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

Similar Messages

Extending a non Apple wireless network

Does the wireless network on the non Apple modem/router stay on in addition to the newly created Apple wireless network?

Yes it does.
If you want it off, you will need to get into the administration settings for the modem/router to disable the wireless function.

Extending a non-Apple wireless network with Apple Express?

Is it still impossible to use Airport Express to extend a network based on non-Apple router - e.g. Verizon? If not, then can someone explain the source of theis incompatibilty to me?

Is it still impossible to use Airport Express to extend a network based on non-Apple router - e.g. Verizon?
Apple designed their "extend" feature to work with other Apple routers....maybe to get you to buy more Apple routers. Other manufacturers pretty much do the same thing.
There is actually very little compatibility between manufacturers as far as extending a signal wirelessly......for example, Cisco will not extend Netgear. Actiontec will not extend 2-Wire and the list goes on.
A few manufacturers....Netgear is one.....offer what they call a "universal" extender or repeater. How "universal" the product might be is open to question, so if you decide to try a "universal" extender, it might be a good idea to understand the store's return policy before you buy.

Extending wireless network through ethernet using airport express

I am running a wireless network using a time capsule. When attempting to setup an airport express, the utility first could not find the IP address. I went back and set the express to act as a bridge. It seemed to work correctly, however the express is not broadcasting a wireless signal or my Mac cannot see it. i have used the Utility for all of the setup. Both the time capsule and the express are new. The mac is running os10.5.8.
John

+Do I need to turn of NAT for the roaming network to work?+
If your AirPort Extreme is connected to a modem (only one ethernet port on the device), then you need to configure the AirPort Extreme to handle both DHCP and NAT. This will be done for you automatically when you do the following:
Open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Connection Sharing = Share a public IP address
If your AirPort Extreme is connected to a gateway (a combination modem and router that will have 3-4 ethernet ports), then you need to setup the AirPort Extreme as a "bridge"
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
All of your other devices...Time Capsule, AirPort Express must be configured as follows:
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Radio Mode = Your choice, but should be similar to the AirPort Extreme
Channel = Automatic*
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as your AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as AirPort Extreme
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings
* With a lot of devices, you may want to set the Channel manually. Set up separate channels for each device and keep the channels as far apart as possible.

Mac fails to connect to non-Apple wireless network (& changing channel?)

[sorry to post this in two forums - I think I posted it in the wrong one before]
I have a wireless network set up from a Netgear wireless router. My Windows XP computer automatically connects to the network every time. But my Mac (OS X 10.4.11) only connects about 50% of the time. The rest of the time it says "None of your trusted wireless networks could be found." Then when I click the airport icon in top right and select the network from the list, it says "There was an error joing the Airport network [network name]." When I click "Try again" a few times, it sometimes eventually connects, but other times it fails repeatedly. It is completely unpredictable.
I have been looking for solutions on the internet. Lots of other people have problems connecting Macs to non-Apple wireless networks. But no one else seems to have this exact problem: my Mac connects some of the time, but not all. Anyone have any suggestions?
(One idea I found was to change the channel that the Mac tries to use. How do I do this? I can't find "channel" anywhere under System Preferences - Network - Airport.)
All OSs are fully updated, so that is not the problem.

I travel extensively, and both my I-Mac G5 and Intel MacBook are very inconsistent in this regard. I do not think it is a router issue given the variety of networks I try to access. Additionally frustrating once a connection is made is that Internet Connect or Network Status will say I am connected to the Internet via Airport, yet Safari and Mail say I am not connected to the Internet.
Network Diagnostics has never had an answer. More often than not i end up using my cellular card. but the Mac often has issues with that too... sporadic like first poster describes.
George

Extend an existing non-Apple wireless network using an Extreme base station

I have an existing wireless network via a Belkin modem/router. I would like to add my Airport Extreme base station to this existing wireless network, however this appears difficult. Can anyone help me please?

Hello IanWhite. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I have an existing wireless network via a Belkin modem/router. I would like to add my Airport Extreme base station to this existing wireless network, however this appears difficult.
Unfortunately, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible with Apple's implementation of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)...so it very unlikely that your Belkin router can be extended wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
The few that are known to work are:
o Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (not v5)
o Belkin F5D7230-4 and F5D7231
o BT Voyager 2091
o Netgear WGR614 v6
o Buffalo WGR-G54
Is your Belkin one of the models in the above list?

How does one use airport express to extend a non-Apple wifi network?

Hello. The wifi signal reaching my room shows good on my macbook but weak on my ipod touch. Therefore I want to pick it up on my airport express and extend/boost it.
I have tried everything in the auto and manual methods of setup to do this, but the only thing I can manage to do is to join a wireless network wirelessly and then then connect to it through a ethernet cable from my airport express. I want to pick it up wirelessly and extend it wirelessly - is this possible? This is the reason why I bought it!
thanks a lot, JJ

Thanks for that info. So, I have been trying to use my airport express n to extend an airport n network (for greater distance of coverage) and cannot get this to work either. I can join the other apple airport's network and then connect to the airport express by cable. I have tried all the help available here but that seems to be the only way to extend a network. But I cannot see any point in that! JJ

How to connect non-Apple wireless networks?

Hello
Before I start, I know very little about networking, so could do with some assistance please!
In my office, I have a MacPro, fitted with an airport extreme. I also have a TL-WR1043ND Wireless N Gigabit Router, which I have connected to a ReadyNas NV+.
In my house, I use my MacBook Pro connected wirelessly. The internet is accessed via a TP-Link TD-W8961ND 300Mbps Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router.
Both the MacPro and the MacBook Pro connect to the internet cia the TD-W8961ND. The TL-WR1043ND resides on a separate wireless network. The idea is that I can access and store data wirelessly using the ReadyNas (which incidentally has become an issue since upgrading to Lion).
The NAS needs to be kept in my office so it is secure and there is no direct telephone link to the office.
Cutting a long story short, I'd like to make the two networks into one, so I was wondering if I could use the TL-WR1043ND as some sort of wireless access point (connected to the NAS) and joining it to the wireless network of the W8961 ADSL2 router.
I don't know how to do this, so was wondering if somebody could help and perhaps guide me through some of the settings? I've searched the interweb abyss, without any joy.
All the best
Hoffmeister

As you can imagine, this forum is primarily for assistance with Apple networking so it may be a bit difficult to really be able to provide you with a step-by-step on how to configure both of these routers for Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
I did a bit of research and found the following TP-Link Support article that describes how to do this with a pair of their TD-W8960N routers and it may be worth reviewing to see if it can help you with yours.

How do I share files between OS Macs on non-apple wireless network?

Hello:
We have two iBook G4s, one with 10.4.4, and the other with 10.3.x. When they are connected via hard cable ethernet, they see each other and can share files. But when connected via wireless, they cannot see each other. What do we do?
Thanks!

If they're on the same wireless network, there is no inherent difference between this and a wired network.
If the sharing isn't working then there's something else amiss. Can you describe the network setup in more detail so that someone might be able to spot the issue.

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

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?

Can I activate the ethernet ports (routing) of Time Capsule "joining" an existing non-Apple wireless network ?

Hello,
I have a DSL modem that is also a WIFI router as my main WIFI network from room A. In room B, I have a TC wirelessly joining the existing WIFI network (not creating a new one). That works fine, I have one SSID, and I can wirelessly access the TC disks and backup my Mac on my TC.
Now, I would like to connect a wired device (with on WIFI) to the ethernet port of my TC. Unfortunately, the ethernet ports of the TC don't seem to be "activated" as they do not have internet on them.
More precisely, I'd like to connect a GE Cordless Skype Phone Model# 31591 (http://www.gephones.com/products/skype/dect-6-0-expandable-digital-cordless-phon e-with-skypetm.html) that connects to a router via Ethernet. I'm aware that I could simply connect it to the DLS router, but that's not what I want... Is there any way to activate the ethernet ports of the TC while in "join" mode ? Or do I really have to buy a Airport Express to create my main network and then extend it ?!?

Thanks, the reason why I asked again, is because you told me to start another thread with the specifics of the device I want to connect, so I did
Not a big deal, and it is easy to become confused.....but to be clear about this
Your question.....
is there a way I can connect my Bluray player to the TC ?
My Answer.....
Please start a new post for that. Tell us the make and model number of the player and whether you plan to connect using wireless or Ethernet.
so I tried to creat the main WIFI network with a first-generation Airport Express M9470LL/A (802.11b/g, no "draft N" or "n" support) and the TC wouldn't extend it either, is it too old/not supported
Unfortunately, the "extend" setup will only work with "n" devices. The older Express does not have a setting to "Allow this network to be extended", so the Time Capsule cannot pick up the signal.
I'm not sure what else to suggest other than what I already have. I'm assuming that you do not want to buy another new Airport Express.

Share files between OS Macs on non-apple wireless network?

Hello:
We have two iBook G4s, one with 10.4.4, and the other with 10.3.x. When they are connected via hard wire ethernet, they see each other and can share files. But when connected via wireless, they cannot see each other, and AppleTalk won't work. What do we do?
The wireless setup is on a 2Wire 1701HG Gateway running software version 3.17.5
Thanks!

Hello:
We have two iBook G4s, one with 10.4.4, and the other
with 10.3.x. When they are connected via hard wire
ethernet, they see each other and can share files.
But when connected via wireless, they cannot see each
other, and AppleTalk won't work. What do we do?
When you say you can't see them have you tried connecting to them in the normal way i.e pressing command +k and entering the server ip address or bonjour name?

Cannot share wireless network through ethernet port??

I have not been able to get it to work.. 1.5 g4 powerbook ..My ethernet port does not seem to be sending out IPs.. I was able to do this with my dads 867.. i dont understand why its not working?? I go in the contol panels and click on sharing and go through the steps.. still nothing.. is anyone else having problems getting this to work??? i know its a rare config..

I have a problem similar to yours
I have tried everything to figure out why the ethernet connection never works on this new used computer. It is able to connect over the airport with the other computer, but that connection is too slow, so I would like to use the ethernet. The computers don't see eachother.
I use the same ethernet cable to connect my other computer (500 MHz PowerPC G4) to the airport base. I use it to connect my ibook to the G4, It always works. But it has never worked once with this iMac.
I have made sure filesharing is on, I tried not using firewall at all, appletalk is on and set for ethernet. I have tried other little things and nothing has helped. The only thing I haven't tried yet is getting a new cable. But it works with everything else, so I don't beleive that will help. Is it possible that this new used iMac doesn't have a working ethernet port? I would ask the previous owner but he died.

Extend a non Apple net work

Is it possible to extend a non apple wireless net work using an apple airport express. If so how.

Your "conundrum" is not really similar at all, since you have two Apple wireless routers.....and the OP has only one.
Is it possible to have both the Cisco and Apple sending out a wireless signal?
Yes
(will they coexist or clash?)
There will probably be no problem at all, as long as you remember to keep the Cisco and Apple devices 6-8 feet, or a few meters away from each other.
I thought I would connect the AE via ethernet to the Cox/Cisco router and then use the TC as an "extender" upstairs. Should I put the TC downstairs and use the AE as an extension?
The TC has much better wireless performance than the AirPort Express, so the better performance option would be to locate the TC downstairs and locate the AirPort Express about half way between the TC and upstairs area.

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

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