Extreme/Express network problem - short wave intereference?

Hi,
I have an extreme base station, an imac core duo in the same room and an express in the livingroom about 20+/- feet away. I want to stream music to the livingroom and extend the network so my ibook gets a strong signal in the living room. I had this all set and life was good for a few months. Suddenly weak or no signal, music cutting out, losing connection on the ibook. Often no connection in the LR and blinking orange light on the express. I reset express, triple checked and restarted everything to the point of starting from scratch. Thought maybe it was microwave (when not on?) fridge or cordless phone (phone now in a different place). I do have concrete walls. The kitchen was recently remodeled, the only new appliance is the microwave, and there are new cabinets and a wall was removed. But no conclusions to the problem.
Then the other night a friend looked at my neighbors yard and said "what is that big antenna?" It's not new, but the neighbor appears to have a shortwave or CB or some setup. It's been there all along. Sometimes I heard voices on the cheap speakers I used to have in the office... I thought is was CB from the nearby highway but come to think of it ... always the same voice.
So... I know NOTHING about shortwave or CB stuff. Is this likely my problem? I am waiting to see them in the yard so I can ask what it is. If it is my problem, is there anything I can do to resolve??
Thanks!
Holly
imac intel core duo Mac OS X (10.4.8) ibook g3, airport extreme, express, ipods galore....

Anything that operates at 2.4 GHz can cause interference with your wireless network. I don't know if shortwave or CB operate near this frequency but I don't believe so.
KB 58543, AirPort: Potential sources of interference

Similar Messages

Airport extreme/express network setup

i'm sure this has been covered in general but lan equipment and requirements vary widely (plus most of my wireless experience is w/non-apple routers), so here goes. i have the following hardware
airport extreme (802.11n) running 7.5.2 (might downgrade to 7.4.x based on comments in this forum) connected to cable modem
2 airport express (v6.3) connected wirelessly to ap extreme
1 airport express (v6.3) connected via ethernet (wd powerline) to ap extreme
what i'd like:
ap extreme base to be the only SSID & DHCP server on the network.
the 2 wireless expresses to provide wider coverage in the main house.
the express connected via ethernet to provide wireless signal/access in the detached guest house (trying to run it wirelessly does not get a strong enough signal, hence the powerline ethernet), but only as an extension to the extreme base.
when a device (laptop, phone, etc.) connects, it should use the closest / strongest wireless signal, but always think there is only 1 network/connection config. and, when one moves between house and guest house, connected device will auto 'roam'.
whoever set this up, set the extreme to be running in WDS mode (WDS main). however, it complains that it is the only WDS device on the network (see next ???).
the 2 wireless expresses are set to 'Participate in WDS' (WDS remote)
in order to get the ethernet-connected express to work, i had to give it its own SSID and set it to 'Create wireless network'.
it does work, but there are 2 networks, no roaming, and error message on ap extreme base re:WDS config.
questions:
1) what mode should the extreme base use ('Create wireless network' or 'Participate in WDS network')?
2) what settings (WDS or wireless) for the wireless expresses?
3) what mode should the ethernet-connected express use ('Create wireless network', 'Participate in WDS network' or 'Join wireless network')?
4) anything special i need to know to get the roaming to work reliably?
5) any suggestion (due to missing questions :-)?
tx for any info. i could try all the permutations & combinations of config (actually, i've already tried a number of them , but tired of running up/downstairs and to/fro resetting devices, so i thought i would ask for help from people with more experience background.
mack

Hi, mackiemesser. Welcome to the forums!
So if I understand correctly, your setup looks like this:
<hr>
• Express #1, Express #2, and the Extreme should be set to "Participate in a WDS."
• The Extreme needs to be told that Expresses #1 and #2 will be WDS Remotes. (You'll have to enter their MAC addresses.)
• Expresses #1 and #2 need to be told that the Extreme will be their WDS Main. (You'll have to enter its MAC address.)
• Express #3 should indeed be set to "Create a wireless network" but should use the same SSID and password that your other wireless network uses.
• All Expresses should be configured to operate in Bridge Mode. In Manual Setup, click "Internet" in the toolbar and choose "Off (Bridge Mode)" from the "Connection Sharing" popup menu.
• The Extreme should not be in Bridge Mode. It should instead "Share a public IP."
<hr>
A few suggestions:
• Write down the MAC addresses of all your Extremes. This saves a lot of time when you're setting up the WDS.
• Sometimes after you change the WDS settings for one AirPort on the network, it confuses the other AirPorts in the WDS, and you get network problems until all of the AirPorts agree on WDS information. In this case, if you can't see an AirPort in AirPort Utility, connect that AirPort to the computer via Ethernet. In fact, it might save time to gather all your AirPorts and plug them in next to your computer for the WDS setup process so that you can easily connect via Ethernet if necessary.
• Using a WDS dramatically decreases your network performance. Every time you add a WDS Remote, you decrease your maximum network speed by 50%. Newer AirPorts support 802.11n and have a feature that allows you to extend your wireless network without as much overhead as a WDS, but all AirPorts in the wireless network that's extended must support 802.11n.

Airport Express flashing amber; help to create an Extreme/Express network

I am a novice with wireless networks, so please bear with me....and I appreciate any advice that is in laymens terms.
I bought an iMAC G5 and a MacBook Pro (both with airport cards installed). I set up an Airport Extreme base station and have my G5 connecting to this wirelessly. This works fine. I also bought an Airport Express to extend the wireless reach within my house and to eventually hook in my stereo.
Problem 1 - my Airport express keeps flashing amber and is not being recognized. It was briefly recognized last night (although flashing amber) but this has been very rare. I've reset it, plugged it/unplugged it, but nothing stops the flashing or recognizes the express.
Problem 2 - Since I'm using an Extreme as the base station and Express to extend the network reach, what selection do I choose in the Airport Setup Assistant screen to connect the Extreme - "Set up new Airport base station" or Change settings on an existing Airport base station"? I think the latter, but want to be sure.
Problem 3 - I want to establish a network so I can use email, share files between my G5 and laptop, etc but am not clear how to do so. Airport has the option "creat network", but I really don't know what this accomplishes. I'd realy like to bring my laptop somewhere and be able to access files that are on my G5.
So basicaly, HELLLPPP.
G5 and MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Still flashes...hard reset didn't work...and last night I even went back to factory reset. I went to the Apple store (genius bar??) and they said to bring it in if I can't fix it. We shall see.
Re the network set up..I'm starting to get there, but I've hit a stopping point. I made sure my G5 will allow file sharing, and I can see that computer in my "network", but when I aatempt to connect it asks me "Connect to the file server [computer name]" and asks me for a password. Nothing I've tried works. I just get a dialogue box that says "Connection Failed: Unknown user, incorrect password, or login is disabled....."
Anyone know how to activate a login, if it is in fact disabled???
Thanks in advance.

Bridge Mode or DHCP? Extreme & Expresses network....from AT&T DSL

I have AT&T DSL and a Westell modem. I take the wire from the modem to my Airport Extreme and create a wireless network with four additional Airport Expresses...BUT....I've had problems...and the Apple stores (multiple efforts) refuse to advise me.
I have several Macs...and recently purchased a Mac Mini Server too...and I don't know how to set that up yet, but it will be added after the network is configured properly. I don't know how to plan the network to include the server. I want to use the server to administer my macs (install software, uploading to server storage & other server features I don't know of yet). I may host a domain and a site on the server but I'm not sure yet.
My primary interest is security. My secondary interest is ease of use.
When I bring the wire from the modem to the Extreme, I need to know if I should use Bridge Mode or DHCP?
If I use DHCP I'll need to provide a range of IP addresses....and don't know what to use.
Can someone please advise me? Many thanks in advance. ;-)

I have AT&T DSL and a Westell modem. I take the wire from the modem to my Airport Extreme and create a wireless network with four additional Airport Expresses...BUT....I've had problems...and the Apple stores (multiple efforts) refuse to advise me.
I have several Macs...and recently purchased a Mac Mini Server too...and I don't know how to set that up yet, but it will be added after the network is configured properly. I don't know how to plan the network to include the server. I want to use the server to administer my macs (install software, uploading to server storage & other server features I don't know of yet). I may host a domain and a site on the server but I'm not sure yet.
My primary interest is security. My secondary interest is ease of use.
When I bring the wire from the modem to the Extreme, I need to know if I should use Bridge Mode or DHCP?
If I use DHCP I'll need to provide a range of IP addresses....and don't know what to use.
Can someone please advise me? Many thanks in advance. ;-)

Another Extreme/Express network down

Something bad is going on in the Airport Express world, and I hope Apple is onto it. Our network (router to Airport Extreme with 2 Airport Expresses) has worked fine for over a year. Suddenly we're having problems. I switched out the router yesterday and rebooted the system. Expresses went on the blink (amber blink).
After many attempts with Airport Admin Utility (4.2.3) and Airport Set Up Assistant (v. 4.2.3), the network is working only as far as the Extreme - no value from the Expresses (though now they're smiling green).
Neither the Utility nor the Setup Assistant can communicate wirelessly with the Expresses now. A hard reset doesn't faze them. They have the names I gave them originally.
Meanwhile, yesterday when I could still communicate with Expresses, there was a firmware upgrade that automatically installed itself on the Expresses during a reset. I imagine there is software incompatibility somewhere but wouldn't know where to begin to find it.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the clear instructions. One of the "tricks" is to interpret "for a few seconds" in the Airport Express instructions to mean "longer than you could possibly think reasonable" when pressing the tiny reset hole with a paper clip and waiting for the amber light to give the 4 green flashes in a factory reset.
The factory reset got one of my Expresses up and working. I also downloaded Airport Utility (didn't know it existed) to use instead of Airport Admin Utility.
Note that although my network is once again functional, I still get an error when Airport Utility tries to communicate with the Express. Since everything else seems to be function, I'm letting it go - I've spent way too much time on this as it is.

How to setup a printer with Airport Extreme + Express Network

Ok so here's how things are setup. I have an Extreme connected to my cable modem creating the wireless network. I have a PC that doesn't have a wireless card, so I setup an Express next to it. The Express takes in the wireless signal, and the PC is connected to the Express through ethernet and has a successful connection. Next I want to connect my printer to the USB port of the Express and share it over the network. It doesn't work plug and play. From the Airport utility, the express recognizes the printer, however, the computers on the network do not see it. Can this be set up to work? If so, what am I missing?
Thanks

If you are on PC's, you will need to download the bonjour for windows.
just google it.

Extreme - Express Extension Problems

Greetings,
I'm trying to extend my wireless range by adding an airport express via ethernet to an airport extreme. The setup seemed to go fine. Airport Utility recognized the express as an extension and configured it as such. But once it was installed, I can only access my wireless network via the guest account. When I try to log in with the primary account, I get a timed out error.
When I pull the express off the network, I can get access to the primary account.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

I figured it out with assistance from another Apple Guru--everything is up and running now.

Airport Extreme & Express Network

I have the Airport Extreme as my base with three Airport expresses acting as extenders, one downstairs and two daisy chaining to an outdoor area about fifty feet away. We have an old house with heavy plaster and stucco walls that just kills signals. In setting up Airtunes, can i use one of the extenders or do i need another express to be the airtunes carrier? Am i limited on how many expresses are on the system. New to the apple world, but loving how easy things seem to work.
thanks

An AirPort Express can serve for AirTunes and for network extension at the same time.

Epson R200 printing over Extreme/express network

I've an Epson Photo R200 connected to an Airport Express which itself acts as a booster for an Airport Extreme base station (wireless distribution system). I have no problems printing wirelessly from a G5 running OS10.4.6 but can't print properly from an iBook running 10.2.8. On the iBook the printer is recognised via Rendezvous and I can start a print job but it consistently hangs halfway through the first page. I understood that I should be able to print from OS 10.2.8 using Rendezvous. I've got the lastest drivers for the printer and firmware for the Extreme and Express basestations. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.

Duane,
Thanks, I was pretty sure that it was not possible to like the Express nodes to the D-Link.
On question 2, that is the way it has been configured, was that way with the Comcast system and with the Fios still. That's why I think its having internal problems, its just not keeping the connection up and having real problems stalling while loading a page. I have set with a great quality connection with the airport and had it have trouble, switched to the D-Link and it just goes smooth and fast and showing only a mid level quality connection. And like I noted, the airport extreme is great for a few minutes after being powered up, then it bogs down. That and the fact that just hilighting it and selecting the configure button in the admin utility it never loads it, the utiity times out, while the utility brings up the express units almost instantly.
This unit is one of the first shipped for the Extreme model, and has been on 24 hours a day since the day it was installed. So its not like its brand new.
Any other suggestions? I looked at the D-Link unit via the browser, and it seems straight forward, configured much like the router I had in for the Comcast system. And that has not changed since the day it was installed and all worked fine for a couple weeks.
Mac Book Pro Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Solution to Airport Extreme Base Station + Airport Express networking probs

I've been investigating this for 3 straight days after inadvertently destabilizing my network. There are tons of posts discussing a variety of issues, all of which seem related. My goal here is to provide links to other relevant posts and explain what I ended up doing to get things to work.
First, the background. You can skip below to SOLUTION if you don't really care... However, I highly recommend you take the time to read everything, as you'll get other useful information in the BACKGROUND section. I'm guessing many of you have similar, related problems so BACKGROUND might help provide context (and solutions) to some things you are seeing...
MY SETUP:
AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) of type b/g (round one, not square one), connects to the cable modem, and creates a WDS network that is then shared across two standard AirPort Express (AEX) units (100megabit, not the gigabit ones). One AEX serves as a relay unit that accepts clients, the other serves as a remote unit that also accepts clients. The intent is to show a single network throughout the house and let users log on to one network and move between networking units without having to switch from network to network.
I have a variety of networked devices throughout the house all running on the same network (2 Mac Pros, a Powerbook G4, a Mac Mini, an Apple TV, a Windows XP laptop, two iPhones, two wifi printers, and a 5-unit Sonos system, plus the AEBS and two AEXs). Yeah, I'm a geek.
The Mac Pros are both running 10.4.11, and the Powerbook is running 10.5.2.
AEBS is running firmware 5.7
AEXs are running firmware 6.3
All Macs were initially accessing configs via the recently released AirPort Utility 5.3.1. More on that later.
BACKGROUND:
I've had this network setup working for about a year now. Recently, I've been having poor network performance problems and came to the conclusion it was a LAN problem (ie. problem with my home network, as opposed to with my ISP). Upon initial investigation, I began by looking at my networking logs (via AirPort Utility 5.3.1). You get to those by selecting the unit in question, choosing "Manual Configuration", the selecting the "Advanced" tab up top with the "Logging and SNMP" sub-tab. Click the "Logs and Statistics" button therein for log details from that unit.
The first thing I noticed was "Administrative access denied to ff80::xxxxxxxxx" messages - a lot of them. I didn't recognize the ff80:: address in question, and so became concerned it was someone outside the network trying to hack one (or all) of the AEBS/AEX units. You can see threads discussing that investigation here:
"Hack or panic?" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438486
"Administrative access denied" - http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1438865
Long and short of it is that the recent AirPort Utility 5.3.1 release (current as of March 13) seems to have problems (keychain) when attempting to access the AEBS and AEX units. The "Administrative access denied" logs actually refer to the client machine you are using when you try to read the logs. The ff80::xxxxxx address is simply the IPv6 address for the machine you are using; if you turn off IPv6 on your client machine, that address should switch over to begin showing a regular IP address instead (something like 10.0.1.xxx), which makes it easier to associate the IP to the machine. I explain how to deactivate IPv6 on both Tiger (10.4.x) and Leopard (1.5.x) here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6814978#6814978
Anyway, in the process of investigating the "Administrative access denied" problem, I began tinkering with my AEX settings. Specifically, I ended up performing a hard factory reset (unplug unit, plug back in while holding down the little button with paper click/pen for ~10-15 seconds until light flashes green 4x then reverts to amber/yellow/orange). I began reconfiguring my entire WDS network using the newly updated AirPort Utility 5.3.1, and that's when the trouble started.
(If you are having problems seeing either your AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, read this:)
In short, each time I thought I had properly configured things and then confirmed settings (kicking off a reboot on the AEX unit) the unit would restart with new settings but not properly join the WDS and not show up in the AirPort Utility list of units. More specifically, I would start with a "wiped" AEX and see both the AEBS and the AEX in my AirPort Utility list, but upon confirm/reboot the AEX would disappear and the AEBS would remain. However, that's not 100% correct. It seems that sometimes I would end up with the AEX and NOT the AEBS. Because both the AEX and AEBS were theoretically "hosting" the same network name (remember, WDS shares the network name across units) my auto-login feature for my client computer's wifi seemed to "jump on" whichever unit it first saw hosting the default network name for my house. In other words, it seems what was really happening was that I was ending up with two separate networks in my house, both with the same name but not talking to each other (as opposed to two units sharing the same network name and internet connection). The AEX would continue to blink orange/amber/yellow (whichever color it is to your eyes ) because it could not grab an internet connection -- and if I was on the network through that AEX unit I would not get internet. But if i was connected through the AEBS I would continue to have internet access. As far as my client computer (my Mac Pro) was concerned, I was on the home wifi network even if I was on the AEX rather than the AEBS -- it would show the home wifi network name as the name of the network it had connected to. But when I opened the AirPort Utility 5.3.1 I would see only the AEX (if I was connected through it) or the AEBS (if connected through it) -- a clear indication that the units were not truly sharing the same network.
I tried rebooting and reconfiguring the AEBS and AEX about 50 times (literally). I even tracked down an older version of the AirPort Utility 5.2.1 via this thread (see Tesserax post):
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1067565
One interesting thing re: 5.2.1 is that the "Administrative access denied" errors summarized above disappeared. As explained in a post reference above, the going theory is that this a permissions/keychain problem new and unique to AirPort Utility 5.3.1. However, even though 5.2.1 does have a slightly different interface with different settings, I still couldn't get the WDS to work.
EVENTUALLY, I came across this post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
MuaddibOfArrakis walks through setting up a WDS from scratch, and the workflow is different than what is possible with either AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or 5.2.1. He's doing it with the old version of AirPort Admin Utility, which I fortunately saved a copy of many moons ago when I had somewhat-related problems with my WDS (since forgotten). In fact, it's a lot easier. What's nice about this older app is that it literally does the heavy lifting of "connecting" the AEBS and AEX units during the configuration -- it reboots both at the same time as the config is happening, and lets you choose from a list of available units to "add" to your WDS network. In short, it's a FAR SUPERIOR workflow even though some of the GUI isn't as intuitive as the newer AirPort Utilities that were designed to replace it.
SOLUTION:
If still have a copy of the AirPort Admin Utility follow the instructions from MuaddibOfArrakis here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1422527
If not, try setting up your WDS network using AirPort Utility (hereafter AU), with these configs (take from my now-working network), as viewed through AirPort Utility 5.3.1.
I. Configure your AEBS.
Select the AEBS from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the AirPort tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) assign a name for that specific unit, so you can later identify the specific unit from the list of units -- this is the name that will show up beside the unit in the AU list of configurable units. You can name it something like "kitchen", or "office". I have mine numbered, so XXXXXv1, XXXXXv2 etc where the XXXXX is the name of the shared network and the numbers help me tell the units apart. Just be sure you name each uniquely, and if you have several you might write the name on the unit itself.
ii.) pick a password for logging into that unit. This is different from the network password, its a security check to get in and change the configs on this unit later. Be sure to remember it in your keychain for the sake of simplicity, and write it down somewhere secure.
iii.) if you choose to set time automatically, pick a location that you will use consistently across all your units. I use time.apple.com.
iv.) uncheck "Allow configuration over Ethernet WAN port" unless you want to be able to remotely mess with settings -- which you almost certainly do not need to do.
v.) I left the "Options" button alone - no settings there.
b. Under the "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: "Participate in a WDS network"
ii.) Network Name: this will be the name of your wifi network shared by all units, so be sure to remember what you pick. If you are already connected to this AEBS via wifi while you are making these changes, then you can use the same wifi name you already have set up -- you don't have to change it. Note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
iii.) pick a Radio Mode. I'm using b/g compatible. You'll want to do the same, unless you are on the new gigabit AEX. I'm pretty sure about this, but not 100% -- others post if I'm wrong.
iv.) choose a Channel. This can be a more complicated procedure, but for now just pick something consistent across all your units. If you get everything working and find that you're having intermittent network problems, you could later try changing your Channel -- it can pick up interference from phones, microwaves, etc and changing it can help.
v.) I have wireless security set to WPA/WPA2 Personal.
vi.) Wireless Password is the password for access to your wifi network (not your unit itself). If you are connecting to your AEBS via wifi while doing this config, then you can use the same password you have already set up. Pick a good one unless you want other folks jumping on your wifi and stealing your bandwidth and/or credit card numbers . Remember it in your keychain and write it down someplace secure, because you'll need it for the other units too. As noted above, note that if you DO change it, after reboot your will LOSE connection to the network and have to reset your wifi settings on your client machine to match the new network/password in order to be able to access the network.
vii.) Click the "Wireless Options" button. I have my multicast rate set to 2mbps, transmit at 100%, timeout at 1 hour, and i have checked the "Create a closed network". This last step keeps your network from advertising itself to the outside world. Users can only find it by explicitly typing the network name into their wifi settings (e.g. AirPort -> Other... then enter Network Name, Security and Password). I leave interference robustness unchecked.
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
i.) the AEBS should have it's WDS Mode set to "WDS main".
ii.) Check the "allow wireless clients" box on the AEBS; this lets you connect client machines to it directly too.
iii.) hit the plus button to add the Remote system (AEX). There are two types of configs for the AEX's - "remote" and "relay". Assuming you have 3 units like me (2 AEX and 1 AEBS) the key question is whether you will place each AEX within direct reach of the AEBS (remotes), or if you will have one AEX in the middle connecting to an AEBS on one side and an AEX on the other -- where the furthest AEX is out of reach from the AEBS (remote) and connects only to the AEX in the middle (relay). I'm using a relay setup. If you are using relay, you can still set up the AEX relay to serve client computers too -- it doesnt have to JUST relay. More on that later. For now, you want to add only AEX units that will talk DIRECTLY to the AEBS. So if you have a setup like mine, just add one (the one in the middle - the relay). If you have two remotes connecting directly to the AEBS, you will add them both here. When you hit the '+' button it will ask for both an ID and description. For description I use the name I'm assigning to each unique unit (as above, "kitchen" or XXXXXv1 or whatever you use). For AirPort ID, use the number listed on the AEX unit itself (not the number for "Ethernet", also on the AEX unit).
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) I have it set to "Not Enabled". I'd suggest you start that way too, and you can go change it later if you get everything working correctly.
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: Ethernet
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
b. Under the "DHCP" sub-tab:
i.) DHCP Beginning Address: 10.0 . 1 . 2
ii.) DHCP Ending Address: 10.0.1.200
DHCP Lease: 4 hours
c. Under the "NAT" sub-tab:
i.) nothing should be checked;
ii.) nothing under Port Mappings either
3. Under the "Printers and Advanced" tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there.
THAT'S IT.
=============
I. Configure your AEX(s)
Select the AEX from AU, and choose "Manual Setup"
1. Under the "AirPort" tab up top:
a. Under "Base Station" sub-tab:
i.) pick a unique name for this unit, same logic as for AEBS
ii.) pick a password specific for accessing this unit, same logic as for AEBS
iii.) Set time automatically: be sure to use the same settings used on your AEBS
iv.) Options: no need to set any
b. Under "Wireless" sub-tab:
i.) Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
ii.) Network Name: same name used for AEBS, this is the name of your wifi network
iii.) Channel: same as AEBS
iv.) All settings here (those above, plus Security and Password & in Options button) should be the same as for AEBS settings on this tab
c. Under the "WDS" sub-tab:
...if AEX is "in the middle" (as described above):
i.) WDS Mode: WDS relay
ii.) Allow wireless clients: check (unless you only want to bridge between the edges without letting folks connect on this AEX in the middle)
iii.) WDS Main: set to the AirPort ID (aka MAC address) for the AEBS. You can find it on the bottom of the AEBS, either labeled as such or at the bottom beside the logo of a wireless signal (square logo, with semi-circles mimicing a radio signal).
iv.) WDS Remotes: click the '+' to add any AEX's that will connect to this relay rather than directly to the AEBS. Same deal as above, use the name in the description and use the AirPort ID from the side of the AEX (not the Ethernet ID).
.....if AEX is connecting to a relay ("on the end", as above) or if there is no relay and AEX connects directly to the AEBS:
i.) WDS Model: WDS remote
ii.) Allow wireless clients: checked
iii.) WDS Main: if connected to a relay, use the AirPort ID of the relay AEX. If connected to the AEBS directly, use the AirPort ID of the AEBS
d. Under the "Access" sub-tab:
i.) MAC Address Access Control: Not Enabled (for now, you can change later)
2. Under the "Internet" tab up top:
a. Under the "Internet Connection" sub-tab:
i.) Connect Using: AirPort (WDS) -- should be selected and gray'ed out.
ii.) Configure IPv4: Using DHCP
iii.) Ethernet WAN Port: Automatic (Default)
iv.) Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
3. Under the Music, Printers and Advanced tabs up top:
Nothing special needs to be configured there. You can worry about AirTunes settings later...
That should be it. I'd recommend setting up the AEBS first, then the relay (if applicable), then the remotes. Initially, you can bring each unit in the same room with you for configuring. After configured and restarted the AEX should blink then turn solid green. If it turns green you should be good to go.
HOPE THIS HELPS. As noted above, I did not config through AirPort Utility 5.3.1 so I haven't tested this procedure through that app. However, after getting my network to work I went back and transposed all settings into this post to help others. Please provide feedback on whether or not this is working, so we can collectively try to move towards a setup procedure that works for everyone....
Good luck!
Message was edited by: b.byrd

I'm not convinced that the problem lies in Airport Utility. This same thing was happening to me, nearly exactly as you describe it. The thing is that with me, the problems clearly started when I updated the firmware in my Airport Express (n). That's when all the wacky stuff started happening. Sometimes it would show up in AU, sometimes it didn't and even if it didn't, I could still access the internet through it.
But as you said, the problems got really bad when another Express (b/g) was put on the network with it. Even when it did work, the (b/g) would make it impossibly slow.
You know more about this than me, and clearly have more patience if you've restarted the network fifty times. I gave up at about ten.
In any case, your solution is more of a work around and if you're still having that slow connection problem, I'm not sure you've got it. But thanks for your reporting of this. At least I know I'm not crazy.

Airport Extreme Killed My Airport Express Network!!!

I have been an apple user since 1992 - NEVER HAVE I FELT SO FRUSTRATED!!!! Sorry to shout, but this is as bad as it gets - my kids are screaming at me and my wife laughing!! I have had a reasonably good Airport Express network running in my house with an Express as the primary and internet connected to it by the ethernet port. I worked fine for my Intel iMac and my daughters Intel MacBook, but my son had problems in his room. We then got an xbox 360 and wanted to connect that so I upgraded to an Airport Extreme - Disaster!. Firstly the net went intermittant! Then I rebuilt from scratch restting all devices to factory defaults; worse and worse, the network kept failing to find various base stations. Finally I cut the Extreme out of the loop and tried to rebuild the original network; now Airport utility won't see any base station after I configue it!! Please help if you can!!!

If nothing works, try a factory reset: disconnect the Extreme from power, press the reset button, plug in power while still pressing the reset button, release reset button after 5 seconds or so.
This method usually helps me with problems with my Airport Extreme and Express (this happens seldom by the way). The only disadvantage is that you have to set it up again completely.

Hi, my wifi set up is Extreme, Express then iMac. All showing solid green status. Airport utility showing no connection tho? i can see network name and use homesharing too. why is it showing this?

Hi, my wifi set up is Extreme, Express then iMac over 3 floors. All showing solid green status and iMac (showing full signal wireless). However, the Airport utility is showing no connection? I can see the network name and use homesharing too. why is it showing this??

I dont follow the problem?
By the way, i hope you have those all set on non-interfering frequencies. e.g.: 1,6,11
Grant

I'm using iTunes 9 and I recently just bought AirPort Express. I have used it before in the past put the problem I have now is that I cannot select the Express network for my speakers. Does Airport Express only work with iTunes 10 or 11?

I'm using iTunes 9 and I recently just bought AirPort Express. I have used it before in the past put the problem I have now is that I cannot select the Express network for my speakers. Does Airport Express only work with iTunes 10 or 11?

Hello Hornet12,
Indeed, iTunes 10.2 or later will be required to utilize AirPlay.
Using AirPlay
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4437
AirPlay requirements and capabilities
To get full AirPlay features, make sure your AirPlay-enabled devices are running the latest software updates. The table below identifies minimum AirPlay requirements and capabilities:
Stream content from
Requirement
Notes
iPad
iOS 4.3 or later.1
From the Videos, iPod, Photos, Music, and YouTube apps on iOS devices, stream videos, music, and photos to an Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation), or stream music to an AirPort Express or compatible third-party device.
With iOS 4.3 and later, you can also stream video and audio from a website or a third-party app installed on your iOS device if the developer for the app or website has added AirPlay functionality.
iPhone (3GS or later)
iPod touch
(2nd generation or later)
Computer
iTunes 10.2 or later.
Stream videos and music from your iTunes library to an Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation), or music to an AirPort Express or compatible third-party device.
Apple TV
Apple TV software version 5.1 or later.
Stream music from your Apple TV to another Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation), to an AirPort Express or compatible third-party device.
Cheers,
Allen

Getting an Extreme to connect to existing Express network

I have a 4 node Express network with one node connected to the internet via a wired router and the other 3 as remotes. This works perfectly.
I've bought an Extreme node so I can connect a hard disk but no matter how I try I cannot get the Extreme to connect to the network. It either just dissapears with a flashing orange light and need to be reset or will appear in the node list of the Airport Utility but gives a WDS error saying it cant see the express nodes. It is configured as a remote rather than a relay. It is in range (same room 3 feet away - for the moment ) as the WDS Main so I'm a bit perplexed.
I've searhed on the Forums and one or two people seem to have similar issues - is this a known issue or am I getting something wrong?

If your current setup is using channel 12 or 13, try changing to use a channel between 1 and 11.

Adding Extreme to an Express Network

Hello! I am having a frustrating time adding an Airport Extreme to a pre-existing Airport Express wireless network. I have previously been able to add the same Express to the same Extreme's network, but the opposite does not seem to work.
I have done a hard reset on the Extreme and tried to set it up in Airport Utility. Everything goes fine until the end, just after I select which pre-existing network I'd like to join.
At first I get this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/bringittoanend/configuring.jpg
Then suddenly it stops and I get this:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/bringittoanend/error.jpg
Any ideas? I tried setting up manually, but honestly don't know what I'm doing.
Thanks in advance for any help!
-Brooks

I just posted a step-by-step procedure here. Scroll down about halfway.
Does that help?

Extreme/Express network problem - short wave intereference?

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