Express and Extreme to extend a network

Hi All
First post here. I have an extreme and an express both connected on Ethernet to a Netgear router. The netgear is the DHCP server, both Apple devices are set up to create a network. at the moment the networks have different SSID's as I cannot get them to operate stably if they both have the same SSID - which I what I would like to do and seems to be possible based on some of the threads that I have read. The issue with when both have the same SSID is that my devices battle to connect and when connected keep reconnecting - I have the channel settings set at manual spaced around 10 apart to minimise interference. The reason that I have 2 devices is that I cannot get reliable coverage across my house using only one. The devices that I access the network with are an ATV, iPod Touch and a couple of Windows machines. Another issue that I have is that the ATV doesn;t see the Airport Express that is around 20ft from it even though my windows boxes see it no problem - so the ATV keeps connecting to the dodgy connection from my Extreme that is far away from it - when I try an get the ATV to connect to the Airport Express it doesn't pick up the SSID and if I type it in manually it still doesn;t find it. Any ideas? Thanks

+at the moment the networks have different SSID's as I cannot get them to operate stably if they both have the same SSID - which I what I would like to do and seems to be possible based on some of the threads that I have read+
You must not only have the exact same SSID, the security settings and password must match identically to your "main" network. Are you using WPA/WPA2 security on the Netgear? If you are using one of the flavors of WEP, this almost always creates some compatibility issues with security settings and passwords, not to mention that it is not considered secure at this point.

Similar Messages

Airport Admin loses Express and Extreme, no iTunes, no Network Printer

Ever since I have upgraded to Tiger, I’ve experienced a strange, random Airport Extreme/Express problem which I have not been able to solve. I can sometimes replicate the problem but never consistently.
Laptop Configuration: 15” Powerbook G4 running Mac OS Tiger 10.4.3 with most current patches. System is stable and manifests no problems.
Airport Network Configuration: Network is closed with 128bit WEP encryption. No other laptops attached to the network besides my Powerbook.
Base Station: Airport Express attached to DSL modem with “Distribute IP Addresses” checkbox enabled, running firmware v6.2, stereo speakers plugged into audio jack. Network access is restricted by MAC address; RADIUS not in use, default IP address scheme is used.
Remote Base Station: Airport Extreme running firmware v5.6. The Extreme hosts a HP 1012 LaserJet printer plugged into the USB port and an IP phone plugged into the LAN port.
The Express and Extreme are within 15 feet of each other and enjoy a clear, strong 802.11b/g wireless signal on Channel 1 with a multicast setting of 11, interface robustness enabled and transmit power set to 100%.
Symptoms: iTunes loses its remote speakers setting; I cannot print to the network printer attached via USB to Airport Extreme; Airport Extreme and Express do not appear in Airport Admin Utility….yet I can access the network via the Powerbook, I have full internet access and IP phone can make calls. I just can’t print to the network printer or use AirTunes.
Troubleshooting: I can restore all functionality if I perform a hard reset of the Airport Express Base Station then re-import my saved Airport Express base station configuration settings. I typically look at the Airport Admin Utility to determine if functionality has been restored. If both the Airport Express and Extreme appear in the Admin utility, all is well. If they are not there, sometimes a laptop reboot will restore them, other times they will not appear when the Admin Utility is opened or when I rescan. If a rescan fails, I can access the Express and Extreme by typing in the IP address and password. Then each will show up in the Admin Utility and I can make changes and restart the devices. Even with a device restart, they will not automatically appear in the Admin Utility.
I first thought the problem was associated with the laptop going to sleep but this is not the case. Sometimes when I reset the Base Station, re-import the configs and reboot the laptop, I am able to automatically see the Express and Extreme in the Airport Admin Utility. Other times I can’t. Sometimes my settings will last a few days and I’ll enjoy full functionality then they will disappear. Other times they will disappear immediately, even with a reboot and a reset of the Express and Extreme.
If I use a 3rd party utility called Cocktail and reboot, I can restore functionality. Cocktail will delete all user, system and kernel caches, delete all log files, rerun disk permissions, and run the daily, weekly and monthly Apple Kron maintenance scripts. If I reboot after running Cocktail, my Airport Extreme and Express appear in the Admin Utility. Thus, I think the problem may be associated with a Airport Extreme cache file becoming corrupted or deleted upon reboot…….but I am not positive.
If there are any Airport experts out there, let me know what you think. I love Apple, I love my Mac and my little Airport Network…….but this is ******’ me off! Thus my plea for advanced geekery review and assistance.
Talk to me!

If the Airport Admin Utility cannot automatically "see" your Base Station, you have a big clue as to the cause of your problems. On a private LAN, it should never be necessary to select "Other" and manually type in the Base Station's IP address.
The most likely cause for the Airport Admin Utility not being able to automatically "see" an Airport Base Station - is a firewall on the Mac that is blocking it. Any of the following are possible:
- you have installed non-Apple firewall software on the Mac
- you have installed so-called "internet protection" software on the Mac
- you have installed "internet monitoring" software on the Mac (like "Little Snitch")
- you have installed VPN client software on the Mac - and many of these applications install their own firewall
All this stuff needs to go, since it will cause all sorts of trouble with communication between a Base Station or Airport Express, and a Mac.
I'd also be very worried about what this "Cocktail" utility is really doing to your system.

Have timecapsule & 2 express and want an extended wifi network

Have these 3 devices but couldnt make them work, tried to set extended wifi network, first assigning timecapsule wired from fiber modem and then setting both express as extended thru wifi...but these two not working...
I ve read that express should be located to base (timecapsule in this case) and cannot link all as chain, is that correct?
How can I set a set of express devices working as wifi amplifiers ???
Thank you in advance

Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature works like the hub and spokes of a wheel.
The Time Capsule would be your 'hub". One AirPort Express would be at the end of a "spoke", since it must communicate directly to the "hub".
You could have a second (or third, or fourth) Airport Express at the end of other "spokes", but each Express must communicate directly to the "hub".
AirPort Express devices at the ends of the "spokes" cannot communicate to other AirPort Express devices at the ends of other "spokes".
Another way of saying the same thing is that although you can have multiple extenders, you can only extend the wireless signal one time, not two times. The devices can not be linked as a chain.
We assume that both of your AirPort Express devices are 802.11n models. Is that correct?
We also need to know what version of AirPort Utility that you are using in order to provide more tips. If you are not sure, open AirPort Utility, click on the AirPort Utility menu in the upper left corner of the screen, and then click About AirPort Utility. Please post back with the version number that you see there.

Use old express and extreme inside of "n" network?

I currently have an old extreme and express that connects my house to my parents so they can "share" my internet. The connection is ok but I plan on purchasing a new extreme "n" and express "n" to replace them mainly for range and better speed so I can utilize a time machine air disk. My mom's pc uses "g" only so I still need to maintain a "g" connection but I'm afraid I'll lose the speed and range of "n" if I enable "g". I have the old extreme and express to work with, can I plug the old extreme into my express at my parent's house and run a smaller "g" network inside of my n network? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

...can I plug the old extreme into my express at my parent's house and run a smaller "g" network inside of my n network?
Since the AirPort Express (AX) only has a single Ethernet port, this is not possible.
However you can connect the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to the ISP's modem and then connect the AX to one of the LAN ports on the AEBS.

Express as base and extreme as extender?

Can I use an express as a base (need the audio out since the modem is near the stereo) and an extreme as the extender and bridge? Do I lose anything by not having the extreme as the base?

Can I use an express as a base (need the audio out since the modem is near the stereo) and an extreme as the extender and bridge?
Yes, if both the Express and Extreme are 802.11n versions of the products.
If you are not sure, check the Model No of the Express on the label on the side of the device. You want to see A1264 there.
If the Extreme is "square" shaped with rounded corners, you have an "n" version. If it's round, like a flying saucer, you have the older version of the product, which will really complicate things and drop performance in a big way.
Even if you have a newer simultaneous dual band version of the Extreme, it will only be able to extend the single band produced by the Express.
Do I lose anything by not having the extreme as the base?
Ethernet ports, ability to connect a hard drive to the USB port. The Express can handle up to 10 wireless connections, while the Extreme will handle up to 50 as the "main" router. You could still connect to the Ethernet ports on the Extreme with it set up as an extender, but the Ethernet connection will only be as fast as the wireless "hop" between the Express and Extreme.
If the Extreme is dual band capable, it will drop to single band in your proposed setup.

Link Express and Extreme?

I live in a two-floor apartment. My Ethernet connection plugs into an Airport Express on the first floor. The signal upstairs is a little weak.
If I buy an Airport Extreme and put it upstairs, will it amplify the signal from the Express and give me a better connection upstairs?
Also: If that works, and I can link the Express and Extreme, can I plug a USB HD into the Extreme that's sitting upstairs? Or does the Ethernet have to be fed directly into the Extreme?

XYU77, Welcome to the discussion area!
You can configure the AirPort Express (AX) and AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to wirelessly connect using WDS. The AEBS will then extend the wireless signal from the AX. All of the AEBS's service would be available... this includes a connected USB hard drive.

Problems with Airport Express and Extreme

I have tried to set up Airport Express and Extreme. Both proceeded normally in the Air Port Utility until the final stages. Then it said it couldn't find the devices. When I tried again (many times), I couldn't even start the process, even though it did that the first time for both. I'm stumped.

To set up the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) as a bridge, either connect to the AEBSn's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to one of the LAN port of the AEBSn, and then, using the AirPort Utility, make these settings:
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection tab
Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update to apply the new settings
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 AEBSn'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 AirPlay (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

What is the difference between express and extreme?

I am wondering what is the difference between express and extreme and will there be any effect in performance if I am just using it at home?

I am just looking for router that gives me reliable highspeed wi-fi for personal use within my home.
Wireless performance is roughly equal between the two devices, with a slight edge to the Extreme since it uses a bit better antenna package.
If I connect the the hard drive to the extreme, does that mean I can back up all my data wirelessly through the port into my external hard drive?
Yes, if you backup manually, or use an application like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper.
No, if you were planning to use Apple's Time Machine application since Time Machine backups to a hard drive at the USB port of the AirPort Extreme are not officially supported by Apple.

Differences between AirPort Express and Extreme?

What are they differences between AirPort Express and Extreme?

You can find all the differences between the AirPort Express and Extreme in this website > http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

What are the main differences between airport express and extreme?

what are the main differences between the express and extreme base stations.

In addition to Bob Timmons' link the main differences are as follows:
Extreme has a slightly more powerful antenna (might not be true but from experience it seems to be)
Extreme has USB HDD sharing
Express has AirPlay
Extreme has 3 Gigabit ports (don't be confused by Apple's page. Apple states 4 including WAN, 3 without WAN)
Express is smaller
Express has 10/100 Ethernet whereas Extreme has Gigabit

Any software differences between new airport express and extreme?

I was wondering if there are any features or configuration differences between the two, such as configuring VPN passthrough.
The only difference I can see is using the USB for hard drive use.
Also, do you think the performance will be similar. I know the time capsule actually rated slower than the extreme even though they use similar hardware.

You can find all the differences between the AirPort Express and Extreme in this website > http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

TS1741 Remote isn't recognising my new AirPort Extreme but does pick up an old appleTV and ap express and extreme.anyone know why? It does pick it up from the Music app

Remote isn't recognising my new AirPort Extreme but does pick up an old appleTV and ap express and extreme.Anyone know why? It does pick it up the new AP express from the Music app and plays through a single speaker

Remote isn't recognising my new AirPort Extreme but does pick up an old appleTV and ap express and extreme.Anyone know why? It does pick it up the new AP express from the Music app and plays through a single speaker

Hi. Does anyone know how to extend the airport express and extreme with Cisco Router DPC3925. I have upgrade my wireless to 50Mbps. Thank you

Hi,
Can someone help.
I have a Cisco router DPC3925 provided by the ISP and I cannot extend my wireless with Airport Express.
Also I intend to extend it with Airport Extreme.
Please help.
Thank you.

Sorry, but your post is not clear. The topic of this thread is how to extend an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme with a Cisco router.
This would mean that the main router was an AirPort device and the Cisco would be extending the existing network provided by the AirPort.
Is that really what you want to do?
If not, then it sounds like your Cisco ISP provided wireless router is your "main" router and you will be using the Time Capsule to extend the network.
Please start another post to tell us exactly.......
What device will be the main router providing your Internet connection and wireless network
What device will extend the network
What operating system that you have on your Mac or PC

Different network name for Express and Extreme

I extend wifi range from Extreme by using Express. It works and the wifi network name is the same (so any devices can connect to wifi with same credential).
Can I change the wifi network name of Express (different than wifi name of Extreme)? Since express supports up to 10 devices so I will only let some devices connect to Express's range.
Thanks.

Unfortunately, Carolyn Samits advice will only allow you to change the Base Station or "device" name of your AirPort routers.......not change the name of the wireless network.
I extend wifi range from Extreme by using Express
If the AirPort Express connects to the AirPort Extreme using a wireless connection, then you cannot change the wireless network name on either device and have the network extend.
However, if you have the AirPort Express connected to the AIrPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection.....and you are extending that way.....then you can change the name of the wireless network on either the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme.
Please post back to clarify how you have the AirPort Express configured to 'extend"......wireless or Ethernet.

Problems Extending latest Express and Extreme

I have the latest extreme and just bought the latest express to extend my network.
I have tried both manual and 'auto' methods to extend the network. The extreme is in my basement, the express is 2 rooms away in an area that gets 3 out of 4 possible bars reception according to my laptop. I want to wirelessly extend.
There are multiple issues:
1). The express flases orange
2). The extress vanishes once set up so that I cannot see it via the airport utility
3). It obviously isn't working as 1 foot from the express the signal does not go to full bars
Any help appreciated - can't see it mentioned elsewhere where the express vanishes under the airport uti

OK, thanks for checking that for me. We'll need to check your settings on both the AirPort Extreme and the Express.
Open AirPort Utility, select the AirPort Extreme, and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab located just below the row of icons
Make sure that there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended" on this page
Update to save any changes
Open AirPort Utility, select the AirPort Express, and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab...settings should look like this:
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the AirPort Extreme network
Check mark next to Allow Wireless Clients
Wireless Security = Same setting as the AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme
Confirm Password
Update to save any changes and allow 40-45 seconds for the Express to restart
Then power down the entire network....all devices...order is not important
Wait a moment, then start the modem first and let it run a moment or two by itself
Start the AirPort Extreme the same way
Start the Express the same way
Start each other device one at a time about a minute apart
Check for proper operation
A good location for the Express is a point that is about half the distance from the AirPort Extreme to the general area that needs more wireless coverage. Depending on obstructions, you may need to vary this a bit.
Post back on your progress and I will give you a tip to know which device.....AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express....your Mac is connecting to any given location.

Express and Extreme to extend a network

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for