Extending an Apple wireless network beyond reach of the base station

Hello; I have an apple network that consists of one AirPort Extreme with two airport expresses acting as wifi extenders for the Extreme. I need to extend my wireless network even further, beyond the distance where another airport express could connect to the extreme. Could I connect, via Ethernet cable, a third airport express to one of the two existing airport express's to accomplish this? If so, would I be using the WAN or LAN port? Thanks!

Could I connect, via Ethernet cable, a third airport express to one of the two existing airport express's to accomplish this? If so, would I be using the WAN or LAN port? Thanks!
Yes. You would configure the third Express as a roaming type network with the existing extended network. Since this Express will be in bridge mode, it really doesn't matter which port you use. However, for consistency, I would recommend that you use the WAN port for the connection.

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How do I set up a wireless network with an AirPort Extreme base station and two airport extreme but between apple devices either by ethernet

How do I set up a wireless network with an AirPort Extreme base station and two airport extreme but between apple devices either by ethernet

This Apple support document provides good general information on configuring different types of neworks using multiple AirPort routers.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
In particular, you would want to focus on the information regarding a "Roaming Network"

How can I extend a wireless network with my AirPort Extreme Base Station?

Today I purchased a brand new, dual-band base station to replace my Belkin N router, as I have had a handful of firewall, coverage, and other networking problems in my house lately. First off, I really like this router and it was very easy to setup. My MacBook Pro could use both bands and established a 300 Mbit/s link very quickly. After tweaking various settings to my liking, I was also able to maximize the connections on many of my non-Apple machines and devices. I noticed that the range of its network was better than my Belkin's, but unfortunately, it failed to completely saturate the area sufficiently. Since the Belkin still works well enough, I was hoping I could bridge them together one way or the other.
The Belkin router does not support any bridge mode that I know of, but the AirPort Extreme should be able to join a wireless network and then extend that over WiFi and Ethernet, correct? I would like to place them at opposite ends of my home so I can get strong WiFi signals everywhere inside. However, when I try to get the base station to connect to my preexisting WiFi connection, it tells me that I can't extend the network and fails to join.
So is this possible? And if it is, how would I go about setting it up? I know it would probably be easier if I had a simple range booster such as an AirPort Express, but I didn't buy one while I was at Fry's since I hoped I could make use of the older Belkin. This is its product page, if needed. Thanks for any suggestions.
-MacUser

The Belkin router does not support any bridge mode that I know of, but the AirPort Extreme should be able to join a wireless network and then extend that over WiFi and Ethernet, correct?
Sorry, but no. The AirPort Extreme Base Station cannot "join" a network like the AirPort Express or Time Capsule, but you wouldn't want to do this anyway because in this configuration these devices will only perform as wireless clients ... not routers.
Instead, the AirPort Extreme can either be extended or can extend another 802.11g or 802.11n AirPort ... or a very very few non-AirPort devices.
One option for your Belkin would be to connect it to the AirPort Extreme by Ethernet but this may not meet your requirements or be a desirable situation. Otherwise, you would need to get another AirPort to extend your current one.

Power Mac G3 Pismo with Airport wireless card in Mac OS X 10.4 won't connect to wireless network with newest Airport Extreme Base Station set at WPA Personal/WPA 2 Personal encryption.

My Power Book G3 Pismo with an Airport wireless card running Mac OS X 10.4.11 will not connect to my new Airport
Extreme Base Station using WPA Personal/WPA 2 Person encryption. The Airport firmware is version 9.52. From
posts I've read online at different places indicates the Airport card should support the WPA encryption. Perhaps the problem
is the Base Station is using a combination setting and the fault is in the base station?
Thanks for any suggestions

Perhaps an inexpensive usb wireless adapter would work as well?
This is probably the simplest way to get the G3 connected to the wireless network.
I'll have to read up on getting an express and using it as a wireless bridge as I am unfamiliar with the concept.
The new AirPort Extreme is broadcasting a wireless signal.
A new AirPort Express could be located close to the G3. The Express will pick up the wireless signal from the AirPort Extreme, then provide an Ethernet connection to the G3 though a short Ethernet cable.
This can work very well......IF.....you keep the G3 at a fixed location, since it will always be connected to the AriPort Express using an Ethernet cable.
I do have an old Linksys Wireless G router. I wonder if that would work?
In theory, yes. But it would have to use much older WEP "security", which is easily cracked in minutes using free tools available on the Internet. So, anyone who really wanted to get on the network could do so. It's an option, but not a very good one.

Need instructions for setting up wireless network at home, w/o base station

I have a new iMac with Airport Extreme card and a MacBook, also with a card. I need instructions for connecting the two Macs via Airport. I do not have a base station. The Help on the Mac does not match my actual system.
All of the manuals that I can find are for the base station.
Please help.

Hi W
You don't mention if you have any kind of internet connection on either computer, so I'll assume that you don't, and this setup will simply network the two computers with no consideration of the internet.
On either of the computers, make sure that the Airport icon is visible in the menubar, and that Airport is active - check System Preferences, Network, Airport to make sure both are the case. Now, in the menu icon, click "Create Network". You'll be prompted to name the new network, set a channel if you need to, and you can also set a password under "Show Options". Once the network has been created, your Airport icon will change to a solid grey with a computer inside it.
You should now be able to connect to the new network on your other Mac and share services.
Let me know if you have any problems with it.
Matt

Extending an Apple Wireless Network

Hello,
So I have been reading over this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
I am pretty sure what I want to create is a Roaming Wifi Network but I am also wondering once you have say 4 Airport Extremes connected via ethernet is it then possible to add further Airport Expresses to further extent the network?
Also... Do the Airport Extremes manage their channels automatically?
Is there a limitation to how far you can build this out?
Thanks

How big is this place?
Apple routers are not designed for business or industrial use. They are home devices.. most people do not live in castles or huge mansions.. if you do.. the correct way to get it installed is to ring your butler.. and say.. "James,,, see to the installation of wifi so I can get it anywhere in the house.. there's a good chap!!"
And he will order real experts in who do not use apple routers.. they use Cisco or HP or Ubiquiti etc.. which have real controls and you don't need to go around banging your head against the wall to determine its thickness or wailing in the corridors about how hard wifi is!!
If you are forced to extend wireless.. good luck.. just try and see.. there is not enough controls for you to properly manage it.
So 'Extending a network' is differnt though as for this you do actually need an Apple network as far as I can tell?
Yes, this is Apple propriety system.. other brands need not apply.
What about Dual Band Stearing?
?? Stealing, Streaming,
I do not know what Stearing means.. it sounds like cattle rustling..
The latest airport express can extend both channels apparently but Bob Timmons is the eggs spurt here on that stuff.
And if I use Airport Expresses to wirelessly extend the network does that just cause more channel issues? If I already have 1, 6 & 11 set then adding an EX wirelessly could mean that I would need to know what channel it's connected on and make sure I don't use that channel to broadcast and use the channel furtherest away?
You have no control.. your roaming system has identical SSID.. the Express will connect to whichever is the strongest signal and extend it. Remember this is domestic equipment. Not pro.
So obviously you would have more room to play with for the 5ghz, but all of your devices would need to be 5Ghz capable and close enough to want to use that over 2.4ghz, unless you could turn the 2.4ghz off, but you cannot with the Airport?
You still have no control.. if you extend a system that is setup for roaming you have no control over which unit is joined.. Extend wireless by its nature is the same wireless channel as the unit it joins with.
You do not need to use as many channels because you cannot simultaneously transmit on the main unit and the extender.. hence the dramatic drop in speed. You are picking up info a packet at a time and re-transmitting it.. avoid if possible.
WiFi is tricky man.
Only when you try to use multiple units to do the job of a pro system.. because you are using domestic equipment.

Can't extend my Apple Wireless network with Airport Utility 6

I have an Air Port Extreame and an Air Port Express and am trying to extend my network and since I upgraded to Air Port Utility 6 it will only let me join the network and not extend it. I can not find the option to allow this network to be extended anymore within 6 on the extreame. Is anyone else having this issue as well or am I just missing where to choose to allow my network to be extended like I did in 5?

It would be hard to say, at this point, if this option was "missed" or became "automatic" when another AirPort is configured to extend a wireless network. I would tend to agree with you that it is the former.
As you know this is a user-to-user community. Although Apple employees occasionally visit the forums, there is no guarentee that they would act on any of the suggestions users place here. Instead, you should submit your suggestion to the following Apple site.

Having trouble with extending an Apple wireless network with a AirPort Express

Trying to extend the range of my AirExtreme with a AirExpress:
I get stuck when the AirPort Utility ask is I'm sure I want to switch networks. if I select switch I loose the AirExtreme. If I select don't switch it take me back to the beginning. Any help will be appreciated.

You have to "switch" networks to be able to pick up the signal from the Express and configure it with new settings.
Once the Express is configured it will become part your existing network when you see a green light.
Then, switch back to your regular wireless network on your Mac and everything will be on the same network

Connecting to a wireless network via PPPoE without a base station

Hi
I am having difficulties trying to connect my portable via PPPoE to an Access Point I just setup. I have assigned myself a username and password and address(192.168.1.x) on the wireless router and I manage to see the network with my mac but can't establish a connection. With a windows portable I can set up the connection and have checked that the network works fine.
wlan1-2.4GHz-pppoe AccessPoint
Dato PPPoE:
server DHCP PPPoE range 192.168.1.50-192.168.1.50
mikrotik software
PB 17
Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18)
Any suggestions ?
Amiata
PowerBook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9)
PowerBook G4 17" Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I have *Good News* and *Bad News*, but it is forward progress.
I have 2 WiFi networks in my house. An 802.11g and an 802.11n with different SSID names.
I created 3 locations
a) Offline - disabled all network interfaces
b) experiment11g - configured with ONLY the 802.11g SSID as the preferred network, with the Remember any network this computer has joined DISABLED (none of the related check boxes are checked).
c) experiment11n - configured with ONLY the 802.11g SSID as teh preferred network, and all the other settings as the 11g location.
I switch to the Offline, then switch to experiment11g. And here is where the *Bad News* comes in. The Offline location turns off the Airport card. Switching to experiment11g does NOT turn Airport back on. I have to do that manually. And now the *Good News*, when I do turn Airport back on, via the menu bar, it has switched to the 802.11g WiFi network.
If I switch to Offline, then to experiment11n. Again when I turn the Airport back on, I have switched to the 802.11n WiFi network.
So there is a way to switch WiFi networks.
The next step is to figure out how to turn the Airport back on as part of a script. Maybe something in Automator?
I am not very good at AppleScript, so maybe this is a question for the AppleScript forum?

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 shared wireless network?

I made the switch to Mac about a year ago and couldn't be happier. It's so nice to just use my computer for what I want to do with it and not have to deal with all the other stuff I had to with my pc.
My neighbor has a password-protected wireless internet signal that I pay a small fee to use. My signal is usually fine but doesn't reach some spots in my apartment and I'm wondering if getting an Airport Express would "extend the signal." I'm pretty sure my neighbor will be cooperative with any initial setup that would be required but I wouldn't want to have to do anything with her system on a regular basis. Is it fair to assume that once it is set up we won't have to do much else? She's running some old PC laptop. Basically, I'm looking for an excuse to get the Airport Express so I can play my itunes through my stereo and print wirelessly, but I don't think it makes sense for me to get it if it won't be easy to improve my internet signal as well. So, would this make sense? Any potential problems I should keep in mind?
Thanks for any help.
PowerBook G4 12" Mac OS X (10.4.8)

AirPort base stations (Extreme or Express) are designed to extend an existing wireless network, with what Apple calls Wireless Distribution System (WDS), only with other AirPorts. Only a few non-Apple routers have been known to work.
You can, however, use an AirPort to join an existing wireless network as a client for both streaming iTunes and/or printer sharing.
Also, the AirPorts won't "boost" a weak signal, only extend it. You may want to consider acquiring an external antenna/transceiver for your PowerBook instead.

Extending an existing wireless network

I would like to extend my wireless network.
Got time capsule as a base station, and an AirPort express as a secondary station.
The signal between the two is weak.
Is there a possibility to connect the two using an Ethernet cable??
What should be the setting on both the time capsule and the airport express??
Thanks GT

The signal between the two is weak.
Is there a possibility to connect the two using an Ethernet cable??
What should be the setting on both the time capsule and the airport express??
Roaming Network Setup
Ref: See page 42 of the Apple AirPort Networks guide.
Setup the Time Capsule (TC) connected to the Internet to "Share a public IP address." Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
Setup the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), as a bridge. Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
For each base station:
Connect to the same subnet of the Ethernet network. In this case with the AX directly connected to the TC by Ethernet, they would already be on the same subnet.
Provide a unique Base Station Name.
The Network Name (SSID) should be identical.
If using security, use the same security type (WEP, WPA, etc.) and password. Note: It is highly recommended that you use WPA2 Personal for best bandwidth performance.
Make sure that the channel is set at least three channels apart from the next base station to prevent Wi-Fi interference.

Trying to extend a second wireless network...

Hello,
I am trying to extend a secondary wireless network in my home. I have a **** wireless n router, 2 Airport Expresses and a Time Capsule. All Apple components are wireless n. I want to have a network being broadcast by the ****, a second network being broadcast from an Airport Express with internet from a ethernet connection from the ****, extend the Airport Express network with the time Capsule and share an internet connection with a gaming console via one of the Time Capsule's ethernet ports. Is this possible? I am a total n00b with DNS and all the IP address stuff the setup assistant is asking me for. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Looks like Apple censored (d*link).
I'm guessing that misspelled the name and left out the 'l'.
I want to have a network being broadcast by the **, a second network being broadcast from an Airport Express with internet from a ethernet connection from the **, extend the Airport Express network with the time Capsule and share an internet connection with a gaming console via one of the Time Capsule's ethernet ports. Is this possible? I am a total n00b with DNS and all the IP address stuff the setup assistant is asking me for.
Yes that is possible.
If your AirPort Express (AX) is one of the new 802.11n models, configure the AX to allow itself to be extended. Then configure the Time Capsule to extend the network provided by the AX.
If your AX is not 802.11n capable, configure the AX to act as a WDS main base station. Configure the Time Capsule to act as a WDS remote base station.

I am trying to extend my existing wireless network

I am trying to extend my existing wireless network beyiond an extreme and an express by adding a further express. Is this possible?

This is not possible if you are trying to do this wirelessly, as Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature will only allow the signal to be extended one time.
It is possible to have more than one device extend the network, but each extender must communicate directly to the AiPort Extreme....not to another extender.

HT4259 When a Netgear N 300 wireless router is the base station for my network, what steps do I take to add AirPort Express 802.11n as an network extender?

When a Netgear N 300 wireless router is the base station for my network, what steps do I take to add AirPort Express 802.11n as an network extender?

You don't have to do anything to the netgear.. the Express cannot wirelessly extend non-apple networks. You must plug the Express in by ethernet and create a new wireless network.. this can be the same name (SSID) and security as the netgear so it can become a roaming network.

Extending an Apple wireless network beyond reach of the base station

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