Creating a seamless wireless network with 2 AExpress units

I have 2 Airport Express units in different parts of my house. I have struggled for YEARS trying to get them to create one seamless wireless network with the same name that I could float between. I have never been able to get that to work. anyone?
I know that some of the problems MAY have to do with the non-apple router settings, but I just have never gotten a clear response form anyone about weather it is doable, and/or worth doing. I would settle for 2 seperate wireless networks that didn't compete with each other and/or constantly need re-booting to stay active. I am generally the most tech savvy person I know and am consulted on IT by friends and colleageus regularly, but I just cannot figure this one out..
I am totally capable of setting this up, both in the router and the AE units, if someone can just tell me that;
1) yes it is possible and it will work, and
2) just set it up like this...

Thanks for the clarification.  Check your AirPort Express devices one at a time, but other than different device names to avoid confusion.....AirPort Express 1, AirPort Express 2....for example, the settings should look this:
Open AirPort Utility , select one AirPort Express, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below th row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Your choice
No check mark needed next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11 b/g compatible) a good choice, but you can choose other combinations by holding down the option key on your Mac while you click on the selection box
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal an excellent choice if all of your devices are compatible with this setting
Wireless Password = Your wireless password
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings
Configure AirPort Express 2 exactly the same way and Update to save settings
Then, power down the entire network.....all devices....order is not important
Wait a moment, then start the modem/router first and let it run 2-3 minutes by itself
Start each AirPort Express the same way
Start each other network device one at a time about a minute apart
Check for proper network operation
IF....you did not have your AirPort Express devices in Bridge Mode before.....that is the reason why you are having issues now and also is the reason why the "roaming" network was not working.....assuming that there was a reasonable overlap in wireless coverage between the 2 Express devices, of course.
If you want to try the "roaming" setup again, assign the exact same wireless network name, security and password to both Express devices and confirm again that both are setup in Bridge Mode as the very last step before  you click the Update button in AirPort Utility.
Power down the entire network and start up in sequence as well as in the example above.

Similar Messages

  • How to use Airport Extreme to create a second wireless network with different IP addresses behind an existing modem/router?

    Hi,
    I have an existing modem/router from my ISP that does DHCP and NAT with base IP 192.168.1.1 distributed in the wireless network. I use this wireless network for our private devices. I could turn off the DHCP server in this first router, but there isn't a separate setting to turn off NAT.
    I want to connect my Airport Extreme (4th gen) to this existing router to create a separate wireless network for visiting guests, where IP addresses of 10.0.0.0 etc. are used. So I do not want to use the Airport Extreme in bridge mode, as I would like to keep the devices on the first network 'invisible' for those on the second network. (P.S. when connected in bridge mode, the Airport works well and can distribute a network with a different name from the first. It's just that I would feel more comfortable about our privacy if the Airport were to distribute a different IP range. False security, maybe?)
    I've tried doing this by 'Sharing a public IP address' in Airport Utility's Internet tab, leaving TCP/IP's setting to 'via DHCP', setting DHCP addresses to start with 10.0.0.2 up to 200 with all else blank, and not using a standard host nor NAT-PMP in the NAT tab.
    When I do this the Airport complains of a 'double NAT issue'. Internet connectivity seems to be OK, but when switching between the two networks on my Mac I get complaints about my IP address being in use by another device intermittently.
    Can anyone help in how to get the 'double NAT issue' resolved?
    Thanks!

    So if someone is connected to the modem/router network they will be able to see the HD I will have put in to the AirPort Extreme?
    As I said above.....since the modem/router and AirPort are bridged, devices on the modem/router wireless will be able to "see" devices on the AirPort wireless, and vice versa.....
    If they can see the HD connected to the AirPort Extreme, will they be able to access it
    Yes, unless you plan to password protect the drive connected to the AirPort Extreme.
    or will they still need the password needed to get onto the AirPort Extreme network?
    The modem/router and AirPort Extreme are bridged. They are on the same network. All devices are on the same network when the modem/router and AirPort are bridged. Not sure how else that I can say this.
    Also, because it is bridged, I shouldn't have any problems accessing the HD I will have connected to the AirPort Extreme from an external location?
    Accessing devices from a remote location is never easy....and a topic for a different post/discussion. If you have a "static" Internet IP address from your provider, and have all the details on how to forward ports on your modem/router, you are off to a good start.
    Apparently there is some addressing issues because devices can be seen as "Double IP" because the modem/router would have allocated IP's as well as the AirPort allocating IP's thus making connections slower until resolved
    When you "bridge", all IP addresses are issued by one device. There will be no conflicts on the network, since they are bridged.
    Once again, in very simple terms, you have two doors (access points) that open into the same room (network).  One "door" is the modem/router and the other "door" is the AirPort Extreme. They are on the same network....("room") because they are bridged.

  • Creating a Separate Wireless Network With no Ethernet

    Hello-
    I am attempting to set-up my Airport Express with my receiver and speakers in order to play music wirelessly. I have successfully done so when I choose "Join an Existing Wireless network", but I have noticed that this bogs down my wi-fi network speeds tremendously.
    So, instead, I attempted setting-up the Airport Express as its own wireless network in order to bypass my DSL-based, wi-fi network completely. But, when doing so, I am being forced to connect to my DSL via ethernet.
    Is there a way arpund this? Or, is there a way to stream music via the airport express in a way that won't interfere with my DSL wi-fi network (or affect its speed)?
    Thanks in advance!

    The AirPort Express Base Station (AX) does NOT require an Internet connection in order for it to provide a standalone wireless network for streaming.
    The AX would not get a Public IP address, but it would have a Private IP address of 10.0.1.1 ... and it would be providing wireless clients connected to it with Private IP addresses in the 10.0.1.2 - 10.0.1.200 range.
    I just verified that this works. Please double-check your settings to see if you may have missed something.
    AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
    Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
    Wireless Network Name: <enter a desired Network Name or SSID>
    Radio Mode: <leave the default or select a desired radio mode>
    Channel: Automatic
    Wireless Security: <select the desired wireless security type>
    Internet > Internet Connection
    Connect Using: Ethernet
    Connection Sharing: Distribute a range of IP addresses
    Internet > TCP/IP
    Configure IPv4: Manually
    IP Address: 10.0.1.1
    Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    Router Address: 10.0.1.1
    DNS Server(s): <leave blank>
    Domain Name: <leave blank>
    Internet > DHCP
    DHCP Beginning Address: <leave default or change to a desired starting address>
    DHCP Ending Address: <leave default or change to a desired ending address>
    Music
    Enable AirTunes (checked>
    iTunes Speaker Name: <leave default or enter a desired speaker name>
    Advanced > Logging & Statistics
    Allow SNMP (unchecked)
    Your AX will still report at least three errors: 1) Configuration of WAN, 2) SNMP over WAN, and 3) Double NAT. These can all be safely ignored to stop the AX's status light from flashing amber in this configuration.

  • Can't create a working wireless network (with AEBS N station)

    I have a new Airport Extreme Base Station (802.11n), firmware 7.2.1 and a PowerMac G4 running Leopard, with the built-in Ethernet port dead, fried by a storm.
    I installed a PCI Gigabit network card which works great. I have a static IP, and no more DSL modem. I am connected directly (via fiber) to my ISP. I purchased the AEBS N to create a wireless network for my iPhone and my laptop(soon to come). But after "successfully" setting up the base station with my IP settings I cannot connect to Internet. I believe that the base station or the actual firmware is not "smart" enough to "look" to anything else but the built-in Ethernet port. It simply tells me that there is nothing connected to the WAN port (even-though I was able to upload all the settings to the AEBS)
    AEBS Settings: Create a wireless network,Share an IP address, router mode and Mac connected via DHCP. The wireless network is visible by clients , but they also can't connect to the Internet.
    What is wrong? Should I set AEBS in BRIDGE mode? Can someone, please help?
    Thank you in advance!

    Duane, Thanks for your reply!
    I used to be connected via a DSL modem, but now, my ISP removed the modem saying is no longer needed and I am connected only to a wire.(so that means I am part of a LAN I guess) They say is fiber optic up to my block of flats. They have a box on the staircase from where multiple wires goes to apartments! I believe lies a switch in there...!All I know for sure is that I have a static IP and all these numbers I uploaded to the base station! All I have is the amber flashing light and the "nothing connected to the WAN port" msg.
    I tried to set the device in bridge mode, but no luck! No Internet!When I connect directly to my mac everything is fine!
    They said no problem if I want to put a wirless router in the house!Should I ask them for any specific settings?
    Repeat: The Ethernet port I use is from a PCI card. The built in Ethernet is dead! Can this be a reason?
    Please let me know if you need other details!

  • Network diagnostics asks for password for wireless network with no security

    hi
    I am trying to connect my Mac Pro to a wireless network which has no security settings. Other Macs in the house connect to the network with no problem, but the Mac Pro doesn't. I am setting up a new network as I have moved house. In the previous house the wireless worked fine on the Mac Pro.
    When I click on the Airport Icon in the menu bar, the search wheel shows and it finds the network, but when I click on the name of the network typically it doesn't connect. Occasionally it does connect, and I briefly have internet access, but then the number of bars on the Airport Icon gradually reduce and then I can't connect again.
    When I run Network Diagnostics from Safari, it finds the network also, but then typically asks for a WEP password for the Wireless Network when I haven't added any security to the network (occasionally it doesn't ask for a password and I can connect briefly)
    I have tried resetting my Time Capsule and creating a new wireless network with a different name, but still experience the same issues.
    I wonder if someone has any ideas as to what might be going on, and how I might be able to troubleshoot this.
    Thanks
    Nick

    It is one of mine. Yes. It connects to it no problem, just doesn't connect to the actual internet. Network diagnostics has all green lights until the ISP and/or Internet point. If I walk through diagnostics, it will get to the point where it says that the network requires a WEP password. I don't know why it does that because my network is not password-protected (husband claims it doesn't work well with his VPN system to get into work network). If I leave it blank, the connection will work. Eventually, after the computer is put to sleep, I will have the same problem upon waking up. I just tried renaming the network and removing all preferred networks and rebooting. Let's see how that works.

  • Unable to create a wireless network with my airport express.  Please help!

    I am trying to setup a wireless network with an airport express, and connect to it with my Macbook. I just bought both of these and haven't been able to get wireless to work.
    I initially plugged the ethernet cable from my cable modem into the airport express and plugged it into the wall. The macbook detected it when I opened airport utility, but the express had a flashing amber light and I was unable to connect. I then unplugged the express and re-started the cable modem. This time, the airport express showed a solid green light -which should mean that it is working correctly. However, the macbook did not find the airport express device when i searched for it using airport utility. I am able to connect the macbook directly to the cable modem, after re-starting the modem, and access the internet so at least some of the systems are go.
    Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.
    Tom

    Is the issue that you cannot access the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) with the AirPort Utility that is running on your Win7 PC? ...  or that once you have configured the AXn, the PC is unable either to find the new wireless network or can find it but cannot connect to it?

  • By creating wireless network with Airport Express, original wireless network stops functioning

    I want to use the Airport Express to create a second wireless network downstairs. Upstairs I already have a wireless modem/router (Draytek 2850). The signal downstairs however is to weak. When I create the wireless network on the Airport Express, this works perfectly. However after the creation, the wireless part of the Draytek modem/router stops functioning. The wired part keeps working, but when I connect to the wireless part I access anything. Why is that?
    The Express is set to Bridge modus and under TCP/IP I've selected that the IPV4 configurations has to go via DHCP.

    I set the Network Name the same as the SSID, security type on the router is Mixed(WPA/WPA2)/PSK, which on the AX is WPA/WPA2 - personal I guess. The password is the same as the DrayTek.
    Yes, WPA/WPA2 Personal on the AX is the same as the Draytek's wireless security option.
    The radio channel of the Draytek router is 6, the channel of the AX is 11. Do I miss anything here?
    No, it looks like you have all of the right settings as far as I can tell ... and you already stated that the AX is in bridge mode, i.e., Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode) ... correct?
    If so, I would recommend performing a complete power recycle of your networking components, as follows:
    Power-down the DrayTek, and AX. Order is not critical.
    Power-up the DrayTek; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it to stablize.
    Before powering-up the AX, verify that you can gain Internet access via a wireless connection to the DrayTek. If so, continue.
    Power-up (plug-in) the AX; wait at least 5-10 minutes to allow it to stablize. It should have a steady green status light. If not, use the AirPort Utility to determine the reasons why it doesn't from the Status page of the Utility.

  • Troubling extending wireless network with Time Capsule and Airport Extreme

    I am trying to set up and extend a wireless network in my house, but it’s not working right. I have two Airport/Capsule units in the house:
    2TB Time Capsule (Dual-Band II)
    1 Airport Extreme (Dual Band)
    I have the Verizon Fios router as my gateway to the internet, and also as my DHCP server. I have also tested the ethernet ports in my house to verify that they work, and that I can get a DHCP-issued IP address.
    Now, my Verizon router has WiFI, and it’s still on. I am not using it though except to troubleshoot. So far as I understand, this should not cause a problem.
    Base station setup
    So I setup the TC to Create A New Wireless Network, on the ethernet network it’s on (Dlink switch plugged into Verizon router). I set it up in Bridge Mode (as opposed to having it dole out IPs, since the Verizon router does this already). The TC gets a valid IP, and my wireless device connect to it without a problem. I have checked “Allow this network to be expanded” under Wireless settings.
    Extended station setup
    The AE Dual-Band is plugged into the Ethernet, and is reset to Factory Settings. I name it “Airport Extreme 2” and I chose “I want Airport Extreme to join my current network.” The other two options are: “I want to create a new wireless network” and “I want to replace and existing base station or wireless router with Airport Extreme.”
    I chose to “join,” I select “I want to connect Airport Extreme to my network using Ethernet to extend my existing wireless network.” The other options are to disable wireless entirely, or to “wirelessly join my current network.” On the next page it asks me to select the device or network that the Airport Extreme will connect to using the Ethernet. I set it to the Time Capsule.
    Results:
    Access near the Airport Extreme 2 is incredibly slow. Speedtest shows I am getting less than 1Mbps. Worse yet, my mail client won’t connect. It just times out.
    What I had hoped was that the AE would connect via Ethernet to the network, and just bring the wireless network to the other side of the house. Instead it almost seems as though it is just re-amplifying the TC’s signal. Otherwise, why is performance so bad?
    Thanks to anyone with some insight here!

    Hello Kennuff. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Since you have the ability to connect all of the routers by Ethernet, there is no need to configure the Time Capsule (TC) & 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) for a dynamic WDS (aka, extending a network). This option is only when the routers do NOT have an Ethernet connection between them.
    Instead, you want to configure the TC & AEBSn in a "roaming" network. I suggest starting by performing either a "hard" or "factory default" reset on both.
    Next be sure that both the TC & AEBSn are on the same Ethernet subnet coming from the Verizon-supplied router.
    Configure the TC & AEBSn as follows:
    AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
    o Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
    o Allow this network to be extended: <not checked>
    o Radio Mode: <leave the default or if you require a specific mode make sure both routers are configured the same>
    o Wireless Security: <configure both routers the same>
    AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection
    o Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

  • HT1178 Do I want to create a new wireless network or join my current network?  I can't connect an ethernet cable to the Mac / printer and to the wireless modem at same time - in two different rooms.

    I am trying to set up Time Capsule so that I can do my first backup (after 1 1/2 years!) with Time Machine.  I have read other forums, but in each case they instructions eventually do not apply.
    I have connected my TC to my existing wireless router.  This sits in a bedroom and cannot be moved as a rental home.
    I have plugged in the TC and updated the software.
    Now - do I want to A Create a New Wireless Network (remember I can't connect the TC to Mac using an Ethernet cable). B Replace an existing base station or wireless router with TC (only intend to use for TM as don't know other benefits as of yet). or C want TC to join current network. 
    Thinking C.  If I choose C, it then asks A TC to wireless join current network (NO as already connected using Ethernet). B want to connect TC to my network using Ethernet to extend my existing wireless network. C want to disable the wireless network on this TC and connect it to my computer or network using Ethernet - CANNOT do this as devices can not be in the same room.
    Or do I want to create new wireless network - first set of questions - choice A?  What is the benefit to creating a new one when I won't be in this rental house for longer than 18 more months??
    Please help and quickly!  Thanks!

    Let me suggest some things.
    But first ask exactly what wireless router you have now and what type of broadband service?
    Are you happy with the wireless on the current router? If so, then you can plug the TC straight into whatever computer you have by ethernet, short 1M cord with no connection to the network. And use it without affecting your existing network at all. This is trivial setup.
    Although you don't say exactly what Mac and printer you are using, is it a desktop? Laptop it is definitely easier not to plug it in, but a desktop you can plug in the TC and it will all sit happily together.
    How is the printer connected and to what?
    I am not sure why you need such quick help.. this is all minor setup stuff.. and 18months in todays world is like permanent man.
    Your multiple A, B, C are more confusing than helpful.
    The best choices without more info.. are to replace the existing wireless router with the TC. ie your option B.. but how to do this depends on the type of connection. Is it cable or adsl? Can you easily bridge the existing modem router.. if that is what it is?
    Think carefully in the ideal world what would you like..
    and what do you have..
    We can probably suggest ways and means to fit what you like to what you have.. without introducing a stack of options that are doing your head in.

  • Can I use my airport express to extend a wireless network with a non-apple router?

    I have been trying to extend my wireless network in my house.  Right now I have a dsl modem/router provided by Century Link and an older AirPort express (not sure how old but it uses AirPort utility v5.6).  I want to be able to share my printer and use AirTunes.  Currently I have the AirPort plugged into the router and setup to create a new wireless network.  I would like to combine them so I don't have to switch between to print and play music.  I am not really sure where to start or if it even possible.  Any info would be great!

    If you keep the Express connected using Ethernet and configure the Express to "Create a wireless network" using exactly the same wireless network name, exact same wireless security and same wireless password as the Century Link network.....everything will behave as one "big" network, and you will have additional wireless coverage near the Express.
    If you do not need extra wireless coverage, you can turn off the wireless on the Express.
    The Express must be in Bridge Mode.
    Most users know the name of their wireless network and password, so the really tricky part of doing this is that you must know exactly what type of wireless security settings the Century Link router is using....and then match up the same settings on the AirPort Express.
    If the settings do not match up exactly, then you wind up with two separate networks that will each require their own log on.
    If you can check the setting for wireless security on the Century Link router and provide that information to us, we can tell you how to set things up the way that you would like.

  • Extending an existing wireless network with an airport express

    My wireless signal is quite weak in my room so I'm looking for a way to extend the range of the network by using an airport express. I understand i can't do this wirelessly but is it possible to run an ethernet cable from my existing router to the airport express in my room and then have a stronger signal in my room?
    Thanks in advance!

    Welcome to the discussion area, Aaron!
    If you connect an ethernet cable from your existing router to the AirPort Express, and then configure the Express to "Create a wireless network" with the same name, security settings and password, this will in effect, extend your current wireless network.
    The Express must be configured as a "bridge" to operate correctly on your network when you do this, meaning that the setting for Connection Sharing on the Express will be set to "Off (Bridge Mode).

  • Can I use the Airport Express to create a secure wireless network in a wireless-only hotel?

    Can I use the Airport Express to log onto an unsecured hotel wireless network, without an ethernet cable, to create a secure wireless network for my MacbookAir, IPad, IPhone, etc.? If so, how is that done?

    will the Airport Express allow you to log onto a hotel wireless network, and broadcast a secure wireless network in your room for your wireless devices, like the Ipad, Iphone, etc.?
    The bottom line with a single AirPort Express is no.
    The AirPort Express can only "extend" a wireless network when the network is being provided by another Apple router.
    As you might imagine, it is extremely unlikely that that the hotel network....which no doubt uses professional wireless access points provided by a manufacturer of commercial systems.....would be compatible with an AirPort Express.
    In many years of travel domestically and internationally, I cannot recall a time when a single AirPort Express would "extend" the signal provided by a hotel's wireless network.
    However, if you had two AirPort Express devices handy, you might be able to configure one to "join" the hotel network and provide an Ethernet signal to the second AirPort Express, which would be configured to "create" your own "private"  wireless network.

  • Establishing a wireless network with airport express

    Can someone please help me setting up a wireless network?
    I'm using netgear DG834GT and want to set up a wireless network with my airport express. Unfortunately i cannot set it up and need someone to help.
    Thank You

    If you want to configure an Airport Express to work with the existing wireless network created by your DG834GT wireless router, then follow the advice posted here by David Lovel (the advice is applicable to both Mac and PC users):
    David Lovell, "Airtunes for XP with a Wired/Wireless network" #1, 09:05pm Jan 8, 2005 CDT
    I hope you really did mean to say you were using an Airport Express. Don't confuse an Airport Express with an Airport Extreme card - the Airport Extreme card is the name of the wireless adapter built into your Powerbook.

  • Can I create a second wireless network using an Airport Extreme?

    Does anybody know if the following is possible?
    Cable Modem wired to Airport Extreme 5th gen ->   Wireless Internet via Guest Account ->   Airport Extreme 5th gen->
    Create Secondary Private Network ->   Internet distributed Wirelessly to clients on Secondary Network  (Mac Mini, ATV 2)
    Thanks for any thoughts!

    Would it be possible instead to link a second Airport Extreme wirelessly to a secure network on the first,
    Yes, if you link to the "main" wireless network on the first AirPort Extreme.
    then create a secondary private network,
    No, but you could "extend" the "main" wireless network to provide more coverage and also enable the Ethernet ports on the second AirPort Extreme.
    If you connected yet another router to one of the Ethernet ports, you could configure it to create another wireless network with its own password.
    But cients on the "main" network would be able to "see" devices on the other "private" network and vice versa.

  • Extending TC wireless network with AP Express

    I just set up a brand new TC last week, and am thinking about buying a new AP Express to extend my wireless network into the basement. I've read through some of the threads here and it seems pretty straightforward, esp. since both devices will be 802.11n compatible.
    The one question I have pertains to MAC access control, which I have enabled on my TC. Does the AP Express' AirPort ID need to be added to the MAC access control list on the TC if I'm setting up the AP Express to extend a wireless network? I assume that any devices that connect wirelessly to the AP Express will need to have their MAC addresses added to the access control list as well, just as if they were to connect to the TC, correct?
    Also, do I need to make an Ethernet connection from the TC to the AP Express for the initial setup, or is it all done wirelessly? I will have the AP Express in the same room as the TC when I set it up and then gradually move the AP Express to its final location, somewhere between the TC and the basement (probably in the basement hallway near the door).
    Message was edited by: plarkin

    Welcome to the discussions!
    +Does the AP Express' AirPort ID need to be added to the MAC access control list on the TC if I'm setting up the AP Express to extend a wireless network?+
    Yes
    +I assume that any devices that connect wirelessly to the AP Express will need to have their MAC addresses added to the access control list as well, just as if they were to connect to the TC, correct?+
    Yes, you will need to compile a MAC control list for the AirPort Express
    +Also, do I need to make an Ethernet connection from the TC to the AP Express for the initial setup
    It's quite a bit simpler and usually more reliable if you do it this way
    +or is it all done wirelessly?+
    It can be, but this is sometimes confusing for users because the AirPort Express creates a default wireless network that you must log onto to be able to communicate to the device using AirPort Utility. This usually requires you to "switch" wireless networks for the configuration, then switch back again to your normal wireless network after the configuration is completed.
    There's no switching involved if you simply temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the AirPort Express for the configuration and then disconnect it once you have updated the device with its new settings.
    +I will have the AP Express in the same room as the TC when I set it up and then gradually move the AP Express to its final location, somewhere between the TC and the basement (probably in the basement hallway near the door).+
    That's an excellent plan

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