I have a Cisco wireless router.  Can I buy an Airport Express plug in booster for a distant part of my house or do I need an Airport Extreme base station instead to make the Airport Express plug in booster work?

Can I buy an Airport Express plug-in wifi signal booster to connect to a Cisco wireless router, or do I have to buy an Airport Extreme base station to make the Airport Express plug-in work?

You would need either an AirPort Extreme or an AirPort Express connected to the Cisco router, with a permanent Ethernet cable connection.
Configure the Extreme or Express that is connected to the Cisco router to "create a wireless network".
Then, you could add an AirPort Express to "extend a wireless network" to provide more wireless coverage for the network that the Extreme or Express would be creating.
Remember that the Express can only "extend" the quality of signal that it receives, so it must be located where it can receive a strong signal from the "main" AirPort.
If you don't need the Cisco wireless signal, you could turn it off.....or use that network for guests or something similar.
The bottom line here......you always need two Apple routers if you want to extend the network wirelessly.

Similar Messages

  • Have 2 airport extreme base stations connected in chain.  Airport utility shows slave unit without power. However, power is on slave unit, but status lights do not show up at all. Small green lights at each back port blink.  Anyone have any ideas?

    Have 2 airport extreme base stations connected in chain.  Airport utility shows slave unit without power. However, power is on slave unit, but status lights do not show up at all. Small green lights at each back port blink.  Anyone have any ideas?

    Unfortunately, you are describing the symptoms of an AirPort Extreme with a failing (or failed) internal power supply.
    As a last resort, try a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Extreme as follows:
    Power off the AirPort by pulling the power cord
    Wait a minute or two
    Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it in for an additional 8-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the AirPort
    Release the reset button and allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart
    Now try to configure the AirPort again.  If you continue to see the same symptoms as before, the AirPort will need to be replaced.

  • HT1515 Just installed Airport Express on Mac 10.6.8  Can't see base station.  Hard Reset the Airport.  Rebooted machine.  How can I tell if this is a Mac problem or Airport Express Problem?

    I have a Mac 10.6.8.  Just installed Airport Express.  I can't see any base stations.  I did a hard reset on the Airport Express, turned off all devices,  turned them back on.   I see plenty of Airport networks in the neighborhood.  How can I tell if I have a Mac problem or an Airport Express problem?  Airport Express blinks Amber. 

    Obviously,  I'm still using ethernet to be able to reply to this.
    Alright, use the same ethernet cable to plug directly into the airport express. This will FORCE the airport utility to now see it regardless of weak signals & interference. You can set it up that way.
    BTW, what is the original intent on the express?

  • AirPort Extreme Base Station is not Available in AirPort Admin Utility

    I don't see my APEX Base Station in the list in AirPort Admin Util. I can configure by opening by IP. I have no software firewall. I have plugged in directly to base station, and have reflash with 5.7 firmware. I am using 4.2 of AirPort Admin. I've Tried everything I can find in forums. Anyone else have issues?
    I'm using Mac OS 10.4.4

    I have tried resetting it. It doesn't always work. Sometimes the base station is listed, and sometimes it is not. The base station is functioning though. I can access the newtork, It just doesn't show up in Admin Util.
    I also have an AP Epress connected to AP Extreme via WDS. From the wired side, they either both show up or both do not, which is expected. When they don't show up on the Admin list, the Express also doesn't show up in iTunes from the wired side. Wireless clients don't seem to exhibit this problem.

  • Airport Extreme base station not recognized anymore by Airport Utility software

    Hello,
    I just encountered the problem today.
    I have old Airport Extreme base sation (mushroom design).Picture below.
    I have iMac 24". About this Mac Picture below.
    Obviously, Airport Utility has been updated recently and today my network is not valid anymore, as well as the mushroom is not managed by Aiport Utility softwrare anymore. The only way to get WiFi now is using my computer as an antenna via the sharing of internet trough its WiFi card: not satisfactory.
    The message of the software led directly to this support community.
    The picture with the base station icon says: "this version of Airport Utility does not support this base station. To know more, check the Sevice and Support Community."
    I did reset the base station may times, without success. I can't rename the base sattion, i can't create rename my network, i can't set up password access, i can't use WiFi other than the default Airport Extreme network.
    Since this is not my field of knowledge, would anyone come up with a brilliant solution other than .... :
    "Did Apple just manage to make you buy a new Airport base station ?."
    Thank you for your time.

    Hello,
    Thank you for your reply and exlpanation.
    I just downloaded the Aiport Utility 5.6.1 from Apple site. Unfortunately the OS X version is not compatible with this Airport Utility.
    I don't have Time Machine neither.
    Below is the message I got:
    "Airport Utility cannot be installed on this hard drive. The Mac OS X version on this drive is not supported"
    Is there something inbetween: a correction to Airport Utility 6.2 plug in that would accept my base station and compatible with my iMac ?.
    Thank you for your attention.

  • Airport Extreme base station does not appear in Airport Utility

    I cannot see the basestation that I am connected to via WIFI or Ethernet.  I cannot see the basestation on ipad or iphone app either.  Basestation is working fine and i have connection working fine with a green light but cannot configure the basestation to allow guest networks or connect my external storage drive.
    any suggestions will be appreciated.

    OK. That should be a third or fourth generation Extreme, plenty new enough. (The most recent OS X and iOS versions of AirPort Utility cannot configure the original Extremes, but they can handle my mid-2007 second generation Extreme.)
    If two or three devices on the same network as the Extreme cannot "see" the configuration interface, I would guess that the problem lies in the Extreme itself.
    Have you tried power cycling the Extreme?
    Did you purchase AppleCare for your 2011 MBP? If so, and if you bought the Extreme less than two years earlier, the AppleCare should cover the Extreme also.

  • How do I open the same ports on an Airport Extreme Base Station for multiple computers at the same time?

    As the title suggests...
    I have a mix of five Mac and PC's at home using an Airport Extreme Base Station as the router.   I need many ports opened on the AEBS for all of the computers- not just one computer.  (for example: three people want to play TF2 on Steam at the same time; each machine needs the correct ports open on the router).   Port forwarding  only allows me to forward a given port to a single IP, yet I need that port open for five differnt IP's, all at the same time. 
    How do I do that on an AEBS?
    In the same way, I have a small office of four iMacs using an old airport with the same exact issue.   I would like to be able to connect to all of them remotely with Apple Remote Desktop, but the port forwarding on the airport only allows a port to forward to a single IP.   I want to be able to tunnel into the office network and log onto any machine behind the Airport extreme... not just a single IP.    I currently have it set up where I can tunnel into the office from my house, I can find the one machine that the port forwarding has been assigned to, I can log on and everything is just fine... with one machine.    How do I open the firewall for the other machines? 
    TL,DR version:  How do you open ports on an Airport Extreme Base Station instead of forwarding ports?   Forwarding ports doesn't work for multiple IP's.  

    You can open a single or multiple ports to a single device or different ports to different devices, but you cannot open the same port to multiple devices via the AirPort Utility for the Apple routers.

  • What's the most recent opinion about Time Machine backups to Hard Drives connected to the USB port on the Airport Extreme Base Station (5th generation)?

    I have been searching the Apple communities and Internet for a final answer.  I just bought an Airport Extreme Base Station (5th generation) and LaCie d2 quadra 1TB external drive as a replacement for TWO failed Time Capsules, neither of which Apple would replace due to failed power supplies.  I formatted the 1TB drive using Disk Utility (Mac OS extended (journaled)) from my MacBook Pro, and then plugged into the Airport Extreme Base Station USB port.  The Airport Extreme Base Station see the Hard Drive, and my MacBook Pro sees the Hard Drive in my finder under shared resources.  Time Machine, however, does not see the drive.  Is there a solution for this problem?  If Time Machine will not work, is there another software product out there that will work, like Carbon Copy.  Having to plug the backup drive into the USB port of your laptop every evening kind of defeats the purpose of having a laptop.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    Keeping in mind that this is not supported by Apple, I have been successful at doing the following:
    1) Format the entire drive (1 Partition) as Mac Extended (Journaled). You must click in Options and set it as a GUID Partition Table (first option)
    2) Plug drive via USB to AEBS
    3) Using Airport Utility, use Manual Setup, then under Disks, select the new Disk and click File Sharing, then Enable File Sharing and Secured Shared Disks (recommended, of course). Other settings are up to you.
    4) IMPORTANT: you will NOT see this Disk in Time Machine until you open Finder and double-click on it. You will not need to do this again (hopefully).
    5) Now it should appear in Time Machine. Remember to exclude any large files like Virtual Machines, since they will be re-backed-up (is that a word?) every time it changes in any way.
    6) Remember that the first backup (over WiFi) is the longest. Leave the computer alone during this period.
    Good luck, and let us all know how it went for you!

  • Airport Express Transmits To Airport Extreme Base Station Intermittently

    I have an Airport Extreme set up as my base station wirelessly.  I also have an Airport Express set up to extend the range of my network.
    The reason I have the air port express is that the walls of my house are very thick, so I thought that if I have an Airport Express, then I can jump the signal from one signal strength room to a week signal strength room.
    The length of the house is within the 30m range.  Airport Utility occasionally can not see the AExtreme or AExpress but if I put both in the same room it picks both up.   At the low signal strength end of the house my MacBook or MacBook Pro Air Port Utility only picks up the AExpress located at this end of the house.  If I restart the AExpress then Airport Utility picks up both airports in the week signal room, then the Extreme drops out.
    Q1 - Why does this happen i.e. only showing the nearest / clearest signal air port?
    What I have established is that the connection to the internet is always through the wireless signal from the AExtreme (ADS Router connected directly to this).  I established this by switching off the AExpress at the week signal end of the house and finding a spot where the signal could be picked up.
    Q2 - If the AEtxreme and AExpress are within the nominal 30 m range why cant my lap tops just pick up both Airports on Airport Utility.
    Q3 - Can you set up both Airports such that one will boost the signal and if so how.
    Q4 - When running AExtreme only why does the signal strength vary - even when sitting right next to the extreme?
    Thanks
    Alastair

    On this same topic;
    We have a new Extreme base station that connects 1 MBP, (wirelessly), 1 HP Laptop (wirelessly) and 2 PC (via ethernet) to the internet.
    All of the computers can see and use the Extreme base station and the printer connected to it via USB.
    We also have an Airport Express that the two laptops can see. This has a printer connected to it as well via USB. (both are new Canon printers and all of the software for each, and their drivers are loaded on all computers).
    Both the Extreme and Express have a steady green light, their own names and are set up on the same network.
    Though my MBP can see both the Extreme and Express, neither "see" each other as far as I can tell. And, the printer connected to the Express cannot be seen in either Bonjour Printers, or anywhere else.
    Also, in order to "attempt" to find the printer connected to the Express, I have to disconnect from the Extreme Base Station and connect to the Express.
    How can I get the printer (connected to the Express) to show up in my pick list of printers WITHOUT having to disconnect from the Extreme and connect to the Express. Also, how can we get the Express to be connected to the internet via the Extreme?
    All searches here and documents I have poured though do not address this issue and we'd really like to get this straightened out. I am willing to take a lot of time to do this, but do it right.
    Can someone please help me with this?
    Thank you in advance,
    ~ J

  • HT4259 How do I set up an Airport Extreme Base Station (v. 7.6.1) to allow wireless network extension?

    I have an Airport Extreme Base station (purchased in 2009) and an Airport Express base station (purchased in 2011 - the model that plugs directly into the electrical outlet) (both version 7.6.1 according to the Airport Utility info).  I want to use the Airport Express to extend my wireless network.  Using Airport utility setup I have a software option on the Airport Express to set it up to extend the network but I do not have an option on the Airport Extreme wireless setup screen that I can check to allow my wireless network to be extended. 
    All of the documentation I can find on Apple Support states that I should have an option I can check to allow the wireless network to be extended while in the wireles setup section for the Airport Extreme in Airport Utility; but, that check option isn't there.  Is this a case of my Airport Extreme base station being too old to offer that option?  Incidentally, when I try to select the extend wireless network option on the Airport Express from the Airport Utility wireless setup menu I get an error message (no details - just an error message).  The same Airport Express sets up fine if I select join a network (not what I want to do).  Am I just dealing with outdated equipment or does anyone have a suggestion?  Thanks.

    Close AirPort Utility if it is open.
    Temporarily, move the Express to the same general area as your AirPort Extreme and power it up and wait a minute.
    Hold in the reset button on the Express for 9-10 seconds and then release. Give the Express a full minute to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
    Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear
    Click on AirPort Express just below that and AirPort Utility will automatically open
    Wait a minute while AirPort Utility analyzes the network and announces that the Express will be configured to "Extend" the AirPort Extreme network.
    Enter a device name for the AirPort Express and click Next
    Wait another minute to allow the configuration to occur.
    When you see the Setup Complete message, click Done.
    Now move the Express to a location that is approximately half the distance from the AirPort Extreme and the general area that needs more wireless coverage
    Power up the Express and you are all set.  Trash those old instructions.

  • Airport Extreme Base Station and 2wire Modem / Router

    I have Yahoo DSL with a 2wire modem / wireless router combo. I have an iMac and a MacBook both running Leopard. I can't seem to get the Back to my Mac feature to work. I'm currently running the trial version of .Mac. I'd like to get a full .Mac account but I want to be sure I can utilize the Back to my Mac feature. If I were to bridge an Airport Extreme Base Station to the 2wire would that solve my issue with Back to my Mac. Additionally I like the idea of being able to plug a printer of external hard drive into the Airport Extreme.
    Any advice is greatly appreciated.

    I got it to work. I purchased the Airport Extreme Base Station and took the following steps which I found here http://forums.macosxhints.com/archive/index.php/t-68141.html
    First connect directly to the 2Wire with the Ethernet cable.
    Instructions from 2Wire:
    1. Clear the HomePortal to Factory State –can be accomplished two ways
    2. Go to http://homeportal/management
    3. Click on Resets
    4. Click on Reset to Factory State
    5. Click Continue
    6. Have customer press Hardware Reset button with paperclip (HG products only and BellSouth HWs)
    7. Have customer unbend a paperclip
    8. Have customer insert paperclip into recess for Hardware Reset button (outlined with Red circle) on back of HomePortal.
    9. Hold paper clip in for ten (10) full seconds
    Next steps:
    1. Go to http://homeportal/management again
    2. Click on Configure under Broadband Link
    3. Enter VPI 0 and VCI 35
    4. Click on Disable PVC Search
    5. Set Connection Type to Direct IP
    6. Click Submit/Save
    7. Have cu go to http://homeportal/management
    8. Click on Configure Services
    9. Have cu Uncheck Enable Routing
    10. Click Submit
    Airport configuration:
    1. Open the AirPort Admin Utility and select your Base Station.
    2. Click Configure and enter your password.
    3. Click the Internet tab.
    4. Choose PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) from the Connect using pop-up menu.
    5. If required by your ISP, enter your user name, password and service name in the appropriate fields. ( Your name and password is you full email including the @sbcglobal.net part and your email password)
    6. Click Update.
    7. After the base station restarts itself, quit the AirPort Admin Utility.
    If that doesn’t work call apple and they should be able to help with the airport configuration.
    Back to My Mac now works. Hope this helps someone else.
    Message was edited by: WalrusBoy

  • How to get this Airport Extreme base station to produce a wireless network?

    I had this Airport Extreme base station working fine at the house that I moved from a couple of days ago.
    After my house move, however, it seems that the AE base station isn't producing a wireless network. My wireless laptop isn't detecting a wireless network. Also, the left hand side light on the AE base station is not lit.
    The AE base station was softly cushioned during house the move.
    Regarding configuration:
    My non-wireless iMac (running 10.3.9) connects to the AE base station via an ethernet cable.
    Before my house-move, I regularly connected wirelessly via the AE base station from a couple of wireless-equipped laptop computers.
    I was using AE software version 5.6. (In desperation, I have just updated to version 5.7 - but that hasn't improved or changed situation.)
    At the new house, I found that I had to reset the AE base station back to factory settings before I could successfully connect to the internet through the AE base station from the (non-wireless) iMac.
    Since resetting the AE base station at the new house, I can also print via a USB printer that's plugged into the AE base station.
    I just cannot pick up any sign of a wireless network from the AE base station.
    G4 Powerbook   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   Problem started while I had Airport Extreme software v5.6. No improvement/change after v5.7 update.

    Sorry for my delay in closing this issue.
    I got the wireless network running again - though I'm not sure which of a "litany" of separate actions (which I gleaned from dialogs in several similar postings for similar issues to mine) was the solution. I suspect it was one of the following two actions, which have stuck in memory:
    1) I relocated a nearby cordless phone cradle/charger/base-station from alongside the Airport Extreme base station to about seven feet (two meters) away. However, the cordless phone is about eight years old, and I believe its radio frequency is far out of the range that I have read (in similar postings) can interfere with the Airport Extreme base station.
    2) I re-set the Airport Extreme base station, (a) by depressing the tiny reset button at the rear of the base station for more than 5 seconds (until the led started blinking), (b) from Utilities/AirPort Admin Utility/Configure/Restart. However, I had reset the Airport Extreme base station those ways previously without that restoring the wireless network. Also, I didn't record the sequence of the multiple resets and the configurations at the times of the resets.

  • Can't set up Aiport Extreme - base station doesn't have valid IP address?

    I recently bought an AirPort Extreme to replace my old Linksys wireless router. I am have a cable modem/router supplied by my cable provider and I was using the ethernet cable to connect the modem to the Airport. However, every time I attempt to configure it I get the following message: "Your Apple Wi-Fi base station does not have a valid IP address." I tried to call Comcast to see if there is something I need to get from them, but they want to charge me ~ $45 to enroll me in wireless tech support! Anyways, I'm at my wits' end - please help if you can!

    Hello MrRuminator. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Each time I attempt to connect to the internet with the AirPort Extreme I run into "Base Station does not have valid IP address -- make sure your base station is connected to your broadband modem..." error. What's odd about this is the fact if I simply plug the ethernet cable back in the older Airport (like right now), I'm able to access the internet once again. Have tried powering off and resetting everything, to no avail.
    It still sounds like your modem is not "recognizing" the new 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn).
    Try the following, in order, until (hopefully) resolved:
    1. If the modem has a reset switch, use it to reset the modem. Wait at least 5-10 minutes for the modem to initialize.
    2. Remove power from the modem. If it has a backup battery, remove this as well. Wait 5-10 minutes. Replace the battery, and add power back to the modem.
    3. Perform a complete power recycle of your network components as follows:
    Modem/Router Power Recycling - Quick
    o Power-off the modem, AEBSn, & computer(s); Wait at least 5 minutes.
    o Power-on the modem; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    o Power-on the AEBSn; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    o Power-on the computer(s)
    If this fails to get the modem to "recognize" the Internet router, then try the "Full" version.
    Modem/Router Power ReCycling - Full
    o Power-off the modem, AEBSn, & computer(s). (Wait at least 30 minutes. If possible, leave the modem off overnight.)
    o Power-on the modem; Wait at least 15 minutes.
    o Power-on the AEBSn; Wait at least 5 minutes.
    o Power-on the computer(s)
    4. Contact your ISP to have them perform a "modem reset."

  • Adding an Airport Express to an Extreme Base Station

    I have an Airport Extreme Base Station and it has been operating for several months, I decided to add an Airport Express to extend the range and it appeared that it was a simple process. NOT. The Express instructions indicated that when downloading the software to follow the instructions on setting up a network but it will not get that far in that I get an error message telling me I have a newer version of I Tunes and it stops the install. I have gone through the tech support pages here and am at a loss on how to get this connected. Can anyone help provide me a step by step method to do this? Thanks

    On this same topic;
    We have a new Extreme base station that connects 1 MBP, (wirelessly), 1 HP Laptop (wirelessly) and 2 PC (via ethernet) to the internet.
    All of the computers can see and use the Extreme base station and the printer connected to it via USB.
    We also have an Airport Express that the two laptops can see. This has a printer connected to it as well via USB. (both are new Canon printers and all of the software for each, and their drivers are loaded on all computers).
    Both the Extreme and Express have a steady green light, their own names and are set up on the same network.
    Though my MBP can see both the Extreme and Express, neither "see" each other as far as I can tell. And, the printer connected to the Express cannot be seen in either Bonjour Printers, or anywhere else.
    Also, in order to "attempt" to find the printer connected to the Express, I have to disconnect from the Extreme Base Station and connect to the Express.
    How can I get the printer (connected to the Express) to show up in my pick list of printers WITHOUT having to disconnect from the Extreme and connect to the Express. Also, how can we get the Express to be connected to the internet via the Extreme?
    All searches here and documents I have poured though do not address this issue and we'd really like to get this straightened out. I am willing to take a lot of time to do this, but do it right.
    Can someone please help me with this?
    Thank you in advance,
    ~ J

  • My internet works fine with my wired cable modem, but when i connect to my extreme base station and setup my wireless network the internet no longer works and my apple tv by default

    my cable modem works fine, but when I hook it up to my extreme base station and run through the prompts and set up my wireless network it doesnt work and neither does my apple tv by default. I am unsure how to correct this problem. It will come up saying that I dont have an IP address when I have it set to DCHP so I dont know what the problem is.

    Push the reset button on the modem and power the modem off
    Power off everything else....all devices....order is not important
    Wait 15-20 minutes or longer
    Connect the Ethernet cable from the modem to the WAN port (circle of dots icon) on the AirPort Extreme
    Power up the modem and let it run for 5 minutes by itself
    Power up the AirPort Extreme and let it run for 5 minutes
    Power up each other device one at a time a few minutes apart
    Check the network

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