Joining vs.extending existing wireless network?

I've come to understand these as quite different (extending vs. joining). I have an AEBS and an AX. Prior to enabling WPA for my AEBS (which knocked my AX off the network!), I had my AX set up in a WDS, i.e., extending the range of my existing AE network. The AX was also connected to my home stereo.
Before I do a hard reset of my AX and attempt to get it connected to my AE network again, could someone explain the difference between extending and joining a wireless network?
I understand that EXTENDING the range involves setting up the network in a WDS, BUT I've come to learn that this may REDUCE overall network performance! This has come as quite a surprise because my intent was to STRENGTHEN the signal between my Intel iMac and my G5.
CONNECTING to an existing network would still allow me to stream iTunes through my home stereo, but it sounds like such a set up (without WDS enabled?) would be BETTER for overall network performance?
Can someone clarify this for me?

I understand that EXTENDING the range involves setting up the network in a WDS, BUT I've come to learn that this may REDUCE overall network performance! This has come as quite a surprise because my intent was to STRENGTHEN the signal between my Intel iMac and my G5.
It does improve/increase the RF signal. That is the goal of WDS.
However because of the overhead with all the base stations talking on the same channel as the data transmission, the data rate is reduced.
CONNECTING to an existing network would still allow me to stream iTunes through my home stereo, but it sounds like such a set up (without WDS enabled?) would be BETTER for overall network performance?
It would be better for the wireless data rate.

Similar Messages

  • Extend Existing Wireless Network

    I am trying to extend my existing wireless network. I think I have it set up correctly, but I have a question about it. I initially had the network set up with a 2WIRE modem (AT&T) and an Airport Extreme. It has been really sluggish as of late, so I re-positioned the modem and AE (out of entertainment cabinet) and now it's more out in the open.
    After doing that my Macbook which I use upstairs was running pretty fast, but the iMac which is downstairs and on the same level as the modem/AE was running very slowly. So, I thought I'd extend the network using an Airport Express. I think I have it set up correctly, since everything seems to be working just fine, BUT the question I have is...does the Express HAVE to be plugged int the modem in order to extend the network?
    I thought the whole point of using the Express to extend the network is that you could have the Express in between the modem/AE and the computer - on the same level of the house or another level, or at least in another rom on the same level.
    I hope I've explained my situation well enough for anyone to be able to provide assistance. Everything is working fine, but I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that I've done things correctly
    and maybe a better understanding of how extending a network really works.
    Thanks in advance for any help.
    Julie

    Hello Julie
    To extend your wireless network I suggest you do the following;
    Take the express and extreme into the same room. Ideally, plug the extreme into your modem using an ethernet cable and have the express hooked up to power on its own in the same room.
    I would reset both device to their factory defaults and start over. To reset the devices to factory defaults, unplug them from their power source, hold down the recessed reset button while plugging them back into to power and continue to hold the reset button until the one LED begins to flash rapidly.
    Do this with the extreme and the express. Now open airport utility, select your airport extreme and set it up from the start using the continue button and answer all the questions. Once the extreme is setup, you should see a large green checkmark. See the mac you set it up with can connect to the internet.
    If you are on the internet through your extreme's wireless network you're almost there.
    Step 1. Using airport utility select the airport express and click continue. The key here is to ask the express to join an existing wireless network when the question arrises.
    This should do the trick for you.
    Alternate to step 1. If you want to you can skip step 1 above and select your extreme using airport utility, go to the Base Station menu and select Manual Setup, click the Airport icon from the manual setup window, click the Wireless tab and put a tick next to "Allow this network to be extended". This will instruct the extreme to allow its wireless network to be extended. Update your extreme after turning on this option and give it about one minute to update itself.
    Now, using airport utility, setup your express to using the continue button and instruct it to join an existing wireless network when the question comes up.
    So you have two options, either should do.
    Hopefully this was not too difficult. Airport utility will still see the two airport routers but from your airport menu you will always see only one network because the extreme and express behave as though they are one large network.
    Consider unplugging the express now and moving it to the other floor. After you take the express upstairs, give it a minute and if it is in range of your extreme it will assume a green light, if on the other hand it continues to flash amber it's possible that it's too far from the extreme. In this case consider plugging the express into a wall socket nearer to the express.
    Does this help?
    Most of what I explained might be better explained by Apple, see page 43 of http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_AirPort_NetworksEarly2009.pdf. The steps on page 43 are what you would do with your extreme - to extend its wireless network.
    Let me know how it goes.
    If your devices are under 90 days old you still have complimentary phone support. If you have an AppleCare protection plan on your mac one of your devices are covered for hardware support and the 3 years phone support. If you are eligible AppleCare will be able to walk you through this.

  • Unable to extend existing wireless network with new TC

    I have an original 500GB Time Capsule that I've been using successfully for a long time. It is plugged into my modem/router (which acts as a DHCP server) in bridge mode.
    As the TC is getting full (and the number of Macs in our house is increasing!), I decided to buy another TC - this time the latest 2TB model. I have set it up so it extends my existing network. However, as soon as I plug it into my network my Internet connection breaks (or goes very slow) and the modem/router activity light flashes like crazy. As soon as I unplug the new TC from my wired network, I get my fast Internet connection back and the modem/router goes back to normal.
    I've tried using the LAN and WAN ports on the new TC to connect to my wired network but the result is the same.
    Has anyone any ideas what the problem is? Is there a problem using the latest TC to extend the wireless network of an older model TC?

    Welcome to the discussion area!
    If you are connecting your Time Capsules using an ethernet cable, you would connect from one of the LAN ports on the "main" device to the WAN port on your new 2TB device.
    The 2 TB device must be configured as a "bridge".
    You would configure the 2 TB device to "create a wireless network" using the same network name (SSID), security setting and password as your "main" device. (The "extend" setting is only used if you are connecting your devices using wireless only...and you are using ethernet).
    When you "create" the wireless network on your 2 TB device, you are configuring what is known as a "roaming" network. Your laptop will automatically connect the device with the strongest wireless signal depending on where it "roams".
    To configure your 2 TB device as a bridge:
    AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Internet icon > Connection Sharing setting = Off (Bridge Mode).
    Please post back on your results.

  • Extend existing wireless network (long house) with Airport Express

    Help !! I am trying to reconfigure my airport express to extend my wireless network (Long House)through my wireless ISP (Bigpond)modem (2701HGV-W Gateway) following the sudden and unexpected death of my Time Capsule, whose router was doing this job previously.
    I am not technically savvy, but can follow simple, idiot proof instructions. All I seem to be able to do is join a wireless network....is this the same as extending it?

    Bob Timmons wrote:
    Hi Jolly Giant,
    +what you could do is run a (long) Cat5 ethernet cable from the Gateway to your Airport Express (AE) in the far away location. if you then join the AE to your wireless network, wireless clients could access it via the wireless access point the AE provides.+
    Sorry, but this is not correct. The "join" setting is only used if the Express will be connecting to the wireless network by +wireless only+.
    With the Express connected by ethernet, the correct setting is "create a wireless network". The wireless must be configured with exactly the same name, radio mode, security, password, etc as the Gateway's network. But, the channel on the AirPort Express should be set to a value that is at least 5 settings away from the channel that the Gateway is using to minimize distortion. This type of network is known as a "roaming" network.
    Connection Sharing on the Express must be set to "Off (Bridge Mode)".
    okay, got it. thanks for letting me know - i'll keep that in mind ! (:-)
    my apologies to the OP for having been confusing

  • Extend existing wireless network with airport express..impossible?

    I have tried to extend my existing wireless network with an airport express, but it seemd that I always need a ethernetcable...apple support insured me it is possible but the airport utility software only allows me to extend using a cable it seems....

    Couple of thoughts here.......
    The AirPort Express will only extend a wireless network if you have another Apple router providing the wireless network to be extended.
    Is your "main" wireless router an Apple product?  If yes, what model number do you have?
    It would also help if we could get the model number of the AirPort Express. Some older versions are not capable of extending a wireless network.

  • Extending existing wireless network but via ethernet

    Hey all,
    The basic principle is I'd like to extend my wireless network - but using Ethernet.
    The main reason for this is that I have Gigabit ethernet devices connected to the LAN ports on the Time Capsule, and then it's WAN port connected to the rest of my network.
    I would like to enable the 5ghz N wireless on the TC and add it to my existing N 5ghz wireless network.
    However when selecting either 'Extend' or 'WDS' in the settings in Airport Utility, the Internet tab shows it is receiving it's internet connection, and main connection to the network through wireless. Why would it want to be doing that when I've connected it to a Gigabit network?
    All I want it to do is extend the wireless range of my main N base-station. I don't want traffic coming from the Gigabit devices to the LAN ports on the Time Capsule to then be routed over wireless instead of going out via the WAN port and the rest of my wired network.
    The wireless network should just act as a bridge for devices to connect to my wired network. There should not be ANY communication between the wireless stations themselves. Communication between bases should be done through wires.
    I had thought of one solution, however that consisted of each wireless unit having it's own network. But then there wasn't any way to group these individual networks into a big wireless mesh.
    Any thoughts or solutions?
    Cheers,

    Literally, the only thing you need to do is set-up your base-stations to all create wireless networks with the *same name*.
    Because they're all broadcasting the same name, it will act as one large network, as such, and your computer will share data with which ever station is closest.
    It's like a mobile (cell) phone and the broadcasting towers.

  • How do I extend an existing wireless network using airport express?

    Hi all,
    I am trying to extend existing wireless network using airport express, my main router is Belkin

    Unfortunately, Apple's "extend" feature is designed to only work with other Apple routers if you are trying to "extend" using wireless only.
    It is extremely unlikely that this feature would work with a router from another manufacturer using wireless only.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Extending an existing wireless network using Time Capsule

    I connected my Time Capsule via Ethernet cable to my network. I used the airport utility to extend my existing wireless network (Cisco router)k. After that my wireless devices were disconnected and I got a message stating "Unable to join wireless network". The macbook that I used to set up the Time Capsule showed a message along the lines that a device on the network was trying to use the macbook's IP address, I changed the macbooks IP address and then was able to connect my ipad and iphone to the wireless network but the connection was unusable as it was so slow. has anyone done this successfully and if so do you have nay advice

    If you connect the TC to the network by ethernet you do not extend an existing networking.. indeed you cannot.. only works with apple routers and no ethernet.
    You create a wireless network.. you can use roaming .. ie use the same wireless name and security settings as the existing Cisco router but you must set different channels.
    If you need instructions in that setup what version airport utility are you using. I would strongly recommend a version 5.. it is so superior cf toyland v6.

  • 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?

  • TC can't join existing wireless network

    Hi,
    yesterday I played around with my TC and tried to extend my existing wirelss network. Therefore I changed the settings from "Connect to wireless network" to "Extend a wireless network". After I found out that this feature only works on only n-enabled networks I wanted to set everything back to "Connect to wireless network". But this option disappeared! And I can't get it back on my network.
    What did I wrong? Can I reset everything (keep my Backups) and connect it again? Of course, I didn't save my configuration at first hand! The software version is 7.3.2
    Any ideas?
    Thanks in advance!

    Okay, some days later I found out that the feature I was looking for is not provided in the "expert mode" where you can tweak the settings on your own. Nope, "Connect TC with an existing network" is only provided in the assisted setup.
    A little bit astonishing not to list all possibilities in the expert mode but that's life...

  • 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.

  • 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 am trying to extend my existing wireless network

    I am trying to extend my existing wireless network beyiond an extreme and an express by adding a further express. Is this possible?

    This is not possible if you are trying to do this wirelessly, as Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature will only allow the signal to be extended one time.
    It is possible to have more than one device extend the network, but each extender must communicate directly to the AiPort Extreme....not to another extender.

Maybe you are looking for