Dualband with Time Capsule extending AirPort Express - is it possible?

Hi all!
I have an Early 2009 Time Capsule and an Early 2010 AirPort Express.
Currently the AirPort Express is downstairs where the broadband connection enters the house, broadcasting at 5Ghz Wireless N only. Extending it is the TC upstairs which broadcasts the signal as Wireless B/G/N 2.4ghz and Wireless N 5 Ghz. This is because the TC has greater range so if it is in the middle of the house it will reach pretty much everywhere, or so I thought.
I would like to put the TC back in two network mode (2.4 and 5 ghz) because my macbook keeps switching to the 2.4ghz network, decreasing latency and throughput even more. Is there a way to have the AirPort Express channel the 100mb internet to the TC but still have the TC broadcasting in dual network mode so as to reach the whole house with maximum throughput? And would it be possible to have the AirPort Express also broadcast at 2.4ghz G to use my iPod touch and older laptop there? Currently its broadcasting at 5ghz because otherwise the TC extends the 2.4ghz which makes the whole setup much slower.
Thanks in advance,
Wessel

When configured to extend a wireless network, the simultaneous dual-band TC can only extend either the 2.4 OR the 5 GHz radio of the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), depending on which Radio Mode you have the AXn configured for. To be able to extend both bands, you would need another simultaneous dual-band TC or AirPort Extreme ... and only if both bands are within range of each other. That is, if the two routers are too far apart, you may end up only extending the 2.4 GHz network.
Your TC will ALWAYS operate on both bands separately. The only difference is, whether or not, you want to use the same Network Name (aka SSID) or not.

Similar Messages

  • Dual band with Time Capsule extending AirPort Express - is it possible?

    Hi all!
    I have an Early 2009 Time Capsule and an Early 2010 AirPort Express.
    Currently the AirPort Express is downstairs where the broadband connection enters the house, broadcasting at 5Ghz Wireless N only. Extending it is the TC upstairs which broadcasts the signal as Wireless B/G/N 2.4ghz and Wireless N 5 Ghz. This is because the TC has greater range so if it is in the middle of the house it will reach pretty much everywhere, or so I thought.
    I would like to put the TC back in two network mode (2.4 and 5 ghz) because my macbook keeps switching to the 2.4ghz network, decreasing latency and throughput even more. Is there a way to have the AirPort Express channel the 100mb internet to the TC but still have the TC broadcasting in dual network mode so as to reach the whole house with maximum throughput? And would it be possible to have the AirPort Express also broadcast at 2.4ghz G to use my iPod touch and older laptop there? Currently its broadcasting at 5ghz because otherwise the TC extends the 2.4ghz which makes the whole setup much slower.
    Thanks in advance,
    Wessel

    Is there a way to have the AirPort Express channel the 100mb internet to the TC but still have the TC broadcasting in dual network mode so as to reach the whole house with maximum throughput?
    Unfortunately, this is not possible. The AirPort Express can only broadcast a single band at one time, not dual bands. If you have the TC setup to "extend a wireless network", the TC will only extend the signal that it receives, which is a single band signal from the AirPort Express.
    And would it be possible to have the AirPort Express also broadcast at 2.4ghz G to use my iPod touch and older laptop there?
    As we pointed out, the AirPort Express is a single band device. It can broadcast a 2.4 GHz signal or a 5 GHz signal, +but not both simultaneously+. So, if the Express is broadcasting 5 GHz, it cannot also broadcast 2.4 GHz at the same time.
    To do what you want, you need an simultaneous dual band AirPort Extreme in place of the AirPort Express. The Extreme will broadcast both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously, and if your TC is a simultaneous dual band device, it will extend both the 2.4 GHz and 5 Hz bands.

  • Dual-band with Time Capsule extending AirPort Express

    Hi all!
    I have an Early 2009 Time Capsule and an Early 2010 AirPort Express.
    Currently the AirPort Express is downstairs where the broadband connection enters the house, broadcasting at 5Ghz Wireless N only. Extending it is the TC upstairs which broadcasts the signal as Wireless B/G/N 2.4ghz and Wireless N 5 Ghz. This is because the TC has greater range so if it is in the middle of the house it will reach pretty much everywhere, or so I thought.
    I would like to put the TC back in two network mode (2.4 and 5 ghz) because my macbook keeps switching to the 2.4ghz network, decreasing latency and throughput even more. Is there a way to have the AirPort Express channel the 100mb internet to the TC but still have the TC broadcasting in dual network mode so as to reach the whole house with maximum throughput? And would it be possible to have the AirPort Express also broadcast at 2.4ghz G to use my iPod touch and older laptop there? Currently its broadcasting at 5ghz because otherwise the TC extends the 2.4ghz which makes the whole setup much slower.
    Thanks in advance,
    Wessel

    See my answer to your other post.

  • Apple TV Inference with Time Capsule and Airport express?

    I have recently bought an Apple TV 2, which seem to be working fine, however since installing it on my wireless network both my Time Capsule and Airport Express can't be found. Following some fault finding it seems that when I unplug the Apple TV I can reconfingure the TC and AE.
    The TC and AE are configured to join my existing network....and have happy sat there for a few years.
    I would really welcome any ideas.
    Thanks
    R

    Welcome to the discussions!
    It sounds like you have the basic configuration covered correctly.
    You might want to check some settings on the TC:
    Wireless Mode would be create a wireless network
    "Allow this network to be extended" should be checked
    The AX should be set to "extend a wireless network"
    The "allow wireless clients" box should be checked
    In this configuration, the ethernet port on the AX is active so things should work.
    A minor point...Although the TC is a dual band device, the AirPort Express is not. Can you make sure that that the Express is connecting to the "main" network on your TC? The "guest" network cannot be "extended".
    If you place your laptop close to the Express and hold down the option key while you click on the AirPort icon, some connection information will be displayed. The MAC address of the device that the laptop is connecting to will be indicated. Make sure that that this is the MAC address of the AX, and not the TC.
    Another note...If you have not changed the default "main" network, the radio mode is broadcasting 802.11n only at 5 GHz. These higher frequencies are absorbed by walls, ceilings and any obstructions much more quickly than 2.4 GHz signals. So, if you AX is some distance away, you may not be receiving a strong signal for the device at that location.
    If you have a signal strength utility on your laptop (the "bars" at the top of the screen are not a very good indicator of actual signal strength), turn off the AX and take a reading to see what kind of signal the Express is receiving where it is located.
    Please post back with your results.

  • Installation issues with Time Capsule and Airport express

    I hope I'm not over sharing, but I want to get as much info out as possible.
    I just purchased a 4th generation Time Capsule and have two 1st gen Airport Expresses, which have always worked flawlessly. The TC is about 6 feet from the cable modem, the first Express is about an additonal 15' away pluged into the power strip with the entertainment equipment. The second AE is an additional 20' further. When "trying" to use the internet via wi-fi in my office, even though the icon on the top of the screen & airport utility shows full connectivity, but in reality I have very slow or no wi-fi.
    The TC wireless mode is Create a wireless network, internet connection sharing - share a public IP addressand. Both the AE's wireless mode is Extend a wireless network. The internet correction - connection sharing is off.

    Your TC replaced what?
    Are you extending on 2.4ghz?
    There is a chance the TC is lower than the router it replaced.. you may need to get the second Express closer to get a good signal so it can extend properly.. the idea is to have the express in about the centre of signal strength not distance.. use your laptop if you have one with a wireless analysis program like istumbler to find the signal at the TC from say 3M.. at the express 1 and at the express 2. Work out if the signal is too low and move them as appropiate.
    Or.. think the arrangement and use something like EOP adapters direct to your office.. they can work hugely better than wireless. (or just as badly.. depending on the house wiring).

  • Airplay with Time Capsule and Airport Express

    I have a Time Capsule on the 2nd floor conected to my iMac and on the 1st floor I have a Airport Express which is connected to my hifi-speakers. I tried to get access with my iPhone over Airplay (with the App "Remote") from the 1st floor to the iMac on the 2nd floor.
    Is a connection possible from Airport Express which is located on the 1st floor to the Time Capsule on the 2nd floor which is connected to the iMac to get access to my iTunes library located on the iMac? Or do i need a second Airport Express on the 2nd floor?

    Here's how you would configure the AirPort Express for iTunes:
    AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - iTunes Setup
    Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
    AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
    Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
    Network Name: <existing TC's wireless network>
    Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
    Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
    Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
    AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup >Music
    Enable AirTunes (checked)
    iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
    iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
    Verify Password: (optional)
    Click Update to write the new settings to the AX
    In iTunes:
    iTunes > Preferences... > Advanced > General
    Look for remote speakers connected with AirTunes (checked)

  • Do I need a cable connecting my Time Capsule to Airport Express if I want to use the AE to extend my wifi network range?

    I'm a bit confused by conflicting advice given by my local Apple shop and my internet provider. 
    My cable modem is plugged into a Time Capsule which I use to access the net wirelessly almost all over the house.  The one spot the wireless doesn't quite reach is (of course) where I now need my office and iMac to be.
    I thought I could just plug in an Airport Express somewhere in the middle  to extend the network's range but the guy at my local Apple shop said the Airport Express would need to be connected not just to power but to the Time Capsule, via a cable.  That's fiddly and would involve cables running under the floor or along walls and ceilings, not something I can or really want to do.  It's not really practical to try and move the cable connection point either.
    My internet provider suggested a netgear wireless extender and said that would only need to be plugged into power.  The reviews of the netgear product I found comparing it to Airport Express suggest that the Express doesn't need to be connected to anything other than power either to extend a network range (which was what I originally thought).
    So I'm wondering which advice is correct? I've also read that the netgear product isn't all that easy to set up so I'd rather stick with.   Apple if it will do what I want.
    Thanks for any help out there

    I thought I could just plug in an Airport Express somewhere in the middle  to extend the network's range but the guy at my local Apple shop said the Airport Express would need to be connected not just to power but to the Time Capsule, via a cable.
    I'm sure that the guy at the Apple shop means well, but he is not correct. 
    While it would be preferable to connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Express using a wired Ethernet connection, the Express can connect wirelessly and extend the wireless signal the same way....IF...it is located where it can receive a good wireless signal.

  • How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

    How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

    Sorry, but it is not possible to "extend" the Guest Network using either wireless or an Ethernet connection.

  • Will Time Capsule or Airport Express resolve my WiFi problem?

    Hi
    I have a regular 2.4 GHz WiFi router which i am using currently. The problem is there are too many WiFi users around me and it seems my WiFi keeps turning off due to interference. I have tried chaning channels but all in vain. Initially I thought it was a router issue but now I have turned off WiFi completely and using internet on ethernet cable and it has been working fine without any disconnection. So definitely it is the WiFi interference problem. I really want to use WiFi as i want the mobility. Do you think using a time capsule or Airport Express resolve this problem?

    It is troublesome. Use ethernet instead of wireless.
    Reset the whole network to factory and start again.
    Yosemite can see nothing that it does not setup itself it seems.
    Factory reset universal
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    N.B. None of your files on the hard disk of the TC are deleted.. this simply clears out the router settings of the TC.

  • Question about Time Capsule and Airport Express co-existence

    I have a new 3TB ME182LL/A Time Capsule attached to my wired home LAN, in bridge mode.  It works fine both as an access point on the upper floors of my home and as a Time Machine device. I also have an Airport Express, whose function in my network is solely to control my whole-house audio system from ITunes. I don't need, want, or use the wireless networking features of the Airport Express. I just have an audio cable running from it to my stereo, and an Ethernet patch cable connects it to my wired LAN.  The network mode in the Airport Express is set to "off".  Historically, the Airport Express has worked fine in this wired lan mode.  However, I unplugged it at some point while having some initial trouble deploying the new Time Capsule and only turned it back on today.  After turning it back on I observed something strange. My speedy wireless connection upstairs via the Time Capsule became slow. And when I launched Airport Utility, it drew a network diagram which showed my Time Capsule as a CLIENT of the Airport Express. In other words, the network diagram showed Internet at the top, then a vertical line down the the Airport Express, then the Time Capsule below that.  The correct / desired diagram would be the Time Capsule and Airport express as peers.  I connected to the Airport Express and verified that network mode was set to "off" but the incorrect network diagram persisted (as did poor wireless performance) until I unplugged the Airport Express.  After I did that, the Airport Utility drew the network correctly, although of course it showed a yellow caution sign next to the Airport Express, since it was down. And my wireless speed / reliability returned to normal. What is going on here?

    The automatic setup in the airport utility has changed something.
    Is the line down to the TC from the express dotted.. in other words is wireless??
    Funny stuff happens.
    Please post the screenshots of the 3 pages from the airport utility setup for both airport express and TC..
    Make sure wireless is set to off in the express.
    Both should be set to dhcp on the internet tab and both set to off bridge mode on the network tab.
    So for example the bridge on the network tab.
    The summary page can also be a help.
    There is a half summary page when you click the item in the airport utility.
    There is also a fully summary page, when you hold option key and double click the TC icon for example.

  • Time Capsule to Airport Express extension

    I have recently set up a Time Capsule and Airport Express, the latter as an extension, without trouble. Needed further extension and purchased another AE. Although I get a green light on the second AE there is no extension of the WiFi to the area where the second AE is placed. I have re-set up all the components multiple times without success. Using Airport Utility 5.5.1 on a 27" late 2009 IMac, system 10.6.4. In advance thank you for any help.

    Ok, here is the basic steps to configure your base stations into a static WDS:
    (Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, temporarily connect the remote & relay base stations to the TC by Ethernet during the set up phase, and then, relocate them to the desired locations when complete. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (wireless MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)
    Main Base Station Setup - TC
    o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
    o Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
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    o Enter the base station password if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
    o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then, choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu. Note: You will need to hold down the Option key in order to get this option on the AEBSn, 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), or Time Capsule (TC).
    o Click WDS and then, choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
    o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
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    o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
    Remote Base Station Setup - AX#2
    o Open AirPort Utility; select the remote base station, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
    o Enter the base station password, if necessary.
    o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
    o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
    o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
    o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
    o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
    Relay Base Station Setup - AX#1
    o Open AirPort Utility; select the relay base station, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
    o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
    o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
    o Click WDS and choose “WDS relay” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
    o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the Main AirPort ID field.
    o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the remote base station this relay base station will connect to.
    o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.
    (ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

  • Extending g wireless from Time Capsule using Airport Express...

    Hi,
    My Time Machine is working well and I have two old Airport Express units that I'd like to use as wireless extenders.
    The Airport Expresses are the older type (i.e. only do 'g' wireless) and, according to the AirPort utility, they can't see the Time Capsule. My iPhone can connect OK so the 'g' network must be working.
    Am I doing something wrong? Can I use my Airport Expresses to do this?
    Thanks!

    Thanks for the info. Your iPhone is connecting to the Time Capsule, not either of the AirPort Express devices.
    In order to configure the AirPort Express devices to extend the wireless network, your Time Capsule Wireless Mode would need to be set to "Participate in a WDS network". You probably did not see this choice because it is "hidden". Hold down the "option" key on your computer while you click on the selection box to see if it appears.
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    If you are getting acceptable wireless performance with the Time Capsule now, I would be tempted to leave well enough alone until you could add an AirPort Express "n" version, which would allow you to use the "extend a wireless network" setting. This is a much better performing arrangement and much easier to configure.
    The WDS configuration is quite complex and frankly difficult for many users. To get an idea of the process, read over pages 42-44 in the Designing AirPort Networks Guide.
    If you want to try this anyway, you will need reconfigure your Time Capsule and both Express devices to work in the WDS setup.

  • Extending a network with Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme (via Belkin powerline)

    Hello -
    I've seen many topics about extending wireless networks here, but none seems to resolve the issue I'm having. I currently have a setup where a DSL cable modem is connected to a Time Capsule and I need to extend this network to another room using an AirPort Extreme.
    I live in a very old apartment in Brazil and the walls seem to block the signal from one room to another, hence the need to extend it. Since wireless signal is very weak between rooms, I bought a Belkin powerline AV500 so I could connect both Time Capsule and AirPort using the electrical power at home (just installing a regular Ethernet cable between rooms is not an option).
    I started with the basics: configure the Time Capsule + DSL as a standalone network, and it works perfectly within it's range. Then I connected the Belking powerline, plugged a MacBook via Ethernet on the other end and still got very good results (actually better speed than expected). Used it for a while with streaming and other network intensive tasks to make sure it could sustain the connection.
    Finally, pluggned the AirPort Extreme on the Belking powerline and this is where the problems started. AirPort Utility 6.3.1 only gives me the option of extending a network wirelessly - it doesn't seem to give me the option of extending it via Etherenet (roaming), which is not good in my case. Luckly I had a copy of AirPort Utility 5.6 which seems to do the job (or I thought so), but it's still not working well.
    Although I managed to configure both with the same name, it doesn't seem reliable and some devices (the iPhone 5, for example) are unable to connect and end up with a self-asigned IP address. I'm almost sure I'm doing something wrong on the setup, as I've seen a similar setup working before, so if anyone out there has any clue of what can be done, it will be much appreciated.
    Attached the screenshots of both Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme configurations.
    Thanks a lot,
    -TM
    AirPort Exteme:
    Time Capsule:

    Hello JuliaApple. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    You have several ways to configure both base stations for what you are trying to do.
    The simplest would be to configure the Time Capsule (TC) to "join" (AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab > Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network) your existing 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn). In this type of configuration the TC would perform as any other wireless client and not perform as a router. It will; however, still allow for both backups and sharing USB devices attached to it.

  • Airtune Over Ethernet  with Time Capsule or Airport Extreme

    Can the previous generation Time Capsule or Airport Extreme bridge an ethernet client to an Airtunes network?
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    Problem: I have 3-802.11g clients dragging my wifi network. I would like to dedicate the iMac's internal network to the g-clients so I don't have to use compatibility mode for my n-network. However, I will lose Airtunes speaker support when I use internet sharing over the built-in Airport. Airtunes does not appear to support the Time Capsule ethernet client.
    Nodes:
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    -AE 802.11n (Airtunes and USB printer)
    -1st gen Time Capsule (Internet gateway, "creating network" 802.11 g/n,
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    -Canon MP620 (USB to iMac, wifi to Macbook)

    Further to Bob's comments..
    A Gen1 TC will be using marvel wireless chip and your 2008 and 2010 Macbook will use atheros and/or broadcom cards.. Just open your system profiler and look for info on the airport. We find the mixture of wireless chipsets especially older draft N and later N products can give very varied results.
    The very fact you are linking at 270 and not 300mbps shows some reduction from theoretical max speed.. and really to get over 100mbps with any wireless you need perfect setup.. matched wireless chips etc.
    Do a test uploading and downloading a file to the TC to see if the LAN speed is better than internet speed.
    In reality I think you are doing especially well.. we see loads of people complaining about slow internet here who are getting less than 10% of the speed they get direct when routed through the TC. And on most occasions the limit in speed is not really going to affect what you do, as the real links to the internet are not that fast.

  • TIme capsule AND airport express as PRIMARY wireless?

    I have a time capsule, extended the network to AirportExpress but it stinks! I still cannot get good service in that part of the house- and therefore, cannot use my apple TV very well.
    SO, I have now hardwired the airport express to a new cable modem in the other end of the house and would like to use BOTH to get a strong signal. 
    Is this possible?  How can I set it up?  I basically want both devices to be 'primary'. 
    thanks!

    THanks!  That worked momentarily.  Turns out, Comcast does not let you have 2 IP addresses...so, it eventually recognizes the new modem as 'new' and then I can't set it up. 
    bummer.
    guess I need to crawl under the house and hard wire it from my original modem.
    thank yoU!

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