Express and Extreme together

Had an Airport Express hooked up to an ethernet connection in my basement as my base station with a second Express in my office as a relay connected to my printer as a USB peripheral.
Then I went and bought an Airport Extreme in order to have a USB harddrive peripheral (G Drive 250Gb- highly recomended btw). So the Extreme is hooked up to the ethernet in the basement and it's working great. I have fast connect times and my external hd is on my desktop freeing up my internal hd of data (like my 100Gb iTunes folder which is now 'offshore'.)
Here's the problem: my extreme doesn't seem to want to allow my express to act as a relay. I find the express no problem in my Airport Utility but Setup Assistant won't allow me to turn it into a relay. So as of now I cannot print unless I bring my printer down to the basement and hook it up to the Extreme along with the hd using a USB hub.
Maybe I need to buy a second Extreme to act as a relay?
Any thoughts?
MB Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Don't use the AirPort Setup Assistant. You should use the new AirPort Utility to set up both the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) and your AirPort Express Base Station (AX) for WDS.
Wireless Distribution System (WDS) - Remote Base Station Setup
"Factory Reset" the AX Base Station(s)
- (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
(Note: To facilitate setting up the Base Station(s), place them in near proximity of each other during the set up phase.)
Temporarily connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility (in Manual Mode) to make the following settings:
AirPort - Wireless tab
- Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
- Network Name: <existing AirPort Network Name>
- Radio Mode: 802.11b/g compatible
- Channel: 1
- Wireless Security: None
AirPort - WDS tab
- WDS Mode: WDS remote
- Allow wireless clients (enabled)
- WDS Main: <MAC address of the Main Base Station>
Internet - Internet Connection tab
- Connect Using: AirPort (WDS)
- Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
- Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
- Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)

Similar Messages

Using Airport Express and Extreme Together

I have the old Airport Express and have just bought the latest Extreme. I'm sure Extreme will work fine with my iMac but am not so sure it will work with my G4 Powerbook as it does not have the recommended software requirements. Is there anyway I can setup a network using both the old Express and the new Extreme?

Welcome to the discussions!
Your old AirPort Express is a "g" wireless device while your new AirPort Extreme is a newer and much faster "n" wireless device.
If you are asking if you can use your old AirPort Express to "extend" the wireless from the AirPort Extreme using wireless only, the answer is yes....BUT....your new AirPort Extreme will drop down to old "g" wireless levels if you do this.
The setup procedure for this is quite difficult and frustrating for many users. To get an idea of what is involved if you want to try this, see this link for the procedure:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2355832&tstart=0
IF...you are able to connect the AirPort Express to your AirPort Extreme using an ethernet connection, the setup will be much easier to accomplish and your AirPort Extreme will maintain faster "n" speeds on the wireless. Post back for more details if that is a possibility.

Airport Express and Extreme together and having slight problems?

Ok, a few problems here. I have the latest 5th generation Airport Extreme that I just replaced from a 2nd gen. one. Now this 5th gen Extremen is hard wired into my cable modem which is 15 meg download speed. I also purchased the Airport Express to extend the coverage. Where I am confused is the extreme is in the basement and the express is upstairs and honestly I am not noticing any difference than when I had the 2nd gen extreme only. Down the hall upstairs where this new express is the wifi signal is weak and not sure why because the express is only 25 feet away. What am I doing wrong here? I go into Airport Utiltiy and both devices are recognized. Is there a different way I should be hooking this up? I just expected much better performance. Please let me know what I can do. Thanks

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me. I suggest starting by reviewing the following AirPort User Tip around the details for best base station placement. Let's see if this will help increase the bandwidth performance of your extended network. Most likely, due to combination of distance and Wi-Fi interference, you may not be getting the best bandwidth possible. Please post back your results.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Interference with my Express and Extreme?

I have an Airport Extreme purchased several years ago to connect two iMacs. We have updated each computer, one is a newer iMac and the other is a MacBookPro (06). We have had trouble getting a signal to reach both computers since we first bought the Extreme. I added an Express and it seemed to solve the problem.
The Extreme is located next to the desktop computer. My laptop (which is never further than 40 feet), randomly gets dropped offline. I have to go through choosing airport, my network, etc, each time I'm dropped and each time I boot up. I never had to do this before. The only change I made recently was password protecting my network. I have done software updates since the problem started and also have run firmware and software diagnostic tests which were fine.
I've been to the Genius Bar three times, I've spoken with Apple Tech support for over 3 hours total on this issue. The Extreme tested fine in the Apple Store, I purchased a new Express and the problem is worse. When I get connected it will sometimes work 20 minutes, an hour, or 5 minutes. When this happens I have to sit right next to the Extreme to pick up a signal.
We have single wall construction, no cordless phones and I can't think of any other interference. Sorry this is so long but I'm desperate! Thank you

{quote:title=alohajam-Hawaii wrote:The only change I made recently was password protecting my network.}{quote}
Hmmm. That can make a difference, but I would think that should be exhibited as a performance hit as opposed to a reliability problem. Early AirPort Extremes took a hit with WEP (according to http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30664/228/). After looking at iStumbler, there's an old (2004) but good article at http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/24311/98/ covering a/b/g nets; for instance, make sure your SSID is unique. Also, if running 802.11n, take a look at this article at http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30664/228/ (esp. Fixes #4 and #5).
I found running 802.11n to be futile around here (well, it is Silicon Valley). [iStumbler] will give you a clue about things in your area, but I found that the local WiFi environment changed day-to-day as new nets came online, or folks changed the bands they're using and/or switched to using wide channels (channel bonding). I could never stabilize things for more than a day or two here, so ended up buying a new Extreme and running Radio Mode = 5 GHz only - the only one in the area (at the time). That helped lots.

Questions about AirPort Express and Extreme!

I have BT Infinty and the hub is situated in the living room. What I want to do is extend the wi fi to my room which is around 10 metres away.
Are you able to connect the AirPort Express to the network and then create a network for the AirPort Express for my MacBook Pro to connect to?
I have two options and questions
1. Buy a AirPort Extreme and replace my BT hub with that. Then use an AirPort Express to extend the wi fi. But when you extend the wi fi does it mean that when I search for a wireless hotspot from my Mac I connect the the AirPort Express? Or is there a way of making the AirPort express to have a different name?
2. Use my Bt hub and buy a AirPort Express and connect it to my Infinty Connection. BUT is there a way of making a hotspot for the AirPort Express for example
my Infinity connection is named Bt-Infinty2356
I use the AirPort express to connect it and extend the wifi
THEN is it possible to make a hotspot named "AirPort-Express-Muppet" for me to connect from my Mac?
Thanks

I have no experience with the "BT Infinity Modem" and "BT HomeHub", but I assume that they are two separate units?
If yes: connect the modem direct to the Extreme by ethernet cable.
If it is a "combined" unit: connect the Extreme by ethernet cable to one of the ethernet slots on the hub.
In both cases set the Extreme to "Create a wireless network".
Use a Airport Express to "extend a Wireless Network", and extend the Extreme.
Do not expect the Airport Express to extend the BT hub wireless network, because it will not work.
In both cases you have two wireless networks: one from the Hub and one from the Extreme.
Off the record: I have the same situation in France with the "Livebox" (Orange) that is connected to a Netgear WiFi router: two network: the Livebox is just that, the Netgear is "relayed" through Netgear Routers (Switches) to five areas in the "house". The same in Switzerland, but there I used Extreme and Express units instead of the netgear units.
The Hiome Hub should work fine connected to the modem by cable, and the other network also by connected to the cable. Do not mix the different brands: trouble.

Airport Express and Extreme drop out

Hi,
I have a Airport express that is wired to my router. This is downstairs.
Upstairs i have a Airport Extreme which is wirelessly connected to the airport downstairs.
The Express is set to create a new wireless and the extreme is set to extend.
For some reason or another when im upstairs, which means i'll probably be connected to the extreme, i sometimes find that i cannon connect to the internet. When i go into Airport Utility it can only see the Extreme that's up stairs.
If i go downstairs it then allows me to connect to the internet.
Then go back upstairs and cannot get back on the net.
So i have to disconnect the power to the express and then the connection between the two airports is established.
Both are running the latest firmware, 7.6.
Can anyone help?
Thanks

I have Sunrocket and the same situation. However the last week has had about 90% use... no problems.
I was having people completely unable to understand me. All of a sudden the stuff started working but it still isn't perfect. I can only guess that the AEBS is not liking the setup or otherwise being interfered with. I DO have 2.4GHz phones but the brand was checked out as working fine with AEBS.
My setup Comcast Cable Internet>AEBS>Sunrocket's Gizmo.
I'd love to hear form other Mac/AEBS users and Sunrocket.

Internet problem Express AND Extreme

Hi Airporters,
I have this problem, I can't find an answer to.
I have an Airport Extreme working fine with one Mac Pro, a MacBook Pro and Some XP's.
Since a third XP did not connect with Extreme (don't ask me why), I use an Airport Express, and now....it almost works.
The XP says it's connected to the Airport Network, but it does NOT give a connection to the Internet.
I tried to configure it all over again, but to no avail. What can I be doing wrong?
Thanx in advance.
Carlo
O yeah, everything = wireless

Hi Tesserax,
Sorry, I was away for a while (and will be away after tomorrow)...but still, thanks for your reply.
Yes, I guess the PC contains the problem. Moreover, while writing this answer I wanted to check what type of Linksys I had, and saw that in the system profile this Linksys was disabled or so. I enabled it, and yesssss....it worked
At that time there were two connections running (???!!!???), so I switched off the old one, and now the whole family is happy.
Thank you, you pushed me to the answer.
Carlo

Express and Extreme together

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