Help Creating a Roaming Network w Sonos

Hi all,
I have a networked 2 story and 1 separated cabana room. The smart panel DAS doesnt work - so I have the Comcast cable modem with 100 Mbps Service in the smart panel (SP) connected to a Netgear Bridge, and the networked cables to the rooms I need connected to the bridge.
Here is my current configuration:
SP to Netgear Bridge
4 Network Cables from Bridge to: Master Bedroom (Airport Extreme N as my base), Office, Living Room, Cabana Room (Cabana room is 60 ft away from main apartment, and 60 ft, 1 floor below, and 1 60 x 20 patio away from AEBS)
19 WiFi devices actively on network
Sonos system running off Mac Mini in Office off WiFi from AEBS, Speaker in Living Room and Speaker in Cabana Room
Cabana Room speaker disconnects frequently from Sonos as the WiFi seems to get lost traveling across the 60 x 20 patio
No internet in Cabana Room - which is a critical issue as I commonly work out there and PS3 is there
I tried to setup a completely separate network - but there are 2 issues with that....I commonly dropped my connection because one or the other would be stronger and it just wasnt working...the second is the Sonos speakers need to be on the same network. I have tried extending the network - but the signal ***** and cant hold a VPN connection, much less even attempt to play PS3. I have connected the network in the wall to the Airport Express and used the same network name - and I lost all connectivity for 24 hours and somehow completely disabled my Comcast phone service forever - I am assuming because of conflicting IP addresses/NAT issues.
I have 2 Netgear Powerline adapters and an Airport Express in my arsenal. Because the networked rooms are not coming from the AEBS, but from the bridge in the SP - I am guessing that if I use the powerline adapters (one from AEBS) to run a network cable to the Airport Express might be the way to go - but before I muff anything up again and have to create a whole new network - I would like advice.
Confused yet? Thanks in advance for your help.

bump......

Similar Messages

Create a roaming Guest Network

I'm planning to expand my network with a second Time Capsule to increase network coverage. The TCs would both be of a version with simultaneous dual band and guest network. The TCs would be connected with wired ethernet and one of the TCs would serve as DHCP server.
My plan is to create a roaming network, but according to the manual the second TC would be configured as a bridge. Doesn't that disable the Guest Network feature? Is there any way to have both a main roaming network and a guest roaming network?
Reference:
page 42
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf

Welcome to the discussions!
+Is there any way to have both a main roaming network and a guest roaming network?+
Unfortunately, no. As you point out, when the second Time Capsule is in bridge mode, the availability of a Guest option is not present.

Sky Hub (SR101) configured to roaming network on Airport Extreme?

Hi,
Im trying to find out if it is possible to connect a Sky SR101 Hub to a Airport Extreme to create a roaming network with 3 Airport Extremes?
If so is the procedure of connecting it as follows:
1. Sky Hub ethernet port connected to WAN port of 1st Airport Extreme
2. Ethernet Cable from the 1st Airport LAN port to the WAN port of 2nd Airport (in another room)
3. Ethernet Cable from the 2nd Airport LAN port to the WAN port of 3rd Airport (in another room)
What is the best way for the DHCP?
Do I set the 1st Airport that is connected to the Sky Hub do the DHCP and turn the Sky Hub wireless and DHCP off?
I am a bit confused when it comes to the DHCP side.
Thanks for your help in advance.

The Sky SR101 is a modem/router that provides both DHCP and NAT service.
So, in a "roaming network" configuration, each one of the AirPort Extremes would be configured to "create a wireless network" using the exact same wireless network name, same security setting and same wireless password as the Sky modem/router. Each AirPort must also be configured to operate in Bridge Mode.
Here, I am assuming that the Sky SR101 will be creating a wireless signal. Optionally, you could turn off the wireless on the Sky modem/router and use it only as a wired router if you prefer. In this case, the 3 AirPorts would be providing your wireless network.
1. Sky Hub ethernet port connected to WAN port of 1st Airport Extreme
2. Ethernet Cable from the 1st Airport LAN port to the WAN port of 2nd Airport (in another room)
3. Ethernet Cable from the 2nd Airport LAN port to the WAN port of 3rd Airport (in another room)
This will work, but better wiring practice.....if possible.....would be to connect each AirPort directly back to one of the Ethernet LAN <-> ports on the Sky modem/router. This is called "home run" wiring.
The reason for this is that your proposed setup makes use of what is known as a "daisy chain" configuration.
While the "daisy chain" type of setup will work....if everything is working.....let's say that you configure the network as proposed in 1), 2), and 3) above.
If the 1st AirPort Exteme has a problem, it will take out AirPort Extreme 2 and AirPort Extreme 3 as well. Or, if AirPort Exteme 2 has a problem, it will take out AirPort Extreme 3 as well.
With the suggested method of connecting each AirPort directly to the Sky modem/router in a "home run" wiring configuration, you might have a future problem develop with any given AirPort, but this will not affect the operation of the other AirPorts.
As far as DHCP and NAT service, it might be possible to configure the Sky SR101 to operate only as a modem with DHCP and NAT functions disabled.
But, even if you can do this, your service provider may not support this type of setup, so you would want to check with Sky first to see 1) If this is possible, 2) How to do it, and 3) Verify that they will support that type of configuration.
If you decide to go this route, then AirPort Extreme 1 would be configured to provide DHCP and NAT service. AirPort Exteme 2 and AirPort Extreme 3 would still both be configured in Bridge Mode. In this case, you would connect AirPort Exteme 2 and AirPort Extreme 3 directly to AirPort Extreme 1.

Can't enable Airport Express as a roaming network

Objective: trying to extend my wireless network to a detached back office. Have attempted to create a "roaming network" by running an ethernet cable, connected to my 2Wire wireless router in my house about 40 feet to my detached back office.
Btw, thx to all those who have helped thus far.
Here's some additional info:
- The ethernet cable works fine when I connect it directly to my computer.
- The AX does have a solid green light. I am guessing that it talking to my my wireless router since it's green regardless if the ethernet cable is plugged into the AX or not... although the signal is very faint (1.0 Mbps). Hence the decision to run an ethernet cable from the hosue to the office.
- AX set up has Disable "Distribute IP addresses" grayed out and unchecked.
- The AX was previously used in the house for wireless printing. I would still like to use the AX for wireless printing in the office AND create the roaming network.
Any suggestions to make this work?

In the AirPort Admin Utility, change the wireless
mode from "Join an Existing Wireless Network" to
"Create a Wireless Network".
In doing this, am I only changing the configuration of that one AX or am I changing the settings of my 2Wire wireless router? Btw, I also have another AX in my house configured for AirTunes.
To make the roaming seamless, configure the AX with
the same SSID (network name), wireless encryption
level, and encryption password as the 2Wire. Make
sure that the 2Wire and AX are working on channels
that are 3 or more apart.
By using the same SSID name, is that using the same name as my existing network that my airport sees? My current network is "2WIRE040." So are you saying I should name the AX "2WIRE040" and have the same password?

Roaming Network setup

Hello all-
I've read most of the posts on setting up a roaming network and I'm still struggling with my setup. Here's my scenario- any help is appreciated:
-I have a wireless-N Primary AEBS connected to COX cable modem in the house
-I have 100 ft cat5e cable coming out to my garage/studio that I plug directly into my MB pro from the Primary AEBS
-I am attempting to setup a roaming network in my garage/studio by plugging the ethernet cable from the primary AEBS to a wireless-N Airport Express A1264 in order to maintain a wireless network out in the garage
-I have followed Apple's Airport Networks manual and tried a combination of things in Airport Utility, but no luck
-Since I don't get a wireless signal from my primary AEBS to my MB pro on my network (when I am in the garage), I assume it is to distant for the Airport Express in my garage to get the signal. So would my configuration actually be a roaming network?
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks

Bob, I'd like to thank you for some of the most helpful advice on the topic I've seen on the boards. I greatly appreciate this thread and a couple others you've provided guidance on. Much appreciated.
Sorry to trouble you with more but I would be grateful for the thoughts and response. I'll list out the configuration I've pulled together based on my understanding on a few of your posts. The reason for my post is that in spite of my efforts the throughput on the network seems spotty and off.
Gear:
Motorola SB6120 (DOCSIS 3)
Airport Extreme - Simultaneous Dual Band II (7.5.2)
Time Capsule - Simultaneous Dual Band (7.5.2)
Airport Express - 802.11n (7.5.2)
Mac Mini (x2)
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
iPhone 4 (x2)
Sony PS3
Area - Connection:
I'm in a 2 story place that's unfortunately concrete but I doubt this is the cause of the issue. Cable enters downstairs and is connected to a brand new SB6120. The 6120 ethernets to the Extreme. There is a Mini hung off the Extreme using ethernet. Also off the Extreme is Cat5 running upstairs to the 2nd story connected into the Wan Port of the Time Capsule. The second Mini is connected to the TC with ethernet. The PS3 hangs off the Extreme using ethernet but this is not used often. The Express is located outside on the patio on the 1st floor level.
Configuration:
AEBS: Create Wireless Network (2.4 & 5Ghz), No Guest Network. Separate network names created for 2.4 and 5Ghz. WPA2 in place. Manual Channels 149 & 6, Share Public IP, DHCP is on and a range has been set. Enable NAT Port Mapping Protocol is selected. So is Allow this Network to be extended. Create closed Network is on and Use Wide Channels are both on. I've reserved IPs for all machines (including the TC & Express) using MAC IDs and have set all machines to DHCP and confirmed they are using the corresponding IPs. I've also included the 2.4Ghz network for all the Airport clients.
TC: Bridge Mode selected. Create Wireless Network (2.4 & 5Ghz), the exact same network name & device passwords are used. Same with WPA2. DHCP on. Allow this Network to be extended is NOT checked. Manual Channels at 161 & 13. Create closed Network is on and Use Wide Channels are both on.
Express: Extend Wireless Network. Allow Wireless Clients is checked. It's using the same network name (the 2.4Ghz), device password, and WPA2 as well. Channel is set to automatic and seems to like Channel 4. Connect using Wireless Network & Bridge Mode selected.
Wow. What a long list of it. Sorry about it. Ultimately, I was hoping to create a Roaming Network but when configuring the Express the option was only to Create or Extend a network. I can't seem to find a lot of information about the pros & cons but I was hoping to achieve Roaming.
Issue: I seem to be having quite a bit of socket issues and connection closed issues. When moving about the house I'm almost forced into a restart in order to secure a better connection. Once I do get a device connected it seems to burst up and down a lot. Meaning, I'll have great up/down and then suddenly I'm down to 30B/s down. It is highly possible I've got lousy cable access. I am paying for 100MBs but I do know they suffer from noise on the line quite a bit.
Is there anything you can think of to help optimize this configuration? Again, sorry for the long note and thanks for your earlier guidance to get me this far. It is working well but I still feel I have missed something to make it better. Let me know please. Happy to respond and clarify as needed.

Wifi roaming network

I have an Airport Extreme and a Time Capsul. Currently, I have the Extreme (primary base station) connected to the internet via an ethernet connection. Both of these are upstairs. I have the Time Capsul downstairs and it extends the wifi network wirelessly. I would like to improve the performance of the network and extend it a bit further to the other side of the house. Based on my reading, the best way to do this is to create a roaming network and connect the Time Capsul to the Extreme via ethernet. I've done this. However, after I do this, I lose connectivity to the internet for some reason and the whole wifi network crashes. I've tried rebooting each of the pieces of equipment and this doesn't help. If I unplug the ethernet and reboot, everything goes back to normal and it works. However, I haven't solved the problem of extending the network and improving performance. Has anyone had these issues or know of a solution? Do I need to change the settings on the Extreme or the Time Capsul since I'm going from wireless extension to an ethernet extension?

Based on my reading, the best way to do this is to create a roaming network and connect the Time Capsul to the Extreme via ethernet. I've done this. However, after I do this, I lose connectivity to the internet for some reason and the whole wifi network crashes.
The network will crash if you simply connect an Ethernet cable to the Time Capsule and leave the Time Capsule in a setting of "extend a wireless network".
Why? The Time Capsule is expecting a wireless connection and when it sees an Ethernet connection, a massive feedback loop is created on the network, which pretty much destroys everything until you disconnect the Ethernet cable again.
Do I need to change the settings on the Extreme or the Time Capsul since I'm going from wireless extension to an ethernet extension?
Yes, you do. If you are using the Lion, Mountain Lion or Mavericks operating system on a Mac, or an iPhone or iPad to setup the routers, the setup is amazingly simple. Other that entering a device name that you want to use for the router, AirPort Utility takes care of setting up everything for you........so you don't have to worry about all the "jargon" about Bridge Mode and other things like that.
Post back to let us know what operation system you are using to set things up, and you will be up and running in less than 5 minutes.

Can you use a roaming network and wireless extender at same time?

Greetings community - I've been struggling with an attempt to extend my wireless network for some time now. Please forgive my ignorance on the topic - I realize how 'simple' this is for many of you. Let me summarize:
What I have functioning:
1. Comcast telephony modem
2. 5th gen Airport Extreme as main wireless router connected to modem via Ethernet (corner of floor 3)
3. 2nd gen Airport Express as wireless extender (hooked to a stereo on floor 2)
What I want to accomplish:
1. I have poor wireless signal on my sun porch (corner of floor 1 opposite side of building as modem)
Extra equipment I have:
1. Another 5th gen Airport Extreme
2. Another 2nd gen Airport Express
What I have tried (and failed at):
1. Initially I set up the second Airport Extreme as a second wireless extender and placed it at a further point away than my first wireless extender. I quickly realized that set up does not function appropriately and one cannot connect to the further extender (I read about that on the apple forums).
2. I tried placing the second Airport Extreme in a different part of the house at equal distance from the main router as the first wireless extender. It's capability to extend was minimal if any.
3. I tried connecting the Airport Extreme to the main router via an Ethernet cable with the hopes of creating a roaming network (which I read about on the apple forums). I would have to come up with a way to run the Ethernet through the house but I'm willing to cross that bridge later. Once I got that set up, the 2nd gen Airport Express which was previously set up as a wireless extender is no longer recognized. Argh!!
Questions/Theories/Suggestions:
1. Is it possible to have a wired extender (via Ethernet) function at the same time as a separate wireless extender all connected to the same router? If so how do I do it?
2. I thought about keeping Airport Extreme #1 wireless connected to Airport Express #1 and call that Network 1. Then plug Airport Extreme #2 directly into the modem to create Network #2 and use Airport Express #2 as wireless extender. When I tried plugging both Airport Extremes into the modem, they both stopped functioning.
3. Do I get a second modem to put somewhere else in the house and use Airport Extreme #2 and Airport Express #2 in that fashion? My guess is Comcast will try to charge me a separate internet access fee to do that (boo!!).
I know there are a lot of brilliant folks out there. I'm sure someone can read this and see the 'obvious errors' in my ideas and attempts. I'm certainly open to new suggestions as well.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
- The New Guy

Is is possible to rename the AEx 2 a different network name from the AEx1 and AE 1 (even though they are all connected to each other)? And say it is possible, would that potentially preventing the jumping?
No, in extend wireless the names must be the same..
However since you are creating a network on AE2 which is extended by AEx2 then you can indeed use a different name.. but it must be both,, AE2 and AEx2.
2. Even more crazy - if I did (could) give the AEx 2 a different network name, could I use my AE 2 as a wireless extension to that second network? Or is this just getting out of hand now?
You have lost me now.. there are ways and means.. but let me recommend a better solution.
Use EOP (homeplug in US) adapters if you cannot run ethernet. Multi-storey houses where you have heavy concrete construction are never going to work well with wireless alone. You are much better getting ethernet properly installed (which is the only 100% guaranteed method).. or buy a set of EOP adapters and give them a try.. they work in some cases and not others.. but better than wireless when they do work.
Otherwise I think you need higher power wireless routers.. but I can suggest you do the setup in a more controlled manner.
In other words do not use auto as per the airport utility.. use very short wireless names, different for both bands.. and fixed wireless channels.. then test which band works better.. Then you can do a link.. which will be slow but might give you better performance.
So..
Link1 Main AE1---- AEx1 This is wireless extend.
Link2 AEx1--ethernet--AE2. AE2 is in bridge mode and is also set to create a wireless network. (Use different wireless name here to prevent confusion).
Link3 AE2-----AEx2 Second wireless extend.
This overcomes the Apple limitation on multiple extends. It is not great setup but might get wireless to where you need it.. And better speed than you can get now.
NOTE>. I would personally never do this.. I will run ethernet forevermore.. having tried and tried in various places and using all kinds of equipment.. my conclusion is.. wireless is not suitable.. unless you can get enough signal in from one AP.. everything behind it must be ethernet.
It is much more expensive in some cases.. but ethernet works.. nothing else can be guaranteed to work.

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

Airport Extreme + Time Capsule Roaming Network

Ok, I'm completely lost here and haven't found any solutions specific to my situation. I currently have two ethernet jacks in my condo, both have fiber optic internet connection which provide access when connected to a computer and no router. I'm assuming there is a router somewhere in the building but alas it's not in my unit.
My home office is in the den where I have one ethernet jack. Connected to the jack is my airport extreme (dual band, 7.5.1 software). The second jack is located in the living room where I have my Time Capsule connected. I have it set this way because the wireless signal from the den does not extend well into the living room.
Basically I have two jacks, a TC and an AE and I'd like to create a roaming network. Both of them are set to bridge mode with the same SSID, WPA2 security, same password, etc. When I open airport utility on my main computer I can see both the AE and TC which is good because I have files I need to access for work on the TC. The problem I have is some of the wireless devices will not get an internet connection but instead get the self assigned IP address. My iPhone and iPad work all the time as well as the xbox and PS3 that are hardwired into the TC. Macbook laptop only connects about 1 out of every 4 times and other guests with iPhones have been getting the self assigned IP too. It's confusing because sometimes the devices connect flawlessly and sometimes they don't.
Sorry for the long-winded post but this situation has been very irritating for a couple months so I thought I'd finally seek answers here. I guess my basic question is what is the proper setup for an AE and a TC roaming network using two different ethernet jacks with no modem in my unit?

Welcome to the discussion area, Junkcanoe!
I don't have a setup like yours, but might be able to offer some assistance.
Basically I have two jacks, a TC and an AE and I'd like to create a roaming network. Both of them are set to bridge mode with the same SSID, WPA2 security, same password, etc.
This would be the normal way to set up a roaming network, but the wild card here is that we don't know anything about how the main router that supplies the ethernet connections (valid IP addresses) to the condos might be configured.
For example, most apartments, hotels, etc that provide ethernet jacks usually limit the number of devices that can connect to each jack. Hotels tend to limit this to one or two devices. I counted six devices that you say will work properly plus a few more. Since you have two separate ethernet jacks, you may be looking at a situation where each jack is allocated a total of 4 devices, or valid IP addresses.
The bottom line here is that we won't be able to make much progress until we know more how the main router there has been configured. Is it possible for you to ask the complex manager (who will probably need to ask the IT guy) how many devices are allowed to connect per ethernet jack? Another way to ask the same question is how may valid IP addresses will each ethernet jack allow?
If you can, could I ask you to perform an experiment? Rather than have both the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule each connect to a separate ethernet jack, can you temporarily move one device near the other and connect them together using an ethernet cable? (Or, use a long ethernet cable if you don't want to move either device) LAN <-> port on one to LAN <-> port on the other. In other words, you'll only be using one of the ethernet ports in the condo for this experiment.
Any difference in performance or number of devices allowed to connect?
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

HT4260 Airport extreme and time capsule connection order in a roaming network

I plan to create a roaming network with my current Airport Extreme as the primary device connected to the internet and the new Time Capsule as the secondary device in Bridge mode. The connection between AE and TC will be wired (ethernet). Then I plan to connect the PC that needs backing up to the Time Capsule with an ethernet cable. Apart from the PC-backup functionality, I'd like to use the Time Capsule as a central NAS-device in my network. All other wired network devices that need access to the NAS (Apple TV, Xtreamer) are currently connected to the primary Airport Extreme with ethernet cables. My question: is there any reason why I should consider reversing the setup order, i.e. making the Time Capsule the primary device connected to the internet and the Airport Extreme the secondary device? Would this have a positive or negative effect on Time Capsule functionality and performance in the network? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Your Gen3 Extreme and all TC are gigabit.. as long as you connect with the required standard cable to have a gigabit connection between the two, there will effectively be no difference. In a home network you will struggle to saturate gigabit no matter what you do. Although the difference between the two configurations is really very small.
General rule is keep whatever is using the highest bandwidth closest and directly connected to whatever it is using.. shrug.. in this case you can follow or not.. it is more a guideline.

Adding extreme plus express to roaming network

I have found the answers to most of my questions. however I summarize
I have a 4 year old extreme in the basement and an wireless extending express upstairs
I am thinking of creating a roaming network with a new extreme upstairs (with future apple tv) and extending this wirelessly to express for airplay function next to hi fi.
Is There any benefit to placing the latest model extreme upstairs (where all the action is ) or would it have to be in first place in the daisy chain ie in basement next to computer and modem.Would it broadcast the two wireless frequencies 2.4 and 5
Am I correct in beleiving that extreme no1 would give the dhcp the second one is a bridge and this one should allow it's network to be extended ( both with same wireless settings) the express would just be extending the second extreme.
Thank you for any precisions

Is There any benefit to placing the latest model extreme upstairs (where all the action is )
I assume that your basement AirPort Extreme is the "square" version of the product....not the older "round" version. You would want to locate the new AirPort Extreme where the action is.
Would it broadcast the two wireless frequencies 2.4 and 5
Yes, both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands will be broadcast using the same wireless network name, so devices will connect automatically to the best band based on their capabilities (an older iPhone cannot connect to 5 GHz, for example) and their location in relation to the AirPort Extreme.
Am I correct in beleiving that extreme no1 would give the dhcp the second one is a bridge and this one should allow it's network to be extended
That is correct.
the express would just be extending the second extreme.
That is correct if the Express is closer to the second AirPort Extreme than it is to the first AirPort Extreme. If the Express is closer to the basement AirPort Extreme, it will receive a stronger signal from that location, so it will extend the signal from the basement AirPort Extreme.

Need help creating network of 1 Airport Extreme & 2 Airport Expresses!

Please somebody help me! I've literally been trying to get our home network to function for months now. I'm seriously about to cry if i can't make it work.
Here's the situation:
Our apartment is long and narrow and probably has lead paint, so our wifi, powered by a brand new Airport Extreme Base Station 802.11n router (named Igor) connected to a comcast modem doesn't reach the whole house. So we got 2 Airport Expresses to place throughout the apartment (named Sven and Svetlana) to help boost the signal.
First i tried to set up Igor to 'Create a wireless network" with the option 'allow this network to be extended' and the connection sharing set to 'Share a public IP' and i set up Sven and Svetlana to 'extend a wireless network' and the connection sharing was set to 'share a public IP'. Everything else was automatic or default pretty much. I got it to work but the connection was really weak and dropped out a lot.
Then i tried setting up a WDS network. no luck there either. so i went to the apple store and they told me i had to hard wire them all together using ethernet cables (roaming network i guess) to compensate for the ****** network acoustics in our place.
So...i ran 1 ethernet cable from Igor down the hall to Svetlana and another from Igor further down the hall to Sven. I set up all 3 to 'create a wireless network' and gave them all the same network name and password. i left the 'allow this network to be extended' option unchecked on all 3 and put them all in bridge mode and automatic settings for the radio mode and channel selection. After about 50 restarts i finally got it to work. Things seemed great for a minute until i realized that my laptop was the only one in the house that could connect to the internet. When i tried to troubleshoot the problem using network diagnostics and restarts, i eventually got my roommate's laptop to work but then mine stopped working.
i've tried changing Igor's connection setting to share a public IP address and leaving Sven and Svetlana's in bridge mode. I've tried changing the 'configure IPv4' setting from 'using DHCP' to 'manual' and entering in identical info for all 3 in the TCP/IP section.
no matter what i do i still have no idea how to make this work for multiple devices in our apartment. I really don't understand that much about networking but i am great at following directions. Please please please please help me! I'm desperate.
thank you in advance for your help!
ilana

So...i ran 1 ethernet cable from Igor down the hall to Svetlana and another from Igor further down the hall to Sven. I set up all 3 to 'create a wireless network' and gave them all the same network name and password. i left the 'allow this network to be extended' option unchecked on all 3 and put them all in bridge mode and automatic settings for the radio mode and channel selection.
In a "roaming" network, the router connected to the Internet modem should NOT be in bridge mode. In this case that would be your 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn). That is because you want it to provide both NAT & DHCP services to both AirPort Express Base Stations and the network clients.

HT4260 Creating roaming network problem?

HI
I tried to create roaming network at home with help of that article. I just bought new airport extreme for basestation to first floor and new airport express to 2nd floor. I´m planning to connect them with ethernet.
I´m using Mountain Lion on my mac and airport utility 6.1 . I noticed that I don´t have all the option needed to configure roaming network with that new airport utility?
Can some give me working instructions how to create roaming network with those tools?
Thx, Jukka

Sorry - I am a Windows guy and didn't read your post completely - and yes Apple does want you to use this version - but as I understand it, it can be used to set up a basic roaming network - but I don't have Mountain Lion so I can't advise you - however an alternative would be to use someone else's computer with 5.6.1 to set up your network (by the way you could even use a Windows computer) - but I can say from experience that once you set it up, you will be very happy with it - I have an office with 8 Extremes and 2 Expresses on 2 T1 lines and they work great - I would also suggest that you contact Apple and tell them what you think - maybe if enough people complain that it is broken, they will fix it - and again I am sorry about the mix-up - all the different versions and compatibility make it very confusing - many of the gurus feel the same way and suggest some of the things I mention - and you could re-word your question and post it again (this time I won't jump in) and maybe one of the gurus will answer.- anyway good luck - I was only trying to help

Serious packet loss creating roaming network over Ethernet.

Comcast Business Gateway modem/router with static addressing provides one address for an externally accessible web/mail server on one of its four RJ45 LAN ports. The second RJ45 LAN port provides a second external address with NAT & DHCP to an internal private 10.1.10.x network connected to a 24-port Netgear gigabit switch. The Netgear is our home's primary switch, with most of the ports going to different jacks thrpughout our house. We have various PCs and Macs, a home server and other similar devices hardwired through the house jacks back to the Netgear receiving DHCP assignments from the Comcast router.
We've had (1) Airport Extreme base station (last generation, not the tall one) connected to the network, also receiving a DHCP IP address from the Comcast box. It's set to bridging mode, cabled from its WAN port by CAT5e to the Netgear switch and offering a Wi-Fi SSID with WPA2 PSK. NAT/DHCP etc is disabled. IPv6 is set to link-local only. No disks attached. Wireless channels set to Automatically.
At this point we have fairly smooth network performance, everything connects immediately (iOS devices, Android devices, utility boxes, computers, etc) and 0% apparent packet loss.
We have some weak Wi-Fi coverage on the far side of the house and I'd like to establish a roaming network, with a new Airport Express (most recent gen) plugged into a wall jack on that side of the house, cabled by Ehternet back to the Netgear, and set up identically. Same SSID and PSK. But when I activate this, I'm finding the network gets anywhere from 88% to 98% packet loss pinging the Comcast router and going outbound. And none of the iOS devices I tried could establish a functional network connection.
I tried replacing the Airport Express with another similar Airport Express, to same effect. I set the Airport Express to create a second SSID and that seemed to work OK, but then I had two distinct networks instead of a roaming network. I also tried disabling DHCP on the Comcast router and enabling it on the Airport Extreme Base Station, but still had the same packet loss. I also tried setting one, the other, and then both Airport boxes to static addressess bypassing the DHCP for their LAN-side connections (although still bridging) and still too much packet loss. No matter what I do, I can't seem to establish a functional Ethernet-connected roaming network with both Airport boxes.
Any ideas?

Thank you for the reply. The Netgear switch I'm using is a GS724T -- it has management features which I'm working through, but all the ports are set to auto-negotiate and the port the Airport Express is on is lit for 100baseT. I didn't see any way to set the MTU in the Airport Utility menus/buttons.
When I join the Airport Express to the network, it sets up the roaming network as intended. But then performance all across the switch goes downhill -- even when pinging from a PC attached to one of the switch ports to the Comcast router I get 90% packet loss or worse, so that nothing seems to get out or in until I disconnect the Airport Express.. It's that dramatic a difference. It doesn't make sense to me that a wireles roaming network across the two Airport boxes should kill performance through the router...

Creating "roaming" network

I have two 800.11n Airport Extreme base stations (AE) and an Ethernet network. I connect to the internet via a DSL modem. It is physically connected as follows: DSL - WAN AE1 LAN - LAN AE2. I have read the instruction in the manual on page 40-41. My settings on AE1 are (Internet connection PPPoE) and on AE2 (Connect via Ethernet; Configure using DHCP; connection sharing off (bridge mode)). This is not working. What am I doing wrong? Help!

To setup an 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) as a roaming network:
- Network configuration: DSL/Cable Modem or Internet Router > (Ethernet cable) > [WAN] AEBSn#1 [LAN] > (Ethernet cable) > [LAN] AEBSn#2 [LAN] > (Ethernet cable) > [LAN] AEBSn#X
- Setup the AEBSn connected to the Internet to "Share a public IP address."
Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing: Share a public IP address
- Setup the remaining AEBSn(s), as a bridge.
Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
- For each AEBSn in the roaming network:
-- Connect to the same subnet of the Ethernet network
-- Provide a unique Base Station Name
-- The Network Name should be identical
-- If using security, use the same encryption type (WEP, WPA, etc.) and password.
-- Make sure that the channel is set at least three channels apart from the next AEBSn.

Help Creating a Roaming Network w Sonos

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for