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.

Similar Messages

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.

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".

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.

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

Have a 802.11n time capsule, the range of the wireless network has shrunk down to nothing over last few days. Used to be able to use wireless network anywhere in house, but now can only use in my office. Will not connect to iphones, ipad, itouch, or noteb

Have a 802.11n time capsule, the range of the wireless network has shrunk down to nothing over last few days. Used to be able to use wireless network anywhere in house, but now can only use in my office. Will not connect to iphones, ipad, itouch, or notebook. Worked fine last week, but over weekend just started having issues.

It is very possible that you may have some form of Wi-Fi interference that has appeared recently that is preventing your Time Capsule (TC) from providing a clean RF signal.
I suggest you perform a simple site survey, using utilities like iStumbler, or AirRadar to determine potential areas of interference, and then, try to either eliminate or significantly reduce them where possible. Look for other Wi-Fis that may be operating nearby. Note those with the strongest signals and which channels they are operating on ... then change the channel used by the TC to be at least 3-5 channels away.

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)

Extending wireless network fails after 7.5.2 update

I have two Airport Extremes; one creating a network that is allowed to be extended and the other is used to extend the network. This worked fine until the 7.5.2 update I installed. Now the relay is unable to connect and I get the error "This wireless network cannot be extended". All I did was to update the firmware on both airports; I am running the latest 5.5.2 Utility, latest Snow Leopard.
Did Apple break this feature?

Welcome to the discussions, Paul!
Did Apple break this feature?
Not that we can tell based on forum questions, and our own experience, but anything is possible, especially if you tried the update over wireless.
Have you power cycled the complete network? If not...
Power everything down, order is not important. Wait a few minutes
Start the modem first and let it run by itself for 4-5 minutes
Start your AirPort Exptreme the same way
Start your AirPort Express the same way
Start your devices the same way
Any other troubleshooting steps that you have taken to this point?

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?

Unfortunately, it is simply not possible to use an Airport Express to wirelessly "extend" the wireless range of any model of Netgear wireless router. Netgear's wireless routers do not support Apple's implementation of a wireless distribution system (WDS), which is a necessary requirement for setting up an extended wireless network with the Airport Express. And no - it doesn't work the other way around either (Airport Express as base station, Netgear wireless router to "extend").
It sounds like you did successfully configure your Airport Express to "join" your existing wireless network - which will allow you to print and stream iTunes to the Airport Express. The problems you are having with Airtunes "hanging" on your Mac are almost certainly due to the poor wireless signal quality problem that you are already aware of.

Extending wireless network - airport express

Hi - just unwrapped my new airport express and trying to set-up an extended wireless network. My understanding is that the AX will extend my existing network, but I am getting the same error each time I try - amber status on extended network. Does the extended network function not work if the existing router is non apple ? I have a talk talk router and I can join a wireless network no issue. However the point of buying the AX was to extend the network as I get bad reception on the back of the house.
thanks

Does the extended network function not work if the existing router is non apple ?
Apple uses proprietary technology in their "extend" feature that.....as far as we know.....will only work with another Apple router.....if you are trying to "extend" using wireless only.
It would be extremely unlikely that it would work with a router from another manufacturer for this purpose.

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.

Having problems extending wireless network

I'm trying to extend a wireless network using a number of bits of hardware and would like to know what is the best way of doing it. I've had a good play around with things already, and have read a few tutorials/forum posts but I don’t think I've quite got it right.
The problem:
The current position of the wireless modem/router is in an upstairs room at the front of the house. While this works well with internet connectivity generally (Apple TVs are connected wirelessly in two upstairs front rooms and the living room downstairs, also at front), there is poor signal at the back of the house downstairs where we have another Apple TV that keeps dropping out.
This Apple TV is on the other side of what was the house's external brick wall (the house was extended, so this is now a kitchen/diner that is in a conservatory extension). So a floor, some distance and a brick wall separate this Apple TV.
What I have tried:
Initially I tried using an Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) to extend the BT Home Hub (BTHH) signal but had problems with this. According to BT, it should not be possible to extend the network in this way. So instead I tried this:
In upstairs front room:
* BTHH - transmitting 1 wireless signal (which I *could* use but …)
* Connection from BTHH ethernet into AEBS which is then transmitted wirelessly (And *this* is the wireless network I will use for Home Sharing/Apple TVs)
Downstairs, near back of house:
* An old Airport Express (first gen A1088 device), which I configured to extend the existing wireless network (the one transmitted by AEBS, not BTHH). No physical connections here - it's just done wirelessly
This *appears* to be OK, at least from from Airport Utility tells me (I used an older version - 5.6 - to configure the Airport Express, V6 to configure the AEBS). However, the proof is in the pudding, as they say - the Apple TV with the weak signal remains weak (3/5 bars according to Apple TV signal strength indicator), despite the Express being just a couple of feet away inside the house.
So, what can/should I do?
I think I have some more options. I have Powerline sockets that I can use, so I could connect ethernet in the upstairs room and then have the socket downstairs plug straight into the Airport Express.
What is the best way to set it up?
BTHH ---- ethernet ----> [Powerline] ---- ethernet ----> Airport Express
BTHH ---- ethernet ----> AEBS ---- ethernet ----> [Powerline] ---- ethernet ----> Airport Express
Or is there a simpler way I could do it?
I know that I *could* do this:
BTHH ---- ethernet ----> AEBS ---- ethernet ----> [Powerline] ---- ethernet ----> Apple TV
And have that TV use a wired connection instead of wireless, but I'd prefer not to do that for a couple of reasons:
1) The TV is against a wall, with limited space behind for cabling/sockets and there is no immediate power supply (so I'd have to run it all through trunking)
2) It's better if I can extend the wireless signal generally, not just for that Apple TV, but for all devices that might need to connect at the back of the house.
Appreciate any suggestions of what I can do here. I know this is a long note, but I wanted to be clear about what I have tried, what I've got at my disposal, etc.

Thanks for the welcome.
I have checked the settings and have set both up from scratch a number of times. The TC is set to allow the network to be extended and the Express is set to extend the network and to allow wireless clients.
I have also tried a number of different positions for the Express including in the same room without improvement. The network extension does work but with a significant deterioration in network performance when connecting via the Express. I would expect some deterioration in performance for the signal to pass from Express to TC but this seems extreme. The effect is even more pronounced with iPhones (3GS, 3G and 2G). the connection is actually quicker over the mobile network even for the 2G phone.
Cheers

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.

Airport Express as very slow in "extend wireless network" mode

Hi!
I am using a Airport Extreme (fourth generation) as a wireless router and a Airport Express 802.11n in "extend wireless network" mode.
I've set the Airport Extreme mode to 802.11n only - and all devices connect to the Airport Extreme as 802.11n Clients properly.
But as soon as they connect to the Airport Express, they only work in 802.11b/g mode (although they are capable of n)
and the connection is very slow - around 1Mb/s:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/bildschirmfoto20111211u.png/
Can i force the Airport Express station to accept only "n" connections to speed up my file tranfers?
Thanks for any help!
matt

Where is the AirPort Express located in relation to the area that needs more wireless coverage?
Ideally, it would be at a point that is about half the distance between the AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage....and....there would be no obstructions like walls and/or ceilings in the signal path....tough to do in most homes, so do the best that you can.
Avoid placing the Express down low on the wall and use an extension cord to get it up as high as possible with a free look into the room.
The Express will normally "extend" what it receives, but you could try the following to see if it helps:
Temporarily, change the Wireless Mode setting on the AirPort Express to "Create a wireless network" and change the Radio Mode to "802.11n only".
(You may have to hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the Radio Mode selection box to see the "802.11n only" choice). Then change the Wireless Mode back to "Extend a wireless network" and Update.

Airport Express wouldn't extend wireless network

Am posting this in case it helps someone else. I have an Airport Extreme set up as a base station and couldn't get an Airport Express to "extend wireless network". I finally found a checkbox in the "Wireless" tab of the "Manually Configure" dialog box for the Extreme that says: "Allow this network to be extended". I could not find this referenced anywhere in Apple documentation, so you have to know to go and check this box. Apologies to the techies if this is a no-brainer, but I only found it by accident. Apple should include a brief paragraph in their wireless troubleshooting guide on extending your network.

When you configure the Express to "join a wireless network" it becomes part of the network so that you can stream AirTunes to the device or use a remote printer connected to the USB port, but it does not provide any additional wireless coverage in this type of configuration.
"Extend a wireless network" does the same thing as above, except the Express will also provide more wireless coverage in the area where it is located.

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

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