Extending range with 2 airports?

Hi,
I have an airport extreme that won't cover a good part of my house.
I also have an older airport that I was wondering if there's some way
to use to extend the range of the airport extreme?
Thanks,
Carl

I have an airport extreme that won't cover a good part of my house.
I also have an older airport that I was wondering if there's some way
to use to extend the range of the airport extreme?
Yes, you can configure both base station into a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) to wirelessly extend the range of the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) with your 802.11g AirPort.
Here are the basic steps to do so ...
(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. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)
Main Base Station Setup - AEBSn
o 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.
o 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).
o 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.
o 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.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and then choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the base station you want to connect to this base station.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup - AEBS or AX
o 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.
o 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).
o Select the remote base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o 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.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o 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.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

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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.
So, how can I use these 3 in unison? TC connected via ethernet to Motorola and set in bridge mode? Then extend the AX signal? Any detail setup info you can provide will help..thanks!

Extend range with Airport Extreme and D-Link DI-614?

Can I use an Airport Extreme and a D-Link DI-614 wireless router to extend the range of my network? If so, which router should be the main base station, and which should be the relay station?

...does anyone know the cheapest way to extend a wireless network?
Ethernet cable. Run an Ethernet cable between the 2 devices.

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.

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.

Time Capsule connectivity drops on extended network with Airport Extreme

I have a new Airport Extreme router as the main router in my network and a Time Capsule set to extend the 2.4Ghz network. The routers must be configured in this order because I want the 5Ghz network from the Extreme to cover my main seating area.
The problem I have is that while I'm connected to the Extreme, on either the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz network, the connection to the Time Capsule will 'drop'. The network drive within the Time Capsule will no longer be available and the AirPort Utility no longer shows the Time Capsule. If I reboot the Extreme, the Time Capsule will reappear.
Also, when the connection drops, if I were to move within the primary range of the Time Capsult and connect to the 2.4Ghz network, it will connect flawlessly and I would have access to the Time Capsule and it's resources. It is only access through to the Time Capsule through the Extreme that is no longer available.
Any ideas what could be causing this? Both routers work flawlessly otherwise. I'm fairly certain there isn't a hardware problem here. I've gone through all the configuration settings multiple times and can't find anything that could affect this. I have the latest firmware for both routers and the latest AirPort utility.
One thing to note is that the Time Capsule is a North American unit, while the Extreme is from Hong Kong. I know there are slight differences regarding the wireless channels that both can use, but I don't think this is an issue since the Time Capsule maintains proper internet connectivity the whole time. If it was a channel issue, I'd expect the Time Capsule to lose internet access when this issue arrises.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

7.4.2 firmware does NOT resolve this problem.
I also have this problem -- it started about 2 weeks ago (around July 20?), possibly at the time the new Airport Extreme firmware went into effect. I have two separate Mac laptops that each use Time Machine to back up to different disks that are attached to the Airport Extreme (i.e., each laptop has its own backup-destination disk). Both were working flawlessly before (for more than 6 months); now, each one reliably drops the connection to the disk (produces an error message, and thereafter cannot re-connect to the destination disk until I cycle the Airport Extreme with power-off/on). I had hoped that 10.5.8 would help (the release notes talked about improved stability with Airport connections), but not so.

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.

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 netgear dgn3500 range with airport express

Hello all,
I would like to extend my network range ( router netgear dgn3500) with an airport express. Is it possible?
Thank you!

I'm not sure if what I did extended the range, but I can play music from iTunes through connected speakers while connected to my Netgear WGR614v7 router (base). I tried hardwiring both my Mac and another PC in the house to the express and the computers do not find the express.
Connect (I did it wirelessly) to the express.
In AirPort Utility, select manual setup.
Under wireless, select "Join a wireless network" as the wireless mode.
The Wireless Network Name should be the same as your Netgear router's name.
Wireless security should also be the same as the Netgear router.
Type in the password for the Netgear router.
Select update.
After the AirPort Express reboots, connect to the Netgear router, and the express should still be listed in AirPort Utility. This means it is connected to the Netgear router. Now for the ultimate test. See if it extends the wireless range. If it doesn't work, it might be the router, since mine is a different model.
Good Luck!

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.

Extend range with multiple airport

I want to use an airport express to provide wireless music to speakers that are over 150 feet from my mac and my extreme n base station. How can I do this?

150 feet would be about the theoretical maximum for a wireless signal to travel....under the most ideal conditions.....which would mean no obstructions like walls or ceilings in the signal path. In other words, you would really need a line-of-sight situation between all wireless devices.
Realisically, you really need to consider a wired Ethernet connection for this type of application to avoid constant drop out issues.
A high gain antenna from a company like QuickerTek might be a possible solution as well, but this is always "iffy". You just can't predict wireless performance in advance, so it's important to understand the return/credit policies in case things don't work out as hoped.
http://www.quickertek.com/

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.

Extending range with A/Port Express

Simple question. I have a Netgear DG834PN ADSL Wireless Modem router. Can I use Airport Express as a repeater to wirelessly extend the range of my network. If not, why not?

sinjon,
I use a Netgear DG834 wireless DSL router with an Airport Express to extend the range.
The WDS setup is performed in the Airport Express, not the Netgear.
But I found the best solution for me was to cable (under the carpet) the Airport Express to the Netgear, extending the range by twice as much.

Extend Network with Airport Extreme & Express

I am trying to extend the range of a wireless network from one house to another about 80 yards away. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station (ABES) and an Airport Express (AX) which is supposed to accomplish this. I found some instructions in the forums that walked me through configuring WDS. That was easy enough, however, when the AX restarts it doesn't come back up in the Airport Utility. It will come up if I do a hard reset on the AX. The ABES continues to show a WDS error and displays a flashing amber light.
What am I doing wrong? How do I fix this issue?

Karen,,, sorry for the interruption. I have the same issue..... AP Extreme Flying Saucer, AP Express "b", and a new AP Express "n" and would like to stop all the drop outs with my music. So, I'll ask Bob for some help.... I think I already know the answer.....
Bob,,,,, Here is my schematic layout.... Everything is "as the crow flies" and in the same height placement. iMac in bedroom, 1st Stereo in Living room approx 25 feet away, 2nd Stereo in a detach Shop approx 85 feet from the iMac. There is a concrete block wall between the computer and the first stereo and the same block wall along with two big glass windows between the computer and the shop stereo. Again all are in a straight line from the computer.
The new AP Express "n" is in the shop which is the greatest distance. If the wind is blowing hard I have lots of drop outs in both stereo's..... And during other nice weather times everything works excellent.
How can I extend the wireless signal??? I'll buy all "n" stuff if you think it'll do the trick....? I can't raise the Dr. Bott antenna due to cord length.... Oh,, my internet modem is plugged into the iMac not the AP Extreme...
Any suggestions....?

Extending range with 2 airports?

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