Friend suggested I use Airport Express to extend my network to fix dead spots, should I just plan on replacing existing Netgear and buy two AXn's?

I have a few dead spots around the house and I am seeking a good solution without pulling ethernet cable. Reading this community it would seem best if going with Airport Express solution to replace my Netgear and pick up a couple of AXn's. Or perhaps Airport Extreme for base at cable model and AXn for extension?
I had assumed I could just configure one AXn and put it in the dead zone, but reading configuring roaming network indicates you need two. I was planning on adding Apple TV in extended zone does this change anything?

There are a number of possibilities of using multiple AirPorts to extend the wireless range of your network without using wires. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details.
Since your goal is to use wireless connections between routers, you will need two or more AirPort to accomplish this. Unfortunately, extending the Netgear by wireless will not work due to WDS compatibility issues between router manufacturers.

Similar Messages

Can I use airport express to extend my network AND stream iTunes???

I have an airport extreme connected to the cable modem and sending a signal out to my home network. I also have a powerbook and an airport express connected to the home stereo.
My question is, can i use the express to extend my extreme signal (to reach the back yard) and stream music from itunes at the same time? The set up utility seems to suggest that you do one or the other.
Thanks!

Are you sure you configured the Express to extend the Extreme's network? If you use the standard setup, the two base stations will be indistinguishable, i.e. you'll only see one entry for the wireless network.
If you were connected to the Extreme when you configured the Express, try turning off Airport in the Airport menu and then turning it back on. The computer should pick up the stronger signal at that point.

Do i need to use airport express to extend my network to use AirTunes?

I use an AEBS connected to my cable modem and just bought the Airport Express just to be able to stream my iTunes music to a set of powered speakers conncted to it.
When I got into Airport Utility, the only options it provides is to Set up a new network, add to an existing network or replace an existing network.
I just to add to an existing network and it says Airport Express will be used to extend my network.
Now - is that how it's supposed to work? Does it have to extend my network in order to use Air Tunes? The reason I ask is that I remember reading on the forums that extended your network can slow it down....

Bob Timmons wrote:
Version 6.0 will not allow you to configure the Express to "Join a wireless network" if you have another AirPort providing the wireless signal.
If you want the Express to "join" the network, you will need to download and install the much more functional AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion , which was available on the same day as AirPort Utility 6.0.
Apparently, a number of users missed this.
Suggest that you keep both 5.6 and 6.0 on your Mac and use the one that is most useful.
That is NOT correct.
Version 6.0 will allow you to "Join a wireless network" if you have another Airport providing the wireless signal.
I have an Extreme provinding the wireless network and have 2 Express units Joining the network.
Here is a screen shot of version 6.0 and the Express settings.
You must have missed this in your settings.

Using Airport Express to Extend my Network

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I'm getting close to throwing my Airport Express in the Trash.
I have a weak signal downstairs in my house. Upstairs I have an Airport Extreme base station.
So about 2 years ago I bought an Airport Express in the hope that I could simply plug it in downstairs and I would boost my signal strenghth in those areas.
That was two years ago.
Despite my best efforts I have never been able to get this thing to work.
Now a friend at work is telling me that the only way it will work is to tether it to the Airport Extreme with an eithernet cable!!! to me that sounds crazy!!! whats the point?
Can anyone please tell me in a step by step proceadure how I can make this thing fill in my weak coverage downstairs.
I've tried just about everything..
- Connect it to the AE with eithernet cable then try every setting in the airport utility that I can find... still nothing!.. extends, join network etc etc.. nothing!
Thanks for any help,
Steve.

It worked... I used extended but have bought a couple of power line adapters so hopefully will get increased rates.
Strange that I've tried these settings before and no joy. I did a firmware update and a hard reset with a ball pen and it worked. I recon they fixed something!

Problem using Airport Express to extend wireless network.

I'm trying to extend my wireless network with an Airport Express (brand new, bought last week), but can only seem to do so by connecting it via cat5 to the router, which doesn't actually extend anything. I have a Linksys WRT54GS with DD-WRT, and want to have the Airport Express in a different room so cat5 isn't an option.
I'm using WPA2 Personal security on my network.
I've tried to follow several sets of instructions from these forums and on blogs, but the only things I've been able to do are...
1) connect via cat5, selecting "Create a new network" with the same SSID and such, but it doesn't give me any more range.
2) connect wirelessly selecting "Join an existing network", but that doesn't extend the network at all either, even if I put the AE at the edge of the network now.
Thanks in advance. All I really want to do is access my wireless from the other half of my house.
Zack

It was possible to create a WDS between the older 802.11g AirPort Express and the Linksys WRT-54GS and this (as you know) has been documented on the Internet. However, I do not know of anyone that has been successful doing so with either of the 802.11n generations.
The two methods that you have tried would not work as neither is the proper method to set up a WDS. Please check out the following Apple Support article for more details. If you are successful in setting a WDS between them, please post back your results.

I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

Suggest that you perform a Factory Default Reset as follows:
Pull the Express from power
Wait a few moments
Hold in the reset button and keep holding it an additonal 8-10 seconds while you plug the Express back in to power
Release the reset button and allow 40-45 seconds for the Express to restart
Apple's instructions to do what you want are here:
It will often help to temporarily connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the AirPort Express for the setup. Once the Express is configured, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable and move the Express to the desired location.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Although an AirPort Extreme is shown as the extending device in the example, the setup for an AirPort Express is exactly the same

How do I use Airport Express to extend my current network.

I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this? Thanks!

Linc44, welcome to the discussions!
I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this?
By "old AirPort Express", I take it that you have a "b/g" version of the device, which is model number A 1084. Is that correct?

Using Airport Express to Extend a wired network using Belkin N Router

I have an ethernet/wired network in my home office and am using the Belkin N Router which is connected to the upstairs by ethernet also. I have a wireless network that the Belkin router uses to let me connect to the internet wirelessly if needed and I use it for my MacBook Pro inside the house but can't outside [the Belkin is connected to cablemodem].
I am trying to use my Airport Express to 'extend' the network from my home office out to my back deck by having it wirelessly be available [it is connected to main router/cable by ethernet/wired]. I have 5 bars on the Belkin Router wireless signal but very low unreliable bars from the Airport - either because it is not relaying the wirelss network of the Belkin router or it's not able to send its wifi signal from its ehternet/wired connection to the main router/cable modem, not sure which --
Short of pulling an ethernet wire outside to the back deck or getting an antenna to hang on my MacBookPro to better receive the home office wireless signal, is there a way to set up the AX soit can become an internet transmitter wirelessly of the wired network it is hooked to???
I read http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108040
but that didn't seem to help == and it appears the AX won't extend a non Apple wireless signal and I don't have one [tried the Extreme but it didn't work = the Belkin has been perfect = I can wirelessly connect in the room above the home office but would love to be able to use the AX to extend its power or at least use the wired linkage to then extend the power wirelessly....

Hey
in the following thread one of those top users posted a list of wireless routers AEXP is able to extend wireless network with via WDS
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1492474&tstart=195
maybe that belkin is your modell?
and here:
http://ryanschwartz.net/2004/08/05/airtunes-airport-express-and-the-wrt54g
also here:
http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2004/10/19/airportexpresswds
are descriptions of how to connect to 3rd party routers (not belkin but the way to connect of both is quite similar so it might possiby help you too.
Not using wep, wpa/ wpa2 during installation and connecting the AEXP to Mac or Lan Port of your router should help.

HT4260 Can I use a new airport express to extend a network?

If I am using an AirPort Extreme as my main wifi, but it is in bridge mode because I already have another router setup in dhcp on my network, can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?

can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?
Yes, assuming that you are asking about a new Express, or the 802.11n version.
This is very easy to do with the Mountain Lion operating system that you have.
(The "roaming network" link above assumes that you are using the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system...although the general information there is good).
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.
Power up the AirPort Express and wait a full minute
Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for the heading of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express there
AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze your network and then announce that the Express will be setup to "extend" your AirPort Extreme network
Enter a device name for the Express and click Next
AirPort Setup will take another minute to configure the Express
When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done
That's it.

Using airport express to extend network/stream music

Hi,
I just bought an airport express to extend my network throughout my house and stream music to my stereo system in my living room. My time capsule, which is connected to the DSL modem and is the base station, is in one far end of the house, while the airport express is at the other end. It has greatly improved the range of my network and when using my macbook in the front room, it gets full bars, however, the when using airtunes to stream music with iTunes 9 and OS 10.6, the music will cut in and out randomly and I occasionally get unknown error -15000 when trying to connect.
I played around with the airport express channels (any channel other than 10 will receive an unknown error -15000 automatically,) adjusted the firewall, and adjusted Netbarrier X, my third party security software. I found information in this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21538?viewlocale=en_US
The only thing that works is moving the airport express close to my computer to remove the physical barriers. It plays perfectly then. Is it possible to buy a second airport express and plug it in halfway between my stereo and time capsule to boost the signal to the airport express plugged into my stereo? Will this solve the problem of the music stream cutting in and out every 10-20 seconds?

Mad Cow wrote:
I checked and my signal is -87 and noise is -95.
At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, that's a rather poor signal value. Here is a description of what different ranges of signal-to-noise mean:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10329543&start=1
In the other post, you mentioned interference from other electronics. Could physical barriers be causing interference also?
Barriers won't cause interference, but they can reduce signal transmission. How far apart are the two units, how many walls are in between, and of what material are those walls made?
If this is the case, can I add a second airport express between my base station and stereo-attached airport express to boost the signal?
In theory something like that might work, but I'm not sure that an AirPort Express can act as a "relay" station between a "main" station and a "remote" station. It might require an AirPort Extreme. Perhaps someone else can comment on that possibility.
Can you relocate your Time Capsule to an different phone outlet? Can you use longer cables between the wall and the modem and/or between the modem and the Time Capsule to move the Time Capsule to the other side of the room to be nearer to your AirPort Express? Can you use a longer audio cable between your AirPort Express and your sound system?
You may be able to use a pair of Power-Line units
(http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-network.htm) to connect your AirPort Express to your Time Capsule via Ethernet.

Using Airport Express to extend my wireless network

I recently purchased a Time Capsule but found that I could not see the wireless signal from my bedroom. To solve this I purchased an Airport Express to extend the range. I plugged the AE into an outlet in my bed room and set it up to join my existing network. Everything looked fine from the point of view of the Airport Utility. Unfortunately my iPod Touch still can not see my wireless network from my bedroom. I new iPad can see it but the signal is very weak, even when I hold it right next to the AE. Is there a setting I missed?

Rick, welcome to the discussion area!
I plugged the AE into an outlet in my bed room and set it up to join my existing network.
You need to configure the AirPort Express to "Extend a wireless network". The AX does not provide any additional wireless coverage when it is set to "join".
First, you need to check a setting on your Time Capsule as follows:
AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab (below the icons)
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save any changes
On the AirPort Express move it close to the Time Capsule for configuration:
AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network" (Hold down the option key on your Mac if you do not see this choice appear when you click the selection box).
Wireless Network Name = Same name as your Time Capsule Network
Check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Security = Same setting as your Time Capsule
Password = Same password as your Time Capsule
Confirm Password
Update to save settings
The AirPort Express can only "extend" what it "receives". Most users position it too far away from the main router and consequently, the Express extends a weak signal. Try a location that is about 1/2 to 2/3 the distance between the Time Capsule and the area that needs move coverage. Then experiment a bit to find the best signal.
Post back on your results.

Airport express stopped extending the network

Hi all,
I have had working an Airport Extreme acting as a wifi base plus an Airport Express to extend the network for more than one year and could receive an excellent wifi coverage all over the appartment.
Recently, I decided to update my laptop OS version (an old Leopard) first to Snow Leopard and immediately after to Lion. After lots of software updates, at some point I begun receiving warnings to update the Extreme firmware. I did so and that same day I realized that the Express was not working as network extender any more. I further got frustrated to see that the latest Airport Utility didn't even "like" my Express and I had to downgrade to Airport Utility 5.6 in order to be able to configure the Express.
This was almost one month ago and I have spent many hours and tried all kind of combinations since then. For instance, I checked that the express was ok by creating with it a new network. This worked perfectly. I also reseted the Express to manufaturing defaults several times. I have even created a full new network from the beginning. Nothing works.
Both devices show green lights, but when I'm close to the Express, the BSSID I get is that of the Extreme, not the Express BSSID. I can see the Express in Airport Utility 6 but it is shown as connected to the Extreme with a dashed line.
I don't know what else to try. The worse thing is that even by buying a new Express I don't get any guarantee that the problem won't persist, since the network extension has worked perfectly in the past and doesn't work any more.
Any ideas are welcome.
Best,
Pedro.

I am starting to think that I have a non-functional device.
That is looking like a possibility.
Try a Factory Default Reset if you have not done so already.
Leave the Express powered off for 15-20 minutes
Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it for an additional 9-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the Express
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light
Try to configure the Express in the same room as the main router. Restart the main router before you try to configure the Express. If it works, then move it further away....but do not reset it....to see if it will connect and behave.
If you still cannot configure the Express after the Factory Default Reset, I think you have a defective Express.

How do I use airport express to extend my wireless network?

How vcan I extend the range of my wireless network using Airport Express?

It appears that you may have "join a wireless network" and "extend a wireless network" mixed up a bit.
The Express can "join" virtually any wireless network produced by any manufacturer's router if it is provided with the correct settings:
name of the wireless network
the correct wireless security settings
and correct password.
"Join" is normally used for AirTunes or to connect a USB printer to the Express for remote printing.
But, the Express does not provide any additional wirless coverage when it "joins" another wireless network.
Apple's "Extend a wireless network" feature, which was introduced about 5 years ago, allows the Express to connect to another Apple "n" wireless router and then "repeat" or "extend" the wireless signal....providing more wireless coverage in the area where the Express is located.
This is a proprietary setting. Apple says it will not work with devices from other manufacturers. To our knowledge, this is correct.
Prior to 2007, Apple used a setting called WDS to allow the Express to be configured to provide more wireless coverage. Attempts were made by a number of manufacturers to standardize the WDS settings, but things were never finalized.
The result is that Apple's older "b/g" routers were sometimes compatible with WDS settings from another manufacturer. There were a handful of products....5 or 6, as I recall....that were said to work. Some did, some didn't. Linksys had a couple of models, Netgear had one, SMC another, etc. Extremely limited.
Since WDS was never adopted as an industry standard, manufacturers developed their own WDS settings. Compatibility was extemely limited and unreliable. That continues to this day with WDS.
Bottom line....It is always best to stick with the same manufacturer throughout your network as far as routing is concerned.
If you have an newer "n" Apple router like an AirPort Extreme, the Express can extend the wireless as can along Extreme. If your Extreme is dual band, and you want to extend both bands, then you need another Extreme.
Another responder suggested to someone that they could connect the AirPort Express to a router via Ethernet. What exactly would that achieve?
That is a completely different subject since this discussion is about extending a wireless network using wireless only.

Adding a 2nd Airport Express to extend the network using WDS

I am a bit of a novice, but after I installed an airport express with my d-link wireless router to play itunes on my home stero, the music kept breaking up and stopping. I tried to change the channel, but it said mine was set on automatic and I cannot figure out how to change manually.
So reading apple's suggestions, they said to get another aiport express and extend the network with WDS. I purchased my 2nd express today and have been trying to install it using the airport express assistant. I have had to reset the 2nd express and the original several times. However, what i keep running into is after it gets through all the steps, it asks me for a password for "this basestation". I have read several help topics and it looks like i need to use "public" for this new airport express. I get through that step and then it gives me an unknown error (-6753). Does anyone know what this is? Or is there a way to set-up the 2nd airport express manually? Do I even need a 2nd one? Should I just get an airport extreme? Will that extend the range of my wireless network? Any help is greatly appreciated. I have been at this for about 6 hours now. My wife is going to kill me.

Will the manual for D-Link describe how to set up the
first airport express as a roaming network
No
do that via the apple settings once its connected via
ethernet cable?
Yes
Different channel.
Same network name, same security.
Ensure that distribute IP addresses (under Network) is unchecked.
When this is done, will I still be able to play
itunes through the first airport express?
Yes
Also, then once I do that with the first, then do I
just do the regular set-up for the second as a
network extender via the airport express assistant?
Yes
iFelix

Using Airport Express to Extend a Time Capsule Network: Results (*Long*)

Thought I would share my recent (2 hours ago) experience with setting up an Airport Express to Extend a Time Capsule 802.11N 5Ghz Network. Basically I just followed the directions in the Apple Airport Utility, using the "Extend a Wireless Network" setting:
Time Capsule (TC) 802.11N 5Ghz: In computer room
Linksys (LNK) 802.11g configured as dual network router with TC, also in computer room.
Airport Express (AE): In living room, about 50' away, several old plaster walls in between.
According to iStumblr:
1) I get an 80% signal from my TC when my MacBook is practically sitting on top of it.
2) I get an 88% signal from my Linksys 802.11g sitting next to the TC
3) I get 35% signal from my TC when my MacBook is in the living room. This is NOT enough signal, for some reason, to maintain a decent internet connection.
4) I get a 46% signal from my LNK from the same location. This IS enough signal to connect to the network.
5) With the AE configured as "Extend a Wireless Network" to the TC, and placed in the living room (again, about 50' from the TC base station), I get a 55% signal from the AE (which shows up as the same name as the TC network, for obvious reasons) Again, enough signal to connect to the network.
I did some internet speed tests using SpeedTest (take these with a grain of salt, of course)
1) From computer room over TC: 18Mb/s~22Mb/s average over 2 days of testing
2) From computer room over LNK: 18Mb/s~22mb/s average over 2 days of testing
3) From living room over AE(extended network from TC): 5~7Mb/s average in the last 2 hours
4) From living room over LNK: 12~14Mb/s average over 2 days of testing
Preliminary conclusions:
1) Setting up an extended network is pretty straightforward, and works without issue.
2) My 802.11g network with my old Linksys is far superior than my new extended 802.11N 5Ghz network, at least for internet connection speed.
3) I feel a bit irritated buying this AE now to extend my 802.11N network, if its not going to give me any advantages over my ancient 802.11g network
4) File transfers may still be better over the 802.11N-I will test that out at some point.
5) I have not tried WDS instead of "Extend a Wireless Network"-not sure what the benefits would be.
Computer Notes:
MacBook Aluminum-MB(Al) 2.0 C2D (802.11n)
finds 8 wireless networks in my neighborhood (3 of them are mine)
MacBook White-MB(Wh) 1.83 CD (802.11g only)
finds 10 wireless networks in my neighborhood (3 of them are mine)
Oddly, the signal strength of my networks isn't that different between the two computers-between 2% and 5%, even though it can't see as many networks. The 2 networks the MB(Wh) CAN see are at around 21% and 25% signal-not sure why the MB(Al) can't see them at all.

Your biggest mistake is confusing signal strength with signal quality. The signal indicator indicates strength and nothing else. You need to be using iStumblr to look at SNR (Signal to noise ratio).

Friend suggested I use Airport Express to extend my network to fix dead spots, should I just plan on replacing existing Netgear and buy two AXn's?

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