Extreme v Express: Which handles interference better?

Looking to replace a first generation Express from way back that is either dying or can't handled the increased WiFi interference in the neighborhood.  This Express is part of a roaming network (i.e., is is connected to a first generation Extreme <first square one> via ethernet cable).  I have tried everything to address having to unplug/plug it once a week (i.e., factory reset, change channel, etc.).  Btw, I have had this roaming network for years with no problem until the last 3-4 months of the Express having weekly reboots.
So I'm going to replace it.  All I need to replace this old Express with is an Airport that is (1) reliable and (2) does wireless printing.  Assuming that both the Express and Extreme do wireless printing, which one is more immune / reliable when it comes to WiFi interference?
Also, I am also assuming that the Express does the simultaneous dual band (i.e., 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz signals simultaneously).
Thx!

Also, I am also assuming that the Express does the simultaneous dual band (i.e., 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz signals simultaneously).
It does not, so your choice may already be made.
A wireless printer should be able to connect to the 2.4 GHz band of the AirPort Extreme.
Btw, I have had this roaming network for years with no problem until the last 3-4 months of the Express having weekly reboots.
3-4 months ago, a neighbor may have set up a new wireless network or wireless camera/security system that is affecting your network in the area where the Express is located.
I once had an interference issue caused by a neighbor's cordless phone.....across the street.  Whenever he was in his front yard talking on his phone, the wireless network would slow to a crawl. Luckily, he moved.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict wireless performance issues in advance with any router as far as interference is concerned, so you might want to check the store's return policy in case things do not work out as well as hoped.

Similar Messages

  • Time capsule 2nd gen X airport express 5th gen - which one is better for primary base

    time capsule 2nd gen X airport express 5th gen - which one is better for primary base

    time capsule 2nd gen X airport extreme
    5th gen - which one is better for primary base

  • I have an AirPort Extreme time capsule . I need to extend my wifi network range. Which devise is better ?? Airport express or AirPort Extreme ??

    I have an AirPort Extreme time capsule . I need to extend my wifi network range. Which devise is better ?? Airport express or AirPort Extreme ??

    Since you have the new Time Capsule, then you will need a new AirPort Extreme to match the performance capabilities of the Time Capsule.
    If best quality is preferred, you will need to connect the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet connection between the devices. The advantage of doing it this way is that you can locate the AirPort Extreme exactly where it is needed...and there will be no loss of signal through the Ethernet cable.
    A wireless connection will result in a significant drop in performance, but it might be OK for your uses, if you want to try it that way first to see if the performance is acceptable.
    It is really important that the AirPort Extreme be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the Time Capsule.
    A line-of-sight relationship between the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme would be the goal, with the AirPort Extreme located about half way between the Time Capsule and the general area where you need more wireless signal coverage.

  • How many wireless devices can connect to an Express which is wired and extending an Extreme network?

    How many wireless devices can connect to an Express which is wired and extending an Extreme network?

    That is great news I have A1392s. One more question...
    If I have an Airport Extreme setup as a router and feeding internet from a modem/ I wire an express (A1392) and "create a wireless network" the airport utility puts the express into bridge mode automatically.
    How many wireless clients can I connect simultaneously to the express?
    How many wireless clients can I connect simultaneously to the extreme assuming I am using all 50 at the express?
    In other words, Could I have 50 wireless clients connected to each device simultaneously giving me a total of 100 wireless clients?
    Thans

  • Setting up a mixed g and n network on 1st Extreme + newer Express?

    I have a first gen Airport Extreme 802.11n (flat white, first one they made before adding on gigabyte ethernet). It is great for my needs. It goes into a cable modem. The Extreme handles all routing and the rest. The modem is just a modem that, BTW, Comcast forces me to rent because I use their phone service and customers cannot buy a separate “Voip” specific to Comcast for use with a cable modem they already own. So a perfectly good Moto DOCIS 3.x modem I own sits idle…)
    Anyhow…
    I had a first gen Airport Express (very limited in capability). It died. So I got a new Airport Express 802.11n (flat white) about a year ago. I hooked that up mostly to use on a printer and for travel. I made it part of my main network. It “extends” it but, my house/property is very small. A large Wi-Fi network is not needed but, seemed only option to be on network and print.
    Recently, I added yet another device to my Wi-Fi network. A small router for an AV receiver. It was, alas, 802.11g. I also have two other g devices and maybe a third and fourth (I’ll have to check, both I rarely use. One is unplugged as I rarely use it and the other is hooked up to an internet TV that is rarely used).
    All of these devices worked great until I turn on my old Mac Mini, which I think is also 802.11g. Before that AV receiver router was added, it was fine. But now, Wi-Fi on it is basically gone. Except, when it isn’t!
    For some reason, my network has decided that the Mini should connect via the Express. Since other g’s are on that, I think that is the problem. I don’t see how it happens but, sometimes, it connects with the older Extreme. When that happens, it seems to work great! Note, I did try using just he Express in place of the Extreme hooked up to the cable modem for the entire network but, it could not handle it. The Extreme can.
    Since both the Extreme and Express are similar as 802.11n Wi-Fi routers except, the Express says something like revision 1 when I look at it on iOS Airport Utility (is it “better” in some way?) I think the solution is telling the Extreme and Express to only accept certain devices.
    How can I tell each router to accept only certain devices? The old Extreme has one way (it seems) of doing this while the Express has another. But neither is precisely what I think I need to do. The settings for this are under the Wireless Options button under the Wireless tab in Airport Utility (latest, OSX). But if you can answer this question with any knowledge, you know that!
    I’d just buy a new Extreme which, I think, allows radio signal frequency segregation (or whatever this is called) but, alas, these two Wi-Fi routers work great (except for the Mini) and I’d like to use them until one actually dies.

    You still refuse to discuss data versus radio signal.
    So, I guess that is that. You have no proof to back up your contention as neither do I.
    Granted, from the g device to my Express, it is at g speeds. But, I contend, that once that g radio signal is converted back to data only (now at speed of light) inside the Express, the Express sends that data, via the exclusive “Extended network” connection, to the Extreme, at n speed. It has to as the Extreme will only take n speed.
    Sure, it is splitting hairs, if I am right. I am not saying I am. But my idea (before our branch debate on g and n signal versus data upon arrival at the Express) is an interesting way to force old g clients to use only one router. But to force those pesky g clients to use the newer simultaneous dual band Express by setting the Extreme to 5GHz g only was a new solution for me. It worked too. In that case, it is not about minute speed gains or losses but simply letting the g clients have their one party at the Express, which can handle them better when part of an extended network with an older, original Extreme.
    It is also far better to just have one Wi-Fi router as, adding Airport routers in an extended network, slows things down 60% or less and requires more "data management overheard", according to Apple*.
    It is interesting that they said data management overhead and not radio signal management?
    Alternatively, using the “Roaming network” method where the two stations are linked via Ethernet, is an even better option.
    * https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202056

  • Network with Airport Extreme, Airport Express and Time Capsule

    Hi,
    I have a good internet connection working perfectly in the following order. ISP connected by ethernet (cable) to an AE and this extended to an EX and this extended to a new TC. The AE and AX are 801.11 b/g/n but not dual as the new TC. My question is. If I work with an iPhone, the AE is going to work just with g forcing to TC to work with g as well with the rest of the equipments (AppleTV, other iPhones, iMac? I have an iMac that should be connected to the new TC and I would like to do it by 802.11n, is it possible in this configuration? I now that it would better if I organize the network with the new TC (dual) first. However, the TC is too far from the iMac and this is not my favorite option.
    Another question is:
    The new TC is very close to AppleTV but wirelessly. Will I increase the speed for watching movies which are placed at TC (through external disks connected to the USB in the new TC) if I connect the TC to AppleTV using an ethernet cable?
    Thanks,
    Jokin

    ... My question is. If I work with an iPhone, the AE is going to work just with g forcing to TC to work with g as well with the rest of the equipments
    The answer is yes, but I believe you can avoid that by having the iPhone connect only to the new dual band TC. Configure *everything else* to run an 802.11n network exclusively - not "802.11n (b/g compatible)". This way the iPhone will be unable to connect to that network, causing it to run in the slower b/g compatible mode. Your iPhone will work fine, as long as it remains within range of your TC's 802.11g wireless network.
    Remember that you will need to change all your equipment's settings: the Extreme, the Express, the TC, and maybe the AppleTV.
    Galt's rule of networking: "The number of problems you encounter increases exponentially with the number of devices on your network."
    So... proceed methodically.
    The new TC is very close to AppleTV but wirelessly. Will I increase the speed for watching movies which are placed at TC (through external disks connected to the USB in the new TC) if I connect the TC to AppleTV using an ethernet cable?
    The speed will be limited by the slowest link in your network chain. A wired network is always preferable, since it cannot be affected by interference or obstructions.
    If you are streaming movies from the Internet, your wireless link will probably be the limiting factor.

  • Brand new user of Extreme and express - surprising speed test results

    Dear All,
    I had been using a linksys wireless router connected to a 20mps cable connection to send a wifi signal around my home. After a fair bit of research I upgraded to an airport extreme (wanted benefit of the gb ethernet ports and simultaneous dual band which the linksys did not have.)
    So airport extreme set up nicely and speed test.net says I have download speeds of 19.23mbps on both my ipad and my macbook pro (2010). Signal does drop off in one part of the house so after a chat with the apple sales guy I also picked up an airport express to use as an extender. Using the excellent advice on this board mostly from Bob Timmons (found on a search) I was able to set express up and place in the part of the house where the signal didn't previosuly reach. It worked. So far so good. But, then an issue.
    When the express is plugged in mbps on speed test drops from 19mbps to 4mbps on both the macbook pro and the ipad. Switch of the express reconnect the devices to wifi (I guess now they are focussing on the airport extreme) and speeds return back to the 19mbps!. Why would this be? And is there any way to fix it? The extra range is useful but not at the expense of all that speed.
    thanks
    Josh

    Setup looks correct.
    Have you tried some different channel settings to see if another channel might work better?
    For 5 GHz, you would want to choose one of the higher numbered channels 149, 153, 159, 161 and make sure that "enable wide channels" is checked in Wireless Options.
    For 2.4 GHz the lower numbered channels are usually more crowded, so you might try one of the higher numbered channels for that band, maybe 9, 10, 11.
    Apple routers seem to be very sensitive to interference. If you have a cordless phone there, try powering it off for 45-60 minutes and restarting the Extreme and Express to see if that makes any difference.
    If you have time, you can scan to see what other networks are working around you with a utility like iStumbler.
    If you do this, you may be surprised that "full bars" is not as much signal strength as you might have thought. The "bars" are there pretty much for show. They really don't tell you much about the real signal strength on the network and they don't tell you anything about noise on the network, which can drag down speeds.

  • I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

    I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

    Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
    If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
    Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
    If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
    Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

  • Can anyone recommend apple extreme vs express for Mac pro and 2x iPads in home setting?

    Looking for advice on use of express vs extreme for home use

    The Extreme is dual band, so faster devices will connect to the faster band while slower devices connect at their own pace. The slower devices will not slow down the faster devices, as would be the case with the single band AirPort Expess.
    The USB port on the Extreme will support a hard drive and/or a printer. The USB port on the AirPort Express will support only a printer.
    The Extreme uses a new antenna array that will result in better coverage and deeper penetration of the signal. The Express uses a simple antenna arrangement.
    If you plan to connect any wired devices to the the router, the Exteme has 3 Ethernet ports.  The single Ethernet port on the Express will be used to connect to the modem, so any other wired devices will not be able to connect to the Express.
    The Express will handle a total of 10 wireless connections, while the Extreme will handle up to 50.
    For an $80 premium the Extreme probably provides 3 times the performance capabilty of an Express. That makes it a no brainer for me,  but you and others may disagree.

  • Here's one for ya! Extreme and Express together...

    Hi,
    I purchased an Extreme and Express today. (So far this is working much better than the D-Link and Linksys I tested.)
    Ok, here's what I'd like to do.
    Firstly, the DSL modem is connected to the Extreme.
    1) I have a Mac Pro 2.66 which is connected to the Extreme via Ethernet cable.
    2) The Express is in the living room.
    3) An iMac 2.4 which is in the study, is quite a distance from the Extreme, which is why I purchased the Express... to Bridge.
    Ok everything works when the Extreme is set to 2.4 GHz, but when I set the Extreme to 5 GHz, I have service on the Mac Pro, but the iMac does not get any service. I imagine this has something to do with the Express... maybe not.
    Does anyone know why I can't get any service on the iMac when the Extreme is set to 5GHz?
    Your help would be truly appreciated.
    Thank you in advance.
    -Dean

    I would move the Express away from all that and if possible find an outlet where the Express will be by itself (a dedicated outlet just for the Express and nothing else around it.) Also make sure to plug the Express directly to the wall and not using a power extension (if you have a surge suppressor buy one of those in-wall or over the socket adapters, nothing with big long wires.)

  • Slow Wi-Fi connection with both Extreme and Express

    Hi all,
    I have problems with slow Wi-Fi connection at home. With my 100/100 Mbit/s fiber I have an Airport Extreme 802.11ac connected by Ethernet cable directly into the cable modem.
    With only the Extreme as a router I was not satisfied with the Wi-Fi range and therefore also bought an Airport Express 802.11n (2nd generation ) to extend the network with.
    The range got better but I'm facing real slow Wi-Fi connection both on the Extreme and the Express.
    Example - When connected to the Extreme less than 1 meter from it I normally get a down speed on 30 Mbit/s and on the Express (placed 8 meters from the Extreme) I normally get between 2 to 8 Mbit/s down speed.
    I have a couple of questions about this issue below that I hope someone can answer.
    1. The Extreme and the Express are connected wireless. If I connect them together with cable instead, will I then get the same speed from the Express that I have on the Extreme?
    2. I've read in several forums that the latest versions on the Extreme and Express causes bad Wi-Fi connections and an downgrade to earlier version is recommended. My problem is that Airport Utility only can find the latest versions when trying to downgrade (bought both of them recently).
    How can I downgrade to earlier versions when Airport Utility can't find them? If possible, is this still recommended to do?
    Current versions:
    Extreme - 7.7.3
    Express - 7.6.4
    3. Could it cause problems if the Extreme and Express doesn't have the same versions, or is this normal?
    4. Any suggestions to improve the down speed on my Wi-Fi connection?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Cable connections are always better.
    But test first.. turn off the express.. reboot or even factory reset the extreme and have another go with it.
    On a computer plugged in by ethernet test the speed.. wireless should be off..
    So the most important thing is .. do you get full speed by ethernet.. if not you will never get it by wireless.. always less.. and sometimes much less.
    2. You cannot downgrade either of those models. So you are stuck with them as is..
    3. I think wireless links are always problematic.. by the very nature of the beast you will drop your speed by half.. so if the links were perfect.. and the Extreme wireless gives you 30Mbit then the best the express could ever give you is 15Mbit.. it is the nature of wireless.
    4. Yes.. we can make suggestions.
    But give me the pure wired network speed first. If that is low then tell me what modem you are using, which you mentioned.. normally a fibre system has no modem just a fibre converter to ethernet called ONT. Optical Network Terminal

  • Extend Network via Extreme or Express?

    Hi everybody!
    I use an Airport Extreme Base Station (2010) for my network and everything works fine so far. Now I want to extend my network, however. Since a roaming network is not an option I want to buy either an Express or another Extreme Base Station to extend my network. I know some of the differences between the two but I'm not quite sure which one's better for that purpose.
    Any help on that issue would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

    Welcome to the discussions, cubedApple!
    It sounds like you have a dual band AirPort Extreme, so if you make active use of this feature and you want to "extend" both bands, you'll need another AirPort Extreme for this purpose.
    The AirPort Express is a single band device, so it will only extend one band of your dual band AirPort Extreme. Depending on your planned use for devices in the area that needs more wireless coverage, you may need either the dual bands, or...a single band may be just fine.
    In either case, the "extending" device must be placed in a location where it can receive a good signal to be able to extend it. If you have a laptop, you can do some pre-testing my taking it the area where you plan to install the new device to make sure that you get a good signal in that area.
    In general, a good location for the "extending" device is a point that is about half way between your existing AirPort Extreme and the area that needs more wireless coverage.

  • Difference between extreme and express...

    I am trying to create a WI-FI network at my home. I was told I needed the Airport Extreme. I also see there is an Airport Express, what is the difference and can I create the network with the express or do I have to have the extreme…
    Thanks in advance

    Welcome to the discussion area!
    If you are planning to connect using wireless only, the AirPort Express will handle up to 10 clients. You will be able to create one wireless network with the AirPort Express, so older "slower" devices and newer "faster" devices will all share the same network. The older devices tend to slow down the faster devices in this type of setup.
    If you are planning to also connect some of your devices using ethernet, the AirPort Extreme has 3 ethernet ports for devices. In addition, the AirPort Extreme creates a "dual-band" wireless network. You'll have one "fast" network for newer devices and a "slow" network for older devices. Both bands will have the same wireless network name so this will all happen seamlessly as computers and devices will automatically connect to the "best" band. Slower devices will not slow down the faster devices in this type of setup.
    The AirPort Extreme also has a Guest Network feature, which allows you to setup a separate network for "guests". They will be able to connect to the internet, but they will not be able to "see" any of the computers or devices on your private network.
    The AirPort Extreme will allow you to connect a hard drive for file storage, which all computers on the network can "share". The AirPort Express cannot accommodate a hard drive.

  • AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Dish Network

    I have an older model AP Extreme and Express. My Extreme is my base station and connected to my USB printer. I use the Express to stream Airtunes downstairs to my stereo and have another profile I use to "create a wireless network" for when I take it on the road. Now I want to create another profile with the Express so I can connect my Dish Network receiver. This will allow me to use the iPhone app to set the DVR to record remotely but I need to connect the receiver to the internet. How do I configure the Express to do this? The Dish receiver has an ethernet jack in the back that I can connect to the Express. My Wii system joins my network wirelessly, but the Dish receiver needs to be connected by ethernet. I am using AirPort Utility 5.5.1.

    I too am struggling with this same issue, but I have a current Airport Extreme (square) and a first gen Airport Express. I can't do a WDS because I use WPA2 on the Extreme (booklet says I have to use WEP or none, which I am not going to do). Now, I have no problem purchasing the next gen Airport Express that allows extension of a WPA2 network, but want to make sure that my idea is sound - buxwheat is trying to do what I want to do, but I don't need a new profile. I have a spare D-Link WBR-1310 that I could use, but would rather not.
    The AirPort Extreme 802.11n has a configuration option to "extend a wireless network", which will allow you to maintain higher "n" speeds on your network and use WPA2 Personal security. The ethernet port on the AirPort Express is enabled in this type of configuration. If you want to try this, you'll need to also make sure that the option to "allow this network to be extended" is enabled on your AirPort Extreme.
    It's always an "iffy" proposition to download big high definition movie files using wireless. With a very good, strong wireless connection, you may be OK, but ethernet...if you have the option...is always a much better choice for this type of application.
    If you cannot run an ethernet cable to the DVR, for about the same price as a new AirPort Express, you might want to consider a pair of ethernet powerline adapters. One adapter plugs into an AC socket near your main router and the other plugs into an AC socket near the DVR. The ethernet signal is transmitted over the AC powerline in your home. My opinion...this would provide a faster, stronger and more reliable connection than wireless only.

  • Which would sound better????

    I was going to transfer my PCI Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live 5.1 card to my new PC which will be running on a MSI K4M4-V mboard.
    Should I transfer the card or will the onboard sound off the mboard, ie VIA1617A Codec 5.1 Channel AC'97 software audio, sound better???
    Thanks
    Richard

    I agree with osnavi. I had a sound blaster audigy in my computer when I first built it. Thought everything sounded great. Then I had some hardware conflicts and the sound card was to blame, so I removed it for troubleshooting purposes and forgot to put it back in. I started playing one of my games and I was astonished... The onboard was actually able to produce lower bass and in general sounded clearer.
    As you have a different board than I do try both. Get a song that has extremes in both high and low sound and see which you like better. One thing as both ironcatt and kafkacell mentioned is in using the onboard sound, the CPU is used more, but with a seperate sound card some pressure is taken off of the CPU because the card is able to handle it. Performance in games is where you will notice most of the difference. But I have never even thought about going back to that card (although I am eyeing the new X-Fi cards).
    Good Luck
    Jeremy

Maybe you are looking for