Extending Range of Airport Extreme via LAN connection to Airport Express

I am an expat living overseas. I live in a 100 concrete walled house and thus when trying to set up a wireless network I have very limited range. Using Airport Extreme is not a problem downstairs...but to extend the wireless connection upstairs had been a challenge. What I've attempted to do is use the LAN connection on the back of the Airport Express Base Station and run the line upstairs along the side of the house into a room upstairs. I then have connected the ethernet line to an airport express in this room. My computers upstairs recognize the Airport Express and are connected to it...but I can't get an internet connection to those computers. Additionally, the Airport Extreme Base Station does not recognize the Airport Express as part of the network (wireless or LAN). Any suggestions?

I would bring the Expresses to the room where you have your Extreme and factory reset the Expresses so that they are in the original condition when they came out of the box - they will reflect their Apple IDs.
I would then open the Airport Utility (I am assuming you have the new Extreme, not the old one). Scan for the Expresses and then join them to the network.
If they work in the room where your Extreme is located then they are configured appropriately. They I would try moving them back to the room where you want to extend your network. If they then do not work you will know it is not the Express but the amount of concrete and metal in your building.

Similar Messages

  • Extending Range With AirPort Express

    Hi, we recently purchased the new Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station and I want to extend the range with my older model AirPort Express. I know the new Base Station is 802.11n and my Express only supports a/b/g, I was wondering if it is still possible to extend the range, and if so, how do you do this?
    Thanks!

    Yes, it is possible, and here are the steps...
    AEBSn - WDS Setup
    (Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete.)
    Main Base Station Setup
    - Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
    - Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
    - Select the main base station, and 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. If the base station is using the
    default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
    - Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu.
    - Click WDS and then choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
    - Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
    - Click the Add button and enter the MAC address of the base stations you want to connect to this base station.
    - Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
    Remote Base Station Setup
    - Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as a remote base station.
    - Open AirPort Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
    - Select the remote base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
    - Enter the base station password, if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
    - Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
    - Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
    - Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
    - Enter the MAC address of the main base station in the WDS Main field. The MAC address is also referred to as the AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom of the base station.
    - Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
    (ref: Pages 41-45 of "Designing AirPort Extreme 802.11n Networks.

  • Time Capsule as bridge, want to extend range with airport express

    I have a Motorola Surfboard SBG6580 a time capsule (3rd gen) and an airport express (2nd gen). I currently have the time capsule connected to the surfboard router by ethernet and have it iset to bridge mode. i would like to use the airport express to extend the network because as i get to the back of my apartment the range of the wifi signal starts to degrade. however when i try to extend the network with the express i am unable to.
    both apple routers are on latest firmware
    would there be any alternative way to configure these 3 devices for best performance / range

    @blaqink
    Have you figured this out?
    I am looking to accomplish the similar feat. I have the Motorola Surfboard SBG6580, Time Capsule (Gen2) and Airport Express. I would like to use the Motorola as the main wireless signal because it appears to be better. But I still use the TC for backups and time machine, then I use the AX to extend the signal.
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  • The internet coming from my AirPort Extreme, which is extended by an AirPort Express and my Time Capsule, is being very flaky. It is dropping and I have to reconnect every few minutes. Any solutions?

    To be more detailed, my AirPort Extreme needs to be extended by an AirPort Express, which then is extended to my personal Time Capsule. The internet drops on my MacBook Pro and other MacBook Pros randomly. We then reconnect with no problem and go on with what we were doing. The internet is fine. Always able to connect. We have Open DNS set up as well. But the flaky internet is annoying. Any ideas how to fix this?

    The primary issue that you will need to contend with is the distance between routers. 300' would be at the fringe of the signal coming from the base station located in the house which, most likely, make it too "weak" to extend/repeat with the second base station at the shop.
    There is a method to configure a relay base station between them in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS), but a WDS has two major drawbacks: 1) It can only operate in the 802.11g Radio Mode, and 2) For every base station participating in the WDS, the overall bandwidth will be cut in half .., so with a total of three (main, relay, & remote), the maximum of 54 Mbps (for 802.11g) would be more like 15-17 Mbps. If you plan on streaming HD video (either 720p or 1080p), your local wireless network may not have enough bandwidth to do so successfully.
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  • How to extend wireless with airport express and time capsule

    So, I have a time capsule & because of the thick walls in my apartment, I can barely use my ipad and iphone at night in my bedroom! (my macbookPRO stays at 3 bars however!)
    I bought an airport express thinking I could plug it closer to or inside my bedroom to boost the signal - but it doesn't seem to work that way - any tips on how to set this up?
    TWO ADDITIONAL Qs:
    Does connecting directly to my time capsule (which i'm assuming i'd need another ethernet cable) help with the boost? (then negates the other great uses for the airport express it seems)
    Isn't there a way to do the boost with the express wirelessly? I'd really love to get wireless speakers, use airplay AND be able to use my devices just two rooms away ....   HELP!
    thanks so much (when did apple phone support start to be closed on Sundays?)
    cheers.

    Suggest that you check your setup again to make sure that the settings are correct on both the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.
    Open AirPort Utility, select the Time Capsule and click Manual Setup
    Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
    Make sure that a check mark is entered next to "Allow this network to be extended".( If the box is not checked, the Time Capsule will not extend to the AirPort Express)
    Click Update to save your settings and close AirPort Utility
    Next, open AirPort Utility again, select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
    Click the Wireless tab
    Settings should look like this:
    Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
    Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Time Capsule network
    Check mark entered next to "Allow wireless clients"
    Wireless Security = Same setting as the Time Capsule
    Wireless Password = Same password as the Time Capsule network
    Confirm Password
    Update to save settings and close AirPort Utility
    Locate the AirPort Express approximately half way between the Time Capsule and area that needs more wireless coverage. You may need to experiment on placement to find the best compomise.
    Post back on your results.

  • What is the approximate range of Airport Express for iPad2?

    What is the approximate range for Airport Express to use with iPad2?

    Clearly the range is impacted by the walls in the transmission path.  However, I was able to get about sixty feet.  As this was no different than that with my Westell-7500 modem/router ("g" standard) from Verizon, I returned the Express.

  • Extend range of mac mini shared interent connection via Airport

    Hello all - Hopefully I can get some help with extending the range of my internet connection
      Currently my internet connection is plugged into my mac mini via ethernet and shared via Wifi. I'd like to extend this connection via my airport express but can't quite figure out how to do this. When I try to manually configure the airport express to extend the range of the wifi signial the airport express becomes unrecognizable. and I get error code 10057 in airport utility.
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    Thanks
    Keith

    well,
    if your ISP locks your internet down to your MAC address it is very likely you will not be able to share it. They have means of stopping you from sharing the internet connection - as i.e. most hotels do.
    Did you manage to share your connection this way with any other device like smart phone etc?
    Why don't you speak to your ISP about the problem is slightly beyond me.

  • Airport Express to Extend Range of Airport Extreme 802.11 ac???

    Hi:
    We just installed a new Airport Extreme 802.11 ac. I would like to extend range within the house with our older Airport Express. I plug in the Airport Express (model A1264) 1 m away from the Extreme, but the light just blinks yellow on the Express. When one turns to Airport Utility, the box in the top left (Other Wi-Fi Devices) shows no other discovered options. Is this 802.11 n Express not compatible with my new 802.11 ac extreme, or am I doing something stupid/wrong?
    Thanks!

    Tried soft and hard reboots on the Express.  I now have a slowly flashing yellow light.
    But, Airport Utility under the tab "Other Wi-Fi Devices" still lists nothing.
    Airport Utility in the main window has a globe with a green dot next to the word "Internet" under it.
    There is a vertical line under the globe going to an icon of my brand new Airport Extreme that has a green dot under it and the name of the Airport Extreme.
    My iMac is connected to the internet via an ethernet cable (Wi-Fi is off).
    This is the same configuration I had with my old Base Station, but for some reason the Airport Express doesn't show up in Airport Utility with my new Airport Extreme as the base station and I have no idea how to use Airport Express as a range extender.
    Again, thank you for your advice and help.

  • How to set-up new Airport Express to extend range of Airport Extreme

    Purchased a new Airport Express to use it as a range extender on existing home network with an operating Airport Extreme base station. While I've read instructions, I'm unclear whether the Express needs to be connected by ethernet cable for its initial setup, or can I simply plug it and initialize it wirelessly onto the same household network? (I've tried the latter but without success).

    to edex67 and Bob Timmons:
    My objective is to extend the wireless range of the Airport Extreme base station wirelessly - so I do appreciate that the Airport Express would needsto be located haflway between the base station and the "dead zone" area.
    The suggestion of using a Powerline ethernet connection to the Airport Express has merit (especially as I have one available).
    I continue to use OSX 10.6.8 - does this affect my set-up in any way?
    My problem had been - and remains - how to configure the Airport Express in range extend mode - I did click these boxes on both the Extreme base station and the Express, however the Express still has flashing amber lights and error codes - one indicating no internet availability on the Airport Express.

  • Error when trying to extend range using an Extreme connecting to a Express

    Ok,
    My cable modem is connected just fine to my AE. I can run iTunes (which is nice!) off of it, connect to the internet off of my MBP and all. I just bought a AEBS to be able to EXTEND the range of my connection for all of my small townhome. However, when I go to through the Airport Setup Assistant to try and set it up, it keeps coming back with an error that says "Error Setting up WDS" or something like that. I've tried this multiple times. I've tried resetting both the AE and the AEBS...still doesn't work. Any clue?
    Thanks,
    Ryan

    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.

  • Trouble extending WiFi using Airport Express over wired connection

    We're attempting to improve the wireless connection in an apartment. The original network runs off a current model Airport Extreme. We used a pair of ZyXEL powerline adapters to extend a wired connection to the other end of the apartment, and connected a new Airport Express at the far end. Airport Utility automatically configured the Express to extend the network. Didn't work so well.
    A laptop plugged directly into the powerline adapter gets a great connection. When the Express is connected to the powerline adapter (yes, using the WAN port), not only can I no longer connect to the network wirelessly, but even turning WiFi off and plugging a Cat5 cable into the LAN port on the Express results in a connection that's either nonexistent or so slow as to be nonfunctional. The laptop does pull an IP address when hardwired.
    Has anyone had any luck with this type of arrangement?
    Thanks!

    When you say that AirPort Utility automatically configured the Express to extend the network......you did not specify whether the Express was set up to "extend wirelessly" or "extend using Ethernet".
    There is a huge difference here, and if for some reason the Express was first configured to extend the network wirelessly......and then the Ethernet connection was made......that will set up a feedback loop that will effectively crash the network....rendering the Express virtually useless.  Sound familiar?
    Suggest that you start over and follow our step by step instructions.  We assume that you are using a 6.x version of AirPort utility.....or....that you will be using an iPhone or iPad for the setup. Would that be correct?  We also assume that you have a spare Ethernet cable on hand......any length will do, the longer the better.
    Post back when you are ready to get things set up.

  • Extend a network Airport express and Airport Extreme

    A very straight forward setup. I simply want to extend my Airport Extreme network with the Express. I use the airport utility. It finds the express and says that it has extended the network. However, later when I check the wireless options of the express, it is setup as a Create a Network.
    The two are connected via ethernet. Not sure why its saying that. If I mannually then change it to extend a network, it doesn't show me the home network. I enter it mannualy and update it. It doesn't behave nicely.
    Am I doing something wrong here ?
    Thanks.

    I use the airport utility. It finds the express and says that it has extended the network. However, later when I check the wireless options of the express, it is setup as a Create a Network.
    "Create a wireless network" is the correct setting to extend the network when the AirPort is connected to the main router using a wired Ethernet connection.
    "Extend a wireless network" would be the correct setting only if the AirPort Express is connected to the main router using wireless only, not Ethernet.

  • Extend Wifi with Airport Express when Airport Extreme is in Bridge Mode

    Hello,
    I'm trying to make my Wifi network easier at home but Im having some trouble.
    My Internet Provider installed a Router at home. So I had to connect my Airport Extreme to the IP Router via cable and setup in Bridge Mode.
    In my Airport Extreme I created a Wifi Network called WIFI HOME.
    Than I connected two Airport Express into my Airport Extreme via cable and created two new wifi networks: WIFI HOME 2 and WIFI HOME 3.
    But, in my opinion, this is not cleaver way to have my Wifi Network setup, since I have to change networks all the time.
    The problem is that every time I tried to extend my current WIFI HOME setup into one of the Airport Express, the Airport Express crashes during the setup reset and my network starts to behave wrongly.
    I'm starting to think that is something related to the Bridge Mode in my Airport Extreme. but I want to check with you guys if that makes any sense.
    Thanks a lot!

    Power off both of the AirPort Express devices
    Disconnect the Ethernet cables
    Wait a minute
    Power up one of the AirPort Express devices for a few minutes
    Hold in the reset button on the Express for 10 seconds and release
    Allow a full minute for the AirPort Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
    Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express if it is a two port version
    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen
    Look for a listing of New AirPort Bsee Station
    Click on AirPort Express
    The setup utility will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network. Then, it will suggest that the Express be configured to Extend the AirPort Extreme network.
    Type in a name that you want to call the AirPort Express.  Example........Express1
    Click Next
    Then, the screen message will change to indicate that the AirPort Express is being configured to extend using Ethernet.
    When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
    The first Express is now set up and working correctly.
    Set up the second Express exactly the same way........except give it a different name to avoid confusion.....Example......Express2.

  • Extending network with Airport Express and Airport Extreme (latest models) causes chaos on network

    Today I upgraded from my several year old Airport Extreme (3rd gen) and 2nd gen Airport Express to a new (what you'd buy on the shelf today) Airport Extreme and Airport Express.  All airports are updated with the latest firmware and I'm using windows 7 for configuration.
    The intention is to use the Airport Extreme as the main router, also serving wifi. And extend the network using the express. As such, the following has been done:
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    Initially I did the configuration of both airports on my computer, connected by ethernet to ensure stable connectivity while I inputted settings. During this, they appeared to accept the changes fine. However, when I moved the airport express to it's destination (other side of my house), the entire network went crazy.
    Internet became slow, and often wouldn't load pages. This was on wired and wireless connections. When I attempted to administer the Airport in the Utility, they would not load, an error would occur. Also, at one point the Airport Extreme had renamed it self with a (2) at the end. Which was super odd. So far, the only solution has been to unplug the Airport Express and attempt to devise a solution.
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    I wanted to add this.. I followed the guide here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 to extend using ethernet, and the above is the result.
    I just tried re configuring in OS X Mavericks and got the same, odd, result.

  • 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.

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