Extend airport extreme network via ethernet to airport express (special case)

This question has been asked many times on the forum, and answered many times, but I have a special case and would like to know if it can be made to work.
As you can see, the issue is that the LAN port of the Extreme is not connected back to the switch, I've only connected the WAN port of the Extreme to the switch. Therefore the express doesn't get an IP over the CAT5e cable coming from the switch, and will only extend wirelessly. The reason I don't make that connection is because the switch/modem is in the basement, the Extreme is on the second floor, the express is on the far side of the first floor, and I don't want to run another cable through the house.
First question is, can the given topology be made to work?
If the answer is no, then would it work to put an additional switch on the second floor like the following?
Thanks!

That is exactly what I am saying.
Remember, the modem has only one Internet IP address that it can deliver to a router. It is the router that assigns "local" IP addresses your other devices to "share" the Internet connection.
If you connect the Modem to the Switch, then it will be matter of chance as to which device......the AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express will get the valid IP address. The "other" AirPort will not be able to connect to the network.
Bottom line.....if you have a simple modem, as you have pictured, then it must connect directly to the WAN port on the "main" AirPort router. Something like this, for example:

Similar Messages

Extend Airport Extreme Network via Ethernet to Airport Express

I am trying to extend a gen 4 Airport Extreme by hardwiring ethernet to a 2nd gen Airport Express and will add a second Airport Express if I can get the first one to work. I have a large network with a 24 port switch and aiport utility 6.3.2 (most recent as of this date)
First question:
When expanding my network using the hardwired Airport Express can I name the new network anything I want or should it be exactly the same as the Extreme Network. I would prefer to name it differently so I can keep track of which network my devices are acturally joining but I will be happy simply to get this to work either way.
Second question:
After repeated attempts to configure my hardwired Aiport Extreme, I get the following yellow status error:
Yellow Internet Connetion
Yellow No DNS Servers
Yellow Conflicting DHCP Range
Observation:
Many of the suggestions here and the link posted in a previous post are not based upon the most recent Airport Untility software so that may contribute to my lack of success so far. I am using the most recent version.

Even though the express was hardwired to the extreme during the set up process it was choosing to "extend" the 5 ghz network which I have activated on my extreme. I assume this is okay. It seems to be. It offered me no other option during the set up.
Both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands will be extended if the extending device supports dual bands.
I configured the express by plugging it directly into the LAN port of the Extreme. Once configure, I plugged the express into my 24 port switch. It worked.
That's a good way to do things. If the Express works when connected directly to the Extreme, and doesn't when you connect it elsewhere on the network, then you know that you have a wiring or switch issue somewhere.
I choose to keep the express network name and base station name the same as those on the extreme. They worked. Since I really want to keep track of which network I am logged into, I later changed both the network name and the base station name for the express and it seems to all work under the new names.
Either will work, as long as you don't mind logging on and off of networks to switch. Most users prefer to have one "big" network. Then, they can walk a laptop from one area to another, stay on the same network and the Mac will automatically switch to pick up the strongest signal from the closest access point.
I activated the 5 ghz on the newly configured and newly named express. It seems to work.
As it should.
While configuing the express I got the error message metioned above a couple times. I kept trying the same procdure with out changeing anything and eventually it worked.
I can't duplicate that issue, but glad that things worked after a few tries.
Since my AppleTV on the second floor has difficulties connecting with the extreme, I am thinking of plugging it in to the express directly. How do you feel about this? WOuld I be better off running another separate ethernet wire off the switch?
Always the best plan to connect any network devices using Ethernet if you can. The best networks are the ones with an Ethernet "backbone". You can connect the Apple TV to the Express or the switch, whichever is easier. Personally, I prefer to connect devices to a switch if possible just to keep things simpler and make any troubleshooting easier.
This whole system with an extreme, 3 expresses, 3 appletvs, 12-14 cameras, a 24 port switch and up to 50 devices on the network at one time (computers, phones, ipads, etc, etc) works reasonably well considering the demands I put on it.
That's quite a home network. Glad that things are working. I am sure that you notice better wireless performance now with the two AirPort Express devices wired into the Ethernet backbone.
If we could get more users to set up their networks this way, most of the complaints that we get about slow wireless, intermittent connections, etc would go away.
It's not easy to run the Ethernet cable for some users, but I have yet to hear from the first user who ever regretted doing it.

How do I extend my DSL network via ethernet between 2 Time Capsules?

I need specific, precise instructions. This is so frustrating!
My first time capsule is connected to my DSL modem, I have a long ethernet cable that goes from the first T.C to the second one. And then I have a hard drive plugged into the second T.C. I also need to send an ethernet cable to my remote computer from the second T.C.
Where do I plug the ethernet cables in the second T.C.? There are two types of ethernet ports on the T.C.
I'd REALLY appreciate any help!
Thanx a million!
Mark Brown

Plug the Ethernet cable into the WAN port (circle of dots icon) on TC #2.
Check to make sure that you have TC #2 configured in Bridge Mode:
Open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Upate to save settings
Power down the entire network...all devices....order is not important
Start the modem first and let it run for 45-60 seconds by itself
Start TC #1 the same way
Start TC #2 the same way
Start other devices the same way
It should be a simple matter to connect a drive to the USB port of TC #2 and a computer using an Ethernet cable. Use any of the 3 LAN <-> ports on TC #2 for this.

Extend my Extreme wifi via cable to my Express

Hi,
I´ve tried to search for this here but haven´t got exacly what I need.
If you have an Extreme and an Express you can easy extend the network between them so it seems like there´s only one network. That´s what you want - one network, one SSID. The connected units connects to either the Extreme or the Express. Great!
But let´s say it too far between the Extreme and the Express that wifi isn´t good enough. I want to connect them with a Ethernet Cable. I want that but still use the same functions I get with the extended network I got with wifi. One SSID, one visible network but far away from each other. Can I do that??
If I cannot, what is the solution? I have a really big house and want one wifi in the whole house. Do I need one Express every 10 meter and connect them all in one long chain? How great will that be? How many can I connect in a chain?
/Raymond

To start please check out the following Apple Support article. It's a bit outdated, but it should give you an idea on the number of methods available to you to extend the wireless range of your Apple Wi-Fi network.
Next, let us know which type: extended or roaming, do you prefer to go with and if you need any assistance with setting it up. Any of us here will be happy to help you if you get stuck.

Cannot connect devices using Extend Network via Ethernet

Hi
I have been going nuts with this issue, and cannot seem to find any solutions. PLEASE HELP!
I have an Airport Extreme (pretty new and all up to date) connected to my modem. Everything works perfectly. The wi-fi is great, all devices can connect without any issues so nothing is wrong here. The Airport extreme is dishing out the IP addresses etc. The Airport extreme is in the lounge.
I purchased a new airport express yesterday. I put it in my study, far away from the lounge. I connected the airport extreme to the airport express using an ethernet cable. I plugged it in, and set it up to extend the wireless network via ethernet. I.e. it is set up in bridged mode and set up to 'create a wireless network' with identical name password etc. Everything is good. It reboots and the light is green. in the Airport utility everything shows up correctly.
Here is the problem., The second that any device (lets say iphone) moves from the lounge to the study, and tries to 'jump' to the stronger network provided by the express, it kills the ENTIRE network. The following happens:
1. The iphone loses wi-fi signal immediately. If I go into wi-fi settings, it sees my netwrok with FULL strength, but just remains in the 'spinning ball' state trying to connect. Seems to me that the express is unable to hand out an IP address or something.
2. If i open the airport utility on my Imac (in the study), the airport extreme has a yellow warning light and cannot be found via ethernet OR wi-fi. (The Imac is also Hard Wired from the Airport extreme in the lounge).
THe whole system requires a re-boot in order to work again.
If I re-boot the system, and leave a device near the airport express, it immediately receives signal, gets an IP address, and has an internet connection. Going back to the lounge causes no issues, it doesnt drop signal and still connects to the internet via the extreme. But as soon as I walk back into the study again - BOOM, everything drops.
I only purchased the new express because i was having EXACTLY the same issue with an older Airport extreme. No matter what I do, it just wont work via ethernet. I have tried all manner of settings. The ONLY setting that seems to work is to extend the wi-fi network. However, the rooms are too far apart, and this will require a third station in the middle, which i want to avoid (by the time the wifi network is extended across 3 decvices it is too slow).

Can I use airport express to make my pc pick up the wifi by plugging the pc into the ethernet socket?
Yes. But, it is the AirPort Express that would "pick up the wifi". Then, you would connect an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Express to the PC.
Configure the AirPort Express to "Join a wireless network" and click the option to "Enable Ethernet clients" during the setup to activate the Ethernet port on the device.
I would also plug a printer (currently connected to the pc) into the usb, so it can become a shared printer.
There is a good chance that your printer will work connected this way, but you won't really know until you try.

Extreme Network Problem - Ethernet versus Airport

I will try to make this problem/question simple.
I have a home network with various computers around the house. I have an Ethernet switch in the closet, and various nodes running throughout the house to various rooms.
Also attached to my switch is a Time Capsule, which is used to create a wireless network and distribute DHCP addresses to other wireless computers in the house.
I also have an Airport Extreme in my home office that is configured, via Airport Utility, to extend the Time Capsule network, and is on the home network wirelessly. In other words, the Extreme is not hard-wired to the network with an Ethernet cable.
I have two Ethernet printers connected to the Extreme in my home office (by Ethernet cable), which I wish to use as network printers throughout the house.
In my home office, my iMac is hard wired to Ethernet, but also has the capability for an airport connection. I prefer, of course, to use the Ethernet, for speed reasons.
Here is my problem/question: In my home office, I can only print to the two Ethernet printers connected to the Extreme if my iMac is on the home network via its Airport setting (in other words, Airport is above Ethernet in the network connections order). In that case, the printers print fine.
If, however, I switch the iMac’s network connection to Ethernet (by setting the service order to put Ethernet above Airport), I cannot print to the two Ethernet printers connected to the Extreme - I get caught in the “attempting to connect to host...” mode.
First question: Why is this? The Ethernet and Airport network settings appear the same, except for the computer’s IP address (i.e., the subnet and router addresses are the same on Ethernet as on Airport). Seems to me that if the printers are on the network, they are on the network.
Second question: Even if I am on Ethernet (and therefore cannot print to the printers attached to the Extreme), the two printers attached to the Extreme do show up in the Print & Fax window. In other words, I can select them and add them as printers, but I just can’t then print to them.
What am I missing here? Shouldn’t I be able to print from the iMac when it is on the network via Ethernet? If not, why not?
I can always, of course (I guess), attach the Extreme to the network via an Ethernet cable from its WAN port to avoid the problem. But that would require running a LONG Ethernet cable, drilling holes in the top of my desk and bottom of a bookcase, etc., and I don’t wish to do that.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks..

Yes, it’s Verizon FiOS coming into the modem, the modem to the switch. Make and model unknown, but don’t see how that would be an issue here.
I am trying to ascertain, whether or not, your entire network is on the same subnet. If you are using an Ethernet switch and not an Internet router (with a built-in Ethernet switch) directly connected to the modem, then your basic network will not work ... as the modem is only expecting a single device to be connected to it.
If you had the TC directly connected to the modem, and then, the Ethernet switch connected to one of the TC's LAN ports to provide additional network nodes throughout the house this would be workable.

Can i use my airport utility on my ipad 2 to extend my extreme network with an express?

can I use my ipad 2 to extend my extreme network with an express

Yes, you can.....assuming you are asking about an 802.11ac AirPort Extreme and a new AirPort Express or the previous version model A1264.
But, the Express will not extend the "ac" signal from the AirPort Extreme, since it has no "ac" capability. It will only extend the normal "b/g/n" wireless signal.
That is going to create quite a slow down on the entire "b/g/n" network if you are planning to have the Express connect using wireless. It would be much better if you could connect the Express using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection back to the AirPort Extreme.

I want to connect a Windows PC to an existing Airport Extreme router via ethernet connection. Is there any utility required or can I just plug into the router?

I want to connect a Windows PC to an existing Airport Extreme router via ethernet connection. Is there any utility required or can I just plug into the router? The router is already set up and working with existing iMacs.

thanks for the info. I found apple utilty software on this windows 7 PC but I guess it is not required for sharing internet on exisiting apple extreme. Am I correct that I can remove this apple software?

Trying to extend network via ethernet

Trying to add another Extreme to our network to assist with the number of wireless clients on our existing Extreme. Trying to add the 2nd Extreme via Ethernet and extend the same network SSID and all other info.
After setting up and adding it shows that it is extending via wireless, and when connecting to the WAN or LAN ports it wants to take the entire network down.
Using 5th Gen Extreme. Airport Utility 6.2, and all devices have 7.6.3 firmware. Already have 2 Express units on the system extending the network wirelessly where we do not have Ethernet ran. Those have been working for over a year.
Any thoughts on what we are missing when setting this up where we can't plug another Extreme in via Ethernet? In the setup I don't see an option for extending via ethernet.....

Close AirPort Utility if it is open
Disconnect the Ethernet cable to the new AirPort Extreme
Hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 7-8 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart
Make sure that the Ethernet cable is connecting from a LAN <-> port on the "main" router to the WAN "O" port on the new AirPort
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a minute for the heading of New AirPort Base Station to appear
Just below that, click on the AirPort (an AirPort Express is pictured in the example)
AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze the network....then announce that the AirPort Extreme will be configured to "extend" your current network.
Enter a device name for the AirPort Extreme and click Next
AirPort Setup will take a minute to configure everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done
Test the network and report on your results

HT4259 how to configure extended network via ethernet

how to configure an extended network via ethernet

I assume that the Express is new, so that it still has the factory default settings.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express
Power up the Extreme and Express if they are not already powered up
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utiltities > AirPort Utility
Click on the tab in the upper left hand corner of the window that reads Other AirPort Base Stations (1)
Click on the AirPort Express xxxxxx
Wait a minute or two while AirPort Utility analyzes the network and then announces that the Express will be configured to extend your network
Enter a name for the AirPort Express and click Next
Wait 2-3 minutes while AirPort Utility configures the Express and the Express restarts
When you see the message that setup is complete, click Done
That's it.

Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet

Can some one tell me the difference between configuring AirPort Utility : Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet? I connect my cable modem to my Airport Time Capsule to a network switch via ethernet. The switch contacts to three Airport Express (AE connects to two Apple TVs via Ethernet) and another TC. Which is the best mode to configure my network?
Thanks

Create a wireless network is used only when the Airports have an Ethernet connection. If you are using the setup wizard.....the setting will read Extend using Ethernet during the setup. If you go back in using AirPort Utility to check the Network Mode setting.....you will see that it is really Create a wireless network.
Extend a wireless network is used only if an AirPort is connecting to another AirPort using wireless.......not Ethernet.
Every one of the Airports on your network must be configured to Create a wireless network.
If you do connect an Ethernet cable to an AirPort that is already set up to Extend a wireless network......that will create a massive feedback loop that will crash the network until you remove the Ethernet connection to the device.
The bottom line here might be if you are using the setup wizard, it will make the correct choice for you.

Adding AE to network via Ethernet...trying to fix airtunes drop outs....

I have a older Time Capsule (not simultaneous dual band) in my home office, and two older AE's (not N) that I use to wirelessly extend my network. Overall it works OK, though maybe not as speedy as it could be.
Lately, my airtunes streaming has been a bit erratic. Sometimes it works fine, other times it has a lot of drop outs. I use airtunes on both my AE's. On my "living room" AE, I use a digital connection to a high end DAC/preamp. On my "garage" AE I use an analog connection to a boombox. Both these setups experience intermittent dropouts.
I could use ethernet to connect my living room AE to my LAN, since I have a wired connection at that location. I can not do that on my garage AE.
First question is would a wired connection be more stable for airtunes? Since this problem may be associated with the Snow Leopard upgrade....I wonder if I'm wasting my time on the specifics of the network.
Second question: when I tried to set up the AE for a wired connection, It doesn't give me the "extend the network via ethernet" option in Airport utility. It only gives me the "extend network wirelessly" option. I moved the AE to the office and connected it directly to the time capsule (to make sure the wired network wasn't the issue) and I still am not given the option to do that.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Fabian

Inkjet....
Thanks for that tidbit. I'll try to remove my wireless AE from the loop and see if the wired AE works any better.
I'm getting the feeling though that this is an iTunes/OS issue, not a network issue. Reading the other threads on this topic seem all involve the upgrade to SL and/or iTunes 9.
As an aside, since my original post on this, I've replaced both the older AE's with the new n versions. I still use the older TC.
Also, I've used AirRadar to examine the "interference" issue. It shows very low levels of interference (though I'm not sure what is acceptable). No other local networks show up which are on the channel I'm using. Again, I just don't think its the network.
Finally, I don't think I'll go to the powerline transmission route. If wired were the answer, I'll find a way to get ethernet to the second AE. However, it needs to be the answer before going through the exercise.
Fabian

How many wireless devices can connect to an Express which is wired and extending an Extreme network?

How many wireless devices can connect to an Express which is wired and extending an Extreme network?

That is great news I have A1392s. One more question...
If I have an Airport Extreme setup as a router and feeding internet from a modem/ I wire an express (A1392) and "create a wireless network" the airport utility puts the express into bridge mode automatically.
How many wireless clients can I connect simultaneously to the express?
How many wireless clients can I connect simultaneously to the extreme assuming I am using all 50 at the express?
In other words, Could I have 50 wireless clients connected to each device simultaneously giving me a total of 100 wireless clients?
Thans

IPod Touch not picked up extending Airport Express

I have an Airport Extreme Base Station and two Airport Expresses that are both used to extend my Wi-fi. My problem is that my iPod Touch 3 - running IOS 4.1 - fails to pick up one of the extending Airport Expresses. My laptop and an iMac pick it up just fine, but I get no connection from my iPod when I am very close to that Express. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated??

This question was answered in the AEBS/Time Capsule Forum.

AirPort Express - Can not connect to "extended" AirPort Express

Two trips to the Genius Bar tell me that I should be able to Extend my network from a new AirPort Express (n/g/b) to an older AirPort Express (b/g) using the "extend network feature". The two devices are communicating (both lights are green and the wireless channel will change on the remote device if I change it at the base station), but my MBP Core Duo 15" seems to only be connecting to the AirPort Express Base Station (n/g/b) and not to the Remote "extended" AirPort Express (b/g).
This forum seems to indicate that you can only use WDS between the newer AEX (n) and the older AEX (b/g) but the folks at the Apple Store have told me twice now not to use WDS. They said that as long as the two devices have green lights that it is working, but when I click on the Airport Symbol up in the menu bar w/the Option key it tells me the MAC address of the base station only - and when I get very far from the base station, the signal drops out even though the remote AEX is near by.
I did try setting it up using WDS and that works fine, just very slow.
Anyone know if there's a way to be sure that my MBP connects to the remote (extended) AirPort Express?

This forum seems to indicate that you can only use WDS between the newer AEX (n) and the older AEX (b/g)
This is correct....since the older b/g Express does not even have a setting to "extend a wireless network".
If you require confirmation, open AirPort Utility, select the b/g Express, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Now look at the available settings for Wireless Mode.
"Extend a wireless network" is not there.
but the folks at the Apple Store have told me twice now not to use WDS.
They are likely telling you not to use it because the performance on your network will drop dramatically if you do use WDS. Or, they mean well, but they are just wrong on this subject. Here's why:
The only way that you can use an older "g" and newer "n" device together to provide more wireless coverage is to configure both devices for WDS. It's a Catch 22.
WDS operates only at "g" wireless levels. So when you configure the newer "n" Express to operate as part of the WDS (which you must), it becomes a "g" wireless device. You lose any "n" capability on the network
Worse still, every "remote" or "relay" in a WDS setup cuts the bandwidth of the entire network in half...50%. That's huge. In effect, with WDS, you may have a bit more wireless coverage, but you will have a "g" wireless network that operates at half speed.
but when I click on the Airport Symbol w/the Option key it tells me the MAC address of the base station only - and when I get very far from the base station, the signal drops out even though the remote AEX is near by.
The remote AX is not providing any additional wireless coverage.
They said that as long as the two devices have green lights that it is working
Nope, as you can tell by the fact that your "remote" is not providing any additonal wireless coverage.
Anyone know if there's a way to be sure that my MBP connects to the remote (extended) AirPort Express?
Your only option, (unless you add more hardware):
Configure both AX devices to "Participate in a WDS network" setting one up as a "main" and the other a "remote" . The big downside, as mentioned previously, is that you will have a "g" wireless network running at half speed.

Extend airport extreme network via ethernet to airport express (special case)

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