Extending wireless network many times – works with limitations (why?)

Hi all! I want to extend wireless network in big 2 floor house without ethernet cables. My current setup is attached in picture file.
Time Capsule – connected directly to Internet.
TimeCaps-Front – this is AirPort Express configured to extend network from Time Capsule.
TimeCaps-Back – this is AirPort Express configured to Bridge mode (it accepts local network via ethernet cable plugged to its WAN) and this AirPort creates new network with the same name and password as Time Capsule do.
2nd-floor-main – this is AirPort Express configured to extend the network from TimeCaps-Back (NOT from Time Capsule because 2nd extension doesn't work).
This setup is WORKS (unbelievable)!!!
But when Time Capsule is rebooted, any client can't connect to any base station, even to Time Capsule (error - connection timed out). For this solution work, it needed to reboot each device individually each after previous… Also I noticed, if after Time Capsule reboot, turn off "TimeCaps-Back" we can again connect our wireless clients to Time Capsule.
So the question is – how to optimize (if possible) this setup?

It sounds a bit corny to say that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, but it remains a valid concept. In your case, the weakest link is the wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express.
The reason for this is that an extending device can only extend the quality of signal or bandwidth that it receives. So, the stronger the connection at this point in the network, the better the whole network will perform in terms of speed and stabiity. At least half of your entire network depends on a single wireless connection between the Time Capsule and the AirPort Express.
If things are working fine, there may be no need to check further. If you want to be a bit more scientific, then you can use a good utility like WiFi Explorer to examine the Signal to Noise (SNR) at various points on the network.
In that regard, I would first measure the SNR of the Time Capsule signal at the location of the first Express to make sure that it was acceptable and even experiment if possible by moving the Express closer to the Time Caspule or minimimizing any obstructions that might be limiting the SNR at this point.
The wireless connection between the Time Capsule and AirPort Express supports the other half of the entire network, so any weakness at this link in terms of bandwidth will be passed down to the other devices on the network.

Similar Messages

  • Extending wireless network SHUOLD be working...but not.

    I have a TimeCapsule and and Express(N) that I used to extend my network flawlessly for about 6 months. Then all the sudden it dropped it and I can't get it to work right now. After MANY many restarts and resets on the express I finally have the light showing GREEN. But, even though "extend network" box is checked and it's link up to my Capsule, it is not extending my network as my Macs and iPhone are showing only 1/2 signal and they are sitting nearly on top of the Express.
    Is the problem with the Time Capsule?
    I remember setting this up many months ago and having the same problem, just not connecting and stuff, then all the sudden, completely unexplainable, it connected.
    Stuff that "just works" never does for me. I feel like my main job is to figure out why stuff doesn't work! On this though, I need help. badly.

    Welcome to the discussions!
    When you are having extending difficulties, it's often helpful to temporarily locate the Express near your main router...across the room or in an adjacent room and test to see if that works.
    If things worked fine for 6 months and suddenly you have problems, that may indicate that a new wireless network near you has been added at one of your neighbors, which is causing interference on your network.
    Cordless phones are a real problem as well. My neighbor...across the street....can literally knock me off my network if he is in his front hard talking on his cordless phone. I found this out simply by accident, otherwise I would still be blaming Apple for stuff that worked fine for months and then suddenly did not work.
    If the Express works close to the main router, then move the Express further away and test again. Most users locate the Express too far away from the main router when they try to extend a wireless network. A good starting location is a point that is about 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance between the main router and the area that needs more coverage.
    Open AirPort Utility and click on your AirPort Express on the left and look for its AirPort ID on the right. Jot that down.
    When you are testing the extension of the Express, move your laptop close the Express, and hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. This should match the AirPort ID of the Express, indicating that your computer is connecting to the AirPort Express.

  • Networking: extend wireless network Apple Time Capsule to cisco DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem

    How should I connect a Time Capsule (4th gen) to a Cisco DOCSIS 3.0 that came with xfinity service to create a wireless extension to network... any  special settings???
    Should I use the Cisco or TC for the DHCP controller?

    You cannot wireless extend a network using TC.. Apple designed it to only work with other Apple products.. this is not that unusual.. but it is important .. you cannot do what you want.
    One network .. one router. Keep the cisco as the main router and plug in the TC by ethernet and bridge it.. that is router bridge not wireless bridge .. you will find the control in the NAT and DHCP section of Lion
    Or download the vastly superior older version of the utility here.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482

  • Extending wireless network using Time Capsule

    Hi guys,
    I have been trying to sort this issue out for some time.
    Basically I have a Thompson Wireless Router which connects to my ISP, this is downstairs broadcasting a wireless network to my house.
    I want to put the Time Capsule upstairs, to extend the WLAN and also connect my Xbox over Ethernet.
    No matter what I try I cannot get it to work, it ends up setting up 2 WLANs where the Thomson WLAN works (as there is an ISP connection) and the TC wont (as its not connected)
    What I want is for the Thomson WLAN to be extended via the TC to allow my Xbox on to Live...
    I also have a Mac Mini upstairs that would connect either via the TC WLAN or through ethernet.
    Any help you can offer would be amazing
    Thanks
    Adam

    If you are trying to "extend" the wireless signal from the Thompson router through the Time Capsule using wireless only, this is probably not going to work.
    The reason for this is that Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature appears to be a proprietary technology that works only among other Apple devices. For that reason, it is highly unlikely that the Thompson router and Time Capsule would be compatible for the purpose that you desire.
    If you are able to connect the Time Capsule to the Thompson router using an Ethernet connection, you could configure the Time Capsule to "create a wireless network" using the exact same wireless network name, security settings and password as the Thompson network. In addition, the Time Capsule must be configured as a "bridge" in Bridge Mode for this to work correctly.
    If you cannot run the Ethernet cable,  you might want to look at a pair of Etherent powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by sending the Ethernet signal over the existing AC powerlines in your home.

  • 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.
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    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??
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    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.

  • 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.
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  • Extending Wireless Network with Airport Express / DLink Wireless

    I have a DLink wireless router WBR-1310. I own two Airport Express 802.11n's. Can anyone help me out with how I can properly set-up an extended network with these products? All help is greatly appreciated.

    You would need one AirPort Express located near the D-Link router and connected to the D-Link with an ethernet cable. This Express would be configured to "create a wireless network" and "allow this network to be extended"
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    Without knowing your room layout, I can't honestly tell you whether you need only one "extending" Express or more than that.
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    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
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  • My printer HP photosmart was working but now says printer not responding. Wireless network test came back with no problems. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

    My printer HP photosmart was working but now says printer not responding. Wireless network test came back with no problems. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

    marie274 wrote:
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    What exactly happens between the the time the printer was last working well and no on your system? Any updates or upgrades?
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  • Extending wireless network with an aiport express

    I have a netgear wireless router set up in my house on the second floor, but my room being located on the first floor i get a poor signal so i bought an airport express to extend my network. i tried going through the aiport exress setup assistant but that wouldnt work, so i ended up hooking it to my netgear router on the second floor to set it up in airport admin utility and then brought it back down to the first floor. my itunes worked with the speakers for about.. ten seconds then stopped. and my signal is just as weak as before.. any suggestions?

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  • Extending Wireless Network with older and newer airports

    Hello all,
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  • Can time capsule boost the wireless network without beeing connected with cabel, hence wirelessly?

    Can time capsule boost the wireless network without beeing connected with cabel, hence wirelessly?

    Yes, providing that the wireless network has been created by another Apple "n" router.
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  • Extending wireless network - airport express

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