Do I need an Apple Router (Time Capsule) to Use Airport Express?

I want to buy an Airport Express to use Wireless Printing, but there's one problem I still can't find out: Do I need a Time Capsule or any other Apple Router to use the Airport Express at all? I know I need one to extend a network, but what about anything else? What other features require an Apple Router? If most do, what are other options to connect it to my network?

Since you noted that you were using an iPad, are you looking for printing capability from the iPad?
If yes, you need an AirPrint compatible printer to be able to print directly from the iPad. An AirPort Express is not needed for this. Check this Apple support document for more details:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356
Connecting a printer that is a non-compatible AirPrint model to the AirPort Express will not make it AirPrint compatible.
So, before we get too much further here, it might be a good idea to understand exactly what your goals are and what devices you want to use.

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Time Capsule vs. Airport Express via Ethernet

Air;ort Express is connected to a DSL modem with an Ethernet cable. Time Machine is in turn connected directly to my MacBook Pro, again by Ethernet. Obviously something here is wrong, since the Time Machine persist in showing a blinking yellow light.
I think that this used to work but no longer. How did I sdrew up?

Does that in turn suggest that I should connect the Time Capsule directly to Airport Express?
when possible always run ethernet.. it is fast and reliable.. only when there is no other choice use wireless to link routers.. it is always poor.
You can use wireless from laptop to the Express or the TC.. that is fine.. but keep the wireless usage to something close and just once.. no double hop over wireless.
If you have ethernet there, use it.
Simply put the TC in bridge mode.. that is router bridge.
And make sure you are creating a wireless network on the TC.. same name and same security setting and password as the Express.. then the laptop can connect to whichever it is nearest to.
If you need complete diagrams or screenshots just ask.
life is a lot more complicated than it was when I bought my first 128K Mac in 1984.
Not always.. networking with modems and telephone wires was not always fun.. !!
You forget what it was like 30years ago.. !!
I started about that time but could never afford Macs. When I think of all the money I spent on computer gear over the years it is frightening.
Instructions here for roaming network since Apple has none up to date.
Setting Up Roaming - New AirPort Extremes and Utility

What is the maximum distance between a time capsule and an airport express?

What is the maximum distance between a time capsule and an airport express?

You can only "extend" the signal one time, so you need to have the AirPort Express located approximately 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance from the Time Capsule to the area that needs more wireless coverage.
I doubt that this will help much since you have a very challenging setup. Wireless is really only for "same room" or "nearby rooms" around the corner.
To do this correctly you will need to use an Ethernet cable connection from the Time Capsule to the AirPort Express, which could then be located close to the xBox.
If it is not possible to run the Ethernet cable, you might look at a pair of Ethernet powerline adapters to send a "psuedo" Ethernet signal over the AC wiring in your home.
This will not be anywhere near the performance of a regular Ethernet cable, but it will likely be much better than wireless.
Since Ethernet over powerline (EOP) is somewhat unpredictable, you would want to have a very clear understanding of the store's return policy in case things don't work out as hoped. Any computer / electronics superstore will have a selection of powerline adapters to choose from.

Force 802.11ac Connection To Time Capsule Rather Than Airport Express

I have a new Time Capsule and a new retina Macbook Pro, both with 802.11ac.
The Time Capsule is in my main room and my rMBP is in my offce. In between my office is the kitchen which has an Airport Express. The reason I have the Airport Express in the kitchen is because some devices such as iPads and iPhones have a hard time connecting to the Time Capsule, so the Airport Express extends the network.
The rMBP has no such problems. However, because the AE is closer, it stays connected to the AE rather than the TC. This of course means I don't get any 802.11ac advantages.
How can I force the rMBP to connect to the TC and ignore the AE?

LaPastenague had good advice for you. All that you need to do is use AirPort Utility to enable the option to assign a different name to the 5 GHz band on the Time Capsule.
Then, move your MBP close to the Time Capsule and "point" your MBP to that network. Then, check to insure that you have the MBP configured to connect to the 5 GHz network first in the connection priority list.
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Network
Click on WiFi on the left
Click Advanced at the lower right
Make sure that the 5 GHz network name is at the top of the connection order list. If it's not, drag it there
Make sure that there is a check mark in the box next to "Remember networks this computer has joined"
No other boxes should be checked
Click OK
Click Apply
Close the windows
Note.....As you know, 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so 5 GHz works best when wireless devices are in the same room, close proximity, or have line of sight with each other. If there are several walls or other obstructions in the signal path between the Time Capsule and MBP, the Mac may not connect at high speeds.

Can I link up one time capsule with two airport express, Can I link up one time capsule with two airport express

Hi, I would like to know whether I can link up one time capsule with two airport express. The result why is that I would like to put one time capsule at first floor, two airport express at 2nd floor and 3rd floor. All these three share one network. Please advise. Thanks.

There are several ways to conenct them. We need to know what it is you want to accomplish first. Do you want better Wi-Fi coverage on the second and third floors or do you want to stream music to the xpresses?

I have a "n" time capsule and "g" airport express

Hi, I'm trying to extend the range of my Airport Time Capsule (1st generation "n"). I have a "g" Airport Express and I've been trying to set it up as a remote base station (or do I mean "relay"?) to strengthen the signal in a distant room. It's not working! Is the problem that you can't use a "g" express with an "n" Time Capsule??? Do I need to buy an "n" Express, or is there something I'm doing wrong?

I'd suggest reading the Designing Airport Networks manual. There is a section on setting up a WDS with a Time Capsule and an Airport Express.

Time Capsule with (2) AirPort Express connection problem

I have (1) Airport Time Capsule with (1) AirPort Express connected. I'm trying to connect another Airport Express but only get a yellow light on the 2nd Express. If I connect it with a ethernet cable I get a green light. How do I connect a 2nd Express?

The 2nd Express needs to be about the same distance from the Time Capsule as the 1st Express....and....it cannot be closer to the 2nd Express than it is to the Time Capsule.
The reason for this is that the Express will pick up the strongest signal and you want the Express to pick up the Time Capsule signal to be able to extend it.
Then, start over as LaPastenague instructs on the 2nd Express and configure it again.

How can I set up a wi-fi network, using one time capsule and two airport express

how can I set up a wi-fi network, using one time capsule and two airport express ?
The time capsule is near the Mac. ok
The first Airport is on the corridor, ok, works well and the App on the iPad signals so, ok
But when I plug the next Airport on another room nearby nothing happens, and signals disconected ....
is the signal so weak that is not able to go to ono room to the other ?

Well, even if you have the first express set up to extend the network, the second express can only extend from the TimeCapsule.
Maybe you got walls of sheetrook in the way, or kitchen/bathroom tiles, etc, dampening the signal rapidly.

Time Capsule green and Airport Express blinking amber

I replaced my AEBX with a Time Capsule and now the AEX configured as an extender blinks amber continuously. Bringing up AirPort Utility and following the AU help instructions to find out why the blinking amber, shows that the AEX is operating normally. In fact, the little faux LED to the left of the AEX icon shows green while the real LED is blinking amber.
The AEX was solid green before installing the TC.
Anyone else seen this? Anyone know what's going on?

I cannot get Airport Utility to see both my Time Capsule and my Airport Express at the same time. When I disconnected from the Time Capsule network it saw the AEx but repeatedly said there was a problem configuring the device. So I am stuck.

Data rate slows over time: Using Time Capsule (4th) and AirPort Express (1st)

Time Capsule using Airport Express to extend network.
Over 3-4 days my data rate gradually gets slower and slower until I have to reboot both TC and AE.
Fresh reboot gets me 10Mbs or better for a while and then slows over time to 2Mbs or less.
I can cable directly to the ISP modem, taking TC and AE out of the equation, and its smokin fast
No hair left to pull out, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Time Capsule (4th gen) - Model A1409
Version - 7.6.4
Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
Wireless Security: WPA2
Channel: 149 (Automatic), 11 (Automatic)
Allow this network to be extended is checked
Radio Mode: Automatic
Multicast Rate: Low
Transmit Power: 100%
Use wide channels is checked
Guest Network is NOT enabled
Mac Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Connection Sharing: Share a public address
Using DHCP
One printer attached to Time Capsule
Airport Express (1st gen) - Model A1143
Version 7.6.4
Wireless Mode: Extend a wireless network
Wireless Security: WPA2
Channel: 11 (Automatic)
Mac Address Access Control: Not Enabled
Using DHCP

You have your wireless channels on auto.. it is usually better to control it.
You will notice I have different names for 2.4ghz and 5ghz.. then I can force the link to either band.
After you set Radio Channel selection to Manual,, click edit. You can then set the channels.
Lock the channels.. ie you take control and you set what the wireless channels will be.. when you extend wireless this works far better. The auto channel system has to run on the Extender.. but since the main base is fixed on the 2.4ghz so it will be also.. the only channel that can flap around is 5ghz (extender) since that is not under my control. Of course it is up to you to determine which channel works best.. I strongly recommend the upper channels for 2.4ghz and the lower channels for 5ghz.
So.. I have set 5ghz to 48 on the main base.. and the auto channel sets it to 149 in the extender.
One strange thing results from my setup .. (amongst many!!)
You cannot name the wireless for 5ghz in the extender.. so in my case the upstairs wireless extender has both 2.4ghz and 5ghz named TC24ghz.. nought that I can do about it. But it is not a big deal.
You can see the result in the wireless diagnostics. The last wireless I have put in the box.. it is named TC24ghz but is in fact running on 5ghz. That is just how the over automated system of the apple routers work.. If I could I would fix it.. and maybe shall via serial console at a later date.

Poor network speed with 1st generation time capsule and multiple airport express 5Ghz. My network speed slows to a crawl when not close to the time capsule. I get the range that I need, but the speed is painfully slow.

Hello,
I have a first generation time capsule running 802.11n (b/g compatable) and the airport expresse's are the newer 5ghz models. I have 3 airport express's and I have the range that I need. I can run the time capsule using 802.11n 5ghz, but I loose the range and can't connect to all of the airport express's. My computers and mobile devices run 802.11n. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase the network speed. Would the new airport extreme fix the problem?
Thank you

Unfortunately, you are experiencing one of the downsides to 5 GHz. That's because the higher frequency 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals.
After all, you always have to give up something to gain something else. In the case of 5 GHz, you gain potential speed but in return, you must give up penetration power and distance capability.
In order to work well, 5 GHz signals need to almost have a line-of-sight relationship between devices. Unless you can achieve this, you will do much better to leave the Time Capsule running at the 802.11n (b/g compatible) 2.4 GHz Radio Mode and allow the Express devices to "extend" that network.
As for the location of the AirPort Express devices in an exended network, that is critical for best performance. That's because the Express can only "extend" the quality and bandwidth of the signal that it receives. Post back if you need a few more tips on how to find the best location for the AirPort Express devices.
Would the new airport extreme fix the problem?
Unfortunately, no.

Setting up Air play with new time capsule and newer airport express?

I just recently purchased a new time capsule, and I'd like to use my current generation airport express to stream music from my apple devices. I just was wondering what I had to do in airport utility to set this up? I was also wondering how to transition the network over from the old express to the new time capsule as far software settings go. I really appreciate the help and assistance. Thanks folks. I'm really looking forward to setting up the network for our new iMac.

Your setup is very easy..
This is how I would do it.
Remove the express from the network.. ie just unplug it but do not change anything in it. Keep the configuration as is until the TC is working.
Power off the cable modem.. this is requirement.. at least 20min is usually needed, dependining on your ISP.
Go into the airport utility and setup the TC as router for your network .. it is a simple setup.. but I would do as stated.. all short names, no spaces pure alphanumeric rather than accept Apple's names. That is for TC and wireless.
After 20min power up the cable modem. Once it is running and you have internet access. you can proceed to setup the express to do the airplay. If the internet still doesn't work, power off the cable modem overnight..
Do not lose that express setup so if you absolutely have to, you can at any time substitute it back and have internet again.
So everything is working properly TC in place as full router.. now hard reset the express.. and simply use the airport utility to put it in extend wireless .. or plug in by ethernet if you are going to hard wire it.
The extend wireless setup is all done straight from the existing setup.
Now you can plug your express audio port into your speaker.. and setup the airplay via the itunes.
I will get Bob to give you his way of doing it.. There is no one RIGHT way .. but he can give you more info if you want a particular method.

Unusual Senario: Use Time Capsule to extend Airport Express network

I have an less common senaria here. I'd like to keep the TC on my desk and hide away the ugly cable modem. This is what I want to accomplish:
- Connect my airport express (802.11n model) to the cable modem and use it as the base station, in b/g/n mode.
- Wirelessly extend the above network to my TC.
- The TC will only be connected via ethernet and N equipped computer, so I want to run it in N (5GHz) only mode.
After some research, it seems to be not feasible, can anybody please confirm? Thanks for help.

If you are asking about extending using wireless only......Yes, if your existing network is being created by another Apple wireless router.
In this case, the Time Capsule would need to be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal in order to extend it correctly.

I've extended my Time Capsule wifi via Airport Express and the download speed is still super slow

I get an average of 80Mbps download speed when close to the Time Capsule. When I got upstairs in the house the download speed drastically drops. So I decided to extend the wifi range using an Airport Express. See image below. I've placed the Express router upstairs in the house and when I stand close to the Express I get a very slow download speed. About 7Mbps. Even slower than when I hadn't "extended" the range. What's going on...?

I've placed the Express router upstairs in the house and when I stand close to the Express I get a very slow download speed. About 7Mbps. Even slower than when I hadn't "extended" the range. What's going on...?
Well, the first rule that you need to remember is that when you "extend" using wireless.....you will have a drop in the potential speed on the network. So, while you might have more "range" for the network, the network speed will drop. Nothing that you can really do about that other than connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Express using a wired Ethernet connection. There will be no speed loss over the Ethernet cable, so the Express should deliver approximately the same speed as the Time Capsule.
The next rule is that when a device "extends" using wireless, it can only extend the quality and speed of the signal that it receives. A speed "boost" will not appear.
Try locating the Express about half way between the Time Capsule and the area that needs more wireless coverage. Anything that you can do to minimize obstructions between the Time Capsule and Express and on to the other area will help.....but you will never get close to the performance of connecting the AirPorts using an wired Ethernet cable.
Unfortunately, Apple really doesn't tell you very clearly, if at all, about important things like the two rules above.

Time capsule printing and airport express

Just set up a TC and am having a couple of problems:
1) Cannot print. At first I got a message that the printer could not be found. Went back and reinstalled the printer with correct driver (would not accept auto setup)...now get a message that printing is complete but nothing prints.
2) Airport Express. On setup, Airport Utility detects both TC and AE. I set up TC and then reconfigure AE to join the wireless network. AE either disappears from Airport Utility or looks as if it is OK, but won't work with iTunes. AE did work with iTunes before I got the TC.
Any suggestions?

Iann wrote:
First off - I'm not overly knowledgeable about networking. I have relied on the simplicity of everything for years and it has just worked - until today!
I had a perfectly good dlink router, four or more computers all hooked up to the internet as well as a wireless printer and via Airport Express a color laser, and my iTunes could, via Airport Express, pump music into two spots as well as through my Apple TV. Fantastic!
Sadly - as soon as I plugged in a Time Capsule directly to the cable modem, I could not print from any computer - (although early on I could print on both printers from mine) Now -nada . The Airport Expresses are flashing amber and I am lost. I unplugged my old dlink figuring they would all see the new Time Capsule and automatically do whatever they needed to do. One of the printers is wireless on its own ( no Airport Express) and it doesn't work either on any computer.
It sounds like the first thing you need to do is to reconfigure your AirPort Express units to work with the Time Capsule. The first thing I'd do is to connect to each one with AirPort Utility and do a File/"Save a Copy As" operation to save the configuration details in case you need to restore them. The next step depends on the model(s) of the AirPort Express units. If they are all model A1264 units, then things will be a lot simpler. If any of them are A1084 or A1088 models, then things will be a little more complicated, requiring you to configure things as a "WDS" network.

Do I need an Apple Router (Time Capsule) to Use Airport Express?

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