How do I use a 2nd Airport Extreme plugged into an Ethernet Wall Plug to join an existing wireless network to give me a better signal upstairs?

I have a 5th generation Airport Extreme giving me a great wireless signal on the 1st floor of my house. However the signal upstairs is weak. So I purchased another 5th generation Airport Extreme that I would like to plug into an ethernet wall plug upstairs. I would then like to have the upstairs Airport Extreme join the same network thus giving me a good wirelss signal upstairs. I have a MacBook Pro running OS 10.7.4. Can somebody give me step-by-step directions to set up the upstairs Airport Extreme?

I assume that the new AirPort Extreme is still in its original factory default settings.
Before you connect the AirPort Extreme, please connect a laptop to the Ethernet cable that will be used for the connection and turn off the wireless on the laptop. Make sure that you can can connect to the Internet before you begin to configure the AirPort Extreme.
Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the laptop and connect it to the WAN "O" port on the upstairs AirPort Extreme and power it up.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility 6.1
Look in the upper left hand corner of the screen for a tab or box that reads "Other AirPort Base Stations (1)"
Click on that box,then click on the name AirPort Extreme xxxxxx
Wait a moment while AirPort Utility analyzes the network and then displays a message that the AirPort Extreme will be configured to extend your existing wireless network.
Enter a Base Station (device) name for the AirPort Extreme (and a device password if prompted), then click Next.
Wait another minute or two until AirPort Utility notifies you that the AirPort Extreme has been Set Up.
That's it.

Similar Messages

  • How do i use a 2nd airport extreme both are newer models

    how do i use a 2nd airport extreme both are newer models

    I assume that you mean that you want to extend the range using wireless only.
    This Apple Support Document will tell you exactly how to do that:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
    The instructions assume that you have AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion , so if you have not already done so, you will need to download and install this application to track the instructions in the support document.

  • Joining an existing wireless network with airport express

    Ok, am almost to the point of throwing my AX across the room
    AM trying to join an existing wireless network, its from a 2Wire gateway
    one of three things happen
    it won't find the AX in the first place
    it recognizes it, but i can't connect to it
    it goes through the configuration and when it restarts the AX, it can't reconnect to either the router or the AX and it fails. if this happens i can't reconnect to my wireless network without deleting it and re-adding.
    it doesn't show up in my available wireless networks at all
    protected via WEP, and i have tried using all the security options.

    The directions are in KB 302153, AirPort Express: How to join an existing wireless network in client mode.
    Are you using MAC address access control in addition to WEP?
    Turn off WEP and see if that makes a difference?
    One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
    In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
    The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
    One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
    Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
    Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058
    WEP is now considered not to be secure and therefore it is advised you use WPA.
    "WPA Personal" on the Mac corresponds to plain WPA, with a pre-shared key (PSK) and TKIP encryption, on non-Apple wireless routers. The same alphanumeric password should work on both.
    iFelix

  • I am unable to join my existing wireless network with new AirPort Express

    I am unable to join my existing wireless network with new AirPort Express.
    I am using a DLink DI-524 Router, Windows 7 (64), and the AirPort Express.
    AirPort Utility will not recognize the AEX wirelessly, it will only recognize it when it is connected by Ethernet. I can then configure the AEX and verify that the settings stick once disconnected and then reconnected. However, even after that, it will not recognize the AEX once disconnected from the Ethernet cable.
    I followed the suggestions of several other threads on these forums. But I am unable to get the AEX to work.
    Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

    Welcome to the discussion area!
    It's almost always a security setting that causes problems when the Airport Express (AX) tries to join a third party wireless network. The AX usually does not "join" correctly and that's why you can't see it on your wireless network using AirPort Utility.
    Using an ethernet cable is still the more reliable way to configure and adjust the AX, but if you are want to try to configure it using wireless, you must return the AX back to factory defaults as follows:
    Power down the AX
    Hold in the reset button +and keep holding it in+ as you plug the AX back in to power
    Release the reset button after 10 seconds
    When it is set to factory defaults, the AX broadcasts a wireless signal with a network name like "apple network xxxxxx" where the "x's" are either letters or numbers. You must look for this network by clicking on the fan shaped Airport icon at the top of the screen. If you don't see this network, then click Join Other Network to search that way. Unless you connect to this network, you will not be able to configure the AX using wireless.
    Do you know the exact security type that your D-Link router is using? That is the key element in the process.
    Open AirPort utility, click Manual Setup
    Click the Base Station tab to establish a name for the AX, device password and adjust time zone settings
    Click the Wireless tab
    Wireless Mode....Join a wireless network
    Wireless Network Name...must exactly match your D-Link wireless network name
    Enable ethernet clients if you want the port to be active (your D-Link must be compatible with ProxySTA for this to work)
    Wireless Security...exact setting of the D-Link network. WEP security causes a lot of issues. Try to use WPA/WPA2 Personal, which is far more secure.
    Wireless Password...must match the D-Link network
    Click the Music icon to enable AirTunes
    Click Update to save settings
    Any luck?

  • How can I utilize a 2nd Airport Extreme to extend a network but not WIFI, only hardwired?

    Hi All.  Need your help figuring this out.  The location of the cable line in my home causes a bit of an issue for my internet dependant electronics.  My computers have no problem connecting over Wifi but certain peripherals require an ethernet connection as Wifi is not an option for them.  I have prepared this quick diagram to explain my perfect set up.  I have a current gen Airport Extreme and a Previous gen as well.  How can I set my 2nd Airport to receive the Wifi from my main airport, but then only serve as a router, not extend the WIRELESS network.  Only provide a hardwired network.  In other words, I know how to "extend network" with airport utility, but then the 2nd airport also casts its own wifi network and causes problems.  I only want the one single Wifi network.  The 2nd router should only be providing ethernet connectivity.
    Is this even possible?  Both Airports are running the most updated firmware.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

    With a properly configured extended network both AirPorts will be broadcasting the "same" Wi-Fi network. This shouldn't impact wired clients at all. The other advantage of using an extended network is that your older AirPort Extreme's Ethernet ports will be enabled for wired clients.
    At present the only other option would be to connect the older Extreme to the newer one using an Ethernet connection between them. Then disable the older Extreme's Wi-Fi radios.

  • Using the AirPort Express to Join an existing Wireless Network

    Hello,
    I am hoping you can provide me with some help on this... I recelty acquired a PowerMac G4 with a 450 MHz processor, CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, Zip Drive, 1 GB RAM, and two 40 GB HD... The system has OS 10.4 installed, and it is has built-in Ethernet...
    I was told I could use the Airport Express to connect to an existing wireless network, so I purchased an Airport Express base Station... Thing is, to e honest, I am having a bit of a problem getting started...
    - First, to connect from the AirPort Express to my G4, do I need a special kind of Ethernet cable, or will the usual kind do?
    - Second do I need to istall the software first, or have the Airport express connected to the G4 before I do?
    How would I go about setting this up, step-by-step?
    Any information would be appreciated...
    Thanks for your time...

    OK, thanks. Hopefully, the Netgear is creating a wireless network using WPA/WPA2 security. That will make it much easier for the AirPort Express (AX) to join the wireless network. It can join networks with using WEP security, but password issues almost always arise using WEP.
    Since you must enter the exact security settings and password for the wireless network, it would help tremendously to know this in advance. Otherwise, it's going to be a series of "trial and errors" and likely frustration, later on.
    When you have a moment, check the security settings on the Netgear router.
    It might be one of the following: WPA2 Personal, WPA/WPA2 Personal, WEP 128, WEP 40.

  • Can my older Airport Express 802.11g join an existing wireless network

    I have a Airport Express 802.11g firmware version 6.3 . Using the most recent Airport Express Utility I can set it up as a base station on its own independent network but I cannot join it to my existing home wireless network. As I go through the wizard (or manual setup) It just does not detect/display any existing wireless networks. I have plenty of mobile devices in the  house that can see the wireless network...and next doors network.
    So, it begs the question ... is an 802.11g unit actually capable of joining another network or is this capability available on later models only. A search of apple support and the wider internet for "Airport Express 802.11g capabilities" yeilds a blizzard or useless info.
    Thank you

    Sorry, I cannot help on Windows since I do not have a Windows 7 machine here to test. I have used XP in the past and AirPort Utility appears to be virtually the same in Windows as a Mac. I assume that this is the case for AirPort Utility 5.6.1, and it should be able to configure the Express.
    The older Express will join most wireless networks if the following conditions are met:
    1) The Express is functioning correctly.
    2)  The wireless network name is 12 characters or less and it contains only normal letters and numbers. Avoiding blank spaces in the wireless network name will help improve the chances of the Express joining the network as well.
    3)  The wireless router is broadcasting a compatible signal that would allow the "g" Express to connect. If your network is broadcasting a wireless "n only" signal, the Express cannot connect to this network.
    4)  The wireless security on the network is set to a WPA compatible setting. That is because the older Express has difficulty joining 3rd party wireless networks using WPA2 Personal or WPA2-PSK-AES encryption. In other words, if your network is now using WPA2 Personal or WPA2-PSK-AES settings, the "g" Express will probably not be able to join the network.
    5)  If you are using MAC Address Filtering on your network, the MAC address of the Express will need to be included in your settings.
    6)  The wireless network password uses the same guidelines that appear in 2) above
    The items noted above will provide the Express with the best chance of joining your network.  Plan to use the Manual Setup option in AirPort Utility and be prepared to use the Option or Alt keys on the PC if needed.
    If you are looking for a guarantee of success in advance for this task, I cannot provide that and you should wait for another user to post who might be able to meet your requirements in that regard.

  • HT1515 I have moved from windows to mac and had to reset my airport. I am trying it to join the existing wireless network. the process ends in an unexpected error. The ethernet connection seems to work OK

    I have moved from windows to mac and had to reset my airport express. After the reset I enter the name of the existing network, name the base unit, enter its password twicw and select additional options as join the existing network. It comes back with a screen asking for the name of the base unit and password. Aftre which it starts cycling between "waiting for airport express", "connecting to 'network name'" and ends with an error message. When I try to set up using ethernet cable evrything works but I need wireless (it worked OK just hours ago). Any advice?
    Thank you

    Hello, vgafromva.
    Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities. 
    Sometimes a simple power cycle of the AirPort can resolve this issue.  However, here is an article I would recommend going through when experiencing issues connecting to Wi-Fi. 
    Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628
    If these steps do not resolve the issue, please reply back with the exact error message received. 
    Cheers,
    Jason H. 

  • Airport Express won't join my existing wireless network...

    I have Broadband in my house. I have a wireless modem also. I have spent hours trying to have Airport Express join the network so I can use the music streaming feature, but I have so far not been successful. I have seen a lot of references to it being very easy and straightforward to set up with it doing most of the work itself. As in, plug in AE to a power socket, open Airport Utility and follow the instructions... It doesn't appear to be that simple, not by a long shot. Can anyone outline how this can be done in simple steps? All of the online steps I have tried do not work, with many of them referencing aspects of the Airport Utility GUI that don't seem to exist...
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    For the record, I DO NOT want to replace my existing wireless router, i just want AE to join the network...
    Thanks...
    Ronan

    I have the same problem - the AE wont join my Draytek 2600 wireless network. I can stream music wired, but it refuses to join the wireless network. I have tried WEP, WPA, WPA 2 etc. Always get amber flashing light. Ive spent about 5 hours solid on it so far, and I'm a networking expert.
    No other device on the planet has problems connecting to my wireless. currently I have:
    1) Belkin wireless Skype phon (no problems)
    2) SOHO wireless IP camera (no problems)
    3) Intel Macbook pro (no problems)
    4) G4 Macbook (no problems)
    5) Dell D600 XP notebook (no problems)
    Try to connect the AE? No chance. Its just broken.
    I have tried every conceiveable manual setting on the device also.
    If I manually set the ip (outside the DHCP range, but within the subnet), subnet, DNS sever, domain etc, I get a GREEN light, but nothing can communicate with it. The utility cant see it, and itunes cant see it.
    The real problem is there is no way to know if the problem is with DHCP or the wireless. Does green light mean it has a wireless connection, or it has a valid IP?
    Interestingly, if I start it with a wired connection, get a green light, then stream music to it, then pull out the wire, the green light stays, and music players for about another minute (presumably wirelessly, but who knows?) before the music stops and the device (replete with green light), becomes dead to the network.
    APPLE desperately needs to sort this out. Its junk.

  • I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. any soln ?

    I have bought a new airport express and using it with my macbook (iTunes 10.2.2). I have joined an existing wireless network for internet in my home and with that i am trying to play the music via itunes but there is audio dropouts every 60 secs or so. I am using a set of speakers from kenwood connected to the airport express. The operating system on my macbook is mac os X 10.5.8. i am sure it is not a problem of streaming music online because i have even tried playing music which are stored in my macbook.
    Is there any problem with the setting in itunes or quicktime ? Kindly reply...... I am waiting for your valuable suggestion.
    Thank you a lot in advance.

    I am shocked to have found this same AX audio dropout problem starting TODAY, every few seconds the audio just drops for a couple seconds and then resumes:  Latest software versions of everything.  No iPad, iPhone or Touch.  Internet hardwired to D-Link DES1105 (1000baseT Switch) hardwired to new 80211N AX, AX optical to stereo, AX Wi-Fi internet to basic 1st-gen MacBook operating at 80211G, and an older 'G' AX extender at the far end of the house, away from all this.  The MacBook streaming iTunes is usually 12 feet from AX.  I've used this setup for years of trouble-free AirTunes / Airplay until today.  Today I also found 2 very reliable fixes and 1 way to force a dropout, but first, I read some posts and tried ALL following settings one-at-a-time and restored them ALL because NONE of them helped:  Turned off IPV6.  Streamed to multiple speakers 'Computer' and 'AX' (restored to just AX).  Turned off 'Ask to Join new (WiFi) Networks'.  Turned off Bluetooth (can't live without Magic Trackpad, so glad that wasn't it).  Here's my discoveries:  Lo and behold, each time I click the Airport icon in the Menu (you know it shows you've got 4 bars from AX) when the status switches to 'Looking for Networks' for a second it CAUSES the AX audio to drop out for a couple seconds (it never did that before today.)  iTunes still playing, streaming, AX laser still lit, but the 'PCM' light on stereo and the sound GOES OUT EVERY time I click the Airport icon in the menubar, just like the regular, annoying dropouts.  So, to reduce traffic I quit Safari (3 tabs, no streaming, just Gmail, Google, and Netflix browsing).  Lo and behold, the dropouts stopped altogether.  No other Web apps going (not iTunes Store, Genius, Ping, nothing), so I launched Chrome to the same 3 tabs and the dropouts HAVE NOT RETURNED.  That's right, not only did simply QUITTING SAFARI cure it, and Chrome doesn't contribute to it, but I can demonstrate it just by forcing my Airport to re-scan.  Works for me, written using Chrome.  The other reliable fix is to hardwire MacBook to the Switch.  This is obviously not ideal, but Airplay audio doesn't drop out over Ethernet.  Also, in all my tests, it made no difference whether iTunes did the streaming, or Airfoil did.

  • How many ip addresses will an airport extreme handle?

    I have about 60 devices in my home that need an IP address and can only imagine with the Internet of Things, wearables, security etc. that it will go higher in the future.
    How many IP addresses will an Airport Extreme or Time Capsule handle reliably? 
    Thanks -

    About 250 total wireless and Ethernet addresses, with a limit of 50 for wireless devices........assuming that it is the AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule that is acting as the router handing out the IP addresses.

  • Airport utility no longer recognizes my Airport Extreme Base Station, which had been set up to extend a wifi network

    Hi.  In November I set up my airport extreme base station (5th generation I believe) to wirelessly extend the wifi network we use at home to see if it would increase download speeds.  Before doing that, I did a factory reset of my airport extreme, and the owner of the airport extreme to which the ethernet cable is attached made changes to his network to allow it to be extended.  I folllowed all the directions from the apple support pages, and finally got it to work.  I could even access a portable hard drive which I attached to the airport extreme base station being used as the extension.  Then a week or so ago I noticed that my laptop would no longer connect to my base station.  I did not have time to look into it until this week.  Airport utility, either on my Mac or iphone no longer recognizes my base station.  My mac is running OS X 10.10.1  and my iPhone is running iOS 8.1.2  I have tried both hard, soft and factory resets of my base station to no avail.  The only thing that has changed after doing that, is that when I do a soft reset of my base station, a neighbors airport express appears when it never did before.  I can't actually connect to it, but it does try.  Then after approximately 5 minutes, it disappears from my list.
    Today I went and pulled out my OLD AIRPORT EXTREME base station... you know, the one that looks like a space ship and is running wifi 802.1 b/c?  airport utility DOES locate and display that, but airport utility returns a message stating that it cannot be set up by this software.  I am attaching an image of that.
    Thank you,
    John
      Does this have anything to do with the fact that 'Back to My Mac' is probably enabled?

    I think the initial problem is that your iPhone was connected to an open network that wasn't yours.
    Go to Settings > WiFi and "Forget" the network created by that AirPort Extreme, it's older than dirt. Forget your neighbor's network also.
    Perform the equivalent actions with your Mac: System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced... Delete every network that appears, including your own.
    Then, connect to your own network on all your devices, after which you ought to be able to use any of them and configure your Extreme without any difficulty. You may need to start over with a "hard reset" on both the main AirPort Extreme and the one extending its network.
    Does this have anything to do with the fact that 'Back to My Mac' is probably enabled?
    Not exactly, but using iCloud Keychain will populate all your devices with the names of preferred networks that any of them connect to, no matter where they are. I don't know why Apple considers that a beneficial feature.

  • I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, can't join existing wireless network with AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC wifi turned off.  How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. working fine with TM

    I have a mid-2010 iMac and just purchased a 2TB TC, I just found out that it can't join existing wireless network with new AC standard so attached to iMac via ethernet with TC's wifi turned off.  How do i access TC now? not showing up in disk utility or on desktop. It is working fine with TM.  My cheeper seagate drives etc kept crashing, so i didnt trust cheeper back up options anymore.  Connected those drives to TM via firewire and could see the drives and access them.
    Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed.  I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc.  I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast. Getting over 50mbs downloads and over 30mbs uploads.  Plus everything in my home it connected to my fios router, airport express for music streaming, two apple tvs, vuezone camer system.  I really didn't want to monkey around too much with my system.  But are there other options to connect the new TC.  Can't find info anywhere for this and called apple who gave me the info above.  after hanging up, i see that i cant access my TC and I am wondering if i would have to reset it to turn wifi on again to make changes to the drive, turn off blinking light  or repair it in disk utility if it should become corrupted.
    For other with similar issues i did solve some other problems: when i connected it to my ethernet port on my iMac wifi stopped working.  Found that I had to turn off the ethernet in the system>network screen, but then TM didn't see the TC so i restarted after changes and then it saw it.
    Now a rant.  I can't believe in this wireless age that Apple would make a product that cant join a wireless net work.  The apple rep said i could return it and look for the previous TC that would join an existing wireless network.  Are we going backwards?
    Thanks!
    lennydas

    Ok... it is getting a bit clearer but there are still some questions.
    I connect to the internet via airport only and it is pretty fast.
    I was assuming airport in this statement in your first post meant the TC or the Express.. but I now realise we are still in the mass confusion stage where apple calls everything wireless an airport. So what you mean is the airport internal card of the computer??
    Also, I didn't want to bridge TC with my new fios router that I paid 100 dollars for, to get N speed and also paying 10 dollars more a month for fast speed.  I heard that bridging slows down everything and then there can be port issues with mail etc.
    I think this is mistaken.
    Putting the TC in bridge mode plugged into your FIOS will not slow the network.. nor will it cause mail or port issues.. in bridge the TC is just a fancy WAP and switch plus the network hard drive.
    If the computer is close it will be faster than the FIOS.
    You can run both wireless networks with different names.. so it is clear which is which. But you can also setup roaming so the computers themselves pick which is the best wireless.
    I tried extending the wireless net work and tried joining wireless network, but the TC kept crashing and I had to keep resetting the TC.  the Apple support person said these, extend wireless network and joint wireless network, are no longer a connection option with the new TC because of the new AC protocol.
    Thanks again!
    You cannot extend to a non-apple wireless router.
    You cannot use join a wireless network because when you do the ethernet ports will be cut off.
    But that has not changed.. I don't think Apple support is correct.. there has been no change with the AC model.. it is simply a fact that apple routers do not work in join wireless mode other than as a dumb client. The same applies to AC as to the earlier version.. but I have asked another person to check this.
    Join in the express is the only apple router that still allows an ethernet connection.
    For now you best use of the TC is bridged to the FIOS. Wireless you can sort out between several options.

  • AirPort Express won't connect to existing wireless network

    I just purchased the current gen AirPort Express and it won't connect to my existing wireless network. My current wireless network is on a D-Link DIR-827 and it operates on both the 2.4 and 5.0 GHz bands. My current gen Apple TV is connected to the D-Link wirelessly and it works fine. Basically all I want to do is have a pair of speakers attached to the AIrPort Express and stream music to it via AirPlay from all my devices. When I use the AirPort Utility, I keep getting the error that 'it's setup to join an existing wireless network but it can't find it.'  The light flashes amber and I can't connect to it. Right now I've setup a new wireless network for my AirPort Express but ideally I would like to have it join my existing network so all my devices can stream to it without having to connect to it seperately.
    Thanks,
    Ata

    Hi Ata,
    ...Right now I've setup a new wireless network for my AirPort Express but ideally I would like to have it join my existing network
    If you already configured your AirPort to create a separate wireless network, it would be best to reconfigure it to "join" your existing network by starting over with a "hard reset": Press and hold the reset button and keep it depressed, continuously, about five to ten seconds, long enough for it to flash amber. Then, it will glow amber steadily for about a minute while it starts up, then it will flash amber slowly indicating it needs to be configured.
    It will then appear in your Mac's Wi-Fi menu like this:
    Select it. AirPort Utility will load and walk you through its configuration.
    Be sure to select the option to "join" your existing network, and not create a new one. In that configuration, it will serve as a device for music streaming only, and cannot serve a wireless access point. For that, your router would need to be a genuine Apple AirPort Base Station.

  • How do I extend my existent airport extreme network by addition of a 2nd airport extreme?

    How do I extend my existent Airport Extreme network by addition of a 2nd Airport Extreme?

    Can you clarify which version of the AirPort Extreme that you have now along with the model that you plan to use as the second device?
    The older "round" AirPort Exteme or the newer "square" version with rounded corners?
    Are you planning to extend using wireless only.....or by connecting the AirPort Extremes using a wired Ethernet connection?

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