Connecting iMac to an existing network using AirPort Extreme

Ok, I've just switched to Macs having used PCs for years. I have an Intel iMac with a built in AirPort card but cannot connect to my wireless network. AirPort can detect that the network is there, I have the 20something didgit 128-bit Hex WEP code and all the other computers on the network (3 PCs) are fine, but I cannot connect to it at all. Since Apple's helpline is closed at the exact time I need to call it I thought this would be the best place to ask. Am I missing a glaringly obvious n00b step? How can I sort this problem out?
Intel iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Thanks for that Duane, I've actually read that article already, I've followed the steps and something still isn't right. Allow me to elaborate, I already have a Netgear router set up for the wireless network which has an exisitng WEP password and right now I'm connected to it on my old Vaio laptop and have another Vaio connected to the network with no problems but my brand new iMac won't connect. The router has a hardware firewall built in to it, is that likely to cause any problems?

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How can I rename an established wireless network using airport extreme?

How can I rename an established wireless network using airport extreme?

Thanks for the info. On your Mac......
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme
Click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click the Wireless tab at the top of the next window that appears
Edit/backspace out the Wireless Network Name and type in a new name that you want to use
Click Update at the lower right of the window
Wait a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart
Close AirPort Utility
The new network that you named will use the same network password that you set up originally.

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.
I have a brand new Airport Extreme 802.11ac which I am now using as my network hub and I would like to extend the network wirelessly.
Is there a benefit to extending the network via another Airport Extreme 802.11ac versus a (cheaper) Airport Express ?
I do not have any 802.11ac clients yet, but likely will do within the expected lifespan of the routers and thus would rather buy another Extreme now if it meant extending the best signal strength.
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 ?
Four possible benefits, which may or may not be benefits to you:
1) A second Extreme will extend the faster "ac" speeds of the main AirPort Extreme, while the Express will not.
2) A second Extreme uses Gigabit Ethernet ports....ten times faster than the Express....if you plan to connect devices using an Ethernet connection
3) The USB port on the AirPort Extreme will accept a hard drive while the Express will not
4) The AirPort Extreme has a much better antenna arrangement than the Express, which will provide greater coverage even if "ac" wireless is not used
On the other hand, if you do not need "ac" wireless to be extended, you only plan to use the Express to extend the wireless, and the Express will be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal, then you might save a bit of money going with an AirPort Express.
So, in questions about what would be "best", there are rarely simple answers that apply to all users. The question really is which is "best" for you. Adding another AirPort Extreme would be a no brainer for me, but perhaps not for you.
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
It is always the best idea to use products from the same manufactuer for the same purpose throughout the network. Obviously, an Apple AirPort Extreme will be compatible with another AirPort, while a third party device may or may not be.

How to rename my network; using Airport Extreme

I would like to rename my wireless network and guest network. I am using Airport Extreme, and have extended the network using an Airport Express. Can someone tell me how to rename these, and what problems I might run into when I try to use Wi-Fi devices after I've done that?

Welcome to the discussion area, Cindyluhu!
You would use AirPort Utility to change the name of your wireless network. It will be relatively easy to change the name on the AirPort Extreme...4-5 clicks and Update
In order to change the name on the Express, you'll need to "hard reset" it and reconfigure it. Not too difficult if you have done this before.
If you change the name of the wireless network, you will need to enter the password to connect to the network the first time that you log on with any of your devices. If you have them set to "remember" the network, you won't have to enter the password again unless you make another change to the network name or password.
Post back if you need some steps to change the wireless network name on your devices.

Connect a PC to My existing Wireless Network Using Airport Extreme

this is my issue i bought a Airport Express to connect a PC via ethernet to my wireless network already working at home. Cant figure out the settings???? need help. My home network is using a airport extreme base station. the problem is the PC doesn't have wireless capability so i connected the PC to the airport extreme in order to connect to the network, but no luck so far.

Hello Sailor25. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
What you need to do is configure the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a ProxySTA.
To activate ProxySTA, you must set up the Express to join a wireless network and then enable the Allow Ethernet Clients setting; both settings are located in the Wireless tab of AirPort Utility. The feature should work with any wireless network: a, b, g, or n; and 5GHz or 2.4GHz. (Note that the Express, which ships with firmware 7.3, must also be updated to firmware 7.3.1 for this feature to appear.)

Can I connect my MacBook Pro to an existing network using Airport Express?

I live on a sailboat that is about 225 feet from the marina's network antenna. I receive a strong signal on my boat but can only occasionally connect from my cabin and even then, the connection is very slow (I am pretty certain that my MacBook Pro just does not have enough signal power to get back to the network antennae). If I move 50 feet closer the connection works well. I tried to configure a range extender but nobody has any technical information on the marina's network. Does anybody know of a way to for my AirPort Express (or any other product with greater range) to connect to their network and then by cable (or wireless) to my MacBook?
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

DeltaDawg, Welcome to the discussion area!
There was a similar question but using an AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS). Unfortunately the answer is the same.
No, that is not possible. The Ethernet port on the AirPort Express (AX) is ONLY active when the AX uses WDS to wirelessly join a network. Unfortunately very few (less than 7) 3rd party devices support Apple's WDS. Also this requires configuration changes at the base station creating the network and the AX.

Extend existing network with Airport extreme and 3 airport express.

I want to extend an existing network (thomson TG787v) with an airport extreme (MD031Z/A) with 3 or 4 airport express(MC14Z/A)
The thomson is the router from the provider and must be used. The building is an old mansion with a lot of brick walls
I tried to connect the extreme with an ethernet cable (in bridge mode) and then connect the airport express in a line to have wifi in all rooms of the mansion.
But somehow the airport extremes cannot extend the network.
Can anyone tell me how to setup the apple devices to make this work?
Thanks
Bernhard

I tried to connect the extreme with an ethernet cable (in bridge mode)
This is the correct.
and then connect the airport express in a line to have wifi in all rooms of the mansion.
Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature will only allow you to "extend" the signal one time. So, the first Express would connect to the AirPort Extreme wirelessly and extend the signal.
But, you cannot "extend" the signal a second or third time. Each AirPort Express must be located so that it connects directly to the AirPort Extreme. In other words, each AirPort Express must be located about the same distance from the AirPort Extreme.
Another way of thinking about his is to visualize the hub and spokes of a wheel. The AirPort Extreme would be located at the "hub". Each AirPort Express would be located at then end of a "spoke". As such, each AirPort Express communicates directly to the AirPort Extreme.....not to another AirPort Express at the end of another hub.
You may need to consider installing Ethernet cable to each location where you will need an AirPort Express and configure the network that way. Performance wise, this is a much better way to "extend" the network.

Extended Network using Airport Extreme and TC

Our home is mostly concrete which is not that conducive to a great WiFi signal throughout. Currently I have an Airport Extreme connected to the modem on the main floor, and a TC extending the network on the second floor.
Is this the most ideal set up? Does it make any difference which one is connected to the modem, and which unit is extending the network?
Thanks for the inputs.

The ideal setup would have the AirPort Extreme and TC connecting together using a wired Ethernet connection.
Next best might be a setup using Ethernet powerline adapters to send the Ethernet signal over the existing AC powerlines in your home. The theory here is good, but in practice, things may not work quite as well as the theory suggests. Some users have good luck with this approach, while others....like me.....don't have much success.
Last choice is always a wireless connection. Lots of signal loss this way between the devices and other electronic devices in the home can interfere with the wireless signal. If you opt for wireless, try to estabish a line-of-sight relationship between the AirPort and TC, or as close as possible.

Can I create a unique subnetwork when extending a wireless network using Airport Extreme?

My office building has an Airport Extreme to provide wifi to our individual suites. I would like to create a sub-network using my Airport Extreme for my suite only that uses the wifi signal from our office building and provides internet to the computers (both wired and wireless) in my suite but have it protected so that other suites in my building can't see my computers. Is this possible and how do I do it? I have currently set up my Airport Extreme in wifi-mode "extending a previous wireless network" and have the router with its unique router name. But once I extended the wireless network, I could not find the network name of my router, only the office name (the one I was extending). The computers connected via ethernet to my Airport have internet access but none of my wireless computers see my airport name, it sees the office building network name. I'm assuming they are connecting to my Airport since the signal level is much higher than before and it appears that my Airport is rebroadcasting the network name of my office building. Is there a way to have my Airport broadcast its unique identifier for wifi, still connect to the internet via wifi signal to the Office building airport and maintain segregation between my computers and the rest of my office building?
Also, when I use the Airport Utility on my Iphone, I see the internet -> the office airport extreme -> and then 2 different base stations connected in a Y. Mine and my neighbors (who is probably doing the same thing as I am). But there is a dotted line to my base station, does that mean I'm connected to the internet via my neighbor's airport?
Any thoughts?

I would like to create a sub-network using my Airport Extreme for my suite only that uses the wifi signal from our office building and provides internet to the computers (both wired and wireless) in my suite but have it protected so that other suites in my building can't see my computers.
It is not possible to configure a single Apple AirPort router in this manner using wireless only, but it would be possible to do this with a single AirPort if you connect your AirPort Extreme to the "main" router using a wired Ethernet connection.
As for wireless only....you could probably do what you want by using two Apple routers....an AirPort Express to join the wireless network and provide an Ethernet signal to the AirPort Extreme's WAN port. Then the AirPort Extreme could then be configured to provide a separate network using a different subnet.
Users on the "main" network would not be able to "see" any devices on your "private" network and vice versa.
I use the two router set up all the time at hotels that only provide a wireless signal. The first Express "joins" the wireless network and feeds an Ethernet signal to the second AirPort which is configured to "create a wireless network" in router mode.
This way, I can connect multiple devices to my "private" network, but only pay the hotel for one connection since the hotel router only "sees" the AirPort Express that joins the network.

Extending Verizon FIOS network using Airport Extreme

I have Verizon FIOS. I use the Verizon Actiontec MI424WR Access Point, as required by Verizon (I know that I don't have to use it, but I want to so that I can take advantage of Verizon's diagnostic software).
The Actiontec access point is on the first floor of my home. A Mac is hardwired to it, and I have no problems with it.
I have two laptops (one PC and one Macbook). They are connected via wireless network and work fine on the first floor.
However, both laptops have problems in 2 of the 3 rooms on the second floor of my home. The actiontec access point signal is weak in these rooms.
Here is my question: Is it possible to use the Airport Extreme to wirelessly extend the range of the Actiontec network so that the laptops can be used in all of the second-floor rooms. And if so, how?
Some additional information: (1) I cannot connect the Airport Extreme to the Actiontec access point via an ethernet cable; (2) I am told that the Actiontec access point does not work with WDS; and (3) I use WEP security.
Thanks for your help.

Here is my question: Is it possible to use the Airport Extreme to wirelessly extend the range of the Actiontec network so that the laptops can be used in all of the second-floor rooms. And if so, how?
No. The Actiontec is not compatible with Apple's WDS.

Extending wireless network using Airport Extreme

I am thinking about using another Airport Extreme to extend my wireless signal.
I am curious if the ethernet ports will be rendered dead in the Airport Extreme like they are in the Airport Express untis when you choose extend.
I know I could go to a Roaming network but that is not the question for this setup.
I am hoping that I can use the ethernet ports for other things where the Extending Airport Extreme is as I have some devices I also want to hook up.
I have read something about this in the past but can't seem to find the answer now.
I already have one fairly new Extreme (square style) and am thinking about getting the newest version with the different and taller case.
Again, I would rather use the Extend feature rather then a Roaming because it would be difficult to run wires.
Also note: no electrical ethernet adapters either using the wall plugs. Not interested in that setup.
Thanks

Thanks Bob.
I have 3 Airport Express units that when in "Join a wireless network" the ethernet port can be enabled.
However, when I choose "Extend a wireless network" I no longer have that choice of allowing ethernet clients, it changes to only "Allow wireless clients". That's what has me curious and confused.
I haven't tried plugging anything into the units that are extended so I can't verify the ethernet ports work or not.
They are the b/g/n units but not the newest models. The models before that.
The window says it is an Airport Express 802.11n model.
The Airport Extreme is also 802.11n (4th generation)
All my base stations are running 7.6.4

Time Capsule in a Dual Band Network using Airport Extreme (N) and (2) AE

I need help and step by step directions to configure my TC in a Dual Band Network. Currently, I have my TC set up in a Create Network mode using 5Mhz and my AE (n) set up to establish a WDS and my AE (2) set up as WDS.
Everything works but my AE constantly blinks amber and I can't use my TC as a backup drive on anything but my Macbook and iMac. My 2 powerbooks (G4) can't back up to the TC. I am using Leopard 10.5.2 and airport utility 5.3.1.
I use one of my AEs to connect a vista pc to my network by ethernet (it works) and the other AE in my family room to connect to my Toshiba HD DVD by ethernet (it works).
Please help I must be missing something otherwise my AE wouldn't be blinking.

double click the blinking one in the utility and see if it tells you why its amber...WDS error?

Can't create a working Wireless Network using Airport Extreme Base Station

I don't know what I'm doing wrong...
I've got the cable from the modem going to the base station. I follow ALL on screen instructions. I select "Using DHCP" because when I plug the ethernet cable into my MBP it automatically does everything for me, and has that as its setting as well.
I get to the stage where it asks whether or not I'd like it to share an IP or go into bridge mode, I'm not sure what either of these two mean...I've tried both and both result in no wireless internet.
On several occasions I get to the end, and after I do the "final" update is comes back with one problem - internet connection, saying the router doesn't have a valid IP.
I'm totally lost on what to do here...
If you need more information just ask...please...

The below procedure is described in your AirPort setup manual, but it can be a little confusing. Here is my step-by-step procedure for an AEB setup for the system you describe:
A. Setup the 'Main' Base Station:
1. Do a factory reset of your AEB (main), then turnoff the DSL Modem and the AEB (main).
2. Check ethernet cable connections:
- DSL Modem > AEB (main) WAN port;
- AEB (main) > Mac computer running OS X 10.5.x.
3. Power-on DSL Modem and wait for it to initialise.
4. Power-on the AEB (main) and start your Mac computer.
5. Open AirPort Utility and select the AEB (main) in the LH pane. Click 'Continue' and give the AEB (main) a name and an admin password (twice). Click 'Continue'.
6. Select 'I don't have a wireless network and I want to create one', click Continue.
7. Give your network a name, select WPA/WPA2 Personal and insert the wireless network password (twice) - use 13 alpha/numeric characters for password. Tick 'Remember this password in my keychain'. Click 'Continue'.
8. Select 'I connect to the Internet with a DSL or cable modem using DHCP. Click 'Continue'.
9. Click 'Update' and wait for the AEB (main) to restart.
10. Disconnect the ethernet cable between your Mac and the AEB (main).
B. Setup Client computer
1. Open System Preferences/Network/AirPort.
2. Against 'Network Name:' select your network (the name you gave it at A7).
3. Click 'Advanced' and select TCP/IP. Against 'Configure IPv4:' select 'Using DHCP', then click 'OK'.
4. Click 'Apply' and exit System Preferences.

Brother MFC-7420 Prints from iMac, not from Macbook Pro using Airport Extreme

I have a Brother MFC-7420 printer. Up ntil a few days ago, I coiuld print from my Macbook Pro, as the Systems Pref. in the iMac allowed for everyone to print. Now I get the message "Printer Off Line," when the printer icon pops out of the dock in my attempt to print from the MacBook Pro. I use wired with the iMac, wireless with MBP, but it printed fine with the Extreme. Any answers, appreciated.

Have you already completed the troubleshooting basics, like powering off the entire network, and then powering up modem first, then each network device one at a time?

Network set up using airport extreme, time capsule and airport express

I have searched for relevant answers but can only find different bits here and there.
My set up is as follows:
I have a Linksys wireless router running a stable wireless network for the other computer users in the house and wish to create an extended, additional network using airport extreme connected to the Linksys by ethernet to create the network and then time capsule close to my Mac Mini on my desktop and airport express at the other end of the house to try and extend the range of the network.
I have been trying for 4 days to set this up but without success. I have tried all of the options mentioned in different posts, using WDS, extending a new network etc. I can get connection between the three devices but monitoring on iStumbler there appears to be little improvement in the strength of the signal, iStumbler also shows the time capsule dropping it's signal totally every 10 or so seconds for a few seconds and then I get a positive signal strength for another ten seconds or so.
Can anyone help, it is driving me insane. I am a recent convert to apple computing and have been hugely impressed with all products until now. The claim that the set up of these wireless products is simple seems to be very exaggerated.
I am happy to provide any relevant system or hardware information.
Thanks in anticipation.

I have an AirPort Extreme acting as a wireless base station, connected to a BT router by ethernet.
Then the correct setting for Connection Sharing on the AirPort Extreme would be "Off (Bridge Mode)".
If I set Connection Sharing to "Share a public IP address", I'm told that: "The DCHP range you have entered conflicts with the WAN IP address of your Apple Wi-Fi base station"
Exactly. You have two routers....The BT device and the AirPort Extreme in series with both of them trying to act as the "main" router when you configure the AirPort this way. That won't work.
Only one can be the main router, and it must be the BT device in your setup. So, the AirPort Extreme....and any other AirPorts on your network must be setup to work in Bridge Mode to allow the network to operate correctly.

Connecting iMac to an existing network using AirPort Extreme

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