Extend existing wireless network (long house) with Airport Express

Help !! I am trying to reconfigure my airport express to extend my wireless network (Long House)through my wireless ISP (Bigpond)modem (2701HGV-W Gateway) following the sudden and unexpected death of my Time Capsule, whose router was doing this job previously.
I am not technically savvy, but can follow simple, idiot proof instructions. All I seem to be able to do is join a wireless network....is this the same as extending it?

Bob Timmons wrote:
Hi Jolly Giant,
+what you could do is run a (long) Cat5 ethernet cable from the Gateway to your Airport Express (AE) in the far away location. if you then join the AE to your wireless network, wireless clients could access it via the wireless access point the AE provides.+
Sorry, but this is not correct. The "join" setting is only used if the Express will be connecting to the wireless network by +wireless only+.
With the Express connected by ethernet, the correct setting is "create a wireless network". The wireless must be configured with exactly the same name, radio mode, security, password, etc as the Gateway's network. But, the channel on the AirPort Express should be set to a value that is at least 5 settings away from the channel that the Gateway is using to minimize distortion. This type of network is known as a "roaming" network.
Connection Sharing on the Express must be set to "Off (Bridge Mode)".
okay, got it. thanks for letting me know - i'll keep that in mind ! (:-)
my apologies to the OP for having been confusing

Similar Messages

Trying to set up wireless network on PC with Airport Express

I'm helping a friend set up his network with AirPort Express. He's got a modem attached to his PC, and currently has a router that sends a wireless signal to a receiver on the PC in the other room. Now he's added a Mac, and the old router/receiver doesn't work with Mac. So he bought an Airport Express.
I've turned on the Airport, and first I connected the ethernet cable from the modem to the AirPort. Per the AirPort utility I put on the PC, it couldn't find it (got the flashing amber light). So then I took out that ethernet, and I hooked up the ethernet directly from the CPU to the AirPort. Suddenly, it was found, and it took me step by step through the set up. It asked for password info from our internet provider (??why would I have that info??), so we just hit "enter". Then it couldn't set up the network, and said to check the "manage network settings". I've tried everything. Not only can I NOT manage to create a network, but now NEITHER ethernet cable will cause any recognition in the AirPort. All I get is the blinking amber light. I'm about to throw all the computers out the window...it really should not be this difficult. I've set up networks in my own home, before, with both PC and Mac, and never had these problems. So, now, I've had to relink up the old router/receiver in order to send out this call for help. Can anyone suggest anything else to try before I use these computers for target practice?
Thanks in advance,
Jennifer
P.S. The main PC w/modem is on Vista with service pack 2.0...since I can't even get that one working with AirPort, I hardly think it matters what the other computers are...

I had some initial problems too. Make sure that you have the latest Airport Utility in the utilities folder. I used that to correct the problems I had when I first got Time Machine. I recommend resetting everything through there to get it working right.
Mine is not set up to run an n network because my macs are all g and b compatible. Does the airport utility see the time machine? And if so, does it have a green light in the utility?

Extending range of Linksys WRT310N router with Airport Express 802.11n

I am trying to extend the range of an existing wireless network set up with a WRT310N router with an Airport Express 802.11n - I've tried choosing both "Participate in a WDS network" and "Extend a wireless network" and both have run into problems.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Amy

amysinsh, Welcome to the discussion area!
Sorry but this is not possible.
It would be possible if the wireless network was created by another AirPort Express (AX), anAirPort Extreme base station (AEBS), or a Time Capsule.

I told my wireless network to forget two airport expresses so that I could rename them. Now the network does not see them even when plugged in about 10 feet away from the airport extreme base station. Does "forget" mean forever? How to reset?

I told my wireless network to forget two airport expresses 1 1st gen, 1 2nd gen so that I could rename them. Now the network does not see them even when plugged in about 10 feet away from the airport extreme base station. The network does recognize a totally new 2nd gen express. Does "forget" mean forever? How to reset?

The network does recognize a totally new 2nd gen express.
Then, it sounds like you have already reset the 2nd Gen Express, and now you need to set it up again, like you did the first time. Only, this time, assign the device name that you want to the AirPort Express.
Do NOT use the name that Apple suggests.....which will be something goofy like........Sueswimsf's Red Apple AirPort Express
Assign a simple name.....something like 2ndGenExpress

Extend existing wireless network with airport express..impossible?

I have tried to extend my existing wireless network with an airport express, but it seemd that I always need a ethernetcable...apple support insured me it is possible but the airport utility software only allows me to extend using a cable it seems....

Couple of thoughts here.......
The AirPort Express will only extend a wireless network if you have another Apple router providing the wireless network to be extended.
Is your "main" wireless router an Apple product? If yes, what model number do you have?
It would also help if we could get the model number of the AirPort Express. Some older versions are not capable of extending a wireless network.

Unable to extend existing wireless network with new TC

I have an original 500GB Time Capsule that I've been using successfully for a long time. It is plugged into my modem/router (which acts as a DHCP server) in bridge mode.
As the TC is getting full (and the number of Macs in our house is increasing!), I decided to buy another TC - this time the latest 2TB model. I have set it up so it extends my existing network. However, as soon as I plug it into my network my Internet connection breaks (or goes very slow) and the modem/router activity light flashes like crazy. As soon as I unplug the new TC from my wired network, I get my fast Internet connection back and the modem/router goes back to normal.
I've tried using the LAN and WAN ports on the new TC to connect to my wired network but the result is the same.
Has anyone any ideas what the problem is? Is there a problem using the latest TC to extend the wireless network of an older model TC?

Welcome to the discussion area!
If you are connecting your Time Capsules using an ethernet cable, you would connect from one of the LAN ports on the "main" device to the WAN port on your new 2TB device.
The 2 TB device must be configured as a "bridge".
You would configure the 2 TB device to "create a wireless network" using the same network name (SSID), security setting and password as your "main" device. (The "extend" setting is only used if you are connecting your devices using wireless only...and you are using ethernet).
When you "create" the wireless network on your 2 TB device, you are configuring what is known as a "roaming" network. Your laptop will automatically connect the device with the strongest wireless signal depending on where it "roams".
To configure your 2 TB device as a bridge:
AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Internet icon > Connection Sharing setting = Off (Bridge Mode).
Please post back on your results.

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

Extend Existing Wireless Network

I am trying to extend my existing wireless network. I think I have it set up correctly, but I have a question about it. I initially had the network set up with a 2WIRE modem (AT&T) and an Airport Extreme. It has been really sluggish as of late, so I re-positioned the modem and AE (out of entertainment cabinet) and now it's more out in the open.
After doing that my Macbook which I use upstairs was running pretty fast, but the iMac which is downstairs and on the same level as the modem/AE was running very slowly. So, I thought I'd extend the network using an Airport Express. I think I have it set up correctly, since everything seems to be working just fine, BUT the question I have is...does the Express HAVE to be plugged int the modem in order to extend the network?
I thought the whole point of using the Express to extend the network is that you could have the Express in between the modem/AE and the computer - on the same level of the house or another level, or at least in another rom on the same level.
I hope I've explained my situation well enough for anyone to be able to provide assistance. Everything is working fine, but I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that I've done things correctly
and maybe a better understanding of how extending a network really works.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Julie

Hello Julie
To extend your wireless network I suggest you do the following;
Take the express and extreme into the same room. Ideally, plug the extreme into your modem using an ethernet cable and have the express hooked up to power on its own in the same room.
I would reset both device to their factory defaults and start over. To reset the devices to factory defaults, unplug them from their power source, hold down the recessed reset button while plugging them back into to power and continue to hold the reset button until the one LED begins to flash rapidly.
Do this with the extreme and the express. Now open airport utility, select your airport extreme and set it up from the start using the continue button and answer all the questions. Once the extreme is setup, you should see a large green checkmark. See the mac you set it up with can connect to the internet.
If you are on the internet through your extreme's wireless network you're almost there.
Step 1. Using airport utility select the airport express and click continue. The key here is to ask the express to join an existing wireless network when the question arrises.
This should do the trick for you.
Alternate to step 1. If you want to you can skip step 1 above and select your extreme using airport utility, go to the Base Station menu and select Manual Setup, click the Airport icon from the manual setup window, click the Wireless tab and put a tick next to "Allow this network to be extended". This will instruct the extreme to allow its wireless network to be extended. Update your extreme after turning on this option and give it about one minute to update itself.
Now, using airport utility, setup your express to using the continue button and instruct it to join an existing wireless network when the question comes up.
So you have two options, either should do.
Hopefully this was not too difficult. Airport utility will still see the two airport routers but from your airport menu you will always see only one network because the extreme and express behave as though they are one large network.
Consider unplugging the express now and moving it to the other floor. After you take the express upstairs, give it a minute and if it is in range of your extreme it will assume a green light, if on the other hand it continues to flash amber it's possible that it's too far from the extreme. In this case consider plugging the express into a wall socket nearer to the express.
Does this help?
Most of what I explained might be better explained by Apple, see page 43 of http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf. The steps on page 43 are what you would do with your extreme - to extend its wireless network.
Let me know how it goes.
If your devices are under 90 days old you still have complimentary phone support. If you have an AppleCare protection plan on your mac one of your devices are covered for hardware support and the 3 years phone support. If you are eligible AppleCare will be able to walk you through this.

Extending existing wireless network but via ethernet

Hey all,
The basic principle is I'd like to extend my wireless network - but using Ethernet.
The main reason for this is that I have Gigabit ethernet devices connected to the LAN ports on the Time Capsule, and then it's WAN port connected to the rest of my network.
I would like to enable the 5ghz N wireless on the TC and add it to my existing N 5ghz wireless network.
However when selecting either 'Extend' or 'WDS' in the settings in Airport Utility, the Internet tab shows it is receiving it's internet connection, and main connection to the network through wireless. Why would it want to be doing that when I've connected it to a Gigabit network?
All I want it to do is extend the wireless range of my main N base-station. I don't want traffic coming from the Gigabit devices to the LAN ports on the Time Capsule to then be routed over wireless instead of going out via the WAN port and the rest of my wired network.
The wireless network should just act as a bridge for devices to connect to my wired network. There should not be ANY communication between the wireless stations themselves. Communication between bases should be done through wires.
I had thought of one solution, however that consisted of each wireless unit having it's own network. But then there wasn't any way to group these individual networks into a big wireless mesh.
Any thoughts or solutions?
Cheers,

Literally, the only thing you need to do is set-up your base-stations to all create wireless networks with the *same name*.
Because they're all broadcasting the same name, it will act as one large network, as such, and your computer will share data with which ever station is closest.
It's like a mobile (cell) phone and the broadcasting towers.

Panasonic BL-C131 wireless doesn't work with Airport Express and Extreme

I have Airport Express to create a wireless network, and an Airport Extreme to extend the wireless network. When I connect the LAN cable on Extreme and the Panasonic BL-C131, the camera can successfully detect IP and work fine. However, when I remove the cable and switch the camera to wireless mode, it can never detect the IP. I've read somewhere in the camera manual that it needs a UPnP enabled router to have wireless work. I am wondering if there is any way to confirm, since I know Airport only support Bonjour.
I really like to keep the Airport at home, or I'll need to replace it with a D-link router.

Issue solved

Extending g wireless from Time Capsule using Airport Express...

Hi,
My Time Machine is working well and I have two old Airport Express units that I'd like to use as wireless extenders.
The Airport Expresses are the older type (i.e. only do 'g' wireless) and, according to the AirPort utility, they can't see the Time Capsule. My iPhone can connect OK so the 'g' network must be working.
Am I doing something wrong? Can I use my Airport Expresses to do this?
Thanks!

Thanks for the info. Your iPhone is connecting to the Time Capsule, not either of the AirPort Express devices.
In order to configure the AirPort Express devices to extend the wireless network, your Time Capsule Wireless Mode would need to be set to "Participate in a WDS network". You probably did not see this choice because it is "hidden". Hold down the "option" key on your computer while you click on the selection box to see if it appears.
I'm not necessarily suggesting that you try the WDS setup. It's an older technology that places a heavy bandwidth penalty on your wireless network in return for greater wireless coverage. The first Airport Express that you configure will cut the bandwidth of your network in half. The second will cut the bandwidth in half again. In other words, you are down to 50% of the original bandwidth with the first Express and down to only 25% with the second.
If you are getting acceptable wireless performance with the Time Capsule now, I would be tempted to leave well enough alone until you could add an AirPort Express "n" version, which would allow you to use the "extend a wireless network" setting. This is a much better performing arrangement and much easier to configure.
The WDS configuration is quite complex and frankly difficult for many users. To get an idea of the process, read over pages 42-44 in the Designing AirPort Networks Guide.
If you want to try this anyway, you will need reconfigure your Time Capsule and both Express devices to work in the WDS setup.

Extending a (non-Apple) Wireless Network through Ethernet with AirPort Expr

I have two Airport Express base stations and a Linksys Wireless Router/Modem - I want the AE's to extend the network in locations the Linksys can't reach.
I'm currently doing this through having the AE's set to "Create a wireless network" and set to "Bridge mode", they have the same SSID and WPA password as the Linksys.
Despite this, when I walk from one to the other, my laptop can't seamlessly hop from one to the other. I have to turn off AirPort and search again.
Can anyone help make this work?

Power everything down and then start the modem first and let it run a few moments, then start the Linksys the same way, your AirPort Express next, etc., and finally your computers.
If no luck, you might try matching up with WPA2 Personal. That is a more compatible setting among routers.
I assume that you are using the exact same Radio Mode on all devices. For example, 802.11 b/g
Sometimes security settings are just not compatible between different manufacturers. That may be the case here if you continue to experience problems. I've had the same problem that you have now in the past except with a Netgear router and the AirPort Express. The only way I could solve it was to replace the Netgear with an AirPort Extreme.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

I have a netgear n300 router broadcasting my wpa secured wireless network and bought an airport express to extend the network. I did an Ethernet setup from a MacBook, got the green checkmark but no extension. help.

I have a net gear n300 router transmitting my WPA secured network, and I bought an airport express to use as a network extender. I configured it via an Ethernet cable from a MacBook using manual setup in airport utility. I got the green checkmark at the end, but it is not extending my signal. Can you help me?

Unfortunately, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible with Apple's implementation of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)...so it very unlikely that your Netgear router can be extended wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
The few non-AirPort routers that are known to work are:
Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (not v5)
Belkin F5D7230-4 and F5D7231
BT Voyager 2091
Netgear WGR614 v6
Buffalo WGR-G54

Joining vs.extending existing wireless network?

I've come to understand these as quite different (extending vs. joining). I have an AEBS and an AX. Prior to enabling WPA for my AEBS (which knocked my AX off the network!), I had my AX set up in a WDS, i.e., extending the range of my existing AE network. The AX was also connected to my home stereo.
Before I do a hard reset of my AX and attempt to get it connected to my AE network again, could someone explain the difference between extending and joining a wireless network?
I understand that EXTENDING the range involves setting up the network in a WDS, BUT I've come to learn that this may REDUCE overall network performance! This has come as quite a surprise because my intent was to STRENGTHEN the signal between my Intel iMac and my G5.
CONNECTING to an existing network would still allow me to stream iTunes through my home stereo, but it sounds like such a set up (without WDS enabled?) would be BETTER for overall network performance?
Can someone clarify this for me?

I understand that EXTENDING the range involves setting up the network in a WDS, BUT I've come to learn that this may REDUCE overall network performance! This has come as quite a surprise because my intent was to STRENGTHEN the signal between my Intel iMac and my G5.
It does improve/increase the RF signal. That is the goal of WDS.
However because of the overhead with all the base stations talking on the same channel as the data transmission, the data rate is reduced.
CONNECTING to an existing network would still allow me to stream iTunes through my home stereo, but it sounds like such a set up (without WDS enabled?) would be BETTER for overall network performance?
It would be better for the wireless data rate.

How do I extend a wireless network from SA520W with AP541N ?

Hi,
I'm setting up a wireless network, based on a AP541N, and want to add one (or more) Access points to extend the wifi network.
For now, I have set-up both devices with the same SSID and keyphrase, but is this the correct way of setting up a larger Wifi network ? Note: the AP is connected via a POE connection, so it is not a wireless bridge I'm looking for.
Should I use the "cluster" features ? Not sure how it works...
All tips welcome, a step-by-step guide would obviously beat everything!
Thanks
Stef

Try temporarily connecting via Ethernet to the AirPort Express (AX). After you configure the AX you can disconnect the Ethernet connection.

Extend existing wireless network (long house) with Airport Express

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for