HELP! AirPort Express to extend AirPort Extreme?

I'm old and stupid, lately, but I can't find clear directions to help with the following setup.
--We have a cable modem hooked into the latest iteration of the snow-white Extreme base station
--We have a wireless network in the house, which happily supports TiVo, my laptop, and two brand-new iMac 17"/2Ghz.
--My wife's older iMac is plugged DIRECTLY into the internet through the Base Station, and is out of the wireless loop for reasons to boring to detail.
I want to plug my son's printer into an AirPort Express base station upstairs, and use it to EXTEND THE NETWORK'S RANGE and also to NETWORK THAT PRINTER.
I can't seem to do it. I assume it's simple, but none of the support documentation seems to do more than to allude to the possibility.
Can anyone step-by-step me?

Here's the reply I got (I'm still having some trouble...)
Set up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
(Note: To facilitate setting up the base stations, place them in near proximity of each other during the set up phase.)
Set up the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) as the WDS Main Base Station, by connecting directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the LAN port of the AEBS, and then use the AirPort Admin Utility, located in /Applications/Utilities, to make the following settings.
WDS Tab
- Enable this base station as a WDS: main base station (checked)
- Enable wireless clients on this base station (optional)
- Click "+" to add Remote/Relay Base Stations.
-- Select the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) that you want to be the WDS Remote.
-- AirPort ID: <verify that this is the correct wireless MAC address for the Base Station you are adding as a Remote.>
-- Auto configure as a WDS remote base station (checked)
-- Click "OK."
- Verify that the Remote Base Station has been added to the list.
- Click "Update," and then verify the settings for the Remote/Relay.
-- Allow wireless clients on this base station (checked)
-- New network name: <verify that this is the same as the network name for the AEBS>
-- TCP/IP: Configure using DHCP
-- Base Station Password: <the Remote Base Station password>
-- Confirm: <same as previous step>
-- Click "OK."

Similar Messages

In need of help: Airport extreme network w/2 expresses weak coverage. WDS?

I have an newish N airport extreme base station w/time capsule connected to earthlink 'super fast' dsl via ethernet.
I also have 2 new N airport expresses.
I've been disappointed w. connections, speed, range, etc.
The extreme is set to gbn compatible as partner has an iphone which cannot connect to N.
the network is extended - and the expresses are set to expand the network and airtunes - however, they don't seem to make any difference to the wifi speed.
My flat is rather long - and I've placed the expresses along the main 'throw' of the extreme.
I created a parabolic reflector to direct the signal along the hallway.
Should I set up a WDS network? or change channels or what?
This issue drives me to distraction.
I would appreciate any advice/suggestions.
Thanks,
JWW

WDS is an option. Be aware that to use WDS you would need to force your network to use the slower 802.11g. In addition each WDS link cuts the wireless bandwidth in half. Since you have 3 base stations you would have 3 WDS links which would mean that your bandwidth would be 1/8 (1/21/21/2) of what it is now. The range and signal strength would be better but the bandwidth might not.
Instead, you might try configuring your AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to allow itself to be extended (an 802.11n feature). Configure the closest AirPort Express (AX) to "extend a wireless network". Hopefully this would push the wireless network far enough for use in the entire flat. This is only useful between two base stations, therefore you would need to configure the furthest AX to simply join the wireless network.

Setup help: Airport Extreme+Dialup+Switch+G4 Tower+PowerBook+Linux

I'd like some help setting up my home network with the Airport Express station. I have:
- A dialup connection via an ISP to the Internet. This is not a dedicated phone line; it is shared with my home telephone.
- An Airport Extreme base station. I currently have this connected to the phone jack and configured to call my ISP and connect. I have a cable from the LAN port of this station to an ethernet switch.
- An ethernet switch, into which all my ethernet-connected devices plug.
- A G4 PowerMac tower, running OS 10.3.9. This does not have an Airport card. It is connected to the switch via an ethernet cable.
- A new PowerBook. This has an Airport card, and I usually connect to both my LAN and the Internet via that.
- A PC running Fedora Core 3, with an ethernet card connected to the switch.
I'd like to know how to configure things to get them to work together the way I'd like. The "Designing Airport Networks" document doesn't go into enough detail about all the options available on the Airport Admin Utility. I would like to have the Airport base station dial my ISP, but only when I want it to, and disconnect when I want it to - the way I did on my G4 when it was connected directly via its modem. I'd also like the connection to be available (and controllable, if possible) to all computers connected to my local LAN via the switch. I do not have any of my computers set up to do DNS or DHCP serving, but I did set up the Mac computers to get their IP addresses from DHCP. Seems to be working, for them at least, but I notice that I have to use the single IP address via NAT: if I try to change that to use a range of addresses, I am warned that to do that I will have to assign a static address to the base station. That's fine, except: the base station needs to get a dynamic address via DHCP from the ISP when it dials in, so I'm not sure how to make the distinction; if it even needs to be made.
I hope I've been clear about what I want to do here. What can you tell me?
Thanks,
Frank Huddleston
G4/400 AGP, PowerBook 15" G4/1.67MHz Mac OS X (10.3.9) PB runs 10.4 (Tiger), Dell Dimension w/ Fedora 3

A few points:
1. you referred to an "Airport Express station" in your opening sentence. This is of course a typo - you only have an Airport Extreme Base Station, correct?
2. for your setup, you must have "Distribute IP addresses" and "Share a single IP address using DHCP and NAT" enabled. There is no reason for you to mess with those settings.
3. to manually force the Airport Extreme Base Station to dial up (or hang up) an internet connection, you need to use the Java-based utility provided at:
http://edge.cs.drexel.edu/GICL/people/sevy/airport/index.html#Hangup
Versions of that utility are available for both the MacOS and Windows. For Windows you also need to install Java available at:
http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
For Linux - you're on your own to compile the source code provided with this utility. Hopefully your knowledge of Linux extends to being able to know how to do that.

Please help, Airport Extreme incredibly slow

Someone please help if you have any idea what to do.
I have a 5th Gen (dual 2.4 and 5 Ghz) Airport Extreme and have been using it successfully for the last 2 years.
It has been connected to a Mac mini, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, 2 iPhones, and an iPad.
I recently moved and was forced to switch my ISP from Cox to MediaCom.
I have a Scientific Atlanta 2100 cable modem and an Internet package that allows 30 Mbps.
However, I can only get 0.5 - 1.5 Mbps less than 50 feet away from my Airport Express (AEBS).
I have been searching the Internet and trying to solve this problem from 3 days and am ready to throw the AEBS out the window.
Here is what I have tried:
I had MediaCom visit my house twice. They tell me to get a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, but I'm already getting close to 30 Mbps when I connect my Macbook Pro directly to the modem via Ethernet cable so I don't think the modem is the issue.
I have also accomplished:
A soft, hard, and factory reset on the AEBS
A complete shutdown and power up of the modem, AEBS, and ALL of the wireless devices in my house.
Changed the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels manually to improve signal quality and decrease interference
Downloaded iStumbler and searched the house for the best reception locations
Tried to force separate 2.4 and 5 GHz networks to improve download speed
Used an Airport Express to extend the network (with no success)
I simply do not know what else to do other than buy a new modem or router.
Any help is MUCH appreciated.

If you are using the same Mac, looking at you OS it would appear that you have upgraded to 10.8.4. Did you upgrade your RAM at the same time. You need at least 4GB and even that would depend on how much you have going on in the background.
Or have you a newer machine. Incidentally, your profile is out of date.

HELP - Airport Extreme Disconnect and Connection problems

Hi everybody,
I recently (~2 months) got an Airport Extreme (Early 2009 Model). I was very happy with it, and everything worked fine, until a few weeks ago, when I started getting the following problems.
First, my iTouch wouldn't connect automatically anymore and when I tried connecting, it would say "Unable to Connect" around 5 times until I could connect, and then I would remain connected (full three bars) with internet for about 30 seconds, and then my connection would suddenly drop to 1 bar and my internet would stop working, and then it would eventually disconnect. May I just say that this was happening when I was sitting right next to the WiFi.
Secondly, all of the computers (both Windows and Mac) started having a similar problem: Connection Time Outs around five times until I can connect, and eventually signal dropping without the computer or anything moving. (BTW, the cable connections work fine, it's the the WiFi that doesn't work).
I tried changing channels, enabling Interference Robustness, and reverting to previous software updates,and also eventually Hard Reseting the box, without any results...
What could be my problem, and how could I fix it please?
Thanks a lot...

Roger, you must be psychically broadcasting this because I just seconds ago posted the following on another thread...
I hope I am not "typing" too soon but I seem to have identified my wireless problem. After trying EVERYTHING in the world to try and figure out why my own network wouldn't work, I had a flash of inspiration. I changed the Channel setting in airport utility from "automatic" to 11. I just picked 11 because I liked the number - no other reason. Now, I am wirelessly connected again. I do not know why this worked; The channel setting has been on automatic for months and worked fine until late Friday night. So those of you who have been fighting this issue, give the channel fix a try. Your mileage may vary and may the force be with you.
(Will post this on another thread pertaining to this subject too. If I can keep just one soul from sacrificing many precious hours on this frustrating issue, then I will consider myself one good deed up on my Karmic calendar.)

Help Airport Extreme Lost WiFi and I have no idea how to fix it...

I've had to AEBS hooked up and transmitting a Wifi signal for the past 6 months or so. A few days ago I I lost the Internet connection on wifi only. I have an iMac hardwired through the AEBS and it doesn't have a problem connecting to the Internet.
I've updated the AEBS.
I've reset my router and modem.
I've unplugged them for 5+ minutes
I've sworn at them
I've yelled at the dog for trying to bite my feet when I was messing with the wires.
By playing around in Airport Utility I've been able to learn th*e following.
*Connection Sharing:* Off (Bridge Mode)
Desktop connected, Airport (self assigned IP)
*Connection Sharing:* Share a public IP address
AEBS will not connect to ISP, airport and ethernet show connections in System Pref to AEBS and Internet (192.168....)
*Connection Sharing:* Share a group of IP addresses
AEBS connects to ISP (so it says), airport and ethernet show that they are connected but no pages will load. I've screwed around with the DNS address, IP addresses, and everything.
Can anyone help? I'm already bald or I'd pull my hair out.

I suggest starting by performing a "hard" reset of the AEBS. Once that is done, the AEBS should be back to its default configuration of an Internet router.
With the reset done, connect your iMac directly to the AEBS's LAN port via an Ethernet cable. Can you access the Internet now? If so, while still connected by Ethernet, run the AirPort Admin Utility to configure it the way you need it. You can use the following as a guideline:
AirPort tab
o Base Station Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o AirPort Network Name: <whatever you wish or use the default>
o Create a closed network (unchecked)
o Wireless Security: Not enabled
o Channel: Automatic
o Mode: 802.11b/g Compatible
Internet tab
o Connect Using: Ethernet
o Configure: Using DHCP
o WAN Ethernet Port: Automatic
Network tab
o Distribute IP addresses (checked)
o Share a single IP address (using DHCP & NAT) (enabled)
Once configured, try connecting your PowerBook wirelessly. Can it access the Internet?
Once you verified that you can get Internet access for all of your computers, you should secure your wireless network.

Extending Airport Extreme N 5ghz with Express 5ghz

I have a last generation Airport Extreme (has N 5ghz but not dual band) set in N 5ghz that I would like to extend with a current generation N Airport Express. I setup the Extreme on 5ghz, hid the SSID, and allowed it to be extended. When I go to setup the Express to extend the Extreme network, it will say that the configuration updates have been saved, but it never finds the Express after it has restarted. The Express continues to have the Amber light flashing after restart.
Any ideas?

Hello everglade. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
I suggest starting over. Please give the following instructions a try ...
o If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
o Open AirPort Utility and select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
o 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.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then click Wireless.
o Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
o Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and 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.
o 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.
o Enter the base station network and base station password is necessary.
o Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
(ref: Page 46 of "Designing AirPort Networks Using AirPort Utility.)

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.

Does the new Airport Extreme work with Airport Express??

I just installed the new airport extreme and I can't get my airport expresses to function as a part of the network. Does anyone know how to get past this? Do the expresses work with the new extreme?

I assume this issue is true for both Express base stations ... that is, that their status lights go to solid amber when removed from the Extreme base station. A solid amber would indicate that the base station has failed to reinitialize with its "new" configuration.
The only recommendation I have at this point, is to start over with just a single Express. Perform a "factory default" reset on both the Extreme and the Express. Leave them both powered-off after they complete their respective resets.
Power-up the Extreme. Leave it in its default configuration which is to broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. Connect the Express to one of the available LAN ports on the Extreme, and then, plug the Express into power.
Your Mac should shortly "see" the new base station in the AirPort drop-down menu from the OS X menu bar. Select this new station and the AirPort Utility should start up. Use the utility's automated steps to configure the Express to extend the Extreme. Allow the Express to restart.
Now remove the Express from power, and then, disconnect it from the Extreme. Place the Express in another location in the same room and plug it back into power. Does it eventually give you a green status light?

Can I use an Airport Extreme as a modem and wireless router?

I realize this shows my ignorance, but I am wondering if I need to lease my isp's (Comcast) modem or if I can use and Airport Extreme instead. Thanks for your help.

AirPort Extreme is a router only.....no modem on board.....so you will need a modem to work with the AirPort Extreme if you want to be able to access the Internet.

I have an airport extreme and am trying to extend the range of the wireless network with an airport express. I set it up with the help of apple support, both lights are green on both airports, but the range didn't change. What could be wrong?

I am trying to extend the range of my wireless network by adding an airport express to an airport extreme. I configured it with the help of apple support, but it hasn't changed the range that I can access the internet wirelessly in my house. What could be the problem? Does weather affect the wireless network??

So, on the Extreme you checked the box to "allow this network to be extened" ?
Correct?
And on the Express, you set it up to "Extend a wireless network" ?
Correct?
See this Apple article and see if you missed anything...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
To learn about other options for expanding your Wi-Fi base station wireless network and things you should consider before expanding your network, click here.
Set up: Components of an extended network
➊ Primary Wi-Fi base station (this is the base station connected directly to the Internet)
➋ Extended base station
Configuring a wireless extended network
To create a wireless extended network, you must place any extended Wi-Fi base stations within range of the primary Wi-Fi base station.
Start with the device that will be configured as the primary Wi-Fi base station. Then configure your extended Wi-Fi base stations, ensuring that each is within direct range of the primary Wi-Fi base station.The physical location of extended Wi-Fi base stations will vary according to the building environment and may require some experimentation.
If you have configured your Wi-Fi base stations in the past, it may be helpful to do a factory default reset of each Wi-Fi base station that will be part of the wireless extended network before you begin.

HT4145 I have an airport extreme as my primary, I then have an express wired to my extreme. i also have another express as wifi. I am not sure if both express' should be in bridge mode or extend. Please help. Carl

I have an airport extreme as my primary, I then have an express wired to my extreme. i also have another express as wifi. I am not sure if both express' should be in bridge mode or extend. Please help. Carl

The express wired to the extreme should be in bridge and setup to create a wireless network.. your best bet is to follow the roaming instructions.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4260
Then the second one can be in extend wireless if you cannot wire it.. it can extend from either the extreme or the express..

Help! Im trying to extend the network on my Airport Extreme with an Express

This is probably such a begginers question but it has truely boggled my mind for the last 24 Hours!
I have brought an airport express to extend my airport extreme network. My Airport extreme is the base and is hooked up to my initial Home model from my ISP which works fine.
I have been trying to connect my airport express and am having no luck. I have plugged the airport in but am having no luck locating it on my airport utility (only my actual Airport Extreme shows)
Can someone please help me Ive been here for hours reading on forums trying to sort this out and Im gettin nowhere fast!
The light on the express is flashing orange. I have tried to reset it but there still is nothing showing.
any ideal on what i could do or follow step by step?

Ok, the question is how can i extend the range with
my airport extreme base,
With an Airport Express or another Airport Extreme
I have A netgear WNP802, it
has a repeating feature.
Which won't work with your Airport Extreme
< But i am wanting to have the
netgear and the apple airport extreme talk to each
other so that i can put the net gear in a seperate
room to extend the range of signal. </div>
This is not possible.
How can i do this?
You can't.
Netgear and Apple use different chips which means they won't and can't talk to each other when it comes to extending networks.

Help: Using Airport Express to extend the range of Airport Extreme

I am trying to use the Airport Express to extend the range of the network created by my Airport Extreme. The Express works in terms of streaming music from iTunes on the PC connected to th Extreme.
However, I am trying to run a short Cat-5 cable out of the Express to a nearby PC in order to have access to the internet. If the Express is recognized by the Extreme and can play music through connected stereo cables, why can I get an internet connection through the LAN port..??
Here's a real basic representation of my connections...
Cable Modem >>-- Cat5 -->> Airport Extreme >>-- Wireless -->> Airport Express >>-- Cat5 -->>PC#2

To wirelessly extend the range between two AirPorts, you need to configure them in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
To facilitate the WDS set up, try the following:
o Perform a "hard" reset on the AirPort Extreme Base Stations & a "factory default" reset on the AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) before setting up the WDS.
o Place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete.
o To avoid having to "switch" wireless networks during the WDS setup, attach each of the remote/relay base station, via an Ethernet cable, to the main base station. Of course, this would be dependent on the AirPort types used for the main/relays/remotes.
o Be sure to jot down the MAC addresses for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS as these will be required during the setup.
o When enabling wireless encryption, configure the relay/remote base stations first and the main base station last.

How do I include my Airport Express with my base Airport Extreme to extend my in house wireless network??

How do I set up wireless network extension/expansion adding Airport Express to existing Airport Extreme Network??

OK, thanks for the clear information, this really helps.
Locate the AirPort Express about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area that needs more wireless signal coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express, the better the performance will be.
Power off the AirPort Express for a few minutes
Hold in the reset button firmly...and keep holding for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power cord back into the back of the AirPort 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
This process is tricky.....you almost have to have 3 hands to do this.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, the setup is almost too easy to be true. In that case.....
Tap on Settings (gear icon) on the home screen
Tap on WiFi
Under the heading of Setup a New AirPort Base Station....
Tap on AirPort Express
The utility will analyze things for a minute, then suggest that the Express be configured to extend the AirPort Extreme network
Type in a device name that you want to use, then tap Next
The utility will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done and you are good to go.
If you want to use the Mac running (10.6.8) for the setup.......
Make sure that the wireless is turned on at the Mac
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Select the AirPort Express and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab under the row of icons
Enter a device name for the AirPort Express
Enter a device password for the AirPort Express
Verify the device password
Adjust the Time Zone setting
No other adjustments are needed here
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Set the Wireless Mode to Extend a Wireless Network
Click on the Wireless Network Name box and your AirPort Extreme network name should appear as a choice. Click to select that....or manually enter the exact name of the AirPort Extreme wireless network
Make sure that Wireless Security is set to use WPA2 Personal
Enter the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Verify the wireless network password for the AirPort Extreme
Click Update at the lower right of the window and wait a full minute for the Express to restart. A green light on the Express at this point will be a very good sign that things are up and running correctly.
Your Mac will automatically select the AirPort with the best signal quality. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you may need to manually turn off the WiFi when you move the device near another AirPort, and then turn WiFi back on to get the iOS device to connect to the best signal.
Good luck, please post on your results with the method that you choose.

HELP! AirPort Express to extend AirPort Extreme?

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