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.

Similar Messages

How do I include my Airport Express with my base Airport Extreme to extend my in house wireless network??

How do I set up wireless network extension/expansion adding Airport Express to existing Airport Extreme Network??

OK, thanks for the clear information, this really helps.
Locate the AirPort Express about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area that needs more wireless signal coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express, the better the performance will be.
Power off the AirPort Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button firmly...and keep holding for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power cord back into the back of the AirPort Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
This process is tricky.....you almost have to have 3 hands to do this.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, the setup is almost too easy to be true. In that case.....
Tap on Settings (gear icon) on the home screen
Tap on WiFi
Under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station....
Tap on AirPort Express
The utility will analyze things for a minute, then suggest that the Express be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network
Type in a device name that you want to use, then tap Next
The utility will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done and you are good to go.
If you want to use the Mac running (10.6.8) for the setup.......
Make sure that the wireless is turned on at the Mac
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab under the row of icons
Enter a device name for the AirPort Express
Enter a device password for the AirPort Express
Verify the device password
Adjust the Time Zone setting
No other adjustments are needed here
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Set the Wireless Mode to Extend a Wireless Network
Click on the Wireless Network Name box and your AirPort Extreme network name should appear as a choice. Click to select that....or manually enter the exact name of the AirPort Extreme wireless network
Make sure that Wireless Security is set to use WPA2 Personal
Enter the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Verify the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Click Update at the lower right of the window and wait a full minute for the Express to restart. A green light on the Express at this point will be a very good sign that things are up and running correctly.
Your Mac will automatically select the AirPort with the best signal quality. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you may need to manually turn off the WiFi when you move the device near another AirPort, and then turn WiFi back on to get the iOS device to connect to the best signal.
Good luck, please post on your results with the method that you choose.

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.

Extending airport network - Express as Base/Main and Extreme as client

Hi,
I have looked around on these forums and can't find the answer to these questions, so apologies if they have been asked and answered elsewhere.
I have an Airport Express 802.11n which I want to plug in to my cable modem as the base station. I have a Windows PC and network storage drive (ethernet cable connection only) in the other room that I want to join to my network (and can't move the NAS for various reasons).
I am considering purchasing a dual band Airport Extreme 802.11n Gigabit router to put into the second room to allow the NAS to be shared with the PC (NAS and PC connected via Ethernet cable to the Extreme) and a laptop connected over Wifi.
I believe I may be able to use the Extreme to extend the wireless network (is this correct? - do I have to hit control in the Airport Utility to get the Extend option?), but am not sure if this will disable the Ethernet ports on the Extreme. Are the Ethernet ports still enabled if the Extreme is in 'extend' mode? (I have downloaded the PDF of the Extreme manual and it doesn't mention this). If so I will need to configure the Express as a WDS Main and the Extreme as a WDS remote(?) - but I believe I will lose bandwidth doing this - correct? In either of these configurations will I still be able to use the Express to stream music to my hifi in room 1?

Welcome to the discussions!
If you configure your AirPort Express(n) (AX) to "Allow this network to be extended", the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) can be configured to "Extend a wireless network" from the AX.
There is some bandwidth loss in this type of configuration, about 10-15%, but far less than an WDS configuration which will result in a 50% loss of bandwidth. The AEBS will need to be positioned in an area that receives a good wireless signal from the AX
The ethernet ports on the AEBS will be active in the "extend" configuration.
Since the AX creates a single wireless network, you will be losing some features on the AEBS, namely its ability to create dual band networks and a guest network. In the type of configuration you propose, the AEBS would only act as an extending device for the AX and provide 3 ethernet ports for devices.
I'm confused by your question on streaming AirTunes to your stereo with the AirPort Express. If your AX is connected to the modem, the stereo connects to the audio port on the AX, so the stereo will need to be close to the AX.
If you need to stream AirTunes to a remote location, it would make more sense to use a 2nd AX and configure it to "extend a wireless network". Then you could connect your stereo to the 2nd AX. If you need more than 1 ethernet port, you could add a simple ethernet switch to the 2nd AX.

Extending my network. Time Capsule-Air Express and Extreme.

So currently my network is a time capsule in my basement and an airport express upstairs behind a tv in my living room. I have an extreme that I'd like to use to boost my signal in the back yard where I use the remote app on my iphone to control itunes. They are all 802.11n(?). I would like to place the extreme close to a basement window that has clear sight to the lower back yard area.
What is the easiest way to go about setting this up?
THX

Welcome to the discussions!
+What is the easiest way to go about setting this up?+
Assuming that your AirPort Extreme is the 802.11n version, (it has a square shape), here is how to setup the "extend" configuration with the Time Capsule. The AirPort Extreme must be positioned where it can receive a good signal from the Time Capsule.
I was not clear on whether you already had the AirPort Express setup to extend (you must have an 802.11n version of the Express to allow this), or whether you have it configured to "join" your wireless network for use with AirTunes.
_On the Time Capsule_
Open AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Make sure that you have a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Make note of the exact Security setting that you are using
Update to save any changes
The Time Capsule will restart and you should see a green light in 15-20 seconds
_On the AirPort Extreme_
Open AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network (If you do not see this choice, hold down the option key on your computer as you click on the selection box)
Wireless Network Name = Exact name of your Time Capsule wireless network. (This should appear as a choice in the setup)
Enter a check mark next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as your Time Capsule wireless network
Wireless Network Password = Exact same password as your Time Capsule wireless network
Verify Password as above
Update to save changes
The AirPort Extreme will restart and you should get a green light in 15-20 seconds.

My home network has an Airport Extreme w/Time Capsule as the base and then an Airport Express and a second Airport Extreme to reach different areas of the house. Is there a way to use the second Airport Extreme for file storage on this network?

My home network has an Airport Extreme w/Time Capsule as the base and then an Airport Express and a second Airport Extreme to reach different areas of the house. Is there a way to use the second Airport Extreme for file storage on this network? Network is administered through an iMac running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2. Ideally, would like for the second Airport Extreme hard drive to appear on the list of devices in the Finder window.

Ok.. gottcha
The problem is network wise.. Yosemite is about equal to tin cans and string.. pathetic.
Here is my usual set of instructions to get anything working on Yosemite.
The best way to fix problems is a full factory reset of all the AE in the network.
Factory reset universal
Power off the AE.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the AE to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg AEgen5 and AEwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
Even better if the issue is more wireless use AE24ghz and AE5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense.
2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
3. Ensure the AE always takes the same IP address.. this is not a problem for AE which is router.. it is a problem for AE which is bridged.. you will need to set static IP in the main router by dhcp reservations or use static IP in the AE which is tricky.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric..
5. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
6. Now mount the disk of the second AE in finder... manually.
Use Go, Connect to Server and type in the AE ip address.
SMB://10.0.1.2
Where you will replace that address with the actual address. The network resource should be discovered and then it will request the password.. type that in and make sure you tick to save it in your keychain.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
Do as much as you want of the above... not all of it is necessary.. only if you want it reliable.. or as reliable as Yosemite in its current incarnation can manage.
The most important thing is point 6.. mount the disk using direct IP address and not names.. dns in Yosemite is fatally flawed.
See http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

Creating a bridge with airport extreme (base) and airport express

i am having trouble creating a bridge with airport extreme (base) and airport express. i got the airport express to connect to my network. Airtunes sees it fine. i have an iMac (running Tiger) connected to the airport express via ethernet which i was hoping to get internet on (the iMac doesn't not have built in wireless and i had a spare airport express). now the airport express is no longer visible to the airport setup assistant on that iMac. but, like i mentioned, Airtunes is working fine, and the light is green.
i'm new to the wireless stuff. i am sure i just missed a step. how do i get the iMac to connect to the internet via my airport express bridging to my airport extreme wireless network?
your help is appreciated.

You can do this with the equipment you have. Configure the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to act as a WDS main base station and configure the AirPort Express (AX) to act as a WDS remote base station. That will allow you to use the Ethernet port on the AX.
Unfortunately WDS also causes the available wireless bandwidth to be cut in half.

Trying to extend by 802.11n airport extreme using a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber, trying to extend by 802.11n airport extreme using a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber

trying to extend my wireles network using a 802.11n airport extreme and pluging in a 802.11n airport express and the express is flashing amber not solid green
what am i doing wrong
btw I have airport utility 5.5.3

trying to extend my wireles network using a 802.11n airport extreme and pluging in a 802.11n airport express
Can you clarify what you mean by "plugging in"? Are you saying that you are pluggin in an Ethernet cable to the AirPort Express from the AirPort Extreme?
Or, does "plugging in" mean wireless?

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

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.

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.

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.

Express and Extreme - is there a better way than WDS?

Hi all
I have a UFO extreme (connected to the modem) and an express set up for WDS to extend the range of the network. The performance is terrible. Is there a better way to extend the network?
Could I connect the express to the extreme via a CAT5 cable? If so would this provide better performance and - how would I set this up?
Regards
Stephen

Stephen Bennett wrote:
I have a UFO extreme (connected to the modem) and an express set up for WDS to extend the range of the network. The performance is terrible. Is there a better way to extend the network?
Ensure that your Airport Express is placed correctly.
Also check for interference.
Could I connect the express to the extreme via a CAT5 cable? If so would this provide better performance
Yes this will provide much better performance. WDS effectively halves the bandwidth and can be more susceptible to interference than a single base station.
and - how would I set this up?
You would create a roaming network. The remote Airport Express would be configured as a wireless bridge (not distribute IP addresses), it would (like WDS) use the same network name and wireless security as the main base station, however unlike WDS it needs to be on a different channel.
iFelix

Express and extreme both "n" with static vs dhcp reservations.

Good day, and thanks for reading.
I have an express that I have configured to "extend my wireless network" with my extreme. This is all setup manually, with no internet connection needed. everything is static and I am just using the wireless and switch of the routers.
I have 4 electronic components that have static IP addresses _and_ I have added the mac addresses to the DHCP reservation list as well.
I would prefer to leave everything with just the manual addresses in mac access control, however- the apple log does not show the connections for these components with static addresses. However, they do show up on the log as connected in the DHCP client log when I am using DHCP only.
My questions are;
1. Does it hurt performance on the routers to have the mac addresses filled in on both the DHCP reservation list, and the mac address control list?
2. Do I need to have all the mac addresses for my connected components on both the extreme and the express or, can I just have them inserted on the extreme- and are there any conflicts that can arise with having them coded on both routers?
I just want to be able to see the connections on the log, and currently it will only show them if I am using DHCP.
Thanks you.

Hello chrisinoswego. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
1. Does it hurt performance on the routers to have the mac addresses filled in on both the DHCP reservation list, and the mac address control list?
No.
2. Do I need to have all the mac addresses for my connected components on both the extreme and the express or, can I just have them inserted on the extreme- and are there any conflicts that can arise with having them coded on both routers?
When employing MAC Access Control, the MAC addresses would need to be entered in each base station. The only conflict that I am aware of is when the (in this case) two MAC lists are not identical.

AirPort Extreme wireless was working fine until I tried to add the extreme to extend network range...now neither is working and I can't fix.

Help please? I got the Express yesterday and had it set up and working fine. However I found the signal and connection wasn't going far enough/fast enough for all areas of my home I wanted it to. Today I got the Extreme. I unplugged the Express, plugged in the Extreme and set up the new wireless network for that one just fine and it was working great. However, I still wasn't getting quite the connection/speed I wanted through out my house, so I tried to add the Express to extend the network I set up from the Extreme and now neither one is working. I tried resetting and starting over from the beginning but I can't even get just the Extreme to work by itself and am not sure what to do.

The following are the basic steps to configure an extended network with two 802.11n AirPort. Please take a look to check if anything was missed when you configured yours.
Dynamic WDS - Extending a Wireless Network Setup
If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
Open AirPort Utility, and then, select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless.
Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
Enter the base station network and base station password if necessary.
Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
(ref: Pages 43-44 of Apple AirPort Networks.)
(ref: Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations)

Express as base and extreme as extender?

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