Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet

Can some one tell me the difference between configuring AirPort Utility : Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet? I connect my cable modem to my Airport Time Capsule to a network switch via ethernet. The switch contacts to three Airport Express (AE connects to two Apple TVs via Ethernet) and another TC. Which is the best mode to configure my network?
Thanks

Create a wireless network is used only when the Airports have an Ethernet connection. If you are using the setup wizard.....the setting will read Extend using Ethernet during the setup. If you go back in using AirPort Utility to check the Network Mode setting.....you will see that it is really Create a wireless network.
Extend a wireless network is used only if an AirPort is connecting to another AirPort using wireless.......not Ethernet.
Every one of the Airports on your network must be configured to Create a wireless network.
If you do connect an Ethernet cable to an AirPort that is already set up to Extend a wireless network......that will create a massive feedback loop that will crash the network until you remove the Ethernet connection to the device.
The bottom line here might be if you are using the setup wizard, it will make the correct choice for you.

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If your problem persists get yourself a micro USB cable (sold separately), you can restore your Apple TV from iTunes:
Remove ALL cables from Apple TV. (if you don't you will not see Apple TV in the iTunes Source list)
Connect the micro USB cable to the Apple TV and to your computer.
Reconnect the power cable (only for Apple TV 3)
Open iTunes.
Select your Apple TV in the Source list, and then click Restore.
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Apple TV Software Restore 5.1.1 (2nd generation)
Apple TV Software Restore 5.1.1 (3rd generation)
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I'd like to alter my Airport Extreme/Airport Express wireless network so that the 3 Expresses connect to the Extreme via Ethernet. I've been told this will create a more stable wifi signal. How do I configure this using Airport Utility? Thanks.

I currently have an Airport Extreme Base Station connected to my DSL router by Ethernet. Because I have a long, sprawling home, I have 3 Airport Expresses configured to "Extend the Wireless Network" I've established. Because of my home environment--thick walls encompassaing wire mesh, sprawling rooms, etc., it is hard to maintain a continuously-strong, stable WiFi signal. I've been told that I can create a much more stable network by connecting the Express units to the AEBS via Ethernet cable. Since my home is already wired for Ethernet, I'm considering making this change. If I proceed to establish the Ethernet connections, how do I then set up Airport Utility to accomodate this switch from a Wireless-based WiFi network to an Ethernet-based WiFi network?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Phyllis

I don't see anyplace in the Utility to designate HOW the Express units are connected, only how they relate on the network to the Extreme,
As I mentioned in the previous post, when you click the Internet icon in AirPort Utility:
Connect Using = Ethernet (This tells each Express to connect to the Extreme using the ethernet connection)
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode) (This setting allows your AirPort Extreme to function as the "main" router on the network, as it must for the setup to work correctly.
You do not need to configure anything differently on the AirPort Extreme (as long as it is working correctly now) to connect the AirPort Express devices.
The only other question I have is the following: I'm currently already using one of the Ethernet ports on the back of the Extreme-- for my husband's iMac. I really don't think he gains much in performance over how the iMac would run through wifi, so I could disconnect the iMac. If you think the iMac would do better to stay on the Ethernet connection, should I use a switch/splitter to add an extra connection?
Since each AirPort Express must connect using ethernet, you will need to use the 3 LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme for the AirPort Express devices.
I would suggest that you try connecting the iMac using wireless to see if that will work. If the wireless connection is not satisfactory, then you can add a 5 port ethernet switch to one of the LAN ports on the Extreme and then plug all the devices connecting using ethernet....the iMac and the 3 AirPort Express devices...into the remaining 4 ports on the switch. That will leave you with 2 open ports on the AirPort Extreme for any future devices that may need to connect.
When you test out the system, here is a trick to find out which device your computer is actually connecting to at any given time as it "roams" around the house.
When you have AirPort Utility open to configure each AirPort Express, jot down the AirPort ID for each Express. You can do the same for the AirPort Extreme.
As you move around with your laptop, hold down the option key on your Mac keyboard while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device that the laptop is connected to at that time. it should also be the ID of the closest AirPort Express (or AirPort Extreme if the laptop is close to the Extreme at the time).
Let us know how things are working when everything is up and running.

I have a netgear n300 router broadcasting my wpa secured wireless network and bought an airport express to extend the network. I did an Ethernet setup from a MacBook, got the green checkmark but no extension. help.

I have a net gear n300 router transmitting my WPA secured network, and I bought an airport express to use as a network extender. I configured it via an Ethernet cable from a MacBook using manual setup in airport utility. I got the green checkmark at the end, but it is not extending my signal. Can you help me?

Unfortunately, most non-AirPort routers are not compatible with Apple's implementation of Wireless Distribution System (WDS)...so it very unlikely that your Netgear router can be extended wirelessly with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
The few non-AirPort routers that are known to work are:
Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (not v5)
Belkin F5D7230-4 and F5D7231
BT Voyager 2091
Netgear WGR614 v6
Buffalo WGR-G54

How can I not allow wireless access when extending a network?

I have two Airport Extremes, one extends the network of the other. How can I not allow wireless access on the remote Extreme when extending a network? I could do it with Airport Utility 5.6, but not with version 6 on Mavericks.

Correct. Use another Mac or even a PC running Airport Utility 5.x. Once you have the extending Extreme configured the way you want, Mavericks will not change the setting on the extending Extreme.

Extending AirPort Range Via Ethernet Question

Hey all
I have a Time Capsule in my main office, and I will need network access in a new addition we're adding way on the other back side of the house (this addition will also be 2 stories). My Time Capsule will not reach the distance I need it to go, so heres's what i was thinking to do as we begin build the new addition...
1. Attach an ethernet cable to an open network port on the back of the Time Capsule.
2. Run this cable all the way through the attic and into the forthcoming closet/area in the new addition (this run will be over 300 feet).
3. Get an AirPort Express and plug the ethernet cable into the Express' network port.
4. Everything on that side of the house will now connect to the Express for wireless AND be on the same network as everything else on the other side of the house.
Will this work? What type of AirPort station does the Express need to be setup as?
Thanks,
Maury

Welcome to the discussion area!
Your proposed plan should work fine.
You are just about at the limit of a recommended ethernet run for CAT5e or CAT 6 cable, which is 100 meters.
You would want to configure the AirPort Express as a "bridge" to create a wireless network using exactly the same wireless network name, security and password as your Time Capsule network.
If you have a newer dual band Time Capsule and would like to provide the same dual band wireless network on the back of the house, you could use an AirPort Extreme instead of an AirPort Express..which can only provide one band.
The AirPort Extreme would also provide you with 3 ethernet ports in the event that you needed to connect ethernet devices at that location.
Post back if you need step by step configuration details.

Can I connect Tower w/o wireless card into my Airport Express via ethernet for internet?

Greetings. I have an airport extreme sending wireless internet signal all over the house. I have a music studio computer Intel Xeon that has no wireless card in a seperate room. Am I able to configure an older Airport Express 802.11g that is connected wirelessly to the Extreme signal to connect to internet signal to my tower via the ethernet connection on the Airport Express?... i.e., connect the ethernet cable from my tower to the ethernet port on the Express to access internet signal? If so do I have to set up the Express for a certain kind of configuration that is different than, say, if I were using the airport express for airplay or a printer?
Thank you for your help. Jeff

Am I able to configure an older Airport Express 802.11g that is connected wirelessly to the Extreme signal
Unfortunately, the older AirPort Express model that you have does not have this type of capabiility.....an "n" version of the AirPort Express would be able to do what you want.
Look for a Model A1264 or Model A1392. The A1392 is the newer version, but the A1264 would do fine.
Here I assume that you have an 802.11"n" version of the AirPort Extreme.

Airport express won't work with Extend Network, only Create Network

My Airport Express when it is setup to extend my network while plugged into Ethernet will Create a network under settings. If I change this to Extend A Network it doesn't work properly. It keeps kicking me on and off WiFi, but the former way works with no foreseen issues. What is going on? I can't extend my guest network with the first option, I don't believe.
I have a 5th Generation AirPort Extreme and a 1st Gen AirPort Express.

My Airport Express when it is setup to extend my network while plugged into Ethernet will Create a network under settings
This is the correct setting to "extend" the network using an Ethernet connection. Technically, this is called a "roaming" network.
If I change this to Extend A Network it doesn't work properly.
This is because "Extend a wireless network" is used only when AirPort devices communicate with each other using wireless only......not Ethernet.
It would help if Apple used settings like "Extend a network using Ethernet" and "Extend a network using wireless only".....but they don't.
The AirPort Extreme will need to be configured as the main router if you want it to provide a Guest Network. It cannot do this if it is configured in Bridge Mode.

Am I right in thinking that you can't extend your network wirelessly with a time capsule unless your base station is an apple one?

My new time capsule will only allow me to extend my network via ethernet cable.
What I really want to do is use it wirelessly as an extension wirelessly.
The option is there (under other options in airport utility) but when I select it and move on it reverts back to create a new network.
Why is this?
Am I trying to achieve the impossible?
I have an airport express and that be added to my network wirelessly with no issue at all.
Please help
Russell

Can I just "join" the network with my time capsule like I have with my airport express?
Apple does not present this option....but, even if they did.....this would be the worst possible option to use for backups.
Can I use my airport express as a base (connected via Ethernet to the router) for my time capsule to extend from wirelessly?
Yes, you can. The AirPort Express would be configured to "create a wireless network"......then.....the Time Capsule could be configured to "extend a wireless network".
It is critically important that the Time Capsule be located where it can receive a very strong wireless signal from the AirPort Express in this type of setup. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Express and Time Capsule, the better your network performance will be and the faster that backups will occur to the Time Capsule.
A better option in terms of performance would be to connect the Time Capsule to your current modem/router using an Ethernet connection and have the Time Capsule "create" the network. Then, use the Express to "extend" the network.
Here, I am assuming that you have a new Time Capsule.

Challenge extending wireless network

When I was in the Apple Store, I asked specifically about adding a AirPort Time Capsule (New iMac and MacBook - always had windows before) to extend my existing wi-fi network and to use for Mac Backups.
Cable Modem is connected to a Netgear Wireless Router. The wireless router is at the other end of the house. I specifically want to extend the signal.
After struggling with the configuration of the Time Capsule, I finally checked discussions. It appears the Time capsule may ONLY be used to extend an existing Apple wireless router????
Anyone have a solution or a workaround for this?

It appears the Time capsule may ONLY be used to extend an existing Apple wireless router????
Correct, if you are trying to use the Time Capsule to extend the signal wirelessly. It always takes a minimum of two Apple devices to extend a signal wirelessly.
A "workaround" would be to establish a permanent Ethernet cable connection from the Time Capsule's WAN "O" p;ort back to one of the LAN <-> ports on your main wireless router.
Another "workaround" would be to add another AirPort router close to your main router, and configure the AirPort to "create a wireless network". Then, the Time Capsule could extend that network wirelessly.

Extending wireless network via ethernet

Hi all: I have a first gen Airport Extreme and an Airport Express. I am having a hard time getting my wifi network extended via the Airport Express. My goal to to have an extended wifi network with the source data delievered to the Airport Express via ethernet and then broadcasted, not repeating teh wifi signal from the Airport Extreme. The two devises are seperated by several walls which does not allow the wifi signal to propogate between them.
I can see both devices via our ethernet wiring (I turn off wifi on my laptop and plug into the network). The Airport Express is connected to directly to one of the Airport Extreme ethernet ports (and not the WAN port). I then setup the Airport Extreme first and test it - that works fine. Then I move over to the Airport Express and set it up to extend the wireless network. This seems to work fine too. But when I move the Express to its final location and hook it up to our wired network, it fails to broadcast.
I hope my description makes sense. Is my goal possible? Thanks, Chris.

Then I move over to the Airport Express and set it up to extend the wireless network. This seems to work fine too. But when I move the Express to its final location and hook it up to our wired network, it fails to broadcast.
You have the basis for a "roaming" type network. In this case the AirPort Express needs to be configured both as a bridge and to "create a wireless network," not to extend it. The "extend" feature was designed only for when you want the connection between base stations to be wireless. A bit confusing as a roaming network does indeed "extend" the wireless network and uses the same Network Name.

I have an airport extreme for my main internet connection, an express to listen to music on my home theatre, another express to extend the network upstairs, and one more express for my wireless printer. whats the best way to setup the express stations?

So basically I would like to know if its best to have them setup on "join a wireless network" or "extend a wireless network"
Obviously the one I use to extend the network is setup that way, the other 2 are set on "join a network"
is this the optimal configuration? or should I have them all on "extend a wireless network" ?

There is really no "best" setting here for the AirPort Express devices. If you need more wireless coverage in the area where an Express is located, then it makes sense to configure the Express to "extend" a wireless network.
If you already have good coverage in an area where an Express is located, then the "join" configuration makes sense.
I've yet to meet the first user who felt that he/she had too much wireless signal coverage in their home, but you never know.

Extend wireless network and use dns server

I need to extend a wirelss network with my Airport express
but I also need to the devices connected to Airport express to use specified DNS servers.
Even if primary and secondary DNS fields are filled it does not seem to work and devices are not using them
Is there anyone who knows how to "force" connected devices to use the DNS services?
thank you!!!

I need to extend a wirelss network with my Airport express
The AirPort Express can only extend a wireless network if that network is provided by another Apple router.
So, the first question here would be what device is providing your wireless network?
Assuming that the Express is extending the network from another Apple router correctly, it is possible to manually enter DNS addresses for the Express to use, but it is not possible to "force" a wireless device to use the Express for its connection.

Extending Wireless Network and Bridging Over Ethernet

Have a TimeCapsule and Airport Basestation at home. Both are currently connected over wireless using the "Extend Wireless Network" feature.
On each of the devices have several laptops, mac minis etc. connected over Ethernet (since wireless insufficient for our high speed data transfers etc.)... Trouble we are having is the speed/connection between both the TC and the AP, so considering to connect them both over Ethernet to improve.
Question is once they are connected over Ethernet, what happens to the "Extend Wireless Network", how does the TC and AP know to either use the wireless or the Ethernet to connect with each other? Does one take precedence over the other?
We want to keep them both on Ethernet and Wireless bridge ideally, so that at opposite ends the wireless network is extended for our iPhones and iPads and all devices connected on Ethernet benefit the speed boost over Ethernet, but just not sure how it will behave, and not sure how to test this scenario....
So asking here instead
Thanks!

It sounds like you might want to configure your base stations into a "roaming network".

Extend the network for airport extreme

Problem overview. I have a timeWarner cable modem that has both wired and wireless output supporting four external ethernet ports. I want to extend my network (bridge) to use the extreme in another room and connect other hardware that has only ethernet capabity only. My test configuration consist of an Imac wired to TimeWarner Modem and a stand alone laptop (Macbook pro). I can connect to both the wireless and wired configuration for TIme warner with out a problem.
If I take the airport extreme, and connect teh Timewarner ethernet output to the WAN input and the laptop to the free extreme ports, then I am able to add capability where the extreme can create a new wireless network and the laptop can gain access to the internet via the new wireless an wired network fine.
This was done as an initial test to verify the extreme was working but really is not what I want. I want a bridge connection. Therefore
1) Using airport express I changed the wireless settings to Extend the Network.
2) Removed the WAN cable from the extreme.
3) Was able to connect to the extreme using the airport utility and show the status as an extended network.
Overview
The network shows to be the ssid of my local network (Walmart)
The IP Address is 192.168.0.6
The serial number is COPJ900JDM72
Version 7.6.1
Status: Extended Network.
Now when I hook my Macbook pro to the ethernet port into 1 of three ports on the extreme.
The ip address shows 169.254.98.37
I never acquire a valid IP address to connect to the network from the Macbook Pro.
What am I doing wrong?

Hi - if I understand correctly, you want to connect the Express wirelessly to the TWC modem/router and then connect your MBP to the ethernet port - is this true?

Network mode: Create a wireless network vs. Extend wireless network via ethernet

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