Extending network range with express device

I'm trying to determine how to improve my wifi signal at work. My office network is set up with a cisco router unfortunately and I purchased an airport express in order to try boost the signal I'm receiving. I prefer using my macbook air over my pc laptop for which I purchased a wireless adapter that is basically a plug in antenna. The signal is greatly improved on my pc. In order to accomplish the same thing for my mac, can you configure the express to boost the signal in addition to having my printer connected to it.
I have had no issue joining the existing office network and my printer, while a little on the slow side works with both my pc and macbook. Any thoughts if you can use the extreme device to improve signal strength of a non-airport network or is there something else on the market that would help?

Unfortunately, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible with Apple's implementation of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)...so it very unlikely that your non-AirPort router can be extended wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX).

Similar Messages

How to extend the range with a second Airport Express? Do I need a DSL cable?

How to extend the range with a second Airport Express? Do I need a DSL cable?

Thanks, now we need a bit more information, please, in order to provide you with the correct information that you need.
I assume that you already have one AirPort Express.....either a model A1264 or A1392.....set up and operating OK, is that correct?
If yes, you can extend the network either by using wireless or an Ethernet cable with a second AirPort Express.....either the A1264 or A1392 model. A wired connection is the way to go, if possible, since it provides better performance. But, wireless might work OK for you if you want to try that.
Let us know "how" you want to extend......wireless or wired?

AirPort Express won't extend network range

I spent 5 hours on the phone with three different apple reps changing every possible setting on the airport express that i wanted to use to extend the range of my existing network and even though AirPort utility said everything was set up right, the AX was only connected as a client. It was on the network, but not broadcasting ANY signal. This was at an office building with an AirPort Extreme as the base station. Both devices are brand new. 802.11n. I then took it home to see if it would extend the range of my home network which is set up using an AirPort Express as the base station. After trying every possible set up option there i was left with the same result. No broadcasting from the remote Express. It broadcasts when it's a base station, but not as a remote extender. What's the problem?!

I am going nuts too trying to configure my Airport Express to extend the range of my Airport Extreme. Nothing seems to work and I've been at this off and on for months. The Extreme works fine (it's an "n") but the Express (I think a "g") won't cooperate. And Apple has no current definitive step-by-step instructions that help at all. Does anyone out there have a solution? Shouldn't this just be plug-and-play with a few tweaks to the settings?

Extend wireless range with Airport Express?

Hi,
I am using a Time Warner internet wifi router and need to extend the range in my home. Can anyone help me with how to extend the range using an Airport Express?
Thanks
Chris

Chris, are you planning to connect the AirPort Express to the Time Warner router using a wired Ethernet connection?
The reason we ask is that Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature to provide more wireless coverage....using wireless only.....works only with other Apple routers as far as we know.
It is almost certainly not compatible with devices from other manufacturers.

Extend public wlan range with Express/Extreme?

I'm connecting a public wlan network from home with the iBook. Unfortunately the wlan signal strength is ok just close to the windows. I'd like to have a device to pick the incoming signal, strengten it and spread it to the appartment. Could I use one of the Airport products for this? The public wlan expects the clients to be configured to use dhcp. The wlan is open with no excryption. To enhance the signal quality it might be necessary to use an external antenna placed outside the window and attached to the device with a cable, but I'm not sure if this is needed. Suggestions anyone?
iBook Mac OS X (10.4.3)

An Express/Extreme cannot extend the range of a non-WDS base station. Even with a WDS base station, it would need to be configured to know about your Express/Extreme and use it as a WDS remote base station.
About the only thing I can suggest is to get a wireless-to-Ethernet bridge and connect a directional antenna to it, which would be pointed toward the nearest WLAN base station. You could then run Ethernet from the bridge to an Express or Extreme set up as an access point using a different wireless channel than the public WLAN, which would give you coverage within your residence. It would look something like this:
<PRE>
Public WLAN ))))) bridge --------- Express/Extreme ))))) iBook
</PRE>
(")))))" represents wireless, "-----" represents Ethernet)

Network topology for extending wireless range with WAP321

Hi all,
I have an WAP321 accespoint connected to my router/firewall. There are 2 SSID active each assigned to a different VLAN. Now I want to extend the range of my wireless network and looking into options.
Adding another WAP321 is the first thing on my mind. When I read the documentation the cluster option looks perfect for me.
The only thing I don't find in the documentation is if the second WAP321 should be hard wired with the LAN for the data connection. I don't have the possibility to get a network cable to the second WAP321 location. So I am looking for a repeater with respect to multiple SSID's.
Does clustering solve my problem?
Regards,
Martin.

Hi, My name is Eric Moyers. I am a Network Support Engineer in the Cisco Small Business Support Center. Thank you for using the Cisco Community Post Forums.
The option that you need to use is WDS Bridge. To use this you need to have two WAP321's as bridging to like WAPs is only supported. (121 to 121, 321 to 321)
Is only for ease of management and not for extending.
This is easy to setup and there is good detail in the admin guide and in help in the GUI.
Here is an abbreviated version:
To configure a WDS bridge:
Click Wireless > WDS Bridge in the navigation window.
Select Enable for Spanning Tree Mode
When enabled, STP helps prevent switching loops. STP is recommended if you configure WDS links.
Select Enable for WDS Interface
Configure the remaining parameters:
Repeat these steps for up to three additional WDS interfaces.
Click Save. The changes are saved to the Running Configuration and to the Startup Configuration.
Thanks
Eric Moyers .:|:.:|:.
Cisco Small Business US STAC Advanced Support Engineer
CCNA, CCNA-Wireless
866-606-1866
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 18:00 (UTC - 05:00)
*Please rate the Post so other will know when an answer has been found.

"extended network" error with airport express

i have my time capsule set up in my living room as the primary, and since there are several concrete walls in my house, i need to extend the wifi connection in order to get signal from my room which is located at the very end of my house. I've had my airport express placed near the doorway of my room which should be getting a clear signal from time capsule in the living room.
everything works fine for few days, and the blinking amber light started going off on the airport express. and from the airport utility it shows 1 notification on my airport express. It said an error of "extended network", if i choose to ignore it, the indication light turns back to green, but then i wont be able to connect to the internet.
is there some kind of settings need to be adjusted? please help~~~
my settings on airport express:
Router Mode: Off (Bridge Mode)
Connect using: DHCP
Configure IPv6: Link-Local Only

i've tried to plug the airport express literally right next to the time capsule, and it still showing the "extended network" error message. so it can't be the signal strength issue.
Help please....
additonal info:
my time capsule (primary) :
Connect Using - DHCP
Router Mode: DHCP and NAT
DHCP Range: 10.0.1.2 to 10.0.1.200
my airport express (extension) :
Connect Using - DHCP
IPv4 Address: 10.0.1.10
Router Address: 10.0.1.1
DNS Servers: 10.0.1.1
Router Mode: Off (Bridge Mode)

How to extend wireless range with airport express

I am using 10.6.8....I have a wireless connection and would like to use an airport express to extend my range....the unit model is A1084. I can't find out how to do this in assistant. Does anyone know?

An Airport can extend only another Airport WiFi. It can not extend non-Apple WiFi systems.
I don't know the model numbers and I don't know when the extend capability was added.

Using TC to extend network range.

My home network is currently set up with 2x b/g AX's in a WDS configuration. I also have a TC (b/g and n capable) for backups. I am wondering if I can add the TC into the wireless network (rather than just joining it) to increase my range. I am thinking of using the TC as the main and the two AX as remotes to extend the network. Will this slow down my TC backups? Also would this now allow me to use TC backup from a larger range (obviously I imagine if im out of the n 5.0ghz range and its connecting to the TC via the AX this would decrease the speed, but the extra backup range would be very useful)?

I guess I did not make myself clear when I said that everything would drop down to "g" wireless if you choose WDS. If you configure the TC to "participate in a WDS arrangement", everything...both bands on your TC....automatically drop down to 2.4 GHz "g" wireless, so the maximum speed you will attain will be "g" levels on your "n" Time Capsule.
WDS is a "g" technology. it cannot operate at "n" level speeds.
But, with the other 2 AirPort Express devices on the WDS network, the first will drop the bandwidth in half on the entire network and the second will drop that in half again on the entire network.
Your entire WDS network will be operating at maximum "g" wireless with only one quarter of the original bandwidth on the network. The maximum speed that you will able to attain on the network will be approximately 13 Mbps.
Since "n" wireless at 2.4 GHz can attain speeds of up to 130 Mbps and up to 300 Mbps at 5 GHz, your WDS network will be operating at only a small fraction of it's capability.
If you want to use wireless only to "extend", (I suggested using ethernet with your two "g" AirPort Express devices) and you replaced the two "g" AirPort Express devices you have now with two new "n" versions, you could use Apple's "Extend a wireless network" feature and extend using wireless only.
The "Extend a wireless network" setup will maintain "n" speeds throughout the network with a much smaller bandwidth loss (about 10-15% per device), so your network would still be working at 60-70% of it's capability. Unfortunately, you cannot use your "g" AirPort Express devices for this purpose.

Can I extend the range with an Airport Extreme?

Hi there,
Is it possible to extend a wireless network's range with an Airport Extreme (just like you can do with an Airport Express)? Currently I have a Billion wireless modem/router but need to extend the range so I can use my PS3 in my bedroom. I would rather get an Airport Extreme instead of an Express so I can take it with me when I move out. Just need to know if the Extreme will do this as it doesn't mention it on the website.
Thanks for your time.
Regards,
Daniel

Welcome to the discussions!
+Is it possible to extend a wireless network's range with an Airport Extreme (just like you can do with an Airport Express)?+
The AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and even the Time Capsule can "extend a wireless network", +but... they are only compatible if you have another Apple router as the main device.+
Sorry, but none of the Apple products would be compatible to extend the range of your Billion wireless router using wireless only. You might want to check to see if Billion has a "range extender" or similar compatible device.

Error when trying to extend network from airport express to airport express

I have an airport express in my house.
I am trying to connect another airport express to extend the network.
I am following the instructions but keep getting an error when it is resetting itself. I have done a hard reset on the airport express so it is in its default settings.
I see both airports in the left window of the Airport Utility Application.
I select the New Base Station and select Switch to switch the networks.
I then rename and add a password to the new airport express. (continue)
I then select "I want Airport Express to join my current network" (continue)
I then select "Extend the range of my Airport Extreme or Airport Express network" so I can extend the internet connection (Continue)
It then asks me to choose the Airport Express network I want to extend - I get a choice of my "Cameron Network" or "Apple Network xox##xo" which is my new Airport Express. I'm selecting "Cameron Network" - my current wireless internet connection. (Continue)
I am then asked to select the Apple wireless device I want to join from the list.
The only option is "Cameron Airport Express" (OK)
I then get a message "Configuring main network for a new WDS remote"
I then get an error "There was an error setting up this Apple Wireless Device for WDS. Quit AirPort Utility and try again"
I've tried 10 times.
What am I doing wrong??
Thank you in advance for your help!

It sounds like you have an older "b/g" Airport Express (AX) and you have configured the device to "join" your wireless network. When the "b/g" AX is configured this way, the ethernet port is not active.
Follow the instructions to setup a WDS arrangement with both of your AX devices. One must be configured as a WDS "main" and the other as a WDS "remote".
Apple's step by step instructions to do this are found on pages 42-44 in the Designing AirPort Networks Guide
If both of your AX devices are newer 802.11"n" devices, you can use a different type of setup. Post back to confirm if that is the case.

Using AE to extend network range

I'm sure this has been asked but since the search is turned off I can't find it.
I have an Airport Express (older G) that I use for Airtunes. I have a AEBS (n) and a G5 iMac desktop and and a 14" iBook and a black MacBook. Lately the black Macbook airport signal has become flacky at best often dropping off completely. I think the card might be going south as the other two computers work fine. I'm wondering if I could use the AE to extend the network and still allow to stream Airtunes. I can't seem to find anything that either forbids or allows this.
Any help would be appreciated.

I just got off the phone with AppleCare. I've got a similar setup. iMac 24" serving as the iTunes Library hub, connected to the Airport Extreme. I've got a MacBook AppleTV and an iPodTouch. I have PC speakers hooked up to the AppleTV and can choose to turn these speakers on through iTunes. Recently upgraded to the 2.0 software for my iPodTouch and downloaded the Remote app.
So, now I purchased an Airport Express to put upstairs in the bedroom to connect with my Altec Lansing inMotion iM600 speakers. I setup the Airport Express and the light is green. I've connected my speakers and switched the source to Aux....all I get is static.
Apple Care told gave me three things to try.
Click the extend this network on you AEBS.
Make sure Airport is on for my main iMac (this part doesn't make sense since because you would think the signal from my iMac is being transmitted via the Ethernet cable connected to the AEBS and then broadcast to the AE.
Bottom line, I think it will support both. Streaming music and extending your range.
Good luck,
Mark

Extend wireless range with Airport?

I want to extend the range of my ATT 2wire wireless. It looks like Airport Express only works with an already in place Airport network. Would Airport extreme work? What other options are available?

Unfortunately, none of the AirPorts can be used to extend the wireless range of the 2Wire gateway ... at least not by a wireless connection between the two. If having a wired connection is not desireable or even feasible, then you have a few other options: 1) Check to see if 2Wire offers a wireless range extender, or 2) Employ two AirPorts: one connected directly to the existing 2Wire by Ethernet, and the second configured to extend the wireless range of the first.

Extended network setup with printer and airport disk

The network I want looks like this: The modem plugs into Airport Express using ethernet. Audio plugs in here to go to the stereo for music. Then the signal is sent wirelessly to an Airport Extreme in the other room, which has a printer and a hard drive connected to it.
I can't get the Extreme to stop flashing yellow. I tried extending the network created by the Express. I tried a WDS network with Express as main and Extreme as remote. Same network name, different network names, factory resets...I seem to be at a loss. I had an older "Snow" type Airport and I had the printer working on it (though it didn't support hard drives). I can't seem to duplicate the steps I took when I set up that network.
Thank you for any help you may be able to offer.

Tim,
It would help to know which AirPort Extreme, 802.11b/g or n, and Fast Ethernet versus Gigabit, and Express (b/g or n) devices you have.
Also, if you have any of the newer 802.11n AirPort devices, make sure that you update the firmware and AirPort Utility software.
If you're trying to setup a WDS, that's for 802.11g and if you're trying to "extend" a network, that for 802.11n.
Hope this helps.

AirPort Extreme wireless was working fine until I tried to add the extreme to extend network range...now neither is working and I can't fix.

Help please? I got the Express yesterday and had it set up and working fine. However I found the signal and connection wasn't going far enough/fast enough for all areas of my home I wanted it to. Today I got the Extreme. I unplugged the Express, plugged in the Extreme and set up the new wireless network for that one just fine and it was working great. However, I still wasn't getting quite the connection/speed I wanted through out my house, so I tried to add the Express to extend the network I set up from the Extreme and now neither one is working. I tried resetting and starting over from the beginning but I can't even get just the Extreme to work by itself and am not sure what to do.

The following are the basic steps to configure an extended network with two 802.11n AirPort. Please take a look to check if anything was missed when you configured yours.
Dynamic WDS - Extending a Wireless Network Setup
If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
Open AirPort Utility, and then, select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless.
Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
Enter the base station network and base station password if necessary.
Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
(ref: Pages 43-44 of Apple AirPort Networks.)
(ref: Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations)

Extending network range with express device

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