Do Base Stations eventually "peter out"?

I am having symptoms with my base station that a lot of other people are reporting, but I'm not sure if it's for the same reason. After at least two or three years of strong, consistent signal strength, the last few months have been riddled with weak signal strength from as close as the next room, and the connection drops constantly... I can't watch more than ten minutes of video on my Apple TV without the "Uh, you're supposed to actually have a NETWORK in order to use Apple TV" screen popping up.
I've seen a lot of others on the boards here talk about downgrading the firmware to 7.4.1, but the difference here is that I have an older "flying saucer" base station that predates 802.11n. (And it is running firmware 5.7, which I believe is the most current for that model.)
As near as I can figure, there hasn't been any other configuration change that would have caused this, and there aren't any new wireless networks in my neighborhood that are causing interference.
So, my question is this... is this just a case of my base station dying of old age? I have no problem buying a new router and sending this one to the Great WAN In The Sky, but I want to make sure that I've exhausted my options before doing so.
Thanks!

You could simply be suffering from RF interference. Try changing the channel used by the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) until you find a channel which works better or you run out of channels.

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Need some help settin' up an Airport base station for dialup

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The Airport I'm using is not the square unit now available. This particular unit is a circular base with a conical shape. I got this model because it has the connection for a standard telephone connector. It's also 'sposed to have a built-in modem.
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Hello newbietoapple. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Perform a "hard" reset of the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS)
o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107451)
Setup the AEBS
Either connect to the AEBS's wireless network or connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the LAN port of the AEBS, and then, using the AirPort Admin Utility, check these settings:
AirPort tab
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o AirPort Network Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Create a closed network (unchecked)
o Wireless Security: Not enabled
o Channel: Automatic
o Mode: 802.11b/g Compatible
Internet tab
o Connect Using: Modem (V.90)
Network tab
o Distribute IP addresses (checked)
o Share a single IP address (using DHCP & NAT) (enabled)

Airport Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi Base Station and Connecting to VPN Client

I am networked beautifully with my new Airport Extreme Base Station and get out to the Internet in seconds. However, when I try to connect remotely to my company's VPN Client, I am unsuccessful in logging on to the Company's network. The error message I get is that the VPN Client has timed out. Then I am given the opportunity to attempt to logon to a second server. I am unsuccessful with the alternative server as well. I have worked with my company's tech support and after quite a bit of troubleshooting, I was told that it is a port configuration problem on the Airport Extreme Base Station. Has anyone else experienced this problem and been able to resolve this issue? What did you do? Help--I don't want to go back to my Netgear network. The Airport Extreme is so extremely faster--I can't go back!

I have their ip address and it does not appear to be the problem. I did speak to apple support and was told to get the port numbers of the vpn and enter those along with the mac address of the one laptop I needed to communicate with the vpn Nortel Client. No success with that. So, I tried tieing that one laptop to the network with the router that worked fine with being recognized by Nortel while I continued to select the apple network for my 3 other macs. I was finally able (with extreme) get to my upstairs and connect to the net on all of the macs but now I lost connectivity with even the net on the netgear router. So, I continue--not wanting to have to go back to the basement to work on the pc laptop. Thanks for your reply.

Need a better Airport Base station admin utility

Is there a better Airport base station management utility out there we (network admins) can use to manage our 40+ airport hubs? While it is cute and nice for 1 or 2 base stations, the current util (Airport Utility.app 5.2.2) is lacking in lots of useful features:
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- would like to be able to resize the window (why is ANY software made where the windows can not be resized, especially windows that show information that is bigger than the window.)
- would like to be able to select multiple base stations to get data
- would like for the list to show me all my devices and not just the devices it can detect (like ARD where I build a list)

I have been having this same issue since my purchase in January. The latest call to Applecare suggested taking the ATV out of the cabinet that it is in that also houses the receiver, and changing the channel on the setup of my Airport Extreme to channel 3. This seems to have worked for the last 3 days. I'll keep you posted.

In a Roaming Network, Does the Primary Base Station have to be the only hub, or can spokes come out of an Extended Base Station?

I live in the basement of an old, brick building, in one of 5 apartments, for the building's staff. I have an older Airport Extreme and Express setup that's working for me in my unit, connect to a Comcast Ubee cable modem. The rest of the basement shares a DSL connection through a wired network that includes three routers. I've been asked to build a network that the rest of the staff can share, using my cable connection and any new hardware required. Since ethernet cable is already in place for the legacy DSL network, I'd like to re-use it with new base stations and Airport Expresses, just swapping out the old gear. But the Roaming Network setup instructions show all spokes coming out of the Primary Base Station. This does not match my situation, where my cable modem is in a different apartment from the hub of the old network.
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Will this configuration work? If not, can anyone suggest a better way? I'm an Apple products user but some of the other guys use Windows. My understanding is that this shouldn't be a problem.

What I mean is that ethernet can be wired through switches.. (or bridged routers which are switches).
So you have
Router----Switch--Client
.      .      .   |
.      .      .Switch--Client
.      .      . |
.      .      . Switch--Client
The correct way to do this is
Router----Client
.      |
.    Client
.      |
.     Client
etc.. all clients are ethernet connected back to the router.. no switches. That means loads of ethernet.. one for every client run all the way back to a central area.
What you are proposing is to run switches (bridged routers).. so you are using each ethernet link to connect more than one computer. This is wrong from a purists point of view.
Sorry for the ASCII art work.. but I hope it makes sense.
You do not need fancy gear to make this all work.. what you do need is a main controlling router.
You cannot have two routers.. so you cannot put a switch between the cable modem and use two router. You have cable modem---ROUTER.
That single router must therefore do all the work... part of that work is to provide some way to control usage.. so everyone gets a fair share.. and keep an eye on quotas.. sadly you cannot do both with any cheap routers I know of.. what I propose you do is WNDR3800 flashed to gargoyle firmware.. this is key.. this firmware will be able to track usage and allow each user a fixed amount of your bandwidth.. upload in particular.. as even with high speed on your download you still do not have upload of the same capacity.
As far as end users are concerned they do not need fancy equipment.. they just need a wireless router. So they can get connection by ethernet or wireless.
Talk to me directly if you need more help..email is here.
https://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/a-deconstruction-of-routers-and-modem s
my email is also in the profile. But I use the gmail more.

Snow Base Station Connection Flashes In and Out

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Woops. Should have gone through all the settings. In case it helps anyone else - resetting and resetting-up does not remove Access Control Settings. My computers weren't on the authorized list.

Swap out which is base station in 2 extreme set up

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Running a windows 7 computer.

You can swap the AiPort Extremes, but both of them will need to be completely re-configured....quite a chore.
If all you really need are more Ethernet ports, it would be simple matter to add a 5-port Ethernet switch to one of the Ethernet ports on the "main" AirPort Extreme to create more connection capability.
Any computer / electronics superstore will have what you need. Something like this, for example:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/5-Port-Gigabit-Ethernet-Switch-10-100-1000-Mbps/101048 35
Just connect an Ethernet cable from one of the working ports on the AirPort Extreme to the switch. Now you have 4 available Ethernet ports for devices. If you need even more connections, you can buy an 8-port switch, 16-port switch, etc.

Problems swapping out old Base Station for New ABE802.11n

I purchased a new AirPort Extreme w/ 802.11n to replace my old dome shaped base station extreme but have been unable to get new AirPort to work. Network is set up as follows: DSL modem connects to base station to create a wireless network. Ethernet port out of basestation connects to wired network. An AExpress located in another part of house connects to network via ethernet and is also set to create a wireless network with identical name, password as one created by Base Station, thereby extending the range of the wireless network (and allowing streaming of iTunes over in-house stereo system).
This set up worked perfectly with the old dome base station, but I have been unable to get new AirPort to create a functioning wireless network. It creates the network, but is then unable to connect to the internet. The wired network is working, and the AExpress portion of the wireless network is working, so I know its not my DSL connection.
Things I have tried: setting up the new APExtreme with the configuration file from the old base station (fail), setting the new APExtreme up as a new network, with new name (fail), turning off the AExpress and creating a new network with the APExtreme (fail). In every instance I get a network, but am unable to connect to the internet. The DSL modem is assigning IP addresses, so I've set the APExtreme up in bridge mode, although I tried the other DHCP settings and using PPPoE option, also with no luck.
Any guidance or insights would be appreciated.

Nevermind - I got it to work by changing from bridge mode to having the Base Station assign IP addresses. Airport Utility says that this is a problem, but I now have a fully functional wireless network.

AirPort Express Base Station sticks out too far (Solution)

Hi all,
I don't know if this comes up very often in this forum but a problem with having the Airport Express Base Station plug directly into the wall is that it sticks out too far, IMO.
I have one hooked up in my bedroom so I can play music over a BOSE Wave Radio. I have two possible power outlets to plug it into. One is next to the bed. There is about 18 inch gap between the bed and the wall. I don't want the device there because I may bump into it while making up the bed. The other place is behind the dresser. However, this spot would make me have to pull out the dresser a little too far from the wall than I would like. Behind the dresser is preferred because it is the closest outlet to the radio.
Solution: I went to a local hardware store and found a six socket mini power strip that plugs directly into the wall. Here in the US, our power outlets have two sockets lined up vertically. This device plugs into both sockets. The top plug has all three prongs. The bottom one only has one ground prong. Each side has three 3-hole sockets. The sockets on one side are upside down.
With this mini power strip, I can plug the Airport Express Base Station into the side of the strip such that the side of the base station is almost against the wall. Now, I can have my dresser very close to the wall. There is a very small gap between the base station and the wall and dresser to allow it to breathe.
I also plan on using more of the these mini power strips behind other pieces of furniture so that the furniture no longer pushes against power cords sticking out of other outlets. The one downside is that this mini power strip won't handle wide transformer based adapters.
I hope this tip helps others.
Enjoy life!
Steven

See the original message.

Is an updated version of the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station due to come out soon?

Is an updated version of the Apple Airport Extreme Base Station due to come out soon?

On a User to User Support Area, we are all users here, just like you.
No one here will know what a notoriously secretive company like Apple might plan to do, unless Apple has made an official announcement in that regard.
Anything else that you might have "heard", would be either rumor or speculation.
We try hard not to deal with either of these things on this support area.

Extreme base station worked, but no internet,... now locked out.

Situation:
Cable modem connected to Extreme base station. Powerbook G4 with 10.3.9 and iMac with 10.3.9 connected by airport to base station. This has been working for more then a year. This morning I had no internet connection on the G4 or the iMac.
Actions taken:
- resarted base station -> no result
- restarted modem -> no result
- checked connection to Base station -> good wireless connection; I could ping the base station, but nothing beyond
- connected Powerbook directly to modem by cable -> internet works
- checked settings base station -> base station seemed to obtain a normal IP address trough the modem
- hard reset of base station -> no result
- upgraded firmware to 5.7 -> got message "An error occurred while reading the configuration." when using the airport utility
- tried using password 'public' -> same message
- connected by cable to base station -> same message
So things certainly didn't improve since this morning. What else can I try?
regards, Wim
Powerbook G4, iMac Lime Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Thank you Will,
Today I upgraded the airport software on my Powerbook and was able again to connect to the Base station and use the airport utility. But I still could not connect to the internet.
Your post made me rethink my troubleshooting. I did restart the modem, but never disconnected it for more then a few seconds. I just tried it again, left it unconnected for over a minute and now it works again.
So thank you very much, your reply was very helpfull.
Regards,
Wim

Getting the Most Out of My Airport Express Base Station, Part# MB321LLA

I'm assigned in northern Europe and have recently ordered an Airport Express Base Station through the APO (US Military Postal Service). It hasn't arrived yet and I decided to read up on it's positives and negatives. I currently have an Apple iMac 27" and a HP PC on my wireless network at home. I recently purchased an iPad2 and enjoy using it over my wireless network while sitting in the living room in the evenings. Unfortunately, the wireless signal alternates between 1 and 2 bars (sometimes even 0 bars) causing considerable delay in downloading and surfing the web on my new iPad2. I recently purchased a new LED Samsung "Smart System" HD TV and plan on setting it up in the living room this next weekend (replacing a very old TV). Part of my plan was to order (which I have along with the Airport Express) Apple TV and hook it up to the new HD TV at the same time. I was concerned about the wireless signal strength, due to the non-Apple wireless router being on the far end of my home, so I ordered the Airport Express hoping it would do the job of boosting the range and also helping increase the wireless signal strength for both my Apple TV (which is still on order) and my newly purchased iPad2.
The question is this: What is the best way for me to set up the Airport Express to optimize the wireless network (and my investment). As previously mentioned, the primary non-Apple wireless router is at least 50 ft away and is on the far end of the house (going through several thick walls in the process) from my living room area where the new HD TV is to be installed. Is it best to just add the Airport Express to the existing router via an Ethernet connection and emulate the existing wireless network, or is it best to actually set it up in the living room at the other end of the house?
I wish I had read the comments in this forum prior to having ordered this new Airport Express device.
Thanks...
Cheyenne22

What is the best way for me to set up the Airport Express to optimize the wireless network (and my investment).
The "best" way to connect network devices is always using a wired Ethernet connection if possible. Bandwidth is much higher, and you don't have to worry about wireless interference from other electronic sources in the area or obstructions in the signal path that reduce the signal strength quickly.
The AirPort Express can "extend" or "repeat" a wireless signal (using a wireless connection only) from another AirPort router, such as an AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express. But, unfortunately it will not perform this service with devices from other manufacturers.
So, you will have to go the Ethernet connection option for your network.
If you configure the AirPort Express to "create a wireless network" using the exact same wireless network name, same type of security setting, and same password as your main router, it will provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located.
The AirPort Express will need to be in "bridge mode" to do this. AirPort Utility, the application used to set up the AirPort Express will walk you through the installation and select the bridge mode option for you.
You can use the USB port on the AirPort Express to connect a compatible printer. If you want to stream AirTunes to the Express, you will be able to do that as well.

My computer keeps dropping my network connection (or it times out), trying to figure out if it's a problem with my ISP or Base Station.

My computer keeps dropping off our in-house wireless network. I have called my ISP and they say everything on their end is fine. I'm trying to figure if there's a problem with my Base Station. The green light remains on at all times. On my cable modem, the light signaling "PC Activity" and all other appropriate lights are on. I often have to restart my Base Station which then allows me to connect for a short period of time before my computer drops off the network again. Our other associated devices around the house (iPhone, other PC, other Smart Phone) don't remain connected to the network as well.

Sporadic drop-offs of wireless clients typically indicates that there can be at least two primary causes: 1) The wireless router may be misconfigured or not functioning properly, and/or 2) There is a significant amount of Wi-Fi interference in the nearby area that is preventing the wireless router from providing a "clean" signal for wireless clients to maintain a connection.

2 out of 3 Mac computers cannot find Extreme base station

I have a new airport extreme. I'm using it In bridge mode as it's connected to existing wireless network. I want to use it to extend the very limited range of our wireless network.
We have 3 Apple computers, a new imac, a previouis generation imac and a macbookpro.
I set up the airport extreme configuration to bridge mode using the macbook pro.
However the other 2 computers cannot even find the extreme base station even if sat alongside it...
Do I need to change any settings on the other two computers to allow them to find the extreme?
Thanks

Stevanvf, Welcome to the discussion area!
Configure the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to connect to your ISP via PPPoE.
Configure the AEBS to share a single IP address.
Configure all of your computers so that PPPoE is disabled and instead use DHCP to get an IP address from the AEBS.

Do Base Stations eventually "peter out"?

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