?

I could not "see" my Express via my wireless router or via the Airport Utility until I reset it to Factory Settings by unplugging it then holding in the tiny reset button while plugging it back in, waiting for the flashing yellow LED signal before letting go.
Then I set it up to DHCP - "connect to wireless network" and DOWNGRADED the firmware to 7.3.x
I would tell you the exact Firmware but I can no longer "see" the Airport express............ AGAIN or still.....
BUT at least I am listening to music streaming from my MacBook Pro... Hmmm.
I log back into the router (Linksys WRT110) and it no longer shows the Airport Express as a DHCP client AND the Airport utility can no longer "find" any Airport Devices..
So if I don't move, or there are no cosmic events, or maybe my KARMA is effecting the device or my "VIBES" are good, but I'm not sure if will continue to work.. Sure would like to use this little device from hel*.
Since I have had this Airport Express I have spent many hours trying to get it to work.
It works just long enough to fool me and then takes a dump...
Maybe this time?
5 Minute later...
Music was playing. I went into iTunes and switched from Airtunes to Computer speakers. When I tried to switch it back GUESS WHAT?
[An unknown error (-15006) occurred while trying to connect to remote speaker "Airtunes"]
Wonderful Green LED though. Totally useless piece of equipment AFAIK.
Message was edited by: Daniel Shattuck

Connect airport express to router wifi not apple

I already have a wifi router is not Apple, I have already configured iPhone and iMac to wirelessly, now I need to connect my hi-fi via an airport express (via wifi of course) I can connect "airport express" to a wifi router does not Apple via wifi?

now I need to connect my hi-fi via an airport express (via wifi of course) I canconnect "airport express" to a wifi router does not Apple via wifi?
Yes, the AirPort Express can "Join" virtually any wireless network if you know the name of the network, the exact type of wirelss security that is being used on the network and the wireless network password.
The Express will work for AirTunes and/or allow you to connect a printer when it is configured this way.
But....the Express cannot provide any additional wireless coverage for the network when it is configured to "Join" the network, so it will not "repeat" or "extend" the wireless network in this type of setup.

Can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously

I can't connect Airport Express wirelessly to network so that AirTunes and internet are available simultaneously. My old AE allowed this but can't make the new one work that way.

In your instructions, you say to use the same encryption type as the router has set up. well, I am using the WEP 64 bit encryption and the Airport Utility does not have this...it has 40 bit. Is this a problem, or do I have to be using a the same type of encrytion ?
WEP is available in either 40 or 104-bit, but is usually "advertised" as either 64- or 128-bit respectively. For example, 64-bit WEP uses a 40 bit key (also known as WEP-40), which is concatenated with a 24-bit initialization vector (IV) to form the 64-bit RC4 traffic key. So, WEP 64 on the Linksys & 40-bit is equivalent.
What concerns me more is the loss of bandwidth performance you are experiencing when connecting the AX. When the AX is configured as a wireless client it is acting just like any other wireless devices (computer, laptop, printer, etc.) and not like another router. This should cause little or no bandwidth loss. True the more secure the wireless encryption used WPA2 vs. WEP, the more overhead is required for security, but the differences you are seeing seem excessive.
It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference in the immediate area that is preventing your Linksys from providing a good clean signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like the following to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible:
For Macs:
o MacStumbler
o iStumbler, or
For PCs:
o NetStumbler

Cannot connect Airport express wireless

Hello, cannot connect airport express wireless to linksys router. Connected now with ethernet cable but cannot figure wireless connection. My laptop cannot find the express while preforming setup scan, yet I'm connected to it. I can connect with my iphone but not wirelessly. Any suggestions?

....I was then told over the phone that airport express will not connect to third party routers.
This is NOT correct.
The AirPort Express will connect to a wireless network if you know the following:
1) The name of the wireless network
2) The exact setting for wireless security that the network is using
3) The wireless network password
Most users know 1) and 3), but very few know the exact type of wireless security settings that their wireless router is using. The Express will not connect to the wireless network unless it receives all of the information listed above.
So...we will assume that you know the name of the wireless network and the password for the network.
Do you know the exact type of wireless security setting that your wireless router is using? If not, the Express will not connect.
You may need to check the setup of your wireless router....or if the router was supplied to you by an Internet Service Provider, they may be able to tell you what type of wireless security setting is being used.
Post back when you have this info and we will proceed. There are still no guarantees that the Express will connect....but at least there may be a chance.

While connecting airport express, the airport utilities shows airport express but no set up menu

trying to connect airport express for music streaming. already have time capsule. Airport utilities show airport express but no setup options at all.

What version of AirPort Utility do you have?
Please look on the side of the AirPort Express for the model number.....starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.......and post back with that info.

How do i connect airport express to blue ray player

wondering if i can connect airport express to blue ray player using usb for streaming, etc?

Good question. The single port on the AirPort Express places it somewhat at a disadvantage in a situation like this. It's tempting to think that a setup like this will work:
Modem > Ethernet Switch > Express & Blu-Ray Player both connected to the switch
But, unfortunately, it won't. The reason is that the modem has only one IP address it can deliver and it can't go to two devices at the same time. It will be matter of chance as to which device...the Express or Blu-Ray Player....gets the IP address. The other device will not be able to connect to the Internet.
Instead, what is required is a simple "wired only" router connected to the modem. So the corrrect setup will look like this:
Modem > Wired Only Router > Express and Blu-Ray Player both connected to the router
The router "shares" the IP address that it receives from the modem (an ethernet switch cannot do this) and provides simultaneous Internet connections to the devices that are plugged into the ethernet ports on the router.

WDS with Airport express and Dual ethernet Airport base

Can the airport express and dual ethernet airport base create a wds? I can't find the options on the airport base's software.

coloradoapple, Welcome to the discussion area!
The Dual Ethernet (snow) AirPort base station (ABS) does not support WDS.
Only the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) and AirPort Express (AX) support WDS.

CAN AIRPORT EXPRESS STREAM USING ETHERNET

If you have speakers outside of the wireless netowrk range is it possible to connect airport to an existing ethernet connection and use this to stream music to the speakers?

Yes, if you configure the AirPort Express in Bridge Mode so that it will pick up the correct network settings.

Connecting AirPort Express to AirPort Extreme 802.11n

The following steps helped me set up an AirPort Express base station connected to a set of wireless speakers with my new AirPort Extreme 802.11n base station. I’m posting this because the process was not entirely intuitive, at least not to me.
I’ll assume you have set up the AP Extreme base station to connect to the internet and run your home network and that you are connected to your wireless network.
Make sure you set-up the AP Extreme base station to broadcast in 802.11n + 802.11b/g modes, i.e. both at once. You will also have to check he setting that allows the newtork to be extended.
Reset the AP Express base station so that in runs on the factory defaults by pressing the reset button with a paper clip. Wait for it to completely restart.
Launch the AirPort Utility. You should see both your AP Extreme and AP Express base stations in the left hand column. Click on the AP Express base station you just reset. When it asks to switch wireless networks do so. Then hit continue.
On the next screen select “Connect to my current wireless network” option and hit continue.
On the following screen select the “Extend the range of my AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express network” and hit continue. Do NOT select the “Join my wireless network” option even though it says this is how you connect to wireless speakers. This is the part that was not obvious to me. When I tried this the AirPort Express base station flashed orange and wouldn’t connect despite waiting 30 minutes.
Chose the network you wish to extend from the drop down menu. My keychain supplied the password for the network.
Give your base station a name and hit continue.
Select the main base station in the list provided. This is the one connected to the internet and hit ok.
The Airport Utility software will configure the network to accept the AirPort Express base station.
Now all that’s left is to connect your wireless speakers to the AirPort Exppress base station. You can now play music through AirTunes while being connected to your fast 802.11n network.

I recently setup an Airport Express in conjuction with my Extreme Base Station. I'm not really understanding how this method enables 802.11n connection speeds (via Base Station) to the internet and also allow streaming music through the Express at 802.11b/g. It's my understanding that if you want to be able to access the internet AND stream music at the same time the Express needs to join the network. In order for the Express to join the network (able to recognize the Base Station)...the Base station needs to be changed from 802.11n only to 802.11n (802.11b/g compatable)....which essentially means your connecting to the internet at 802.11b/g. If your wanting to keep 802.11n only on the base station...you would have to create a seperate network via the Express to stream music. What this means is you CANNOT access the internet and stream music at the same time. You would have to manually change Airport in the taskbar to do one or the other.
Am I off base here? If I am missing something please let me know...because it would be great to be able to connect to the internet at 802.11n only with a multi-case rate set to 23Mbps vs. the 11Mbps (maximum) of the 802.11b/g compatable option.
I guess what is confusing me is that my setup is basically the same as what was described above..minus having the "Extended Network" being enabled. How does extending the network change things?

Connecting Airport Extreme to Airport Express as an ethernet receiver

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for