Extremely unstable Airport network

[Dutch so sorry for my English]
My Airport network (1 extreme (latest), 1 express (1st gen)) is extremely unstable (especially AirPort Extreme), my iPad and iPhone are being unconnected every 2 minutes or so.
My iMac is connected over ethernet and wifi, my speeds:
Ethernet: 59Mbps down; 5,5Mbps up.
Wifi: 9Mbps down; 5,5Mbps up. (distance between Airport Extreme and iMac is one wall and 5 meters.)
Ridiculous right?!
Especially the problem my devices are trown of the wifi network every couple minutes is REALLY frustrating. Didn't have the problem until like half a year ago.
Tried a lot, the channel stuff (I don't have many networks near my place, so I have few interference), all the basic solutions for the basic problems. None have worked so far.
Hope you can help me, this is kinda my last shot.

Similar Messages

Advice on set up for a mixed Airport network with guest network.

Hi,
The manuals on the Airport Extreme and Airport Networking are more technical than my knowledge base can follow. I would like advice on how to set up a new network with a mixture of wired and wireless devices and some Windows equipment as well as os x based macs. the following: dsl broadband from Talk Talk to be managed by a Draytek Vigor 120 external modem connected to an Airport Extreme. I want to connect a Nov 2009 iMac (with Mountain Lion installed), Apple TV and xbox by ethernet cable to the 3 ethernet ports on the Extreme, but also to connect wirelessly one Windows 7 laptop, one Macbook Pro (2010) (again running Mountain Lion) and various other wireless devices like an iPad 2, iPhones etcetera, with all devices being part of one network run under one SSID and able to access the internet, and the 3 computers being able to fileshare with each other. On my current Windows created network which I am abandoning for reasons I won't go into here, if more than one of the computers is switched on, I can use any one of the computers to access information in any of the shared folders on the other computers - via Finder in the case of the macs - and I need this going forward. I would also like to create a Guest network as I have a lot of people come to stay who need internet access. To further complicate things, I would also like to add in an Airport Express wirelessly onto the network and link that to a hi-fi to give me the ability to play my iTunes library (situated on my iMac at present) on the hi-fi.
I appreciate that there are similar questions but I have not really found an answer that exactly nails my situation.
Thanks in advance.

It is not really an issue of how many clients can the iMac serve, but more about the volume of traffic you are processing or data the database application needs to serve. We have a Mac hardware that is a good 6 years or more old running OSX Server and supporting 20/30 clients without any problems.
One idea you may like to consider.
Don't run the VPN on the mac, get a router or separate dedicated networking box that provides that purpose. Then it will talk the load of any networking issues and external attacks. It can also provide other networking services for you such a DHCP, firewall, DNS, internet gateway, etc. They cost less next to nothing and are easy to install.
When you need to get something faster, look for a second hand xerve - we use them all the time. They have the advantage of have fast and very reliable discs, also you can raid the disks and hot swap them for backup purposes,
Finally, moving from one machine to another is each with things like carbon copy. But you cannot have the same licence for OSX server running twice, so you will need to install normal OSX on the iMac once you have done the move.
As for can you easily move from a imac to mac pro, sure not to hard to do.

New Airport Extreme N wireless network setup questions (WDS, D-Link)

I have finally been able to set up my Airport Extreme N network after numerous attempts over the last few weeks. I was getting a very weak signal in front of the house where my wife's G4 is connected wireless to an old Airport card and where all the systems (XBOX 360; Wii and PS3) are also wirelessly hitting the network.
The current configuration is as follows: In the office in the back of the house I have an Airport Extreme N basestation connected to the cable modem and have three workstations (One Mac and two PCs) wired to it. I set up a WDS network, so I set up the Airport Expresses as remotes. In the living room I have another Airport Extreme N basestation (as a remote as well) that is hooking up to the XBOX 360, Wii and PS3. I have enabled WEP security (not effecting the XBOX 360 since it is now "wired"). Here is the weird thing - I have a PC laptop with a D-Link Xtreme N card ( DWA-652) that cannot connect to the network. I enter the WEP password but it does not connect. Am I missing something on the basestation setup? Do I need to add the MAC address of the card anywhere. When I use the laptop's built in wireless it connects with no problem. By creating a WDS network did I disable the n functionality of the base station(s)? I am a lttle condused.
Also, prior to going to an all Apple wireless network setup, I bought the D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655). I was regretfully about to return it to Best Buy but I had an idea which may or may not work. I know that the D-Link does not support WDS but if I was to set it up as the main router and added the "main" Airport basestation as a wired bridge could I maintain the WDS network? The reason I ask this is because I would love to keep the gigabit for the wired machines in the office. Also, I am wondering if the D-Link notebook card is incompatible with the Airport network.
All I know is that I have spent alot of money and sleepless nights just trying to set this network up but thankfully Best Buy has a thirty day return policy so I will return what I can't use.
I appreciate any help and advice anyone can give me.
Thanks.
V
MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.9)
MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Hello!
I have noticed that some manufacturers (Linksys and possibly D-LINK) only accept upper-case WEP keys only.
This drove me nuts when trying to integrate a Linksys PC PCMCIA card into my old "g" network.
As far as using WEP, it's bad and broken; but I understand that your choice of security is limited to the devices that you are trying to network.
For what it's worth, I have my network set up with the AEBS 'n' connected to my Cable Modem, with one of the ports going to a gigabit switch for my wired network. I then have two AirTunes set up as WDS extensions for music & Internet delivery to two separate areas. The AEBS 'n" serves up DHCP and routing for the entire network.
It works quite well; I get 54 mbits/sec for the two WDS AirTunes, and 145 mbits/sec to one of my ATV's. My gigabit wired machines see data rates of 15-27 MBytes/sec (depending on the type of transfer).
Good luck!

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. My question is I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connecti

I have a Airport network at home with a Time capsule connected via ethernet cable to modem. Also the network is extended wirelessley with an Airport Extreme. I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme. Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?

I now wish to add a second Airport extreme but am considering a hard wire connection with 100 ft of cat 6 cable from the Time capsule to the second Airport extreme.
Excellent plan.
Can my network operate properly to extend the network with both a wireless and wired extend functionallity?
Yes, but don't get confused about the second AirPort Extreme, as it would not be configured to "extend" a wireless network.....it would be configured to "create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name, security settings and password as the Time Capsule network. Configure the second Extreme in Bridge Mode.
This Apple support document will show you how to hookup and configure the second AirPort Extreme:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

Airport Extreme with Airport Express for extending WiFi Network...

I have had an iMac for quite a few years now and never needed WiFi until this week. I purchased a Macbook Air, an Airport Extreme and an Airport Express over the last 24 hrs. I opened the Airport Extreme first and followed the somewhat easy installation procedures. My iMac is wired via Ethernet cable to my Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme is connected to a Motorola Cable Modem using Time-Warner. I also happen to have a Verizon Network Extender connected via Ethernet cable to the Airport Extreme. The spot where I most frequently would be using the Macbook Air, is about as far away from my iMac and Airport Extreme Base Network Router as you could be. The WiFi works, shows only one bar on the Airport icon. Consequently I want to plug my Airport Express in near this location to give me a better WiFi signal (and thus perhaps faster performance). I have read both the Airport Express Manual and the Airport Extreme Manual but neither talks all that much about the network extension function with the exception of connecting a stereo to an existing WiFi network. I am wondering what the specific steps are to add the Airport Express as a Network Extender. I also wonder if my Macbook Air will be able to access my iMac as the iMac is connected via Ethernet to the Airport Extreme vs. using the Airport Network. Any help will be most appreciated.

Julie Kruyne wrote:
I am trying to do the exact same thing and am having some difficulties.
It was easier for "WiseJD" because he was using two Apple base stations, instead of your AT&T router.
I select Manual Setup, it just sits there thinking - I can't get into the actual set up.
So you see the Express in AirPort Utility, but when you select it and select "Manual Setup", nothing happens?
When setting up the Express to extend my existing wireless network (AT&T 2WIRE modem and Airport Extreme), do I initially connect the Express, via Ethernet cable, to the modem or the Extreme?
I'll guess that the AT&T device is connected to your broadband connection. Is the 2WIRE device either without Wi-Fi support or is that turned off? How is the Extreme configured, in particular in the AirPort/Wireless panel "Wireless Mode" setting and in the Internet/Internet Connection panel, "Connection Sharing" setting?
If anyone could provide a step by step process on exactly how to set up the Express to extend my existing network, I would be grateful.
I have very little experience with mixed-vendor home networking, but someone should be able to help.

Setting up new ipad 2. Won't accept my PW for my Airport Extreme (Wi Fi network?) Where is the PW for my WiFi? I am stymied. Can I set up through My MacBook Pro, which IS connected to my WiFi network?

Setting up new ipad 2. Won't accept my PW for my Airport Extreme (Wi Fi network?) Where is the PW for my Wi Fi? I am stymied. Can I set up through my MacBook Pro, which IS connected to my WiFi network?

If you could provide the make and model number of the modem that the AirPort Extreme will be connecting to, we can likely tell you a bit more about what to expect in the way of getting the AirPort set up and working.
Unfortunately, "plug and play" does not apply here. You will need to set up and configure the AirPort Extreme using your iPad or iMac to name the AirPort as a device, assign a device password, name the wireless network, assign a device password and a few other things.
Once the AirPort Extreme is set up, you can connect the PC to one of the LAN <--> ports on the AirPort Extreme using an Etherent cable.
The iPad and iMac will connect to the wireless network that the AirPort Extreme provides.

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".

Airport Extreme bumping Airport Express off network?

Not sure what's causing this, but at seemingly random times my airport express is no longer able to extend my network. My express is only a couple years old. My main router is an Airport Extreme, but it's several years old.
The quickest fix to get my Express back on the network is to reboot my Airport Extreme. Which is odd. Seems like for some reason the Extreme is dropping it because it's not really out of range. Possible signal interference from other networks?
Has anyone else experienced something similar? All my wireless devices are Apple, with the exception of a Wii and PS3 that hardly get turned on.
Any ideas or suggestions would be great!

Ideally, the AirPort Extreme and Express will both be the "n" versions because this makes the setup quite simple and it helps maintain bandwidth on the wireless network.
+FYI I am running an 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) network at my house but I don't use n because none of my devices has good range on it so I just use 2.4GHz for everything+
Not sure what you mean here as "n" can be either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, or both, depending on how you have the router configured.
It is possible to configure your AirPort Extreme and the "g" AirPort Express in what is called a WDS arrangement. It is not an easy setup for most users, and it also has the downside of cutting the network bandwidth (speed) in half.
If you want take a look at what is involved, see the Apple Designing AirPort Networks Guide, reference pages 42-44. Or better yet, study the step by step guide posted by expert user Tesserax in the post below:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2355832&tstart=0
The advantage of using the newer "n" version of the AirPort Express is twofold. One, the setup is much simpler and two, the bandwidth on the network is preserved much more effectively.
Post back if you are interested in the configuration for this setup.

HT4145 Does the new Airport Extreme allow "guest network" setup across all my Airports on my network? I have 1 Airport as a router and 6 others as WAP's (bridged)

Does the new Airport Extreme allow "guest network" setup across all my Airports on my network? I have 1 Airport as a router and 6 others as WAP's (bridged)

I assume that all of your WAPs are hard wired on the network.
If.....all of your WAPs are simultaneous dual band Apple AirPort devices like an AirPort Extreme or new AirPort Express.....and.....you have firmware version 7.6.3 (now 7.6.4) installed on all the AirPorts.....and.....you use AirPort Utility 6.3.1 to configure the devices......in theory.....it should work.
I don't have 6 WAPs, but I do have 3 and the network works perfectly allowing extension of both the "main" and "guest" network.

Airport Express 802.11n joining existing Aiport Extreme 802.11g network

We added an Airport Express to support Airtunes on a stereo system to an existing Airport Extreme 802.11g network. The original Extreme had an antenna to extend its range as well. The problem we are having is that the connection from an iMac keeps going up and down. Is there an issue using WDS between Airport units that are of different speeds? Any thoughts on why this might be doing this and how we can get it to operate stably again as it was with just the old Airport Extreme.

I am concerned with the speed being reduced by half per node. Do you mean if I had three access points in a WDS network the speed would be half or does it reduce to one third?
Also, I want to point out in the latest manual, WDS does support 802.11n and mixed, including wide channel, which may over come being halfed but not further reductions.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf
--------excerpt from apple manual -------------------------------------
Setting Up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
When you connect devices wirelessly in a WDS, you set up each device as
either a main, a remote, or a relay device.
You can connect AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Stations or Time Capsules and use the
5 GHz frequency band in the network. Only client computers that have 802.11n wireless
cards installed can join the network. If you want client computers using 802.11b or
802.11g wireless cards to join the network, set up the network using the 2.4 GHz
frequency band, or add 802.11g AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express to the network. See
“Choosing the Radio Mode” on page 21 for information about setting the frequency
band of the network. You can also set up a dual-band network that utilizes both the
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, so client computers using 802.11n wireless cards
can join the 5 GHz segment of the network, and computers using 802.11b or 802.11g
wireless cards can join the 2.4 GHz segment. See “Setting up a Dual-Band (2.4 GHz and
5 GHz) Network” on page 48.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Setting up Airport Extreme w/Powerline Networking & Airport Express

In my residence, I have my cable modem connected to the latest generation Airport Extreme. An ethernet cord then goes from the Airport Extreme into a 'ZyXEL HomePlug 500Mbp Powerline adapter', which plugs into the wall.
Now here comes the fun part - I'd like to plug in an Airport Express in the 3rd floor of my residence. My hope is that the Airport Express will receive connectivity from the powerline adapter, and will be leased an IP from the Airport Extreme. My question is - what must I configure with the Airport Express so that it acts like an access point on the existing wireless network? I would prefer the configuration to be setup in a way so that clients 'see' a single wireless network. Whichever 'access point' (whether it's the airport extreme or airport express) remains transparent to the user - the airport utility in OS X 10.7.4 simply connects to the AP with the greater signal strength. Again, I'm hoping this is all transparent to the user.
Is this possible? If so, what settings should I be inputting into the Airport Express?

Suggest that you use a proven utility here that will provide the settings options that you need and not make (wrong) decisions for you about what it thinks you want to do.
That would be AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion
Download and install this on your Mac. You can keep both AirPort Utility 6.0 and 5.6 on your Mac.
Perform a Factory Default Reset on the Express as follows:
Power off the Express and leave it off for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button, and keep holding it for an additional 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the Express back in to power
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow 40-45 second for the Express to display a slow, blinking amber light
Before you plug the Express into the remote powerline adapter, test using your laptop to make sure that the powerline is providing a good signal. Turn off the wireless temporarily on the laptop and connect it to the adapter. See if you can get a good, stable Internet connection this way.
If you can, this will enhance the chances that the Express will work well. Connecting a router is a different matter than a computer, and I have seen installations where a computer will work connected to the powerline adapter, but not a router, like the Express. I've also seen adapters from one manufacturer work when another will not.
So, no guarantees here. You won't know until you try.
Connect the Express to the powerline adapter and start it up. After 40-45 seconds, it will be blinking amber.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility 5.6
Select the Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to name the Express, setup a device password and adjust Time Zone settings. No other adjustments are needed here.
Click the Wireless tab and adjust settings as follows:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as the AirPort Extreme
Check mark to Allow network extension
Radio Mode = Automatic or 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible) is a good choice
Radio Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings and allow 40-45 second for a green light
Then power off the entire network and let it rest a few minutes
Start the modem first and let it run by itself for a few minutes
Start the AirPort Extreme and let it run a minute
Start the first powerline adapter the same way, then the second
Start the Express the same way
Continue starting devices one at a time until the entire network is back up
Check the network and please report on your results.

HT4259 Q: Can I use an older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

Q: Can I use my older Airport Express-g router (not -n) to extend my Airport Extreme-n wireless network? If Yes, Are the instructions the same as for adding an Airport Express-n router?

If you want to extend, using wireless only, the 802.11g Express doesn't support this.
However, if you want to use bridge mode over Ethernet or Powerline adapters then this is supported.

AirPort Extreme wireless was working fine until I tried to add the extreme to extend network range...now neither is working and I can't fix.

Help please? I got the Express yesterday and had it set up and working fine. However I found the signal and connection wasn't going far enough/fast enough for all areas of my home I wanted it to. Today I got the Extreme. I unplugged the Express, plugged in the Extreme and set up the new wireless network for that one just fine and it was working great. However, I still wasn't getting quite the connection/speed I wanted through out my house, so I tried to add the Express to extend the network I set up from the Extreme and now neither one is working. I tried resetting and starting over from the beginning but I can't even get just the Extreme to work by itself and am not sure what to do.

The following are the basic steps to configure an extended network with two 802.11n AirPort. Please take a look to check if anything was missed when you configured yours.
Dynamic WDS - Extending a Wireless Network Setup
If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
Open AirPort Utility, and then, select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless.
Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
Enter the base station network and base station password if necessary.
Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
(ref: Pages 43-44 of Apple AirPort Networks.)
(ref: Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations)

Airport Extreme and NAS (Network Attached Storage)

I am using a brand new AirPort Extreme (ver. 7.4.2) connected to a Motorola cable modem, with two different MacBooks running Snow Leopard, two AirPort Express units for distributing music wirelessly around the house, and an HP multifunction printer connected to the Extreme via USB, all of which works fine.
But I recently purchased a 1TB Iomega Home Media network attached storage device (NAS), which is connected to the Extreme via ethernet cable, and I can't get the Extreme or either MacBook to recognize the NAS drive. The NAS doesn't "mount" on the desktop like a USB external drive would. It doesn't appear under "Shared" in Finder. It doesn't appear in AirPort Utility under "AirPort disks". Oddly enough the only place where the NAS does appear is in iTunes under "Shared"!
I know that the NAS device is functioning properly because my IT guy tested it at the office, connected to his PC, and it worked fine. The NAS came with Iomega "Home Storage Manager" software, which I installed but it's pretty useless because it also can't "find" the NAS and only offers to re-scan for it.
Much to my surprise there is very little information about troubleshooting NAS storage with the Extreme, either on the Support forums or in the "Apple Airport Networks" document published by Apple in early 2009.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance!
Thanks in advance,
MG

Thanks to both of you for your input. The Iomega NAS (Home Media Network Hard Drive is the model) comes ready out of the box for use with either PC or Mac.
Actually I resolved the problem by going to Iomega's tech support page. I needed to download an updated version of the Home Storage Manager software as well as 2 firmware updates to the NAS drive itself; so that it would be compatible with Snow Leopard. That was the issue. Now it appears to be working just fine.
Thanks again & happy holidays.
-MG

Netgear and Airport Extreme as Two Networks

Hey,
I have a nicely functioning Airport network in place but for the life of me I cannot get any PC's, Androids, Kindle's etc. to connect to it.
Been thinking maybe I could just setup an additional wifi network using a Netgear router, or whatever, for them to connect to.
Not too savvy on this kind of thing and was hoping for some advice if either it's feasible or won't play well with the
existing Airport.
Any advice greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Carl

Thanks for clarifying that for me. If your goal is to use this second wireless network just for 802.11b/g devices, I would recommend using one of your older 802.11b/g AXs instead of the newer one. In addition (whichever AX you end up using), not only does it need to be connected by Ethernet, it should be reconfigured as a bridge. This will allow any wireless clients connected to it to gain Internet access from the AEBSn.
Another thing you will want to do is to make sure that its 2.4 GHz radio is operating on a radio channel that is at least 3-5 channels away from the 2.4 GHz radio on the AEBSn. This will prevent any type of Wi-Fi interference between them.
For the remaining AX & AXns, you can now go ahead and configure them to join the appropriate wireless network for streaming. I would suggest joining the AX to the AX providing the 802.11b/g network, and the AXns to join the AEBSn's wireless network.

Extremely unstable Airport network

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for