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.

Similar Messages

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.

Airport Express wil not extend wireless network via ethernet

I need maximum bandwidth in a area with poor signal. No matter what I do, the AE will not extend my APEBS dual band via ethernet. It will alway connect wirlessly giving me half the speed. I have 1 main network to extend. I have tried to extend the 5 GHz wide channel as a seperate network but this wont work either.(but thats what I want really. Please help. I have been at this a couple days already and I need to figure it out before my return policy wears out. Thanks!

If you are connecting the Airport Express to your AirPort Extreme via ethernet, the AirPort Express should be configured as follows:
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons
Wireless Mode should be set to "Create a Wireless Network"
Wireless Network Name would be the exact name of the main network that the Extreme is creating, same security, password.
Radio Mode must be set the same as the main network on the Extreme
Channel should be set to be least 6 channels apart from the channel that the main network is using on the Extreme.
Click the Internet icon above and look for Connection Sharing at the bottom of the page. This should be set to "Off (Bridge Mode)".
Update to save settings.
For more info reference page 42. http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf

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 through ethernet using airport express

I am running a wireless network using a time capsule. When attempting to setup an airport express, the utility first could not find the IP address. I went back and set the express to act as a bridge. It seemed to work correctly, however the express is not broadcasting a wireless signal or my Mac cannot see it. i have used the Utility for all of the setup. Both the time capsule and the express are new. The mac is running os10.5.8.
John

+Do I need to turn of NAT for the roaming network to work?+
If your AirPort Extreme is connected to a modem (only one ethernet port on the device), then you need to configure the AirPort Extreme to handle both DHCP and NAT. This will be done for you automatically when you do the following:
Open AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Connection Sharing = Share a public IP address
If your AirPort Extreme is connected to a gateway (a combination modem and router that will have 3-4 ethernet ports), then you need to setup the AirPort Extreme as a "bridge"
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Internet icon
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
All of your other devices...Time Capsule, AirPort Express must be configured as follows:
Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Radio Mode = Your choice, but should be similar to the AirPort Extreme
Channel = Automatic*
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as your AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as AirPort Extreme
Click the Internet icon
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings
* With a lot of devices, you may want to set the Channel manually. Set up separate channels for each device and keep the channels as far apart as possible.

Cannot connect devices using Extend Network via Ethernet

Hi
I have been going nuts with this issue, and cannot seem to find any solutions. PLEASE HELP!
I have an Airport Extreme (pretty new and all up to date) connected to my modem. Everything works perfectly. The wi-fi is great, all devices can connect without any issues so nothing is wrong here. The Airport extreme is dishing out the IP addresses etc. The Airport extreme is in the lounge.
I purchased a new airport express yesterday. I put it in my study, far away from the lounge. I connected the airport extreme to the airport express using an ethernet cable. I plugged it in, and set it up to extend the wireless network via ethernet. I.e. it is set up in bridged mode and set up to 'create a wireless network' with identical name password etc. Everything is good. It reboots and the light is green. in the Airport utility everything shows up correctly.
Here is the problem., The second that any device (lets say iphone) moves from the lounge to the study, and tries to 'jump' to the stronger network provided by the express, it kills the ENTIRE network. The following happens:
1. The iphone loses wi-fi signal immediately. If I go into wi-fi settings, it sees my netwrok with FULL strength, but just remains in the 'spinning ball' state trying to connect. Seems to me that the express is unable to hand out an IP address or something.
2. If i open the airport utility on my Imac (in the study), the airport extreme has a yellow warning light and cannot be found via ethernet OR wi-fi. (The Imac is also Hard Wired from the Airport extreme in the lounge).
THe whole system requires a re-boot in order to work again.
If I re-boot the system, and leave a device near the airport express, it immediately receives signal, gets an IP address, and has an internet connection. Going back to the lounge causes no issues, it doesnt drop signal and still connects to the internet via the extreme. But as soon as I walk back into the study again - BOOM, everything drops.
I only purchased the new express because i was having EXACTLY the same issue with an older Airport extreme. No matter what I do, it just wont work via ethernet. I have tried all manner of settings. The ONLY setting that seems to work is to extend the wi-fi network. However, the rooms are too far apart, and this will require a third station in the middle, which i want to avoid (by the time the wifi network is extended across 3 decvices it is too slow).

Can I use airport express to make my pc pick up the wifi by plugging the pc into the ethernet socket?
Yes. But, it is the AirPort Express that would "pick up the wifi". Then, you would connect an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Express to the PC.
Configure the AirPort Express to "Join a wireless network" and click the option to "Enable Ethernet clients" during the setup to activate the Ethernet port on the device.
I would also plug a printer (currently connected to the pc) into the usb, so it can become a shared printer.
There is a good chance that your printer will work connected this way, but you won't really know until you try.

Adding AE to network via Ethernet...trying to fix airtunes drop outs....

I have a older Time Capsule (not simultaneous dual band) in my home office, and two older AE's (not N) that I use to wirelessly extend my network. Overall it works OK, though maybe not as speedy as it could be.
Lately, my airtunes streaming has been a bit erratic. Sometimes it works fine, other times it has a lot of drop outs. I use airtunes on both my AE's. On my "living room" AE, I use a digital connection to a high end DAC/preamp. On my "garage" AE I use an analog connection to a boombox. Both these setups experience intermittent dropouts.
I could use ethernet to connect my living room AE to my LAN, since I have a wired connection at that location. I can not do that on my garage AE.
First question is would a wired connection be more stable for airtunes? Since this problem may be associated with the Snow Leopard upgrade....I wonder if I'm wasting my time on the specifics of the network.
Second question: when I tried to set up the AE for a wired connection, It doesn't give me the "extend the network via ethernet" option in Airport utility. It only gives me the "extend network wirelessly" option. I moved the AE to the office and connected it directly to the time capsule (to make sure the wired network wasn't the issue) and I still am not given the option to do that.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Fabian

Inkjet....
Thanks for that tidbit. I'll try to remove my wireless AE from the loop and see if the wired AE works any better.
I'm getting the feeling though that this is an iTunes/OS issue, not a network issue. Reading the other threads on this topic seem all involve the upgrade to SL and/or iTunes 9.
As an aside, since my original post on this, I've replaced both the older AE's with the new n versions. I still use the older TC.
Also, I've used AirRadar to examine the "interference" issue. It shows very low levels of interference (though I'm not sure what is acceptable). No other local networks show up which are on the channel I'm using. Again, I just don't think its the network.
Finally, I don't think I'll go to the powerline transmission route. If wired were the answer, I'll find a way to get ethernet to the second AE. However, it needs to be the answer before going through the exercise.
Fabian

HT4259 how to configure extended network via ethernet

how to configure an extended network via ethernet

I assume that the Express is new, so that it still has the factory default settings.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express
Power up the Extreme and Express if they are not already powered up
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utiltities > AirPort Utility
Click on the tab in the upper left hand corner of the window that reads Other AirPort Base Stations (1)
Click on the AirPort Express xxxxxx
Wait a minute or two while AirPort Utility analyzes the network and then announces that the Express will be configured to extend your network
Enter a name for the AirPort Express and click Next
Wait 2-3 minutes while AirPort Utility configures the Express and the Express restarts
When you see the message that setup is complete, click Done
That's it.

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".

Extend a Time Capsule network via ethernet

I have a long house, so extend my network through ethernet. Worked fine with my 1TB 2009 TC as main an an older 500GB TC as WDS relay. I bought a new 2TB 2009 TC and set it as main. I wanted to put the 1GB TC as relay, but the option "participate in a wds network no longer exists, and the TC does not recognize the network through ethernet as the 500GB did. Same problem if I use the 1GB as base and the 2GB as relay. It only works with the 1GB or the 2GB as base, but the only one that works as relay is the 500GB.
Any clue to how I can use the 1GB TC as relay?

Franeye wrote:
I have a long house, so extend my network through ethernet. Worked fine with my 1TB 2009 TC as main an an older 500GB TC as WDS relay. I bought a new 2TB 2009 TC and set it as main. I wanted to put the 1GB TC as relay, but the option "participate in a wds network no longer exists, and the TC does not recognize the network through ethernet as the 500GB did. Same problem if I use the 1GB as base and the 2GB as relay. It only works with the 1GB or the 2GB as base, but the only one that works as relay is the 500GB.
If all your base stations are newer varieties (s they seem to be), you shouldn't need to deal with WDS configuration, including the choice to "participate in a WDS network" (which should still be there hiding behind the "option" key). Set your "main" station to "Create a wireless network" and "Alow this network to be extended". Set your other stations to "Extend a wireless network".
If you still have trouble check back with the details of any progress.

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".

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.

Extending wireless network using airport express

Greets all,
I'm trying to extend a wireless network in a two-storey apartment using TC and Airport Extreme.
The current setup is based on a Netgear N300 wireless router, which works fine upstairs but the signal is too weak to be useful downstairs. I have at my disposal a first-gen Time Capsule (TC) and a couple of Airport Express (AE) stations as well. I'd like to be able to extend the wireless network downstairs but of course the AEs won't talk directly to the Netgear router, so I'm guessing I need to use the TC somehow.
So far I've tried using the TC in bridge mode as well as a separate network via ethernet from the Netgear router, both of which worked but didn't extend the range - nor did it allow me the option of extending the TC network. In fact, all the searching I've done hasn't unearthed a solution to extend a wireless network using TC where TC is not the primary router.
Any help appreciated. I'm sorry if I haven't included all the necessary info off the bat.
Airport Utility 6.3.1 installed.

They are necessarily in fairly close proximity to each other (due ethernet cable).
If the Netgear and TC are in close proximity to each other, there is really no reason to have both devices providing the same wireless signal......and a very real possibility that there will be wireless interference between the two products.
My suggestion and instructions assumed that the Time Capsule would be at least a few rooms away from the Netgear. If the close proximity setup does creates some issues, then it will be necessary to turn off the wireless function on the Netgear router.
Unfortunately, the older A1088 version of the Express cannot be used to extend the wireless network since it has no settings for that type of application.
Locate the A1264 about half way between the TC and the general area where you need more wireless coverage.
Power up the A1264 Express for a few minutes, then hold in the reset button on the device for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute to for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
Open up AirPort Utility
Click Other WiFi Devices
Click on AirPort Express
The utility will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the products, then suggest that the Express be configured to "extend" the TC network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Express and click Next
The utility will set up everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
That's it.

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.

Airport express can't extend wireless network

Airport express(A1264) can't extend wireless network. It seems that Airport express can't find my home Wi-Fi network. Amber light is blinking, and AirPort Utility of MacBook also can't find Airport express.
If AE is connected with TC via LAN cable, amber light is blinking with message "Wireless Network" (This Airport base station is set up to join a specific wireless network that can't be found...)
It was successful only once, but all failed after that.
Is there solution for this problem?
[My system]
Time capsule 4th generation
Airport express 1st generation (A1264)
[Settings]
Time capsule (ethernet connected)
- Create a wireless network
- 802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n (Automatic)
- 2.4GHz / 5GHz Channel (Autmatic)
- WPA2 Personal
Airport express
- Extend a wireless network
- WPA2 Personal
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network name and Password is set up

If AE is connected with TC via LAN cable, amber light is blinking with message "Wireless Network" (This Airport base station is set up to join a specific wireless network that can't be found...)
Sorry, I misunderstood what you wanted to do.
Since you did tell us that you had the Express connected with an Ethernet cable, I assumed that was how you wanted to configure the Express.
But I want to extend a wireless network (not using ethernet)
Because Airport Express and Time Capsule cannot be connect via ethernet cable.
Follow the same setup as above....and do not connect an Ethernet cable.
Keep the Express near the Time Capsule for the setup. Once you have a green light, move the Express to a point that is about half way between the Time Capsule and area that needs more wireless coverage.
If you reset the Express several times and try the setup several times without success, I think you have to suspect a defective Express.

Extending wireless network via ethernet help

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