How do I set up for extending my non-apple wi-fi network with Airport Express?

I have Trendnet router that I use for providing wi-fi capabilities in my home. The problem is that it is set up in my basement and it doesn't extend to the back of the house. I'm also having problems setting up my wireless printer with this setup. I thought that by getting a AE, I could take care of these two things. I could set up the AE upstairs to repeat the wireless signal and at the same time have an easier set up (as in an apple). But, I'm not sure how to set it up. Can someone help?

Do you have a separate modem and Trendnet router now, or is the Trendnet a gateway....combination modem/router in one box? If you add another AirPort at this location, it will need to connect to a modem, or it could connect to your Trendnet router and you could turn off the wireless on the Trendnet
If you go wireless all the way, what is the approximate distance between the "main" router and the "remote" AirPort? How many walls will be in the signal path? How are these walls constructed?
In general....I have found that power line works better than wireless....unless you have a very good wireless connection. If you take your computer to the remote area where the extender will be located, and you can get a good, solid wireless signal, you are probably OK. The Express can only "extend" the quality of signal that it receives.
But will the wireless setup for video streaming (which is my main goal) be reliable?
Questions like this cannot be answered because it is just not possible to predict wireless performance and results in advance of any installation. The products might be great....but other wireless networks around you or cordless phones cause interference problems.
In this regard, If I only had one chance at a network, I would go with wired connections over wireless.
If you go with the 2 AirPort Express plan, I would suggest that you still have a "Plan B" if wireless does not deliver the performance you want. Personally, I would never try to stream video, especially high definition, over wireless here at the house, but it can work if everthing else falls into place....and the planets are in the right alignment.

Similar Messages

Extending Gen 1 Time Capsule Wireless network with Airport Express N

I am having difficulty setting up my new Airport Express w/ 802.11N (SKU# MB321LL/A) to extend the wireless network from my Time Capsule (SKU# MB276LL/A).
My setup is as follows:
Time Capsule is connected to Cable modem with the following wireless settings:
Wireless mode -> Create a Wireless Network
Allow this network to be extended -> Checked
Radio Mode ->802.11n (5Ghz N only)
Wireless Security -> WPA2 Personal
The issue is the when I attempt to setup the AE to extend the network. I match the settings to the Time Capsule:
Wireless Mode -> Extend a Network
Select the Time Capsule Network
Allow wireless clients -> Checked
Wireless Security -> WPA2 Personal
However after I reset the AE the LED glows Amber and the following problem is reported:
+Wireless Network+
+This AirPort wireless device is set up to join a specific wireless network that can't be found. If you don't see the network that you want to join in the Network Name Pop-up menu, enter the network name and network password if necessary to try again.+
When I check the Airport->Wireless tab the settings were as before.
Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Welcome to the discussions!
Have you tried to position the AirPort Express close, say 10-15 feet, as a test to see if it will connect that way?
If so, then move it back another 10-15 feet, etc.
5 GHz signals do not travel well or penetrate surfaces very well, so my first thought was that the signal was not strong enough for the Express to pick it up where you had it located.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

How do i use my time capsule and extend the network with airport express

I have a new iMac and Time Capsule, how do i extend the network with airport express. My time capsule does have a guest net work, and logins and passwords? I am no computer person. So for me it would have to be spelled out.

Use the search as this has been done to death ..
Bob Timmons is the expert on this.. look at his answers here.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4274187?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21856077#21856077
This has been automated in the v6 utility. I am used to doing it manually in v5 utility which is also fairly easy.
Apple doco is also good to read.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Note.
You cannot extend the guest network unless everything is up to date 7.6.3 firmware. And that is only with the TC as the main router in the network.
All apple routers can be configured as the main wireless or as the extend wireless.. so don't worry if a post uses express or extreme or TC.. they are for wireless, the same thing.

Extend wireless network with AirPort Express

How to extend the wireless network with AirPort Express and Belkin PlayMax as the primary router ?

How it work if I have an AirPor Station and 4 Airport Express, I actually also have an old TimeCapsule and an old AirPort Express. Can I cover all my house (around 300 m2). And will the old Airport slow down or convict with the new ones?

Setting up a multi-zone stereo system in my home with Airport Express

I'm trying to set up an in-home stereo system using iTunes as my main hub. I want to play iTunes as well as Pandora and possibly Sirius. Can I set this up with Airport Express? Would I control everything through iTunes on my MacBook or an iPad? How is this all wired if I have some existing external speakers with a receiver in my family room, built-in ceiling speakers in the kitchen, and outdoor external speakers? I am comparing this to a Sonos system, but the Sonos is not really in my budget.
Also, what is the difference between Airport Express and Airport Extreme? What would I need for this situation? Thanks in advance for your help.

>I want to play iTunes as well as Pandora and possibly Sirius. Can I set this up with AirPort Express?
From iTunes you can stream a single audio source to one or multiple 802.11n AirPort Express Base Stations (AXn), but you cannot stream multiple audio sources to separate AXns. You would need a third-party product, like Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil to stream audio sources other than from iTunes.
>Would I control everything through iTunes on my MacBook or an iPad?
You could do either.
>How is this all wired if I have some existing external speakers with a receiver in my family room, built-in ceiling speakers in the kitchen, and outdoor external speakers?
Of the speakers you mentioned, only the ones connected to the receiver would work directly connected to an AXn. The audio output port on the AXn is a combo 3.5 mm stereo analog/optical digital port. Assuming your receiver accepts either analog or digital audio input, you can feed the output of iTunes or Airfoil from the AXn to the receiver. In turn, the receiver (if configured for whole home stereo) can feed the kitchen and outdoor speakers.
>Also, what is the difference between AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme?
What's similar: Both are Internet routers that provide wireless. Both provide the ability to share an attached USB printer. What's different: The Extreme has a built-in Ethernet switch. The Extreme supports sharing HDDs and printers together or separately via a USB hub. The Express has a built-in audio circuitry, the Extreme does not.
>What would I need for this situation?
Only the Express can accomplish providing an audio stream.

How to create a wifi network with airport express in hotel room?

When I'm traveling to hotels that have internet, but not wifi, how do I set up a network using airport express? When I've done this at home, I've used my laptop with the airport utility. Can I do it with just an iPad?

Yes, you can use the Airport Utility for iPad here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airport-utility/id427276530?mt=8

How to set up TimeCapsule (4th) to create own private (wired) network behind Airport Express (5th) that is set up to join existing wifi-network of fritz adsl modem/router?

I work in an office building with free Wifi to connect to the Internet. I want to be able to use this internetconnection, but at the same time I want to shield of my own wired network.
I've made the following configuration:
- fritz adsl modem / router
- Airport Extreme (5th gen) set up to join existing wireless network (green light, works)
- Lan-cable from lan-port AE to wan-port TC (4th gen)
- Lan-cable from TC to Mac
- Lan-cable from TC to Printer
When I set my TC (network-settings) in bridge-mode everything works fine, but my Mac and Printer get an IP-address from the fritz modem / router and are visible to others.
I tried to set TC in NAT/DHCP-mode, but then I get the error message that I should set a static IP-adress for TC. When I set TC in DHCP-mode, it looses connection to the AE. I'm not sure what to do now. Does anyone know how to set up my TC and create my own private network and still be able to get on the internet?

Hajenius wrote:
Is there a better alternative? I'd rather not want to reset my TC every day.
You are using free internet.. so there is a price to pay.. that is convenience and non-ideal network setup.
The better alternative is to pay for your own connection. Then you are completely free of the possibility of others in the bullding seeing your connection. (as long as you secure the wireless).
But I think you are probably over worrying about public wifi.. if it is setup right.. ask the building admins.. it should be setup so each user cannot see another users connection. This is typical for most wifi setup and simply means you can see internet connection but nobody else on the connection. ie other wireless users.
Having a router with NAT makes it then more secure again and allows clients on your own network to interact with each other. But you can setup wireless to the free wifi for every client.. (depending on how many IP you are allowed).. and run a secondary network without internet access. This is easy for desktop etc where you have a wireless and a wired connection but less convenient for mobile devices.. unless you use a cloud connection and each client can link and share via that.
Have I made the explanation worse??
Think of it this way.. if you had 3 laptops.. all 3 could connect to the internet from the building wifi.. but they cannot talk to each other or share resources in local office. You can put resources out in the cloud, that can be shared.. but that adds traffic and most free services are not fast.
Now you can also plug all three into Time Capsule by ethernet.. and share local resources. Files, printers backup etc. This network is not connected to the internet at all. Each laptop has internet via free wifi and local connection.
For devices like iphones that have no ethernet or other method.. you could use local wireless and public wireless.. but in turns.. still the only advantage is less issues with double NAT.. if that causes problems.. then this is an alternative.

Can't extend network with Airport Express on Sky Broadband

Hello,
I'm having some difficulty that's driving me bananas!
I've recently moved house and got Sky Broadband. They sent me their Sagemcom router and the setup was easy. I thought I'd do what I always do. I'll connect my Time Machine to it via ethernet, and connect via Time Machine's network. Then I have two Airport Expresses in the house to extend the network and use Airplay etc.
I can set up the Expresses with no problem, everything talks to everything without a problem and the lights are all green but the network isn't getting extended with either of them. I refuse to believe they're both broken as I also borrowed an Express form my Dad's house (which extend the network without a problem) and it doesn't work with me.
Extend my network is checked in the Manual Setup in Airport Utility but for the life of me I can't get my network extended.
I have done tests where I replaced Time Machine and made one of the Expresses the main base station and it throws signal out easily like that but I can't extend that network with the second Express.
I followed this thread https://discussions.apple.com/message/13171691?messageID=13171691 and have tried a few things to no avail. Currently I have configured an old Airport Extreme (just to keep testing) which works great and have set up an Express wirelessly. All lights are green and the settings seem to all be correct. I turn wifi off on my computer and connect to my computer from the Express using ethernet and nothing. Should I get a connection like this?
Is it Sky? I have read in a few places that Sky have disabled the ability to extend their network but I'm not eve using the signal from their box.
Any ideas or thoughts will be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.

OK so I've been tying it out but unfortunately to no success. Everything looks fine and all lights are green but the network isn't getting extended - just as before.
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Time Capsule network
Check Mark next to Allow Wireless Clients
I don't have an option to extend a network, only to join: http://flic.kr/p/a222kR
I do get the option though if I use the guided setup, even though it doesn't work: http://flic.kr/p/a24TQQ
I did try one other thing though. I set up the Time Capsule and it works great. Then I tried instead, to use my Airport Extreme to extend the network. The Extreme did give me an option to extend the network in the drop down menu and a checkbox to Allow Wireless Clients, unlike the Express. I do believe that this is now working. I now need to find the best place to put it to extend the range.
My Expresses are only 802.11g so they're pretty old but as I said, it worked at my Dad's house but not here. Does it make a difference that the Airport Base Station at my Dad's house is an older UFO shaped Snow Airport? I'm becoming suspicious that seeing as I've only ever lived in small houses and apartments that maybe they never worked?? I've recently moved into a more spacious house so could this be the problem?
One final test using iStumbler showed that it could see Apple Network XXXXxX until I configured it. Once it was configured it disappeared from iStumbler. The Airport ID number had gone from the list.
Do I need newer n compatible Airport Expresses then? So many questions pop up now... When I turned my Express into the base station (which only throws out a g network) then surely I should be able to extend to the next Express (which is also g only)? It still didn't work. The Express are on version 6.3 by the way. Having the Extreme extend the network is a good start but I also need the others to work too. Do you think I'm correct in my assumption?
How about WDS, could that work? Will WDS slow the network considerably?
Sorry if this message is rather long and garbled and again, thanks for your interest and advice.

Extending time capsule based network with airport express

Have installed airport via time capsule. would like to extend range of network with and airport express unit. is this possible and how?

Welcome to the discussions!
+"would like to extend range of network with and airport express unit. is this possible and how?"+
Yes, possible to extend the "main" network. If you have the dual band Time Capsule, note that the "guest" network cannot be extended. Here's how to set it all up:
_On the Time Capsule:_
Click Manual Setup when you open AirPort Utility
Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons
Wireless Mode should be "Create a wireless network" (It's probably already set this way)
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save settings:
_On the Express(n):_
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode should be set to "Extend a wireless network". If you don't see this choice, hold down the "option" key when you click on the selection box
When you select "Extend.." your wireless network created by the TC will appear as a choice to extend. Select it and enter the wireless password.
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Update to save settings.
Whenever you plug the Express in, it will automatically extend the wireless network from the Time Capsule. The ethernet port is also "live" in this setup.
For more info, refer to the "Designing AirPort Networks" guide, pages 43-44.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf

Extend Netgear CG3100 Router network with Airport Express A1088

I have a Netgear router (CG3100) which is in my office and the base of our wireless network. A few rooms to the back of the apartment we have an Apple TV but the wireless connection here is flaky and keeps dropping out so I want to extend it.
I found an old AE base station (A1088) which is good and working - I understand though that this can't extend the Netgear wirelessly as you need all Apple products for that, but it can extend the network when connected by Ethernet.
Been searching for how to do this but can't find any info.. can anyone point me in the direction of some resources/how-to for this or let me know how to do it?
Cheers!

I assume that you know the name of the wireless network (called the SSID) that the Netgear router is producing....and that the Netgear is using industry standard WPA2 Personal wireless security settings.
If you are not sure, you will need to check the settings on the Netgear to verify.
Power off the AirPort Express (AX) for a minute or two
Then, hold in the reset button on the AX first, and keep holding it in for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the AX back into power
Release the reset button after the hold period, and allow a full minute for the AX to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status
Connect the Ethernet cable from the Netgear router to the Ethernet port on the AX. Here, I assume that you have already tested the cable to make sure that it is working correctly.
Open up AirPort Utility 5.6.1, click on the AX, and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons
Type in a device name that you want to use for the AX
Type in a device password and verify
Adjust time settings
No other settings need to be adjusted
Click the Wireless tab next to the Base Station tab
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as the Netgear wireless network
Radio Mode = Automatic or 802.11b/g
Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal
Wireless Password = Same password as the Netgear wireless network
Verify Password
Click the Internet icon at the top of the window
Click the Internet Connect tab just below the icon
Connect Using = Ethernet or it might read DHCP
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click the Update button at the lower right of the screen and wait about a minute for the AX to restart with the new settings and a green light. You should be all set.

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.

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless network with Airport Express. Everything is fine until I try to select Extend the wireless network. I select Extend Wireless network but have no success. Ideas?

I have installed Airport Extreme on my iMac, but want to extend the wireless to rooms with a weak signal. The internet connection is fine with the basic setup. As soon as I go into Airport Utility to select Extend Wireless Network and fill in what I believe is proper information, I get an error message that Airport Extreme no longer has an IP address, the internet connection is broken, and under Wireless, that there is a wireless network in existence that can't be found. Rebooting the modem only brings the Airport Extreme back to the starting gate so that the internet is once again available. I assumed (naively) that with the All Mac All-the-Time context, adding Airport Express would truly be Plug and Play. I got the plug, but no play. I asked a Comcast technical specialist about it and he said that I needed to reset the Airport Express settings back to their default, factory status. I looked that process up online and found out that the way to do that was to hold down the reset button, then plug Airport Express into the socket and wait for the green light to flash four times. Then wait 45 seconds and the default settings will return. I did all that, only to find out that after the initial flash of green, green never appeared again. I got a fast flashing yellow light, followed by the light going off. Apparently this didn't reset it properly. So, after hours trying to get this system to work, I appeal to someone who can see through this mess and provide the key to success!
highFly376

Let's see if I can get this straight.
You have an Airport Extreme base station that is set to "Create a wireless network" and you have the box checked for "allow this network to be extended"....
Then you have an Airport Express that is set to "Extend a wireless network" which you selected the name of your network in the box...
Correct?
See this Apple document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
The wireless unit on the right of the diagram can be either of the newer Apple base stations.
Extreme, Express, Time Capsule

HT4259 Why won't AirPort Utility let me extend my network with AirPort Express?

I have 2 1st Gen AirPort Express stations. I have my original AirPort wired into my modem with an ethernet cable and it works fine. I have my new AirPort plugged, well within range of the network but it doesn't show up in AirPort Utility making it impossible for me to extend the network.
All of the previous forums I've seen say to reset both routers and "set up manually" and select the box that says "allow this network to be extended". When I go to setup there is no option for either of these.
Am I missing something? What am I doing wrong?

All of the previous forums I've seen say to reset both routers and "set up manually" and select the box that says "allow this network to be extended". When I go to setup there is no option for either of these.
You are looking at instructions that apply to Snow Leopard and earlier operating sysems. You are using Lion or Mountain Lion.
Hold in the reset button on the Express that you want to use to extend for 9-10 seconds and release.
Close AirPort Utility if if it open.
As edex67 notes above, click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express.
AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then tell you that the Express will be configured to "extend" the network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Express and click Next
AirPort Setup will take a minute to configure things. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
You are done, other than locating the Express approximately half way between your "main" Express and the area that needs more wireless coverage.

Extending Network with Airport Expresses?

I'm drawing in wifi signal from the shipyard and want to broadcast(extend) it throughout the lower sections of a boat.
Currently I have 1 airport express drawing in the signal with ethernet connecting to the computer. However I want to extend the current network. Can I do this by buying another Airport Express and connecting through ethernet cable to the one I currently have. Would this work? What options would I need to select with the new AE(extend network, create network, etc)? Would this work with an airport extremeas well.
Any help much appreciated.
Ash

Tessarax,
Are you saying I would need three AXn to create the extended network? or would it just work with 2?
ie
AXn(Recieving)-----Ethernetcable-----AXn extending network
Will this not work?
Sorry just want to know how much I'm in for and if it will work before i go out and spend it.
Thanks for the reply
Ash

Extending network with Airport Express and Airport Extreme (latest models) causes chaos on network

Today I upgraded from my several year old Airport Extreme (3rd gen) and 2nd gen Airport Express to a new (what you'd buy on the shelf today) Airport Extreme and Airport Express. All airports are updated with the latest firmware and I'm using windows 7 for configuration.
The intention is to use the Airport Extreme as the main router, also serving wifi. And extend the network using the express. As such, the following has been done:
The Airport Extreme is configured for automatic channel, and automatic radio mode. I tried to select 802.11n 5 ghz and 802.11 n 2.4 ghz only, but it won't take the changes. Additionally, it wont' accept me using only channel 6. Not sure why, but I digress. The airport extreme is not set to broadcast a separate name for the 5ghz network.
The Airport Express is configured to use bridge mode, use an existing wireless network and is connected to my network on it's WAN port (the circle icon on the back) with ethernet. The password and wireless name used in configuration is the same as created initially on the Airport Extreme.
Initially I did the configuration of both airports on my computer, connected by ethernet to ensure stable connectivity while I inputted settings. During this, they appeared to accept the changes fine. However, when I moved the airport express to it's destination (other side of my house), the entire network went crazy.
Internet became slow, and often wouldn't load pages. This was on wired and wireless connections. When I attempted to administer the Airport in the Utility, they would not load, an error would occur. Also, at one point the Airport Extreme had renamed it self with a (2) at the end. Which was super odd. So far, the only solution has been to unplug the Airport Express and attempt to devise a solution.
Anyone have any ideas? Of course, I will continue to tinker with this, but it seems realllly strange. The previous setup was also extended (granted, using wireless only, not ethernet > wireless) and worked fine, granted it was a smidge slow, but it worked.

I wanted to add this.. I followed the guide here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260 to extend using ethernet, and the above is the result.
I just tried re configuring in OS X Mavericks and got the same, odd, result.

How do I set up for extending my non-apple wi-fi network with Airport Express?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for