How do I maintain my Airport Extreme network with my new Comcast wireless gateway?

Hi all,
I've just signed up Internet access through Xfinity. Today, they sent me a new wireless gateway, which I am willing to use. But I would also like to maintain the network I've currently been using, which is an Airport Extreme hooked up to our DSL modem. Currently, I have a Brother wireless printer, our TiVo, and a Roku streaming stick on this network, as well as all of our Macs and mobile devices. I have been reading about "bridge mode," and selecting this mode once my AE is hooked up through the Ethernet cable to our new wireless gateway seems like the way to go if I'd like to keep the AE network I have now. Then, I can select either the new Xfinity network or the AE network, depending on my need. Is that correct? Will I have to reassign all of these peripherals to the AE network once it's been placed in bridge mode, or will they all be able to find that network automatically once the AE is plugged into the new modem/router? Also, is there a way to connect the AE to the new Xfinity equipment wirelessly, or is it best to connect through Ethernet? I have probably betrayed my ignorance more than a few times in this post, so please be kind and explain it to me like I'm a seven-year-old. Thanks in advance for any and all help!
-B

Call Comcast and ask them for instructions to configure their "wireless gateway" as a simple modem. Sometimes the terminology they use is "transparent bridging". Have them walk you through it, since all such devices are configured differently. It is usually through a web page but you will need a password to change its settings. You ought to turn off its wireless network also, so ask about that too.
Then, you will have essentially what you have been accustomed to using: an Extreme connected to a box with an Ethernet cable, doing everything it used to do when you had DSL. Your AirPort Extreme is almost certainly a better router than whatever junk Comcast supplies, and to reconfigure it as a bridge would remove all the features that make it so.
You probably won't need to change a thing on your Extreme, other than to unplug it and plug it in again after reconfiguring the "wireless gateway".

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How do I extend my AirPort Extreme network using airport express

How do I extend my AirPort Extreme network using airport express

see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145 and other support articles
and/or
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4462789?start=0&tstart=0
and many other discussions on this forum about this topic.

Can't join the airport extreme network with my iphone~~please help

Can't join the airport extreme network with my iphone

What radio mode do you have the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) configured for? (ref: AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless > Radio Mode = ?)

How do I change one airport extreme device for a new one?

I have an old Airport Extreme (looks like a flying saucer) that my cable modem is connected to. Other Airport Express devices expand the wireless network around my house and Time Capsule is connected to the wireless network.
I want to take advantage of 802.11n so I'm looking to buy the latest model of Extreme to replace the old one. I still want to connect the cable modem to the WAN port of the new Extreme but just wanted to be sure how I can "swap" the two devices and minimise the disruption to my wireless LAN and the devices that connect to it.
I'd be grateful for any help or guidance.
Kind regards,
Cliff
Brighton, UK

Welcome to the discussions, Cliff!
There is an old saying that goes something like "change one thing on the network and everything else on the network changes".
While it should be relatively straightforward to connect your new AirPort Extreme to the cable modem, you will also be creating a new "main" network and a new "guest" wireless network...assuming you will use the dual-band version of this product.
That means that any current devices that you have now that have been connecting to your old wireless network will all need to be reconfigured again to join the new network, so you are basically starting all over again from scratch with each device.
Since you have configured your old system, you already know that it is not that difficult providing that you follow the configuration instructions carefully. I'm guessing that you have the older b/g versions of the AirPort Express, so perhaps the most tedious process will be to setup the AirPort Extreme and Express devices to participate in a WDS (Wireless Distribution System).
You may need to refer to both the older and newer AirPort Networks guides as the older one includes step by step instructions for configuring the WDS while the newer guide covers the advanced features of the dual band Extreme. Please post back on your progress.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf

Extending Airport Extreme network with Airport Express using WDS

I have been having some trouble using WDS between an Airport Extreme and Express, with the Extreme acting as the internet router in the network.
Both devices have been updated with the lastest firmware.
I am using Airport Utility 5.5.1
*Airport Extreme Configuration*
*Wireless Tab*
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Allow Network to be extended: Checked
Radio Mode: Auto
Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Channel Selection: Manual (Same as my Express)
*WDS Tab*
WDS Mode: WDS Main
Allow Wireless Clients: Checked
WDS Remotes: (MAC of my Airport Express)
*Airport Express Configuration*
*Wireless Tab*
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Channel: (Same as my Extreme)
Network Name: (my network name)
Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2 Personal
Allow this network to be extended: unchecked
Radio Mode: 802.11n (802.11 b/g compatible)
*WDS Tab*
WDS Mode: WDS Remote
Allow Wireless Clients: checked
WDS Main: MAC of my Airport Extreme
I think that covers the pertinent stuff. If there's anything else that might be useful, please just say so.
So, the Extreme is green-lit, working fine. Wireless clients can connect to it just fine. On the Wireless Clients page the MAC of my Express is showing up, with a type of WDS listed. It does not, however, show up under the DHCP clients section.
The Express is yellow-lit. Sometimes after a setting change it goes green for a minute or so, then back to yellow, reporting a WDS Error ("the AirPort Wireless device is set up as part of a WDS network, but no other AirPort wireless devices were found").
The Airport Express is ending up with an ip address of 169.254.49.198 (an automatic private). It seems it's not getting an ip from the Extreme's DHCP.
Do I have some sort of authentication issue here? Honestly I'm totally baffled.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Would the routers' logs be of any help?
Thanks
Message was edited by: Xaniel

Wait, just did a bit more reading. Am I correct in assuming now that the "Extend a network" option will function as a wireless repeater, with no ethernet connection to the main router required
Yes. This will provide much better wireless performance...and...its much easier to configure.
On your AirPort Extreme, open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save settings
On the AirPort Express, open AirPort Utility - click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network (hold down the option key when you click on the selection box if you do not see this setting)
Wireless Network Name = Click on the selection box and name of your AirPort Extreme network should appear
Check mark next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Password = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Update to save changes
A good starting location for the Express is a point that is about 1/2 to 2/3 the distance from your AirPort Extreme to the area that needs more coverage.
The ethernet port on the Express is also enabled, so you can connect an ethernet device if needed. Post back to let us know how things are working.

Will Airport Extreme Network with Panasonic Viera TC-P50ST30

Will Airport Extreme Network work properly with Panasonic Viera TC-P50ST30 HDTV?

I don't have this particular model, but I do have a Panasonic TC-P42GT25 plasma which has no difficulties accessing the Internet through my 4th Gen AirPort Extreme Base Station or 4th Gen Time Capsule.

Is it possible to extend an Airport Extreme Network with a normal router ?

Hi everyone !
I know this question as been asked a lot before, but not in this way, I always saw : How to connect an Airport Extreme/Express to a Normal (D-Link, Linksys, Ect.) Router. What I wan't to do is connect a normal router to my existing Airport Extreme to extend the range of it. I know you can extend the network with an Airport Express, the thing is, i wan't to try with the router I replaced by the Airport Extreme. It's an D-Link DIR-615. If someone know how to do this it will be very nice and helpfull for me! I know on Apple website it says that it's not possible but some people seems to get it to work!
Thanks a lot !
(Sorry for my bad english i'm french Canadien)

You can extend the wireless range of the AirPort with a D-Link or the other way around ... BUT only if the connection between them is wired. This would be the basis of a roaming network. If you must have them interconnected by wireless, then it will NOT work.

How do I extend my Airport Extreme version 5.7 for better wireless at a distance?

From my researching of this problem, it seems like I may need to "extend" my Airport Extreme version 5.7 to strengthen my signal at a distance. It is used, but I was able to reset and set it up to my network. The previous user was getting much better performance. When at my desk, right next to the router and Airport Express, I get up to 19Mbps. At a distance of 30-50 ft. (which I often use) wirelessly, I can only get up to 4Mbps. Will "extending" the Airport help those speeds and strengthen the connection so as not to burden it even farther with 3 users connected to the network or is there something else that I can do? Am I just being picky? I am an Apple novice and have read everything I can to figure out my problems, but this one is still lingering. Problem or not?
Info: if needed
Airport Extreme v 5.7 - only one as a base station
Wireless network with ZyXel Q1000 router - Airport Extreme is connected to that via ethernet cable.
I use a Toshiba Satellite laptop, less than a year old running Windows 7.
Often work about 30-50 feet away wirelessly and speeds are up to par without Airport Extreme, got it to strengthen signal as another user will be added to my network shortly. Speeds at a distance 4Mbps or less. Next to router and Airport 19 Mbps.
I have Century Link 20Mbps high speed internet service.
Airport "dome" has three lights on top. Middle is steady green and the two on each side periodically blink white.
Successfully set up using airport utility for PC. It shows up on that list and on my wireless connection list.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions or positive comments.
david
badboyfun - apple novice.

I'm having a bit of trouble confirming that the ZyXEL is a combination modem & wireless-N router. If it is, then you really won't get any advantages of using the 802.11g AirPort.
If the range of your ZyXEL is limited, you may find that doing either or both of the following will help: 1) Move the ZyXEL so that it is higher vs. lower in the room, that is away from any closed areas or placed in a metal cabinet, and 2) Changing radio channels. The latter is especially important in you live in an area where there are a number of competing Wi-Fi.
A good utility to find out, is iStumbler. You would use this to find these other Wi-Fi and find which have the strongest signal value. Those that do, you would also want to note which channel they are operating on, and then, change yours to one that is at least 3-5 channels away. So, for example, if you find strong ones on channels 1 & 6, change yours to 11.

Adding a non-wireless PC to an Airport Extreme network with WDS, or extend

I have an Airport Extreme base station (802.11n), a Time Capsule, and a cable modem. Currently the Time Capsule is wired by WAN to my cable modem. It is broadcasing a wireless network to my iMac Intel Core2Duo running 10.5.2 and my AppleTV, and my MacBook Pro running 10.4.11. I'd just acquired a Windows XP PC with no WiFi card but a built-in NIC card. I'm having difficulty adding the Airport Extreme base station to the network of the Time Capsule, so the non-wireless PC can use the LAN port of the Airport Extreme and pickup an internet connection. I don't want anything connected to the WAN port of the Airport Extreme. The PC can't be moved to the room with the cable modem. Should I:
1. Set it up from the Airport Utility of my iMac or MacBook Pro?
2. Switch the placement of the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule?
3. What steps should I take from Airport Utility, to add a reset Airport Extreme or Time Capsule to the network already tied to my Cable modem?

Since both of your base stations are 802.11n, I suggest that you use the "extend a network" feature available to these, instead of creating a WDS.
1. Set it up from the Airport Utility of my iMac or MacBook Pro?
Your choice, you could use the AirPort Utility from either of these Macs to configure the base stations.
2. Switch the placement of the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule?
I'd suggest leaving the Time Capsule connected to the modem and use the AEBSn to extend its wireless network.
3. What steps should I take from Airport Utility, to add a reset Airport Extreme or Time Capsule to the network already tied to my Cable modem?
Here are the basic steps to configure the extended network:
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. You may also want to temporarily connect the AEBSn directly to one of the TC's LAN ports during setup.
o Open AirPort Utility and select the TC.
o Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
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 AEBSn, and again choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then choose the TC's wireless network from the Network Name pop-up menu.
o Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.
o Upon completion of the setup, you can now relocate the AEBSn to its desired location.
(ref: Page 46 of "Designing AirPort Networks Using AirPort Utility.)

Trying to extend my airport extreme network with an airport express

I´m trying to extent my network with an airport express 802.11g.
I´ve been fallowing the guide:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
however, when I´m trying to configure the extended wifi base station ( point 8.) it won´t let me choose "extend a wireless network".
The only options I have is "create network", "join network" and "participate in a wds network".
I´ve been trying to find a solution all day.
Is there anyone out there who has hade the same problem or knows what it could be?
I´ve made sure that my base station connected to the internet through ethernet has checked the "allow this network to be extended"

however, when I´m trying to configure the extended wifi base station ( point 8.) it won´t let me choose "extend a wireless network"
Unfortunately, the older AirPort Express 802.11"g" model does not have a setting to "extend a wireless network", so it cannot be used the way that you want.
The article that you reference should be clear about this:
This article explains how to set up an 802.11"n" extended wireless network.
You need to use one of the newer AirPort Express 802.11"n" models to gain the ability to "extend a wireless network".

Airport Extreme network with Ubuntu Linux (7.10), Windows (XP) and MacBook

Hi all.
My problem is that I cannot get Ubuntu to connect to Airport Extreme, see the hard disk(s) connected on it and print through it.
Airport extreme is connected to my adsl modem and I have an Ubuntu PC, Windows PC and a MacBook connected to airport extreme. Windows PC and MacBook work as expected. From the Ubuntu machine I can only connect to the Internet but I can't see the hard disks and printers. I think this is because I provided the modem's IP address to connect to (I chose Static IP in Network Settings and provided the modem's IP as a gateway). When I provide airport extreme's IP address as a gateway I am disconnected from the Internet.
To use airport extreme on Windows and macbook I used the installation CD, but it will not work on ubuntu. I installed airport-utils but it won't help, perhaps I am doing something wrong.
Any suggestions?

I suspect you have already found this out so this reply may simply be for my own memory recall in the future when I have forgotten it.
To connect to the network drives you need to open the file browser. Then from the Go menu select Network. You will likely see the AirPort Extreme Base Station show up as a cryptic name. Double click on it and you should see the shares.
For the printer I can't help as of yet since I haven't tried it yet.

Extend AirPort Extreme Network with AirPort Express- Setup assistance

I have an AirPort Extreme working nicely and connected directly to my Comcast cable modem. I would like to extend my network for greater coverage upstairs and to run an upstairs printer on the network. I cannot get the Express connected as an extension to my existing wireless network. What am I doing wrong?

Hi Bob. Do you mind if I listen in on this thread? I am trying to extend a network the same way JVT1057 is, yet my Mac mini in the Airport application cannot find the Express device. The Extreme device is up and working well, and is "seen" by the mini in the utility, but not the Express device. I need a stronger signal in a home office upstairs and would like to connect a networked printer here in the office via the Express.
What am I doing wrong? I, too, have specifiied on the Extreme menus that I want the network to be extended.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Extending and airport extreme network with wired connection to a express

I am getting fed up of deadspots in my house that now seem to have become much worse recently. After giving up on configuring my extreme router to avoid issues I now want to extend the network.
If I put in a network cable from the extreme router to an airport express on the other side of the house can this be configured to be the same wireless network?
I know express routers have an option of extending the network is this for wired or wireless or both and if I do this will it show up as one wireless network with no interference issues?. At the moment I am planning on getting an express airport and using some of those power cable ethernet adapters to link the two routers up should this work okay?
Many thanks
Andy

Welcome to the discussions, Andy!
If I put in a network cable from the extreme router to an airport express on the other side of the house can this be configured to be the same wireless network?
Yes, post back if you need more details about this.
and if I do this will it show up as one wireless network with no interference issues?
There will be no interference issues between the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express. However, if you live in an area with a number of other wireless networks around you, or you have cordless phones, there may well be some interference issues to tackle.
I am planning on getting an express airport and using some of those power cable ethernet adapters to link the two routers up
That should work assuming that both ethernet powerline adapters will be on the same master electrical circuit. I would suggest that you get a clear understanding of the store's return policy though...just in case.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How do I make an Airport Extreme work with a Linksys WRT160N

I have a Linksys WRT160N V3 Router that I have connected to my cable modem. I have an iMac in another room along with a PC based laptop. Range is fine to get them to connect wirelessly. However what I would like to do is to also connect my Blu-Ray device to the internet. However it isn't wireless. I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N. What I want to do is hardwire connect my Blu-Ray player and perhaps my iMac to the Airport Extreme using my WRT160n's access to the cable modem. Basically I'm trying to make to wirelss routers talk to each other. I can't seem to make the Airport Extreme work. Any assistance would be great.
Thanks,
Tim

Welcome to the discussions, Gonzotoo!
+I was told I could use an Airport Extreme to bridge to my WRT160N+
Unfortunately, this is not correct. The AirPort Extreme does not have the capability that you need. If you could connect the Linksys and Extreme together using an ethernet cable, it would function as you wish. Or, if it's not possible to connect them using an ethernet cable, you might take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home.

Extending Airport Extreme N with both new "N" and old "g" express

Hi,
Have an airport extreme 802.11n 4th generation connected to a cable modem on the 2nd floor. It is set to "Allow this network to be extended". Have a 1st generation express 802.11n on the 1st floor set up as "extend network" and connected via ethernet to a PS3. That set up has been working fine. Have a roku xd/s in another room on the second floor and it was connected via wireless, but recently have felt like the signal has been less than great. I have an old express 802.11g that I'm wanting to put in that room to "join the network" (is this the same as extend the network??) and then connect that via ethernet to the roku to make the signal more constant.
Right now, the roku isn't seeing the ethernet connection (it does see the wireless network), but the bedroom express is green and is shown as "normal" on airport utility. Any advice?
Thanks for your help.
Daniel

So in my "spare time" today (so much fun to spend entire days dealing with networking issues !!) I've been changing the channels on the extreme and then rescanning the roku. I've started with the 2.4ghz channels first and only made 1-7 so far...no improvements.
Using 5 GHz devices, if they are capable, will mitigate its effects since there are many more 5 GHz channels, and there are comparatively few devices capable of using them (a cursory search reveals only the Roku 2 XS supports 5 GHz).
Actually, I belive my Roku XD/S is in fact dual band (supports both 5ghz and 2.4 ghz). Once I finish the above exercise with the 2.4 spectrum...I'll try switching through the 5Ghz channels to see if that improves anything. My suspision is that this won't solve anything as the roku is open to "grab on" to whatever band it "feels" is better at any given time (for example when it trys to load content). I might be wrong.
However, I do wonder if I use the "separate 5Ghz network name option" on the extreme (currently un-checked) and then have the roku connect to this network in particular, then it will be forced to connect on the 5ghz channel and only then could I see if using 5ghz will help matters. Does this sound right?
If in fact this does work, does the network going by the original name become 2.4ghz only; and therefore I'll have to make this choice for all devices in house? Using the same line of thinking, would I also need to pick which of these 2 networks the 802.11n express is extending (I notice now that the express is set at channel 149 and I don't have the option to change that...presumably because its set to extend and the channel is set by the extreme.
I'm trying to fit the 802.11g into your network somehow, and I think the best possible use for your purposes would be to attach it to the Extreme using an Ethernet cable. This would create an additional 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g compatible access point. The longer the cable and farther away you could locate it from the Extreme or other Express, and the closer you can place it to the Roku, the more benefit it would convey.
Wired from extreme to 802.11g express is not feasible (except if they were sitting in the same room...which I think will do nothing for me.) If it is just placed in the same room as the roku and set to "join the network" broadcasted by the extreme, does this accomplish nothing?
Btw...I do use airtunes...but through the 802.11n express that is downstairs.

How do I maintain my Airport Extreme network with my new Comcast wireless gateway?

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