Extending Extreme N network w/ an Express G

Is this a good idea? I know it's technically possible, but is it a good idea? What are the technical implications, if there are any?
I want to extend my network and stream music to home sound system.
Thanks. This forum has never let me down.

Welcome to the discussions!
+I want to extend my network and stream music to home sound system.+
You can setup the "g" AirPort Express (AX) to "join" your wireless network to provide a signal for your stereo. But, the AX does not help increase or extend your wireless network coverage when it's set to "join". It simply receives the wireless signal.
In order to "extend" your wireless signal, you would need to configure both the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) and AX to participate in a WDS (Wireless Distribution System) setup.
The plus is that you will provide a bit more wireless coverage for your network.
The minus(es) are as follows:
The WDS setup is difficult and complex to configure for many users
The entire wireless network will drop down to "g" wireless levels
Your wireless network bandwidth will be cut in half
Bottom line, with WDS the performance of your network will drop significantly, but you will have a bit more wireless coverage if that is your goal.
If you would be satisfied to have the AX "join" your wireless network for AirTunes (and not provide any additional wireless coverage), then that would be the way to go.
If you want to maintain the current performance levels from your AirPort Extreme, and you want to provide more wireless coverage for your network, you will need to look into obtaining an "n" AirPort Express.
I'm assuming here that you want to use wireless to connect the AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme. If you could connect the two devices using an ethernet connection, you have some more attractive options.
Post back if you need more info.

Similar Messages

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless network with Airport Express. Everything is fine until I try to select Extend the wireless network. I select Extend Wireless network but have no success. Ideas?

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless to rooms with a weak signal. The internet connection is fine with the basic setup. As soon as I go into Airport Utility to select Extend Wireless Network and fill in what I believe is proper information, I get an error message that Airport Extreme no longer has an IP address, the internet connection is broken, and under Wireless, that there is a wireless network in existence that can't be found. Rebooting the modem only brings the Airport Extreme back to the starting gate so that the internet is once again available. I assumed (naively) that with the All Mac All-the-Time context, adding Airport Express would truly be Plug and Play. I got the plug, but no play. I asked a Comcast technical specialist about it and he said that I needed to reset the Airport Express settings back to their default, factory status. I looked that process up online and found out that the way to do that was to hold down the reset button, then plug Airport Express into the socket and wait for the green light to flash four times. Then wait 45 seconds and the default settings will return. I did all that, only to find out that after the initial flash of green, green never appeared again. I got a fast flashing yellow light, followed by the light going off. Apparently this didn't reset it properly. So, after hours trying to get this system to work, I appeal to someone who can see through this mess and provide the key to success!
highFly376

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

Extending the range of my Extreme n Network with an Express n Airport

Hello,
I've been reading some of the questions but couldn't find my specific situation, so here I am posting again. Sorry for the double-post.
I currently have an AEBS 802.11n acting as my main base station and connected to our DSL modem. In a different room across the house, I have an Airport Express 802.11n which is joined to the network (not extending), and there is a printer connected to it via USB.
I tried to extend the range of my network, but since I'm using it in dual mode (2.4 & 5GHz), the Express gave me an error of "operation not supported...", or something similar, so I just gave up and instead of extending the network to solidify its strength, I just added the device as a client and hooked up the printer to it - which is working fine.
Another reason why I'd like to extend the range of the network is because I spend most of the time in the "remote" room, which is 3 rooms away from the AEBS, so I'm not receiving a very strong signal.
I thought of running an Ethernet cable from the AEBS to the Express, but that would require me to crawl in the attic... not worth the trouble because it's not my home, and I'll be moving out some day.
I'll also add that I'm somewhat tech-savvy, but wireless networks have always been my weak link (no pun intended).
How should I set up my equipment in order to get this accomplished?
Thanks!
Message was edited by: jortuno

Here's the general step by step for setting up the "extend" feature on the AirPort Express.
Because you have a dual band Extreme, you may need to assign different names for the main and guest networks to keep things straight. In AirPort Utility - Manual Setup under the Wireless tab, click on the "Options" button to do this.
The "main" network is setup as 802.11n 5 GHz by default, so that is what the Express will "extend". If you have "b" or "g" devices at your remote location, you will need to change the Radio Mode for the main network to a compatible setting like 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible).
_On the AirPort Extreme:_
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons
Wireless Mode should be "Create a wireless network"
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save settings
_On the AirPort Express(es):_
Open AirPort Utility, Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode should be set to "Extend a wireless network". If you don't see this choice, hold down the "option" key when you click on the selection box
When you select "Extend.." your wireless network created by the TC will appear as a choice to extend. Select the main network and enter the wireless password.
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Update to save settings.
Whenever you plug the Express in, it will automatically "extend" the main wireless network from the Base Station. Your computer will automatically connect to the device with the strongest signal, so if you are near one of the Express devices, you will be connecting at that point.
The ethernet port on the Express is also "live" in this setup so you could connect an ethernet device to the Express if you wish.
For more info on the "extend" feature, refer to the Designing AirPort Networks guide, pages 43-44.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf

How can I extend my wireless network using Airport Express and an Airport Extreme on BT Infinity?

I have BT Infinity and I am using the Time Capsule with Airport Extreme as my router. Working well (even on wireless). I want to extend the wireless network with an Airport Express, but I cannot work out the settings necessary in Airport Utility. I am using Mountain Lion 10.8.2 on a Mac Pro. Please help!

BT,
I've read several of your posts, thanks for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge.
I'm in a situation similar to the one described by 'scoutusmaximus'. Seeking the flexibility of a standalone router, I finally upgraded my 4-yr old ATT DSL gateway (modem+router) to a Comcast standalone modem + the ASUS RT-AC66U: http://www.asus.com/Networks/Wireless_Routers/RTAC66U/
Typically, I stick with all things Apple but the ASUS router seemed fairly superior to the current-gen base station (on paper, anyway; time will tell when it comes to performance) so, for once, I jumped ship. My plan was to extend the ASUS wired/wireless network using my TimeCapsule and 2 Airport Expresses in bridge mode, however, a google search turned up several unhappy customers that claim those devices don't play well with non-Apple routers, especially when it comes to 'extending' a network.
Questions:
1. Can I successfully extend the wired/wireless network created by the ASUS router using the 3 airport devices listed above w/out negatively impacting performance? I'd rather have 1 wireless network as opposed to creating a new wireless network with the TC and then extending it with the AP Expresses... though I'd consider that option down the line if it came to that.
2. Will the LAN ports on the TimeCapsule remain functional?
Btw, my house is wired so, I can reach all 3 devices via ethernet cable coming off of a central, managed switch. Supposedly, you only lose the LAN ports on the TC if you extend wirelessly.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Will extending a wireless network using airport express cause weaker signal?

Hoping someone can advise on the following please....
I have installed an Airport Express to extend my wireless network and have confirmed with Apple tech support that it's connected and configured properly. I'm using an Airport Extreme base station as a wireless router.
The AX does not seem to be extending the signal range at all, and since the setup the signal strenght from the Extreme base station seems to be at half previous strengh.
Has anyone experienced this please and, if so, what's the fix?
Any replies gratefully received.
Regards

Let's check the settings on your Express. Temporarily, move it to the same room or an adjacent room to the Extreme and power it back up.
Open AirPort Utility - select the Express - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the icons and make sure that your settings look like this:
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Extreme wireless network
Check mark entered next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Same setting as the Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the Extreme network
Confirm Password
Update to save settings, wait for green light.
Then move the Express another room or two further away from the Extreme....and restart both the Extreme and the Express. Then perform the BSSID test again.

Extend my wireless network w/airport express w/out connecting via ethernet?

Here's what I have:
I have an Airport Extreme Base Station Version 7.5.2 - named Jim's Base
I have an existing Airport Express that I use to stream music to my office stereo - named Jim's Office
I have a new Airport Express that I would like to use to extend my wireless network to my family room - named Jim's Extended. I have ethernet to my family room for my TV and Receiver and an ethernet switch with one available port.
Question, when extending my existing wireless network do I have to extend it using an ethernet cable or can it be extended "wirelessly" i.e. no connections except to 120v power?
Could someone share the exact instructions? I've been trying to configure this "extension" for several hours now but can't seem to get it to work - wired or wireless.
Thanks -
jP

Apple's instructions to "extend a wireless network" using wireless only are in the link below. Although the illustration pictures a 2nd AirPort Extreme, the setup for an AirPort Express is exactly the same.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
The Ethernet port is automatically enabled in this type of configuration to allow Ethernet devices to connect. If you need more than one Ethernet connection, you can add an Ethernet switch to the AirPort Express to create more connection capabilities.

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.

Extending Sky Wireless Network with Airport Express.

I spent most of last night trying to extend my Sky Wireless Network using an Apple Airport Express. The Apple Store salesman told me that it would be simple to set up but he's either wrong or I'm completely stupid!
Does anybody know if this is possible and if so, can they please advise me how I do this. (I am using Windows 7 on my Dell laptop)

I spent most of last night trying to extend my Sky Wireless Network using an Apple Airport Express. The Apple Store salesman told me that it would be simple to set up but he's either wrong or I'm completely stupid!
Unfortunately, the salesman may not have understood your question, or he may have given you incorrect information.
It's possible to have the AirPort Express provide more wireless coverage if you connect it using an ethernet cable permanently to your Sky router.
But, the AirPort Express cannot "extend" the wireless network produced by the Sky by connecting using wireless only. The "extend" feature will only work if you have an Apple to Apple wireless connection. This feature is not compatible with the products of other manufacturers.

Extending extreme gen5 network with previous gen4 model

I just got a new airport extreme gen.5 to replace my gen.4. I am using the gen.4 to extend my network, but does it extend the 5Ghz capability of the gen.5?
Any help would be very much appreciated. I'm not sure if when choosing "5Ghz" in the airport extrem (4) section of the house if I am connecting to the hardware in the other room or does the airport 4 simply serve as a network door...kinda like the phone booth in the matrix

In order to extend both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the 5th Generation AirPort Extreme must be configured to use the same wireless network for both bands....which is the default setting for the Extreme.
Or, stated another way, if you have enabled the option to assign a different name to the 5 GHz network on the 5th Generation Extreme, you must disable that option to allow the 4th Generation Exteme to "extend" both bands correctly.
Then configure the 4th Generation AirPort Extreme to "extend a wireless network" and select the wireless network name of the 5th Generation Extreme.
Since the 5th Generation Extreme is sending signals on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands using the same wireless network name......and.....the 4th Generation is extending that same network, both bands will be extended by the 4th Generation Extreme. This assumes of course that the 4th Generation Exteme is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal form the 5th Generation device.

Extending TC wireless network with AP Express

I just set up a brand new TC last week, and am thinking about buying a new AP Express to extend my wireless network into the basement. I've read through some of the threads here and it seems pretty straightforward, esp. since both devices will be 802.11n compatible.
The one question I have pertains to MAC access control, which I have enabled on my TC. Does the AP Express' AirPort ID need to be added to the MAC access control list on the TC if I'm setting up the AP Express to extend a wireless network? I assume that any devices that connect wirelessly to the AP Express will need to have their MAC addresses added to the access control list as well, just as if they were to connect to the TC, correct?
Also, do I need to make an Ethernet connection from the TC to the AP Express for the initial setup, or is it all done wirelessly? I will have the AP Express in the same room as the TC when I set it up and then gradually move the AP Express to its final location, somewhere between the TC and the basement (probably in the basement hallway near the door).
Message was edited by: plarkin

Welcome to the discussions!
+Does the AP Express' AirPort ID need to be added to the MAC access control list on the TC if I'm setting up the AP Express to extend a wireless network?+
Yes
+I assume that any devices that connect wirelessly to the AP Express will need to have their MAC addresses added to the access control list as well, just as if they were to connect to the TC, correct?+
Yes, you will need to compile a MAC control list for the AirPort Express
+Also, do I need to make an Ethernet connection from the TC to the AP Express for the initial setup
It's quite a bit simpler and usually more reliable if you do it this way
+or is it all done wirelessly?+
It can be, but this is sometimes confusing for users because the AirPort Express creates a default wireless network that you must log onto to be able to communicate to the device using AirPort Utility. This usually requires you to "switch" wireless networks for the configuration, then switch back again to your normal wireless network after the configuration is completed.
There's no switching involved if you simply temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to the AirPort Express for the configuration and then disconnect it once you have updated the device with its new settings.
+I will have the AP Express in the same room as the TC when I set it up and then gradually move the AP Express to its final location, somewhere between the TC and the basement (probably in the basement hallway near the door).+
That's an excellent plan

Express extending Extreme's Network, Xbox Live not connecting.

Hey Everyone!
I have an Airport Express (n version) extending my Airport Extreme's (n version) wifi successfully. My Xbox is connected to my Express via ethernet. My Xbox was able to successfully download a system update, but fails when attempting to update an Xbox Live update. I checked Microsoft's website to make sure Xbox Live was running properly, which it is. My network test on the Xbox tells me that it can connect to the Network, it can connect to the internet, but CANNOT connect to Xbox Live. My ip address does start with 10.0.x.xx, I'm wondering if that is part of the issue? I have never had any issue downloading things on the internet via my laptop. My other idea is that I haven't updated my Xbox in about 6 months, so maybe there's just a large amount of updates and it's receiving a bug of some sort? Can someone help me out here?
-Nate

First, have you had an opportunity to try some of the connectivity troubleshooting options provided by Microsoft for Xbox LIVE? For example, either Xbox LIVE Connection Problems or Xbox LIVE Connection Solution (aka Connection Wizard)? If so, what was the exact error(s) that either were reporting?
Typically, when your console is able to access the Internet, but not to Xbox LIVE, the issue can be one of at least three things: 1) ICMP, 2) NAT, or 3) MTU errors. Were any of these reported when you ran the connectivity tests?

Setup for extending Sky wireless network using Airport Express or Time Cap

Hi,
Hi,
I have three Mac computers/laptops (iMac, MacBook Air and G4 PowerBook), all currently functioning via airport on a sky wireless network (Sky HD Sagem router) all backing up wirelessly to a Time Capsule 1TB which is also connected to the same wireless Sky network. At the top of my house signal strength is weak as you would expect. I would like to be able to extend the range of the sky routers signal which is on the ground floor (3 storey house). My original idea had been to setup a AirPort Express on the 2nd floor to extend the network, but I am unsure what steps I have to follow and whether I need to create a WDS network or not? I've seen some comments that say Sky & Apple hardware are not compatible and it's not possible to extend a Sky router/wireless network using a Apple Airport Express or Time Capsule. Can someone provide me with a step by step set of instructions on what I need to do to set this up? If a work around is required, again any advice would be very much appreciated!
Many thanks,
Eugene

Welcome to the discussions!
Sky and Apple products are not compatible for the purpose of extending your network using wireless only.
If you could connect an ethernet cable from your Sky router to the AirPort Express, or if it's not possible to run an ethernet cable...take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home to transmit the ethernet signal.
If you configure the AirPort Express to "create a wireless network", this would in effect, extend your network by adding an AirPort Express that would be configured with the exactly the same wireless network name, security settings and password as your Sky router. The AirPort Express would also need to be configured as a "bridge".
Post back if you need more details about something like this.

Extending Snow wireless network with AirPort Express

I am trying to extend my existing Snow network with an AirPort Express, which I will connect to the Snow (through an unmanaged ethernet switch) via an ethernet cable. I think I know how to do this but if anyone has any hints, they would be appreciated.
In addition to using the AE as an "extender/wireless access point," can I also configure the system to stream AirTunes to the AE through the ethernet cable at the same time?
Thanks

Oops, sorry I misread your post. That should work. Make sure that you disable the "Distribute IP addresses" option on the AX so that it acts like a wireless access point. On the AX, just enable the "Enable AirTunes over the Ethernet port" option on the Music tab.

I recently upgraded my OS to Lion 10.7.4. I also just upgraded from a 1st Generation Time Capsule to a 4th Generation Time Capsule. I have an Airport Express (Version A1264) that I formerly used to extend my wireless network. AE no longer works.

I recently upgraded my OS to Lion 10.7.4. I also just upgraded from a 1st Generation Time Capsule to a 4th Generation Time Capsule. I have an Airport Express (Version A1264) that I formerly used to extend my wireless network. Airport Express no longer connects to my network. I have downloaded Airport Utility 5.6 to try and configure, but with no luck.

TC first gen was not simultaneous dual band. So.. it's probably best to factory reset your extreme and then tell it to extend again.

How do I extend an existing wireless network using airport express?

Hi all,
I am trying to extend existing wireless network using airport express, my main router is Belkin

Unfortunately, Apple's "extend" feature is designed to only work with other Apple routers if you are trying to "extend" using wireless only.
It is extremely unlikely that this feature would work with a router from another manufacturer using wireless only.

Extending Extreme N network w/ an Express G

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