Extend AirPort Extreme with AirPort Express

I am considering buying an AirPort Express to extend my main AirPort Extreme network. If I do this, and if I connect a device with an Ethernet cable to the AirPort Express and will the device have an internet connection?
Many thanks.

Yes my Extreme is 802.11n.
Thanks very much.

Similar Messages

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.

Help! Im trying to extend the network on my Airport Extreme with an Express

This is probably such a begginers question but it has truely boggled my mind for the last 24 Hours!
I have brought an airport express to extend my airport extreme network. My Airport extreme is the base and is hooked up to my initial Home model from my ISP which works fine.
I have been trying to connect my airport express and am having no luck. I have plugged the airport in but am having no luck locating it on my airport utility (only my actual Airport Extreme shows)
Can someone please help me Ive been here for hours reading on forums trying to sort this out and Im gettin nowhere fast!
The light on the express is flashing orange. I have tried to reset it but there still is nothing showing.
any ideal on what i could do or follow step by step?

Ok, the question is how can i extend the range with
my airport extreme base,
With an Airport Express or another Airport Extreme
I have A netgear WNP802, it
has a repeating feature.
Which won't work with your Airport Extreme
< But i am wanting to have the
netgear and the apple airport extreme talk to each
other so that i can put the net gear in a seperate
room to extend the range of signal. </div>
This is not possible.
How can i do this?
You can't.
Netgear and Apple use different chips which means they won't and can't talk to each other when it comes to extending networks.

Maximum Airport Extremes with Aitport Expresses

I have a multi-story small business (3 floors) with very poor coverage. I was thinking of installing 3 Airport Extreme's, 1 on floor, and then extending the range with 2 Airport Expresses, 2 on each of the upper floors. So the configutaiton would look something like this.
1st Floor - Airport Extreme (Base station connected to internet modem)
2nd Floor - Airport Extreme and 2 Airport Expresses
3rd Floor - Airport Extreme and 2 Airport Expresses
I know this might be overkill, but coverage in this old building is very bad.
Thoughts?

Given the proposed placement of the base stations, your approach appears to be a sound one. In this scenario the three Extremes should be configured for a roaming network which each pair of Express base stations configured to extend the Extreme on the same floor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extending Airport Express 802.11n from an older Airport Extreme b/g

This undoubtedly has been answered, but I can't find a good answer via my search, sorry. I unwittingly picked up an AX .n thinking it would extend like my old fried AX .b/g. It doesn't. My goal is primarily use the AX as a means of using Airtunes, but it would be nice to boost the signal around the house. So, how to do this/can it be done? The setup utility is of little value. Further, I have an old boat-anchor of a PC laptop that can only use WEP security I'd like to be able to use wirelessly, if that is an issue. But, Airtunes is highest priority. Thank you!

Welcome to the discussions!
+I unwittingly picked up an AX .n thinking it would extend like my old fried AX .b/g+
Your old "b/g" Express could only "extend" by "participating in a WDS network". The new "n" Express can do the same.
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Participate in WDS network.
Apple does not really want you to use WDS, so you may need to hold down the option key on your computer as you click on the selection box to see this choice.
WDS imposes a very stiff 50% bandwidth penalty for each "extending" device. So, if you configure your network with two Express devices, the first will cut your original bandwidth in half. The second will cut half of that again, so you will be down to only 25% of the original bandwidth on your wireless network. Streaming is going to be "iffy" with such a limitation.
Apple's step by step instructions for WDS setup are on pages 42-44 in the Designing AirPort Networks Guide.
If you simply want to use either the "g" or "n" Airport Express for iTunes, you would select the "Join a wireless network" setting for Wireless Mode and make sure that AirTunes is enabled by clicking the Music icon on the setup page.
WEP is no longer considered secure, so I would suggest that you avoid this if at all possible. If you need to use it, the settings for wireless security are on the same wireless setup window in AirPort Utility mentioned above.

Dual-band with Time Capsule extending AirPort Express

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

See my answer to your other post.

Extend Airport Express with Time Capsule? So just one Wi-Fi network in my house ? Possible?

Hi!
I did Google and try to get it working at home - but I can't get it to work. I want to be able to walk in my house without my iPhone/iPad loosing the Wi-Fi signal because now there is downstairs and a upstairs wi-fi network.
So the thing I want is.. I got a Airport Express on the ground floor which is for my Wi-Fi network there.
On my 2nd floor I want my Time Capsule to extend this network - so that my iPhone picks that Wi-Fi up straight away. Now when I am upstairs my iPhone is still connected to the wi-fi from downstairs (which it can't reach) and so I am not connected. Which results in me having to manually switch to the upstairs network..
My question : Is it possible to setup a Wi-Fi network downstairs and have my Time Capsule repeat it (so not a new network) for upstairs use?
Hope someone can help me and this is possible!
Thnx in advance!

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
That's possible. See > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

Extending Airport Express with another one

I added a second Airport Express to the network of the original one. In the Airport Admin Utility both show up.
When I take my Powerbook into the room where the new one is running (green light) I loose all signal. It seems like the new one is not contributing at all.
The old one is runing V6.1.1, the new one V6.2 - could that be it? I have not found a way to upload V6.1.1 to the new one. I've read it is better than 6.2. I have turned everything off and rebooted which does not help.

Do a factory default reset of both Expresses per:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044
The pull the old Express from power and connect to the wireless network of the new Express and upload firmware 6.1.1 per:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/airportexpressfirmware611formacosx.html
Then plug the old Express into power and pull the new Express from power. Use the Airport Setup Assistant to configure it as a base station.
Then plug the new Airport Express into power in the same room as the old Airport Express. Run the Airport Setup Assistant again, and use its help to configure the new Express as a base station that "extends" the wireless network of the old Express.
The relocate the new Express back to the other room.

Extending airport express wireless network with another airport express

I am trying to set up another airport express to my existing airport express at home so I can extend the wireless range and also to connect my printer (to my second airport express) so I can have a shared wireless printer. Is this possible? If so, can someone assist me on how to set this up?
Thanks.

Try the following ...
AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - WDS Setup
"Factory Reset" the AX base stations
o (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108044)
(Note: To facilitate setting up the base stations, place them in near proximity of each other during the setup phase. Also record the Apple IDs of each base station that will included in the WDS as these will be required during setup.)
Main Base Station Setup
(Note: The AX connected to the Internet will be assumed to be the main base station in the WDS.)
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or by temporarily connecting directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then use the AirPort Admin Utility to make the following settings.
WDS Tab
1. Enable this base station as a WDS: main base station (checked)
2. Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
3. Click "+" to add Remote/Relay Base Stations.
3a. Select the Base Station that you want to be the WDS Remote/Relay.
3b. AirPort ID: <verify that this is the correct MAC address for the Base Station you are adding as a Remote/Relay.>
3c. Auto configure as a WDS remote base station (checked)
3d. Click "OK."
4. Verify that the Remote/Relay Base Station has been added to the list.
5. Click "Update," and then verify the settings for the Remote/Relay.
5a. Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
5b. New network name: <verify that this is the same as the network name as the main base station>
5c. TCP/IP: Configure using DHCP
5d. Base Station Password: <the Remote/Relay Base Station password>
5e. Confirm: <same as previous step>
5f. Click "OK."

Extending airport express network with other airport express

I am trying to extend my airport express based wifi network, using two more units.
All airport express units are 802.11n capable.
My main question is about the band frequency: does it matter whether I use 2.4 or 5 ghz ?
I have some success when using 2.4 ghz, but I am having zero success when using 5ghz on the main unit (the one connected via ethernet to the router). The other two units are set up to "extend a wireless network".

Welcome to the discussion area, Giovanni!
While it is not exactly correct to say that you almost need line-of-sight between the AirPort Express devices for 5 GHz to work effectively, a number of users are finding this to be the case. 5 GHz signals are much weaker than 2.4 GHz signals, so they do not travel well over distance or pass through obstructions very well.
Unless you almost do have line-of-sight between the devices, you are probably going to get better results by setting up the "main" AirPort Express on the 2.4 GHz band and use the others to "extend" that band.
The "extend" setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. Your main AirPort Express is the "hub" and the other devices are located at the ends of the the "spokes". The remote devices communicate directly to the hub, not to another device at the end of another spoke, so it's not possible to "extend" a device that is already setup to "extend".

Using an Extended Airport Express

Suppose I have a newer Airport Express which has been successfully extended from an Airport Extreme via Wi-Fi.
Which features of the Airport Express ( Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, Audio Out) can be used simultaneously-- Or is it one feature at a time?
For example, can I both extend my Wi-Fi range with the AE and connect an Ethernet cable from the AE to another device?

Hi,
I would like to ask a question.
So I could use the following setup?
Cable modem (wired to) Airport Extreme <--wireless--> Airport Express (wired/ethernet to) Slingbox.
The Slingbox will be able to connect to the internet via an Airport Express communicating wirelessly with the Airport Extreme that is connected to the internet.
Basically, to use the Airport Express as a wireless adaptor to provide internet for the Slingbox. Is that possible?
Thanks.

Having trouble "extending" Airport Express to DOCSIS Motorola Surfboard

In 30 minutes of searching this forum, it is clear Bob Timmons is the man when it comes to Airport Expresses.
I had ATT DSL connected to 3 airport expresses (A1264) for streaming music in smaller apartment.
I'm now in a bigger rental home and want to extend the network. After some tinkering, I can get the A1264 to "join my wireless" network but I can't get it to "extend." When I choose those settings, I get the blinking amber light - and it will not work.
I'm connecting to a Motorola Surfboard DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem. Can anyone help?
Thanks
Ron

If you are trying to extend the network wirelessly......Apple's extend a wireless network feature will only work with other Apple wireless routers.
To confirm, please see this excerpt from Apple's product literature on the AirPort Express:
Extend an existing Wi‑Fi network’s range.
If you already have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, AirPort Express can help. Just place it in range of your primary base station — an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express
http://www.apple.com/airport-express/
If you have a Motorola modem/router providing your wireless network, the AirPort Express will not be able to extend that signal.

Extended Airport Express fluctuating data rate

I have a 2012 Airport Express connected to my broadband router in the far corner of the ground floor of my house. The AX has provided faultless service, except for the fact that it's range drops off when I'm up one floor, on the diagonally opposite side of the house.
I bought an extra AX to extend the range of the first. It's set to wirelessly extend.
The problem I've got is that the data rate that the second connects to the first at keeps fluctuating, it can be as high as 144Mb/s, but also drops as low as 1Mb/s.
The RSSI is approx -76 dBm.
I assume that the two Expresses are re-negotiating to try to establish the most stable rate? However, with an average throughput from my ISP of 10Mbps, the low rate can really cause problems.
Can anyone suggest any other reason for the problem?
Thanks,
SPD.

Data links between a pair of express can be very tricky.
I find in my setup that I do need to restart the remote unit every couple of days.
But you need to take control of the system.. to make it as stable as you can. Apple have channels set to auto but also band swapping can take place.
Where you are in a situation where the system becomes unstable step in and take more control.
On the main Express plugged into the router. Set all new names.. short with no spaces and pure alphanumeric.
AX1 say for base name. (second one will be AX2.)
I recommend using different wireless names.. others will disagree but I find it helps.
So AX24ghz and AX5ghz (I am assuming your 2012 is the new gen2 AX)
Set fixed channels.. try 11 for 2.4ghz and 36 for 5ghz to start with.
With your upstairs AX2, you will then set to extend on say 5ghz band.. and give it a try.. see what the connection is like and if you get better transfer speeds.. if so stick with it.. 2.4ghz has better signal penetration but poorer speeds.. 5ghz can work poorly at a distance.. but in my double storey house I find from one end to the other, 5ghz is still faster and cleaner signal.. even though the signal level is lower.
If 5ghz doesn't work well then you will need to stick with 2.4ghz.
Some strange effects come out of all this.. but it is well worth a try.
I have noted when replying to this question.. several times.. that a v5 airport utility makes this easier as it shows more info.. link speed. Apple removed so much info in v6 utility to make your mac look like an ipad.. that it is a shame to call it a utility.. more like a toybox. So if you can possibly run v5 utility do so and you will then be able to track exactly link speeds.
This is my setup.. centre shows the main AP.. with the two each side extending the signal.

Extend AirPort Extreme with AirPort Express

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