HT4260 setting up extended roaming network

I have an Airport Extreme and a new Time Machine. Because of the logistics of my house, the Airport Extreme base station must be the primary connection. When I go to set up Connection Sharing on it I get a conflict message stating that the IP address conflicts with that of the base station and the network does not work.
If both the A.E. base station and the Time Machine are set to Off (Bridge Mode) the network works fine.
I do not know how to configure an IP. Can the network function as it is (both devices set to Bridge Mode) or must I change the IP for the base station?
(computers connected --- Older Mac Pro (no wireless or bluetooth --- connected via ethernet cable) plus two iMacs and a MacBook and phones connected wirelessly)
thanks
Ron

hi
The situation described sounds a lot like the setup I have been thinking about for my home.
I have been reading the forums and apple's articles about the roaming network - this seems clearly the way to go if you can have the cabling, and you need more than one Airport basestation for better coverage and/or airtunes speakers.
However, in my home, I do not want the airport extreme to be providing the dhcp services.
The reason is that in this case (as I understand HT4260) I need two LAN cables to the primary airport extreme (=AE1) - one from the adsl-Modem+router to the AE1, and another cable from this AE1 back to the switch. From that switch I can reach the other Airport Extreme and Airport Express via the LAN cables. But, I don't have two cables available from a reasonable location where the AE1 can be placed with some useful coverage. I can set it up as described, but then the AE1 is stuck away in a closet with lots of concrete around it in a place where I don't really need coverage - wasting one AE1.
So... what I would like to do is the following:
-           phone line with adsl
\ and = cat 5/6 LAN cable
------ ADSL+router ============= (wan) AE1      (create the same network; internet as bridged)
         (runs DHCP)
               \       \============== (wan) AE2       (create the same network; internet as bridged)
                 \================= (wan) AX3       (create the same network; internet as bridged - add the speakers)
          add more as needed
and Optionally:                                AX4               (extend - so wirelessly - the same network; internet bridged - add the speakers)
My questions:
a) Would this create a good roaming network?
b) Would this create a good roaming network on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz - assuming AE and AX are both the latest models?
c) Would the optional AX4 - which is not wired to the main switch - be able to extend this network - just so that I can get the music in the room I like - actually outside on the terras; of course in parallel to the other AE/AX at the same time?
d) Would this wireless extension slow down any of the other connections? Or only the clients of AX3 (as an example) to which AX4 connects wirelessly?
I am trying to get some feedback before buying one or more AE or AX to replace/extend my old 1st gen n model Airport Xpress.
Which leads me also to:
e) will the 1st-gen-n A xpress work nicely with n-speeds on the 2.4 band together with all the other ones?
     Obviously I would loose my 5Ghz network and guest-networks in the area covered by this older AX?
     (I very likely use this older as my "AX4" in the example above.
Thanks for your help!
Robert

Similar Messages

I want to set up a roaming network. I have directions. I have an extreme set up and working. I need to add an express. When I open airport utility I get the internet pic of internet and the base station. How do a get to the setting screens?

Directions require that I change settings on the base station on the screen that interent connection, TCP/IP DHCP NAT how do I get to that screen through airport utility.
Then I need to for my express to get to the screen the screen for wireless.
This has changed since last time I did this.
How do I get to the screens.

Your existing Extreme might already be configured in Bridge Mode. As long as the Extreme is working now, do not change any settings on the Extreme.
Apple incorrectly assumes that all users are connecting to a simple modem when most users are connecting to gateway devices....combination modem/routers.
You probably are as well and Bridge Mode would be the correct setting when connecting to that type of device.

How can I set up an AirPort wirelessly in client mode on a roaming network?

I recently set up a roaming network within my office using a RADIUS server for access control. I have multiple airports connected to our broadband via ethernetcable providing a seamless network over a large space. It works great.
However, now that I've done this, I can't get one of my airort expresses to work as a wireless music box with speakers plugged in. This airport is in a location that has no ethernet nearby, which is fine because I just want to use it to play music, not extend the network. It's MAC address is configured in the RADIUS server as an authorized device.
I've tried this "client mode" setup, and a variety of other combinations of settings like making it part of the roaming network as an extender, with no avail:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1731
Everything I've tried gives me the "AirPort Utility was unable to find your AirPort wireless device after restarting" message, and my AirPort has only a yellow light.
It seems the AirPort Express is totally incompatible with a roaming network. Is there any way to make this work?
Thanks,
Rob

Before we get into details here, do you understand that the Express will not be be able to "extend" the Xfinity wireless network wirelessly?
The Express can only extend a network wirelessly from another Apple AirPort router. Another way of saying the same thing is that if you want to "extend" wirelessly, you will need two Apple AirPort routers.
The Express will need to be permanently connected to the modem/router using an Ethernet cable if you want it to extend the Xfinity network.

Do I need a Roaming Network or a Wireless Distribution System?

Hello - as the title says, I am confused about which type of network I should create.
My specs: Macbook Pro
Windows XP Toshiba Laptop
White UFO-shaped Airport Extreme Base Station
New White Square-shaped Airport Extreme Base Station
1 USB HP Deskjet printer
1 Ministack USB hub/external hard drive
1 LaCie USB external hard drive
I am in the process of finishing my basement and will finally have an "office" to place all of my stuff. I want to be able to hook up the USB printer and USB external hard drives at the same time for wireless availability, so I bought the new AEBS. I am concerned about placing the AEBS in the basement and its impact on wireless signal strength to the upper floors of the house, so I thought I would connect the older UFO-shaped AEBS into the system to extend the wireless range.
I am confused, however, about whether to set up a "roaming network" or a "Wireless Distribution System". I am not sure of the particular benefits of either system given my situation so any help someone could provide would be greatly appreciated.
My house is fairly new, and has a data line system to each room, and I have a cable modem and router in the basement and can share the internet connection to the whole house in this manner. My UFO-shaped AEBS was hooked up to the internet connection via this method with an ethernet cable into the back of the AEBS on the main floor of the house. The USB printer was plugged into the UFO-shaped AEBS. This worked well. Again, now that the new AEBS will be in the basement, I am concerned about signal strength, and would like to use my old AEBS to help out.
I have looked at the Designing Airport Extreme 802.11n Networks pdf document and while it is very detailed about how to set up each of these networks, it does not seem to adequately (in my opinion) address why I would choose one setup over another. For example, should I continue to connect the old AEBS to the ethernet wall connection to get internet connectivity, or should the old AEBS receive its connection wirelessly?
Thanks in advance.

I am confused, however, about whether to set up a "roaming network" or a "Wireless Distribution System".
A roaming network uses Ethernet to connect the base stations. Therefore they all transmit good quality wireless data signals. Physically adjacent base stations should be configured to use channels 3 or more apart to reduce interference with each other. Everything gets full bandwidth.
A WDS network connects the base stations via wireless. Therefore the remote and relay base stations can only transmit data with the same quality as they receive it wirelessly. So if a remote station receives a lousy wireless signal from the main base, all of the clients of that remote station will get a lousy data rate. Also each WDS link cuts the available bandwidth in half.
Since your house is already wired for Ethernet, I would use the "roaming network".

Airport Extreme + Time Capsule Roaming Network

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

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

Roaming Network Extreme to Express

I am trying to set up a roaming network using a powerline ethernet connection from my Extreme base station to a 2nd Gen Express.
I have no problem extending wirelessly but I want to have a wired connection.
My airport utility is version 6.3.2 and the interface is different to the interface shown here and I can't figure out how to do it. Any help appreciated thanks.

The interface is slightly differnet but the same rules apply.
On your Express unit, choose these settings
1. Under the "Wireless" tab, choose "Create a wireless network" and then put the exact name of your main base station, same security and same passwords.
2. Under the "Network" tab, choose "Off (Bridge Mode)
3. Under the "Internet" tab, choose DHCP
That should do it.
Let us know if it works for you.

Airport - Roaming Network

Hi everyone,
I've set up a roaming network using a brand new Airport Extreme as my main wireless network and then a 2nd Generation Airport Express to extend this network via Ethernet.
I created the network by first creating my main network on my Airport Extreme and then factory resetting my Airport Express and switching it on and then letting Airport Utility detect and decide to 'EXTEND my network via Ethernet'.. Airport Utility configured this all automatically...
My Airport Extreme is upstairs and my Airport Express is Downstairs.
My Network Printer is also Upstairs.
Now as far as devices go they comfortably switch from upstairs to downstairs no problem, so the roaming network is working as it should.. .. But when I bring a device (iPad or iPhone) downstairs and try to print to the network printer, the printer can't be found on the network. As soon as I bring the device upstairs to print it finds the printer..
Now I'm not yet 100% sure if the device itself is problematic or if it's actually the network because in one instance, one device actually did find the printer but maybe this is because it was still connected to the upstairs network.
Anyway.. What I want to know is, how does a network printer tie in to or be 'related' a roaming network? Is it just the fact that the roaming network has the same SSID, Password and Security type and bridge mode? Is there anything else that my device (iPhone) is looking for when looking for a network printer?
As I try to troubleshoot I noticed that Airport Express which is the extension in Airport Utility in the NETWORK MODE tab, it has 'Create a Wireless Network' as the type.. Shouldn't this be 'Extend a wireless network'?
-Frankie

As I try to troubleshoot I noticed that Airport Express which is the extension in Airport Utility in the NETWORK MODE tab, it has 'Create a Wireless Network' as the type.. Shouldn't this be 'Extend a wireless network'?
No, it is correctly setup as create a wireless network.. but it might well work better in extend.. slower but better.. it might be worth a try if this is an issue for you.
Disconnect the ethernet connection and then try using the setup by extend wireless.
Why is this failing??
It is hard to answer but I think apple is falling down in keeping their networking quality up to date. The simple fact is.. they are overreaching trying to do too much hairy stuff with peer to peer video transfers.. for example.. and forgetting the basics.
Fundamental local DNS and routing is not working as well as it should.
The idevices have always had roaming issues.. whereas the OS X products have handled it well.. this suggests that the problem may not be the airport but rather the iOS ability to locate network resources.
There is very little however I can suggest to fix it.. since airprint is unique apple protocol.. to get around the problem you would need to use specific iOS apps that supply printing outside of apple method.. there is a number of these and it may be worth seeing if your particular printer has some method of printing apart from airprint.

Roaming Network setup

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

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

Settings for Roaming Network using Time Capsule plus old Airport Extreme

Hi all
I am trying to set up a network in the most effective way for my home and am experiencing some difficulties which I hope your support can help me overcome.
My home is constructed of concrete reinforced with steel and consequently the walls are dense and wireless signals are adversley affected. I have two wireless base stations via which I hope to provide wireless coverage to my whole home which is on the ground floor level only. My Time Capsule is located at one end of my home and is directly connected to my modem which receives the external fibre optic supplied internet connection. The Time Capsule is managed via Airport Utility 6.1. A mac is connected to the Time Capsule via ethernet cable - the Time Capsule also provides a wireless signal. Also connected to the Time Capsule via a long ethernet cable that is routed in internal cable channels within my home is an old conical shaped white Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme is located at the other end of my house and also has a mac connected to it via ethernet and provides a wireless signal too. The Airport Extreme is managed via Airport Utility 5.6.
I hope to have a wireless network that my iphones and ipad can connect to in various areas of the house. I have read the instructions for setting up a Roaming Network, yet the screen shots provided do not reflect the screens I see using Airport Utility 5.6 and 6.1. Can anyone please assist with the settings that I require?
Also I have a question regarding a roaming network - if I connect a mobile device to the wireless network near to my Time Capsule and then move to the other end of my house near to the Airport Extreme what should happen to the wireless connection strength? Currently with my existing settings the mobile device is maintaining the connection to the Time Capsule and dropping to extremely low connections levels rather than picking up the wireless signal from the Airport Extreme. Should this be the case and if so is there some better way to set up my network?
Originally I had the Airport Extreme configured in a different location closer to the Time Capsule to extend the wireless network from the Time Capsule. The problem was that the Airport Extreme frequently seemed to not provide the newtork. I'm not sure if it lost the network from the Time Capsule or had some other problem.
All help will be greatly appreciated.

So just to be clear.. the Mac at the other end of the house.. has internet connection.. via ethernet.. through the old extreme.. ethernet to the TC.. which is connected via ethernet to the fibre connection.
Is the airport extreme in bridge mode?
As long as it is, you are good to go.
On both the TC and AEBS you create a wireless network.
On both TC and AEBS you name it the same.. eg 24ghz (please use short, no space, pure alphanumeric name).
You set both with the same security.. WPA2 Personal
You set both with the same passkey.. 8-12 characters pure alphanumeric.
BUT you set the wireless channels.. there are three channels that do not overlap.. 1, 6, 11 (13 in europe ME??)
Suggest you set TC to 6.. and set the AEBS to 11.
It might work on auto but IMHO wireless is something you are better controlling than leaving it to dumb algorithm

Joining a network or Extending a network

I have purchased a 500Gb TC and need the following setup....
TC is based upstairs, Main router is downstairs (and contains modem).
So I set up TC and said extend a network but it won't work, keeps giving me a problem. I turn off all security, then it works fine except my network is now unsecured (with the exception of Mac Address access control).
Does anyone know why this might occur?
I did notice I had somehow got a setting to Extend a network, but also a setting to Join a wireless network but this does not always appear? Any idea?
I assume I need to set up TC with the same wireless access settings as my main router?
I do not want to use TC as my main router, I have nothing that can use the N as all devices I have are B or G. Ive tried copying a couple of files across and they all seem a good speed.
So basically...
1. If I have a main router and I choose to extend a wireless network, what security settings should I use, same as WiFi router?
2. As I am basically using my TC as a wireless hard disk and I'll also plug in a printer, can I select the Join network option? Will that make my life easier?
Any help appreciated.

What brand of "Main" router do you have?
Most (if not all) Non Apple routers will not allow you to extend the network with other Apple base stations.
You may be able to "Join" your existing network (router) but that is about it.
Joseph Kriz

Serious packet loss creating roaming network over Ethernet.

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

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

Roaming Network

Following suggestions from a previous topic ( Thomas Way, "Verizon, Westell & AEBS & Express", 02:09pm Aug 5, 2005 CDT) I set up a roaming network in my home (and adjoining office) but have run into an odd conundrum.
There are three buildings in my configuration. The main house has an office where a Westell 327 wireless modem/router is connected to Verizon DSL. I set up an Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) in an adjoining room as a wired access point. I set up an Airport Express (AEX) in an office/shed about twenty feet from both the Westell and the AEBS. There is also a garage (the third building) that sits back aways, between the first two buildings, but it is not directly in the path of the AEBS and the AEX.
From my main office I can see and configure both the AEBS and the AEX via the Admin utility. I set the AEX to "join" the Westell network. But the laptop in the office/shed can't see the AEX or any part of the network. If I move the laptop to the garage between the two buildings, it connects to the network, but apparently only to the Westell. If the AEBS and/or AEX are shut down, the laptop remains connected. If I walk it slowly out the shed, it loses signal.
The AEBS and the Westell share the same SSID. There is no security at the moment (we live in a rural area with few neighbors). The AEBS and AEX are set to get IP via DHCP. The AEBS is on channel 11 and the Westell on channel 6.
Logically, one might say the distance of the shed and the walls are the problem. But before we got DSL we had an ISP via microwave towers and I used the AEBS as a wireless router and that laptop worked perfectly with the AEX in the shed. Also, the computer in the main office can see the AEX in the shed even if the AEBS in between is turned off.
One interesting note is that the AEX shows up on my main computer in the office, using the Admin Utility, as 192.168.1.43. But when I first connect to it, it briefly appears as a completely different IP in the format 254.xxx.xxx.xxx. The IP of my Westell is in the format 71.xxx.xxx.xxx.
Where is that 254.xxx IP on the AEX coming from?
Thanks,
TW

I finally gave up on the "roaming network" and created a second wireless network. For anyone else wanting to know how, here ya go:
The Westell 327 network is setup normally. I set the modem/router combo to channel 6. Any wireless station within range can connect to it by selecting the Westell's SSID name in the Airport menu item.
The Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) is wired to the Westell via Ethernet cable. The cable goes from the Westell's router port (use any one of the four on the back) and goes into the WAN port on the AEBS. My AEBS network is named Sunrise and is set to use DHCP. Under Network, it's set to distribute IP, sharing a single IP address. The channel is set to 11 (different from the Westell's).
Before I could change the WDS settings on the AEBS, I had to reset the AEX and choose Create a Home Network, and choose the "Sunrise" network I created earlier. The AEX channel is also set to 11. Under the Internet tab, select Connect via WDS and (if not automatic) enter the MAC address of the AEBS. Also configure using DHCP. Under Internet tab, Distribute IP is off. Under WDS tab, share as remote station and allow wireless clients to connect. Many of these setting were automatic after I entered on or two of first ones (don't remember--at one point, it just happened).
In order to connect to the AEX, I select my Sunrise network from the Airport menu item. On some of my wireless computers, both the Westell SSID and the Sunrise network appear, and I can select either one easily, without any hiccups.
The laptop that's off in the shed, where the AEX is located, now gets a full signal.
I suppose the roaming network idea might be a better solution but I could never get it to work with my Westell. Probably one preference I needed to change, but never discovered.
This setup works great so far, and does what I need.
One last hint: after hard resetting my AEX several times, it still refused to show up in the Admin utility or AEX assistant. I connected an Ethernet cable from the Westell to the AEX, and reconfigured it that way.
TW

Time Capsule on a Roaming Network

Hello everyone,
Quick and hopefully simple questions.
I just bought a 2TB time capsule. Is there any good reason to setup partition(s)? My household has 1 iMac and 3 Macbooks. Would it be good to have a separate partition for each machine? I am also open to having some network attached storage on the time capsule but don't find it absolutely nessasary.
Lastly I plan on setting up a roaming network using my airport extreme(connected to the cable modem) and then run cat 6 to the time capsule and 2 other airport express units to get great wifi coverage throughout my house. Anyone have any tips or advice on this setup? I have checked the apple support site and understand the confing involved in setting up the roaming network, just wanted to poll the forums for any helpful advice.
Thanks for your time!!

Quick and hopefully simple questions.
I just bought a 2TB time capsule. Is there any good reason to setup partition(s)? My household has 1 iMac and 3 Macbooks. Would it be good to have a separate partition for each machine? I am also open to having some network attached storage on the time capsule but don't find it absolutely nessasary.
Answers are simple.. There is no way to partition a TC. Not without voiding warranty and removing the drive and doing it on a computer .. then returning the drive to the TC. So don't do it.
You do not need to have separate partitions for each machine.. if you are going to use Time Machine as most people do, each computer will create its own sparsebundle which is kind of virtual disk partition. Each computer will use only its own sparsebundle and everything will be kept isolated from each other.
I am not sure what you mean by using NAS .. do you mean a separate NAS plugged in or a USB drive or using some of the TC internal disk space for file sharing?? The later is not a great idea. TM and data do not generally get on too well.. And the TC is a backup target for TM.. it has no way to back itself up, nor can TM backup a network drive. So any files on the TC are not backed up.
See pondini .. our TM guru master for all things TM.
Basic info. http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
See particularly Q3 here for sharing TM and data.
http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html
Lastly I plan on setting up a roaming network using my airport extreme(connected to the cable modem) and then run cat 6 to the time capsule and 2 other airport express units to get great wifi coverage throughout my house. Anyone have any tips or advice on this setup? I have checked the apple support site and understand the confing involved in setting up the roaming network, just wanted to poll the forums for any helpful advice.
Roaming is a good setup. Not a lot that goes wrong.
BUT.. IMHO.. and it is that..
Setup the whole wireless network using simple names.. no spaces pure alphanumeric.
Since every unit gets the same SSID.. I do recommend a lot more manual control.. I simply don't trust the automagical system to work.
You have only 3 non-overlapping channels at 2.4ghz.. 11, 6, 1 and you need to setup each unit on one of those channels.
There are more channels at 5ghz and the range is poor so they tend to interfere less.. but AC wireless uses 80mhz and even N uses 40mhz. So take care to spread things.. and you decide. Hence I use separate names for 2.4ghz and 5ghz so I can force clients to use band I choose.. not the one they choose.
Be experimental.. no one setup is ideal for everyone.. and since wireless is about 80% straight voodoo then try a few arrangements and see what works well for you. Be prepared to wipe the whole thing out and start over.. keep track of all the options you try in a log. (that is the science part.. log the voodoo!!)

Extending a network with two AEBSn 802.11n base stations

Problem: Laptop on remote Airport Extreme (n) doesn't get internet, but can see entire network.
I have set up 2 new Airport Extreme's (n). One is connected to the cable modem and set to "create wireless network" and "Share a public IP address" . The other is about 80-100 feet away and set to extend the network.
A PowerBook G4 is connected to the remote Airport Extreme and gets an IP address correctly, and can connect to a computer on the primary Airport Extreme. Transfer rates from the remote laptop to a computer on the primary Airport Extreme are strong (15-30 Mbit).
According to the Airport utility, link speed between the two Airport Extreme's fluctuates between 104 and 130 Mbit.
The problem is that the computer connected to the remote Airport Extreme can't get out to the internet. Computers connected to the primary Airport Extreme get a very fast connection to the internet. What am I doing wrong?
Airport Extreme 802.11n Mac OS X (10.4.9) AEBSn

Let's double-check your AEBSn's settings...
AEBSn - Extending a wireless network Setup
- If practical, place the base stations in near
proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once
done, move them to their desired locations.
- Open AirPort Utility and select the base station
that will connect to the Internet.
- 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.
- Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then click
Wireless.
- Choose “Create a wireless network” from the
Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then select the “Allow
this network to be extended” checkbox.
- Next, select the base station 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.
- 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.
- Enter the base station network and base station
password is necessary.
- Click Update to update the base station with new
network settings.
(ref: Page 45 of "Designing AirPort
Extreme 802.11n Networks.
I followed the exact instructions above with one AEBSn connected to the DSL modem and "creating the wireless network", and a second AEBSn "extending the network". Depending on the location (1st or 3rd floor), my PowerBook G4 connects perfectly to the AEBSn with the stronger signal.

Roaming Network & Same Channel

I have set up a roaming network with an airport extreme & 2 airport expresses via Ethernet. Setup was a breeze using the utility. I have read that on a roaming each base-station should be 4-5 channels removed from the other stations so as to not cause interference. Every station on the roaming network is set to "automatic" for radio mode and radio channel. Out of pure curiosity, I looked to see which channel the base-stations were tuned to and found that two of the three were set to the same channel in 2.4ghz and on the 5ghz a different pair were set to the same channel. Is this normal? Should I manually change? Everything is working perfect, i just don't know if i am missing out on optimal performance.
Jimmy

Setting the Radio Channel to "automatic" usually provides the best channel selections ... but not always. The key for a roaming network is that only the base station adjacent to each other should have their channels set to 4-5 channels apart to prevent interference. Automatic tends to do the trick nicely.
If you can imagine a roaming network that spans over 4 base stations or more, you start running out of channels to choose from if you configure each to have a 4-5 channel separation from each other. Since the 2.4 GHz band only has three really non-overlapping channels, this would get harder as you add more base stations. So, either setting them all to automatic or carefully setting them manually you will still find some operating on the same channels. Again, this is ok as long as they are not near each other.

HT4260 setting up extended roaming network

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