Extending Wireless Network and Bridging Over Ethernet

Have a TimeCapsule and Airport Basestation at home. Both are currently connected over wireless using the "Extend Wireless Network" feature.
On each of the devices have several laptops, mac minis etc. connected over Ethernet (since wireless insufficient for our high speed data transfers etc.)... Trouble we are having is the speed/connection between both the TC and the AP, so considering to connect them both over Ethernet to improve.
Question is once they are connected over Ethernet, what happens to the "Extend Wireless Network", how does the TC and AP know to either use the wireless or the Ethernet to connect with each other? Does one take precedence over the other?
We want to keep them both on Ethernet and Wireless bridge ideally, so that at opposite ends the wireless network is extended for our iPhones and iPads and all devices connected on Ethernet benefit the speed boost over Ethernet, but just not sure how it will behave, and not sure how to test this scenario....
So asking here instead
Thanks!

It sounds like you might want to configure your base stations into a "roaming network".

Similar Messages

Wired airport express to extend wireless network and connect network printer?

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it? Here's the deal...The Airport Extreme is directly connected to my DSL modem and the wireless network is working fine in my house, but, the signal does not reach my detached studio/office. I have a Cat5e cable (and phone line, more on this later) run between the two locations and trimmed out. I would like to have wireless access and connect my network printer (Brother HL-2170W, wireless or wired) in my studio, be able to use printer from house also, and still have wireless access in house.
So, ethernet connection from Extreme to Express, USB from Express to Printer, wireless access for all users. Can anyone talk me through how to (re)configure the Express to do this? Do I need to make changes to Extreme configuration also?
JS

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it?
Yes. Apple's instructions for this are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
Instead of a second AirPort Extreme as illustrated, you will be using the AirPort Express.

Extend wireless network and use dns server

I need to extend a wirelss network with my Airport express
but I also need to the devices connected to Airport express to use specified DNS servers.
Even if primary and secondary DNS fields are filled it does not seem to work and devices are not using them
Is there anyone who knows how to "force" connected devices to use the DNS services?
thank you!!!

I need to extend a wirelss network with my Airport express
The AirPort Express can only extend a wireless network if that network is provided by another Apple router.
So, the first question here would be what device is providing your wireless network?
Assuming that the Express is extending the network from another Apple router correctly, it is possible to manually enter DNS addresses for the Express to use, but it is not possible to "force" a wireless device to use the Express for its connection.

Extend wifi network and connect to ethernet ?

Just a simple question: I have two AEBS, I extend the airport network. May I connect to ethernet on the second AEBS ?

Thanks a lot !

Can an AEBS extend a wireless network and provide 3 LAN ports?

I have just reorganised my wireless network by replacing an AEBS GigE (MC053B/A) {AEBS1} with an AEBS Sim Dual-Band II (MC340B/A) {AEBS2}. Whereas before I used an AE G {AE1} to provide a dedicated G wireless network and bridged it via LAN to AESB1, which was configured for 5GHz N only, the new setup is all taken care by AEBS2.
The setup is basically this:
AEBS2:
- Internet gateway with shared IP from the cable modem.
- all client wireless connections are made to AEBS2, no other base station will accept client wi-fi.
- provides separate 5GHz N and 2.4GHz B/G networks with WPA2 authentication
- performs all DHCP assignment
- uses MAC address access control
- allows networks to be extended
AE1:
- set to 'join' the G network for AirTunes
*AE N* {AE2} :
- set to extend N network but no wireless clients: this enables the LAN port to be used to connect to my FreeSat HD TV's ethernet port, for upcoming BBC iPlayer support.
*Wi-Fi clients:*
- Various client devices all connect via N or G to AEBS2
This all works just fine.
The problem I have is with AEBS1. I have a Mac Min Core Duo that only has G wireless. I would like to configure AEBS1 to extend the N network so that its LAN ports can be used by the Mac Mini (and turn off the Mini's wi-fi). The idea is similar to what I've done with AE2: no wireless clients, just LAN.
I've restored AEBS1 to default settings and then configured it to 'extend' the N network with no wireless clients.
While testing I find that AEBS1 connects to the N network but only for 70 seconds, it then disconnects for 31 seconds, after which it reconnects. This cycle is predictable and I've monitored it from an iMac PINGing AEBS1's wireless IP address while following the ethernet (en0) status in the Console app on a LAN attached MacBook.
The MacBook gets its DHCP assigned IP address from AEBS2 when AEBS1's connection is up, but the IP address is dropped as soon as AEBS1 drops the connection.
The MacBook quite happily connects when I tested it using AE2's LAN port.
So either AEBS1 has a problem, or AEBS2, or both.
Has anyone else experienced something like this?

Thanks Bob. I've read extensively here of the limits of 5GHz, but I've not experienced these as my house doesn't have solid (concrete) floors or (many brick) walls. I also have the main WiFi point upstairs and I've put AEBS2 upside down on its 'head' near the floor.
I'm able to get good Wi-Fi throughout the house on both N and G. The Apple TV, which is under the TV and near AE2 gets good N connectivity. Mainly, the worse WiFi device is the Mac Mini and it always has been.
Since AE2 can join/extend the 5GHz N network and it is downstairs, I think there is some problem with with how AEBS1 tries to extend 5GHz N networks. BTW AEBS1 is on my desk and AEBS2 is under the desk about 1m away.
For the moment I've set AEBS2 to "802.11n only (5 GHz) - 802.11b/g/n" and have AEBS1 set to extend the 2.4GHz b/g/n network. At least the Mac Mini will get 2.4GHz N some of the time and more consistent connectivity all of the time.

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

Extend Wireless Network using a Telstra technicolor Gateway wireless Router to Airpot extreme but Airport will only except join not extend and I can not get a network on the Airpor Extreme ethernet ports but can ping Airport extreme from Technicolor Rout/

Extend Wireless Network using a Telstra technicolor Gateway wireless Router to Airpot extreme but Airport will only except "join a wireless network (which it does) not "extend a wireless network" (Led turns yellow and I can not get a network working on the Airpor Extreme ethernet ports but can ping Airport extreme from Technicolor Router.
Airport gets it address DHCP.

Funny how I can ping the Extreme but the Hard Ethernet ports dont seem to work correctly.
When the AirPort Extreme is configured to "Join" a wireless network, the Ethernet ports are not enabled.
Oddly, the AirPort Express has a special feature that will allow it to to "Join" virtually any wireless network.....and the Ethernet port can be enabled. So, an Express would work for your purpose to provide an Ethernet connection to the media player. This assumes that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from your main router.
Note that the Express will not provide any additional wireless coverage when it "Joins".

Extending wireless network via ethernet

Hi all: I have a first gen Airport Extreme and an Airport Express. I am having a hard time getting my wifi network extended via the Airport Express. My goal to to have an extended wifi network with the source data delievered to the Airport Express via ethernet and then broadcasted, not repeating teh wifi signal from the Airport Extreme. The two devises are seperated by several walls which does not allow the wifi signal to propogate between them.
I can see both devices via our ethernet wiring (I turn off wifi on my laptop and plug into the network). The Airport Express is connected to directly to one of the Airport Extreme ethernet ports (and not the WAN port). I then setup the Airport Extreme first and test it - that works fine. Then I move over to the Airport Express and set it up to extend the wireless network. This seems to work fine too. But when I move the Express to its final location and hook it up to our wired network, it fails to broadcast.
I hope my description makes sense. Is my goal possible? Thanks, Chris.

Then I move over to the Airport Express and set it up to extend the wireless network. This seems to work fine too. But when I move the Express to its final location and hook it up to our wired network, it fails to broadcast.
You have the basis for a "roaming" type network. In this case the AirPort Express needs to be configured both as a bridge and to "create a wireless network," not to extend it. The "extend" feature was designed only for when you want the connection between base stations to be wireless. A bit confusing as a roaming network does indeed "extend" the wireless network and uses the same Network Name.

Extending wireless network via ethernet help

Hello, I'm helping my sister & brother in law get a wireless network running and was wondering if anyone can share some advice about extending the wireless from an Airport Extreme with an Airport Express. They have no networking experience at all and I have a little so got roped into this.
The house they live in is an unsual design (husband an architect) with a feature mid way through the house which kills the wireless signal stone dead so only one half of the house gets wireless.
* The Cisco cable modem is a 4 port router with wireless (disabled) and an active DHCP server.
* The cable modem is plugged into the WAN port on the Airport Extreme.
* The Airport Extreme is set to Off (bridged mode), obtain IP via DHCP so it acts as a wireless access point.
The above setup works great for any wireless devices, although I am a little unsure if that is the proper way to go about it, I'm not used to Apple gear but bought it for the purpose of extending the network and keeping things simple.
The house was wired for ethernet but things didn't work out so well as the cable modem is a temperamental beast and the one place it would give a reliable link was a place with no ethernet ports nearby.
Anyway the plan is to get some homeplugs (ethernet over powerlines) and link the Airport Extreme and Airport Express that way giving a roaming network but can anyone suggest what settings I use on the Airport Express. Apple's own roaming tutorial seems to contradict the settings I'm already using by turning on connecting sharing for the Airport Extreme which last time I tired I think the cable modem did not like.
Thanks.

My advice would be to only use the Cisco device as a cable modem and disable all of it's router features. You can then configure the AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network. The built in Wizard will guide you thru this easily.
So you should take it (AirPort Extreme) out of Bridge mode, And use it to set up and administer your network.
After you've done this, check that both the wired and wireless connections are working properly before trying to extend the network.
Once you're able to connect successfully to the AirPort-created network, then you can extend it (if it's still necessary) using the AirPort Express.
This is very easy to do.
In the Airport Extreme be sure to check the box "Allow this network to be extended" in the Wireless tab.
then you'll need to configure the AirPort Express by connecting to it. (This is most easily done by temporarily connecting to it's ethernet jack with an ethernet cable and running the AirPort utility.
Once it finds the Express, Go to the Wireless tab and select "Extend a wireless network" as the Wireless Mode.
You'll then be presented with a list of Wireless network names. select the name for the network you created with the AirPort Extreme, including any security mode and password you set up.
Click on update to send the configuration to the airport express.
The LED will blink yellow a few times, and if it then turns solid GREEN you're all set.
You can disconnect it from the computer and un plug it.
Then select a location for the Express about half-way between the furthest spot you need wireless access and the Airport Extreme . Plug it into the nearest outlet and the LED should flash yellow and then turn solid green.
When it does, you're all set and should see better wireless access through the rest of the house.
Let me know how you make out.

Multipmultiple Airport Extreme Base Stations: WDS Or "Extend Wireless Network" To Have Wired -- Wireless Bridge?

Hello there!
I've been looking for this info, but have as yet been unable to find it. Here's my scenario:
I have two Airport Extreme Base Stations (both are dual band) and 3 airport expresses. The main internet connection in my house is in one room, where I have an AEBS as the main wireless router. In another room, I have a bunch of ethernet-only devices. I'd like to use the 2nd AEBS in this room, plug the ethernet devices into it and have the 2nd AEBS act as a wired <--> wireless bridge (connected to the same wireless network as the 1st AEBS). I've attempted this via "extend a wireless network," but the ethernet devices don't get past the AEBS they're plugged into. Should I instead be implementing WDS?
I mention the airport expresses as I'd like to have airtunes & wireless signal in other areas, but would like to keep the set-up as simple as possible (i.e., not config the AXes for WDS unless it's required).
Thanks in advance for any help!

Unlike the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) cannot be configured as a wireless Ethernet bridge.
However, there are at least two ways to configure it to provide wired clients access:
Connect the second AEBSn back to the first by Ethernet; reconfigure the second AEBSn as a bridge and disable its wireless radios, or
Reconfigure both AEBSns into an extended wireless network. For 802.11n AirPorts, this would be called a dynamic WDS. The AEBSn, connected to the Internet would be the "main" base station and it would only require that you enable the "Allow this network to be extended" option in the AirPort Utility. The extending AEBSn would need to be configured with the option, Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network, enabled.
In both configurations, the second AEBSn's Ethernet ports would be enabled for wired clients.

Troubling extending wireless network with Time Capsule and Airport Extreme

I am trying to set up and extend a wireless network in my house, but it’s not working right. I have two Airport/Capsule units in the house:
2TB Time Capsule (Dual-Band II)
1 Airport Extreme (Dual Band)
I have the Verizon Fios router as my gateway to the internet, and also as my DHCP server. I have also tested the ethernet ports in my house to verify that they work, and that I can get a DHCP-issued IP address.
Now, my Verizon router has WiFI, and it’s still on. I am not using it though except to troubleshoot. So far as I understand, this should not cause a problem.
Base station setup
So I setup the TC to Create A New Wireless Network, on the ethernet network it’s on (Dlink switch plugged into Verizon router). I set it up in Bridge Mode (as opposed to having it dole out IPs, since the Verizon router does this already). The TC gets a valid IP, and my wireless device connect to it without a problem. I have checked “Allow this network to be expanded” under Wireless settings.
Extended station setup
The AE Dual-Band is plugged into the Ethernet, and is reset to Factory Settings. I name it “Airport Extreme 2” and I chose “I want Airport Extreme to join my current network.” The other two options are: “I want to create a new wireless network” and “I want to replace and existing base station or wireless router with Airport Extreme.”
I chose to “join,” I select “I want to connect Airport Extreme to my network using Ethernet to extend my existing wireless network.” The other options are to disable wireless entirely, or to “wirelessly join my current network.” On the next page it asks me to select the device or network that the Airport Extreme will connect to using the Ethernet. I set it to the Time Capsule.
Results:
Access near the Airport Extreme 2 is incredibly slow. Speedtest shows I am getting less than 1Mbps. Worse yet, my mail client won’t connect. It just times out.
What I had hoped was that the AE would connect via Ethernet to the network, and just bring the wireless network to the other side of the house. Instead it almost seems as though it is just re-amplifying the TC’s signal. Otherwise, why is performance so bad?
Thanks to anyone with some insight here!

Hello Kennuff. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Since you have the ability to connect all of the routers by Ethernet, there is no need to configure the Time Capsule (TC) & 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) for a dynamic WDS (aka, extending a network). This option is only when the routers do NOT have an Ethernet connection between them.
Instead, you want to configure the TC & AEBSn in a "roaming" network. I suggest starting by performing either a "hard" or "factory default" reset on both.
Next be sure that both the TC & AEBSn are on the same Ethernet subnet coming from the Verizon-supplied router.
Configure the TC & AEBSn as follows:
AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
o Allow this network to be extended: <not checked>
o Radio Mode: <leave the default or if you require a specific mode make sure both routers are configured the same>
o Wireless Security: <configure both routers the same>
AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection
o Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Extend wireless network with multiple airport express and netgear powerline

I currently have the following network configuration:
1. Using ATT u-verse (2-wire 3800HGV-B "modem") to internet
2. Disabled the u-verse modem wireless router, and have connected an Apple Time Capsule wireless router (on a DMZ)
3. Have four Netgear XAVB5001 powerline adapters connected to the time capsule (for our iMac desktops and the Apple TV)
4. Have an Airport Express wirelessly connected to the time capsule to extend range (for our iPhones and iPad)
All this is currently working. What I would like to do is the following, keeping 1-3 above the same:
4. Connect the airport express to the time capsule via Netgear XAVB5101 powerline adapter (instead of wirelessly connecting to the time capsule as it is today) and use it to extend the wireless range of the time capsule
5. Add ANOTHER airport express to the time capsule via powerline adapter (and extend the wireless range elsewhere in the house).
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of setup and can assure that it would work? (I'm trying to decide whether to spring for a couple more powerline adapters and another airport express)
Thanks in advance!
Dave

I had a VERY similar problem: I was trying to extend my wireless network using a hardwired ethernet connection from Airport Extreme to my Time Capsule. Every time I plugged in the wire to the TC, everything disappeared. Unplugged, and boom. Came back.
Here's how I solved it:
Go into Airport Utility and select the unit you are trying to use as a wireless extender and choose to edit it. Then, on the wireless tab select CREATE a wireless network. But, give it the exact same name and password. This is completely counter-intuitive. You would think to choose EXTEND, but this would be wrong. Next choose the network tab. And, select Router mode to Bridge (off).
By choosing the same name and password, your phone, laptop, etc. will think it's on the same network and move seamlessly from one to the other.
See if this fixes your issue. Fixed mine instantly. AND, it only took 3 painstaking hours of checking ethernet connections and rewiring jacks, etc. to figure it out. LOL

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

Extend network AND connect via ethernet?

How do I configure Airport Express to extend my network wirelessly and connect a computer via Ethernet?
I have 2 buildings at my church I am in charge of getting this to work in. The office building has a wireless network, the sanctuary has no ethernet or wireless at all. I can get a good signal to an Airport Express I just purchased inside the sanctuary and I am using that to feed internet to the PowerMac G4 that doesnt seem to see the network from the Office area. I was told that this could also extend my wireless network to the other computers in the sanctuary. I have not been able to get this to happen.
I succesfully have it in "Join a Network" mode and it grabs the signal and gets internet to the G4. As soon as I change the mode to "Extend my network", I lose all connectivity with the network. In addition, no matter what mode I am in, I can't see this Airport from any devices wirelessly either in the utility or in the Airport browser.
So...how do I allow other machines/tablets/etc to use this airport to hook in to our network AND use the Ethernet line to feed the G4?
Thanks,
Joey

I am going from an Airport Extreme 4th gen (dual band) to an Airport Express 2nd gen (just replaced thanks to the Genius Bar, it used to be a 1st gen. single band) and then picking it up with another Express 2nd gen.
That.....is the problem.
I had understood from your initial post that you had an AirPort Extreme and wanted to extend to several AirPort Express devices.
Apple's "extend" setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. The AirPort Extreme would be the "hub" and the AirPort Expresses would reside at the end of the "spokes".
You can have multiple AirPort Express devices located at the ends of the spokes, but in order to "extend", each one of the them must connect directly to the "hub".....not to another extending device at the end of another spoke.
What you are trying to set up is a "hub", "relay" and "remote". Unfortunately, Apple's "extend" setup does not work this way.
The distant remote can pick up a signal from an Express at the end of a spoke acting as an extender, but the distant remote cannot "extend" the signal from an Express at the end of a spoke using wireless.
The distant remote is actually joining the network....that is why the Ethernet port is active....but unfortunately, there will be no wireless signal from this device.
Somewhere, an Express will need to connect back to the Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection. Then that Express can "extend" to another Express using wireless.

Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet

Can some one tell me the difference between configuring AirPort Utility : Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet? I connect my cable modem to my Airport Time Capsule to a network switch via ethernet. The switch contacts to three Airport Express (AE connects to two Apple TVs via Ethernet) and another TC. Which is the best mode to configure my network?
Thanks

Create a wireless network is used only when the Airports have an Ethernet connection. If you are using the setup wizard.....the setting will read Extend using Ethernet during the setup. If you go back in using AirPort Utility to check the Network Mode setting.....you will see that it is really Create a wireless network.
Extend a wireless network is used only if an AirPort is connecting to another AirPort using wireless.......not Ethernet.
Every one of the Airports on your network must be configured to Create a wireless network.
If you do connect an Ethernet cable to an AirPort that is already set up to Extend a wireless network......that will create a massive feedback loop that will crash the network until you remove the Ethernet connection to the device.
The bottom line here might be if you are using the setup wizard, it will make the correct choice for you.

Extending Wireless Network and Bridging Over Ethernet

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