Help for a future first time Macintosh and Airport express buyer

I'm planning on buying a Macbook (my first Macintosh) and am also interested in buying an Airport express mainly for the ability to stream music to my home stereo. My question is regarding the best and easiest way to incorporate this into the setup I already have.
I currently have verizon DSL (PPPoE) with my DSL modem connected to a wireless Linksys 802.11b router which is attached by ethernet cable to a Dell desktop. I have a PC laptop that I connect to the network by wireless card.
My main goals are to to be able to share files, a printer, and be able to stream music from my desktop PC (where all my music is stored) to my home stereo. To do that, can I just swap the Linksys router with the airport express? Or should I leave the setup that I have and just connect the airport express to my stereo system?
I appreciate any advice you can provide. Thanks.

Since the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) only has one Ethernet port, you won't be able to swap it for the Linksys router and still provide wired access to your Dell desktop.
The least expensive route would be to keep your current network configuration as is, except add the AX as a wireless client to provide sharing your USB printer and to stream iTunes. (ref: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302153)
A better route (for performance) would be to swap your Linksys for an AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) and, again, use the AX as either a wireless client or extend your wireless network so that you can have Internet connectivity in another room in the house. The AEBS (like the AX) uses the 802.11g standard.

Similar Messages

Question about Time Capsule and Airport Express co-existence

I have a new 3TB ME182LL/A Time Capsule attached to my wired home LAN, in bridge mode. It works fine both as an access point on the upper floors of my home and as a Time Machine device. I also have an Airport Express, whose function in my network is solely to control my whole-house audio system from ITunes. I don't need, want, or use the wireless networking features of the Airport Express. I just have an audio cable running from it to my stereo, and an Ethernet patch cable connects it to my wired LAN. The network mode in the Airport Express is set to "off". Historically, the Airport Express has worked fine in this wired lan mode. However, I unplugged it at some point while having some initial trouble deploying the new Time Capsule and only turned it back on today. After turning it back on I observed something strange. My speedy wireless connection upstairs via the Time Capsule became slow. And when I launched Airport Utility, it drew a network diagram which showed my Time Capsule as a CLIENT of the Airport Express. In other words, the network diagram showed Internet at the top, then a vertical line down the the Airport Express, then the Time Capsule below that. The correct / desired diagram would be the Time Capsule and Airport express as peers. I connected to the Airport Express and verified that network mode was set to "off" but the incorrect network diagram persisted (as did poor wireless performance) until I unplugged the Airport Express. After I did that, the Airport Utility drew the network correctly, although of course it showed a yellow caution sign next to the Airport Express, since it was down. And my wireless speed / reliability returned to normal. What is going on here?

The automatic setup in the airport utility has changed something.
Is the line down to the TC from the express dotted.. in other words is wireless??
Funny stuff happens.
Please post the screenshots of the 3 pages from the airport utility setup for both airport express and TC..
Make sure wireless is set to off in the express.
Both should be set to dhcp on the internet tab and both set to off bridge mode on the network tab.
So for example the bridge on the network tab.
The summary page can also be a help.
There is a half summary page when you click the item in the airport utility.
There is also a fully summary page, when you hold option key and double click the TC icon for example.

Apple TV Inference with Time Capsule and Airport express?

I have recently bought an Apple TV 2, which seem to be working fine, however since installing it on my wireless network both my Time Capsule and Airport Express can't be found. Following some fault finding it seems that when I unplug the Apple TV I can reconfingure the TC and AE.
The TC and AE are configured to join my existing network....and have happy sat there for a few years.
I would really welcome any ideas.
Thanks
R

Welcome to the discussions!
It sounds like you have the basic configuration covered correctly.
You might want to check some settings on the TC:
Wireless Mode would be create a wireless network
"Allow this network to be extended" should be checked
The AX should be set to "extend a wireless network"
The "allow wireless clients" box should be checked
In this configuration, the ethernet port on the AX is active so things should work.
A minor point...Although the TC is a dual band device, the AirPort Express is not. Can you make sure that that the Express is connecting to the "main" network on your TC? The "guest" network cannot be "extended".
If you place your laptop close to the Express and hold down the option key while you click on the AirPort icon, some connection information will be displayed. The MAC address of the device that the laptop is connecting to will be indicated. Make sure that that this is the MAC address of the AX, and not the TC.
Another note...If you have not changed the default "main" network, the radio mode is broadcasting 802.11n only at 5 GHz. These higher frequencies are absorbed by walls, ceilings and any obstructions much more quickly than 2.4 GHz signals. So, if you AX is some distance away, you may not be receiving a strong signal for the device at that location.
If you have a signal strength utility on your laptop (the "bars" at the top of the screen are not a very good indicator of actual signal strength), turn off the AX and take a reading to see what kind of signal the Express is receiving where it is located.
Please post back with your results.

How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

How can I set up a guest WiFi network using Time Capsule and Airport Express extension?

Sorry, but it is not possible to "extend" the Guest Network using either wireless or an Ethernet connection.

Network set up using airport extreme, time capsule and airport express

I have searched for relevant answers but can only find different bits here and there.
My set up is as follows:
I have a Linksys wireless router running a stable wireless network for the other computer users in the house and wish to create an extended, additional network using airport extreme connected to the Linksys by ethernet to create the network and then time capsule close to my Mac Mini on my desktop and airport express at the other end of the house to try and extend the range of the network.
I have been trying for 4 days to set this up but without success. I have tried all of the options mentioned in different posts, using WDS, extending a new network etc. I can get connection between the three devices but monitoring on iStumbler there appears to be little improvement in the strength of the signal, iStumbler also shows the time capsule dropping it's signal totally every 10 or so seconds for a few seconds and then I get a positive signal strength for another ten seconds or so.
Can anyone help, it is driving me insane. I am a recent convert to apple computing and have been hugely impressed with all products until now. The claim that the set up of these wireless products is simple seems to be very exaggerated.
I am happy to provide any relevant system or hardware information.
Thanks in anticipation.

I have an AirPort Extreme acting as a wireless base station, connected to a BT router by ethernet.
Then the correct setting for Connection Sharing on the AirPort Extreme would be "Off (Bridge Mode)".
If I set Connection Sharing to "Share a public IP address", I'm told that: "The DCHP range you have entered conflicts with the WAN IP address of your Apple Wi-Fi base station"
Exactly. You have two routers....The BT device and the AirPort Extreme in series with both of them trying to act as the "main" router when you configure the AirPort this way. That won't work.
Only one can be the main router, and it must be the BT device in your setup. So, the AirPort Extreme....and any other AirPorts on your network must be setup to work in Bridge Mode to allow the network to operate correctly.

Best Router with DSL Modem for use with AT&T DSL and Airport Express?

I recently had my old 2WIRE from AT&T DSL service die, so purchased a new 2WIRE 2701HG-B. My old 2WIRE worked with my Airport Express, which is hooked up to my DVR for DirecTV use. The new 2WIRE apparently is not compatible with the Airport Express, so I returned it and purchased a NetGear Wireless-N 300 Router with DSL modem. While this one does work with the Airport Express setup, it runs very slow. This router has mediocre reviews, so I'd like to find a better one.
I'd appreciate any suggestions for a Router w Modem that would work best with my AT&T DSL and Airport Express (802.11n) within the $100 - $150 price range. Thanks!

Configure the Express as a bridge: Connect via "Ethernet", and set Connection Sharing to "off (bridge mode)".
The switches ought not to be a problem, and I don't know why your router froze. The Express is simply another wired client, just like a computer might be.
do I turn off DHCP on the router,
No. Something has to provide routing functions so leave the Linksys alone.

Please i need some help time capsule and airport express wireless extender

hello everyone and thank you for looking at my post. i do need some help. i am not very good at the computer programing so i might not use the right terms. i have a time capsule that i just replaced an old pc type router with. i have a fairly large house and can not get wireless signal to the one end of my house. so i went to the apple store and bought an airport express after being told how its just plug and play and itll setup with my time capsule and waala iv just extended my wireless signal. well it did not seam to work that well for me. i have done all the setting up that was told me to in the book to do and i still have get to get a wireless signal out of the express i then hooked up an ethernet wire from the express to my girlfriends macbook. and what do you know now im seeing the express in my airport utility. but then i unplug the ethernet and im back to not seeing the express. what am i doing wrong and what do i need to do. please help me if you can. thanks alot.

Hello fastuca. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Let's double-check your base stations' settings ...
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 Time Capsule (TC).
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 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) 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)

Time capsule and Airport Express for music and internet

Hello! I have a time capsule and an airport express. I use the time capsule for back up, extra space (music) and internet connection. Then I use the airport express to play my music wirelessly (it is attached to my speakers via an amp). This set-up used to work fine but not any more... I can play music via the
Airport Express but then I won't have internet, or I have an internet connection via my Time Capsule but then the Airport Express has to be removed. It seems like the Airport Express overrules the Time Capsule when it comes to internet connection, and obviously (as there is no ethernet cable connected to it) that doesn't work. But somehow I can't select the Time Capsule network any more. What am I doing wrong, what happened? I have spent hours searching the internet to find the solution but so far no good. Please help! Thanking you very much!

just leave the TC on it is designed for that.

I have a time capsule and airport express one floor lower, the signal keeps dropping. Would an airport extreme give me a longer range for wifi?

I have several computers. My equipment is upstairs in a house, apple time capsule and downstairs airport express. Lately the downstairs computer keeps disconnecting from the internet. Would replacing the airport express with and airport extreme give me a greater range for my wifi connections?

Yes. Question is... would the difference be enough.
The extreme has a bigger & more powerful antena array. But if that alone still doesn't suffice, you also have the option to use the express to EXTEND from the Extreme.

How can I get my time capsule and airport express (as a network extension) working properly together?

Hi,
I bought a time capsule a while back and connected it to my modem, and it seems to be backing up my hard drives but I can't tell if I'm getting my wireless signal from my time capsule or from the modem itself, which used to before I bought the time capsule.
It's bugging me because I'm trying to get my airport express to work as an extension to my network, and airport utility half the time can't pick up the express. I heard that it will only work of the time capsule is working as the base station,and I'm not 100% sure this is the case.
Also, how far can the airport express be from my time capsule for it to be picked up? I tried resetting it which helped to start with, but when I was setting it up to extend my network it just told me that there was an error and to try again, which I did with the same result.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Cheers

Always do setups with ethernet.. setting up wireless via wireless is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.
You do not need the TC in the network to do the setup.
Plug it by itself into the computer. Same with AE. But do each separately.
Give the TC a different wireless name.. like TC.. then you will know the TC wireless is separate and different to the main modem router. Simply allow it to be extended.
Plug it back into the main modem.
Now do the AE.. set it to extend the wireless of the TC.
When you do this check the signal level. The airport utility v5 has a full diagnostic of wireless client levels.. do not use v6 utility.. it is useless. The AE is placed somewhere in between the TC and the clients you want to connect.. it has to get decent signal itself to extend wireless. And there is no way we can tell you how far apart.. pick the half way point.. around about and suck and see. If it doesn't work move closer to the TC.
Count the walls the signal is going through.. about 15% signal loss for each one.. if angle is acute 20%.. floors are worse.. they might be 20-25%..

How can I expand my wireless network with a Time Capsule and Airport Express?

My entire house is wired for ethernet access (2 floors). I have a Time Capsule on the 2nd floor that reaches the entire house except for one room.
In this one room I have an ethernet port plugged into an Airport Express.
The problem I encounter is that I have two separate wifi networks with two separate names. I realize I can extend the wireless network on the 2nd floor to the 1st floor but I can only do this wirelessly to my knowledge, and the entire problem is that the signal doesn't reach the front room. Also, there is really no place in-between that the AE can be placed to extend the reach. The building is concrete and steel, I think that has a lot to do with the problem.
My question is: Can I have two wireless routers (connected to the same home network via ethernet) broadcast the same wifi network? I also have a SONOS system that further complicates things, I'm afraid. Would it help if I drew some sort of diagram?
Thanks!

Your network is not working as you describe.. or I have misunderstood the layout..
What is the broadband type? Modem is where? What is the main router?
From your screen shots the main router is the airport express that covers one room which seems wrong.
Why isn't the TC the main router? or both bridged.. if you go back and look at the apple document.. one or both apple routers are in bridge mode..
You are having issues with setup .. half of which is caused by v6 airport utility.
What OS are you running? Please install 5.6 utility.. do it.. do it now!!
Easy for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Messy but possible for ML.
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall 6.1 so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.

2nd gen time capsule and airport express g

Ive looked high and low but none of the discussions have worked for me. this is what I have. a 2nd gen time capsule running my network of timewarner modem. I just got airport express g older model and I want to use it as a ethernet bridge for my Denon Avr which is not wireless. I need help with making this aiport express a ethernet bridge so I can stream music over my Denon. Please help !!!!!!! I dont need the airport to extend my wireless network just to get my Denon online. Can anyone help!

Unfortunately, you need the AirPort Express "n" model to be able to do what you want to do.
It has a special feature called ProxySTA which allows the Express to "join" a wireless network and enable a signal at the Ethernet port.
The older Express "g" does not have this type of capability.

Has anyone had had success with Time Machine and Airport Express 6th gen?

For the last six months I have attempted to use the Time Machine product to provide first level backup for my two MacBook Airs and iMac. Tryed a number of powered USB drives, tryed all of the current 10.8, 10.9 OSX software. The Time Machine product seems to work for about a month to six weeks and then fails with message about the file integrity or access problems. In all cases I can acess files on the drive and the only application that struugles with the AE usb drive is Time Machine.
You would think that if it works for a month it should work for a year?
I have purchased Carbon Copy Cloner and it seems to function without a problem and I think that I am probably better off with a once a day clone than a Time Machine with data integrity problems.
Has anyone had long term success with Time Machine and AE sixth gen?

You are connecting a USB hard disk to the new 802.11ac AirPort Extreme, not an Express, correct? If so, it works fine with both bus powered and self-powered drive enclosures, and I have no immediate explanation for what's going on.
You would think that if it works for a month it should work for a year?
Yes, besides the passage of time the only thing that is changing is the amount of available space on the backup volume, which could be a factor. Are you using separate drives for each Mac, or are they all being backed up to the same drive? If it's only one drive, is it partitioned or are they all sharing a single partition?
Are you sharing backup volumes with other, non-Time Machine files? That shouldn't cause the problem, but it's not a good idea.
What errors are being logged in system.log? Filter for backupd to find all Time-Machine related entries.

BT HomeHub, Time Capsule and Airport Express

I've just got the BT Broadband.
I have 3 Macs - 2 with 802.11n and 1 with 802.11g (which I'm getting rid of). I have a 500gb Time Capsule and a 802.11g Airport Express (which I really only use for AirTunes so can be off most of the time).
I've set up the BT HomeHub (which is 802.11g by the way). I can see the Time Capsule as a separate network but when I use AirPort Utility to try to join the HomeHub network the Time Capsule reboots and then can't be seen at all and I have to reset it.
Can anyone give me any pointers on how to extend the BT network using the Time Capsule?
The AirPort Express can't be seen at all either - I think this is a separate issue and I'm going to try resetting it.
It seems a shame to have invested in all this kit, only to be limited by the HomeHub. Is it possible to use the Time Capsule instead of the HomeHub or does the HomeHub have some kind of built in modem?
Is there a better broadband supplier than BT for Mac users?
Any help appreciated, thanks.

Like the other users, I don't know if this is of any help to you but.....
I also have a BT Homehub (with Hub Phone) which is banging away as a WLAN to which the Hub Phone connects. I've also just bought a Time Capsule to use mainly as a Network back-up device.
However I'm trying out the WLAN from the TC to see if it's any improvement over the BT Homehub. I'm therefore effectively running two WLAN's which you could use to extend coverage. For example set your Wireless devices to be able to connect to both WLANs and place the BT Homehub and the TC in different locations to give the broader coverage.
I've connected my TC by ethernet (WAN port) to the BT Homehub and currently have my iMac connected to the TC via Ethernet also (to help speed up the initial back-up as they're both Gigabit devices). I'll change this eventually, connecting the iMac via a switched ethernet (100MBs or 100BaseT) connection.
My Macbook is backing up to TC via WLAN and is connecting to the internet by WLAN to the TC and in-turn to the BT Homehub via the ethernet connection (between TC and BT Homehub). Sounds confusing, but everything seems to be working OK.
I'm keen to know if any other BT Homehub users have had any success with Back To My Mac - as I've not yet been able to get it to work (but my BT Homehub is one of the earliest types).
I don't think the Broadband supplier has any bearing on the devices used - with the exception of the router supplied or used to connect to the web.
Any use to anyone?
I am interested however in how you're using BT Broadband and a BT Homehub if you're based in the USA!?

Time Capsule and Airport Express on mixed netword

I have a newer Time Capsule as well as one newer and one older Airport Express WAP's. I'm using them to stream audio to 2 different audio zones in my house and things are working pretty well up until I wanted to put my iPhone in the mix. Seems that the older "b/g" express won't connect well with the iPhone to allow the remote application to connect to a library. I have it set to "join a wireless network" (don't think WDS option works with this older unit). But in this mode it doesn't allow me to roam onto that expresses coverage area. I lose coverage and I'm only 10 feet away from the WAP. Don't get this. Is there some easy way to get an older "b/g" express working with the newer ones that will get you "n" access speeds and roaming amongst access points capability? Thanks in advance for the help and hopefully I've explained this well enough...

I have the same issue. I also have an Airport Express running 7.6.1. Oddly enough, while connecting via he Express drops download speed from ~20 Mbps to ~1.5 Mbps my upload speed stays consistant at ~3 Mbps.

Help for a future first time Macintosh and Airport express buyer

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for