Problem using Airport Express to extend wireless network.

I'm trying to extend my wireless network with an Airport Express (brand new, bought last week), but can only seem to do so by connecting it via cat5 to the router, which doesn't actually extend anything. I have a Linksys WRT54GS with DD-WRT, and want to have the Airport Express in a different room so cat5 isn't an option.
I'm using WPA2 Personal security on my network.
I've tried to follow several sets of instructions from these forums and on blogs, but the only things I've been able to do are...
1) connect via cat5, selecting "Create a new network" with the same SSID and such, but it doesn't give me any more range.
2) connect wirelessly selecting "Join an existing network", but that doesn't extend the network at all either, even if I put the AE at the edge of the network now.
Thanks in advance. All I really want to do is access my wireless from the other half of my house.
Zack

It was possible to create a WDS between the older 802.11g AirPort Express and the Linksys WRT-54GS and this (as you know) has been documented on the Internet. However, I do not know of anyone that has been successful doing so with either of the 802.11n generations.
The two methods that you have tried would not work as neither is the proper method to set up a WDS. Please check out the following Apple Support article for more details. If you are successful in setting a WDS between them, please post back your results.

Similar Messages

Using wired Airport Express to extend wireless network

Hello,
I am considering getting an Airport Express to extend my wireless network in a part of my house where it's really weak. The room I want to use it in actually has an Ethernet network drop and it is connected to my Airport Extreme on the other side of the house.
I've looked at the manual, and the only example it gives for extending a network is wireless. Since the network is very weak where I want to use it, I was wondering whether I could use the Ethernet port for the incoming signal. Is that possible?
I have an older AX (the b/g model) that I use in a similar way: it's on an ethernet port, but it broadcasts its own, different (slower, since it's the older model), wi-signal. So I didn't want to do that: I'd like the new unit to be practically transparent and broadcast the same wi-fi as the main signal.
Has anyone else had a similar experience and if so, could you let me know if this is possible?
Thanks!

I was wondering whether I could use the Ethernet port for the incoming signal. Is that possible?
Yes
I'd like the new unit to be practically transparent and broadcast the same wi-fi as the main signal.
Configure the new AirPort Express as follows using AirPort Utility - Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab located below the row of icons to assign a name to the Express, a device password and adjust Time Zone settings
Click the Wireless tab and configure as follows:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your AirPort Extreme network
Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11b/g comatible) is a good general choice
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as the AirPort Extreme network
Wireless Passwrod = Same password as the AirPort Extreme network
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon
Click the Internet Connect tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Update to save settings and allow the Express to restart
Very important...power down the entire network...all devices....order is not important
Wait a few minutes
Start the modem first and let it run for a few moments by itself
Start the AirPort Exreme the same way
Start the AirPort Express the same way
Start other devices one at a time about a minute apart
You now have what is known as a "roaming" network. Computers will automatically log on to the router with the strongest signal as they "roam" around the house.

Can I use airport express to extend my network AND stream iTunes???

I have an airport extreme connected to the cable modem and sending a signal out to my home network. I also have a powerbook and an airport express connected to the home stereo.
My question is, can i use the express to extend my extreme signal (to reach the back yard) and stream music from itunes at the same time? The set up utility seems to suggest that you do one or the other.
Thanks!

Are you sure you configured the Express to extend the Extreme's network? If you use the standard setup, the two base stations will be indistinguishable, i.e. you'll only see one entry for the wireless network.
If you were connected to the Extreme when you configured the Express, try turning off Airport in the Airport menu and then turning it back on. The computer should pick up the stronger signal at that point.

Wired airport express to extend wireless network and connect network printer?

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it? Here's the deal...The Airport Extreme is directly connected to my DSL modem and the wireless network is working fine in my house, but, the signal does not reach my detached studio/office. I have a Cat5e cable (and phone line, more on this later) run between the two locations and trimmed out. I would like to have wireless access and connect my network printer (Brother HL-2170W, wireless or wired) in my studio, be able to use printer from house also, and still have wireless access in house.
So, ethernet connection from Extreme to Express, USB from Express to Printer, wireless access for all users. Can anyone talk me through how to (re)configure the Express to do this? Do I need to make changes to Extreme configuration also?
JS

Is it possible to configure and connect an Airport Express via ethernet cable to an Airport Extreme base station in order to extend wireless network AND connect a network printer to it?
Yes. Apple's instructions for this are here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
Instead of a second AirPort Extreme as illustrated, you will be using the AirPort Express.

Do i need to use airport express to extend my network to use AirTunes?

I use an AEBS connected to my cable modem and just bought the Airport Express just to be able to stream my iTunes music to a set of powered speakers conncted to it.
When I got into Airport Utility, the only options it provides is to Set up a new network, add to an existing network or replace an existing network.
I just to add to an existing network and it says Airport Express will be used to extend my network.
Now - is that how it's supposed to work? Does it have to extend my network in order to use Air Tunes? The reason I ask is that I remember reading on the forums that extended your network can slow it down....

Bob Timmons wrote:
Version 6.0 will not allow you to configure the Express to "Join a wireless network" if you have another AirPort providing the wireless signal.
If you want the Express to "join" the network, you will need to download and install the much more functional AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion , which was available on the same day as AirPort Utility 6.0.
Apparently, a number of users missed this.
Suggest that you keep both 5.6 and 6.0 on your Mac and use the one that is most useful.
That is NOT correct.
Version 6.0 will allow you to "Join a wireless network" if you have another Airport providing the wireless signal.
I have an Extreme provinding the wireless network and have 2 Express units Joining the network.
Here is a screen shot of version 6.0 and the Express settings.
You must have missed this in your settings.

Help! Trying to use Airport Express to extend existing network

Computer Illiterate here. I have an Airport Extreme base station and am connected to the internet. I have been trying to extend my network using an Airport Extreme.
I previously had the network set up like this, but after my DSL line was cut, and going through several decades of customer service **** with Verizon to get everything back again, I can't get it all to work together (friend did it for me the first time and is now unavailable).
The problem is that when I open Airport Setup Assistant, it doesn't recognize either the Airport Express or even the Airport Extreme (which is working and I can connect to the internet). In fact there is nothing in the list at all. Reluctant to reset the Airport Extreme because I will then lose my settings I presume. Will I have to create a new network and password and all the rest of it? Barely managed to do that the first time. Anyone have any ideas about what I'm doing wrong? Would really appreciate any help.

Here is a way to set up a network with more than one router.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454

Friend suggested I use Airport Express to extend my network to fix dead spots, should I just plan on replacing existing Netgear and buy two AXn's?

I have a few dead spots around the house and I am seeking a good solution without pulling ethernet cable. Reading this community it would seem best if going with Airport Express solution to replace my Netgear and pick up a couple of AXn's. Or perhaps Airport Extreme for base at cable model and AXn for extension?
I had assumed I could just configure one AXn and put it in the dead zone, but reading configuring roaming network indicates you need two. I was planning on adding Apple TV in extended zone does this change anything?

There are a number of possibilities of using multiple AirPorts to extend the wireless range of your network without using wires. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details.
Since your goal is to use wireless connections between routers, you will need two or more AirPort to accomplish this. Unfortunately, extending the Netgear by wireless will not work due to WDS compatibility issues between router manufacturers.

How to configure Airport Express to Extend Wireless Network

I have an Airport Extreme (AE1) as my wireless router, with two other Airport Extremes (AE2 and AE3) connected to it via ethernet and operating in bridge mode. Together they cover the first floor of my house with wifi, but I want to use an Airport Express (AX1) situated on the second floor to connect wirelessly to AE2 and extend my wifi network to the second floor of my house.
Nothing I have tried has allowed AX1 to extend my wireless network. I'm using the latest Airport utility in Mavericks, and AX1 is the old plug-in type but it's the newer "n" version that is still configurable by Airport Utility. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I almost ALWAYS recommend against wirelessly extending your network. Obviously, I'm unfamiliar with your layout but 3 extremes on the same floor seems like overkill, too, but could make sense depending upon contruction and usage.
In any event -
Adding Wi-Fi base stations when it is unnecessary can reduce Wi-Fi throughput because the Wi-Fi network will require more data management overhead. The network configuration also becomes more complex. In the case of a wirelessly extended network, throughput may be reduced to less than 60 percent of that of a single device.
Risk free test - run some speedtests in the corners then remove an extreme and re-run the tests. Then, buy one of the new tower 'AC' extremes and set it up as your single router and test again. I call this risk free since you have 14 days to return the new 'tower' extreme if you don't want to keep it but its range is THAT much better than the prior gen. You could make this cheaper by buying it from the Apple refurbished store and selling your older extremes.

Using Airport Express to Extend my Network

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I'm getting close to throwing my Airport Express in the Trash.
I have a weak signal downstairs in my house. Upstairs I have an Airport Extreme base station.
So about 2 years ago I bought an Airport Express in the hope that I could simply plug it in downstairs and I would boost my signal strenghth in those areas.
That was two years ago.
Despite my best efforts I have never been able to get this thing to work.
Now a friend at work is telling me that the only way it will work is to tether it to the Airport Extreme with an eithernet cable!!! to me that sounds crazy!!! whats the point?
Can anyone please tell me in a step by step proceadure how I can make this thing fill in my weak coverage downstairs.
I've tried just about everything..
- Connect it to the AE with eithernet cable then try every setting in the airport utility that I can find... still nothing!.. extends, join network etc etc.. nothing!
Thanks for any help,
Steve.

It worked... I used extended but have bought a couple of power line adapters so hopefully will get increased rates.
Strange that I've tried these settings before and no joy. I did a firmware update and a hard reset with a ball pen and it worked. I recon they fixed something!

Problems using time capsule to extend wireless network

Hi all,
For some months I had to move to Germany for work (I'm from Italy, sorry for my English).
I am sharing internet with some other people, the wi-fi router is in their apartment, so basically I don't have access.
As the signal is strong enough only in one room I would like to use my time capsule to extend it also in the other rooms.
But when I try to extend it, my macbook pro connects to the network I would like to extend and the time capsule is not seen anymore.
To see the time capsule again in the airport utility i have to reset it to factory default.
Do you have any idea?
The wireless network is WPA2 protected, the provider is the German "Unity Media".

As the signal is strong enough only in one room I would like to use my time capsule to extend it also in the other rooms.
Apple's "extend" feature will only work if the Time Capsule is "extending" the wireless signal from another Apple wireless router. In other words, the "extend" feature is not compatible with wireless routers from other manufacturers.
You will need to connect the Time Capsule to the wireless router using a wired Ethernet connection. Connect from one of the LAN <-> ports on the wireless router to the WAN "O" port on the Time Capsule. Then, you can configure the Time Capsule to provide a separate wireless network for your use.

Using Airport Express to Extend a wired network using Belkin N Router

I have an ethernet/wired network in my home office and am using the Belkin N Router which is connected to the upstairs by ethernet also. I have a wireless network that the Belkin router uses to let me connect to the internet wirelessly if needed and I use it for my MacBook Pro inside the house but can't outside [the Belkin is connected to cablemodem].
I am trying to use my Airport Express to 'extend' the network from my home office out to my back deck by having it wirelessly be available [it is connected to main router/cable by ethernet/wired]. I have 5 bars on the Belkin Router wireless signal but very low unreliable bars from the Airport - either because it is not relaying the wirelss network of the Belkin router or it's not able to send its wifi signal from its ehternet/wired connection to the main router/cable modem, not sure which --
Short of pulling an ethernet wire outside to the back deck or getting an antenna to hang on my MacBookPro to better receive the home office wireless signal, is there a way to set up the AX soit can become an internet transmitter wirelessly of the wired network it is hooked to???
I read http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108040
but that didn't seem to help == and it appears the AX won't extend a non Apple wireless signal and I don't have one [tried the Extreme but it didn't work = the Belkin has been perfect = I can wirelessly connect in the room above the home office but would love to be able to use the AX to extend its power or at least use the wired linkage to then extend the power wirelessly....

Hey
in the following thread one of those top users posted a list of wireless routers AEXP is able to extend wireless network with via WDS
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1492474&tstart=195
maybe that belkin is your modell?
and here:
http://ryanschwartz.net/2004/08/05/airtunes-airport-express-and-the-wrt54g
also here:
http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2004/10/19/airportexpresswds
are descriptions of how to connect to 3rd party routers (not belkin but the way to connect of both is quite similar so it might possiby help you too.
Not using wep, wpa/ wpa2 during installation and connecting the AEXP to Mac or Lan Port of your router should help.

Using airport express to extend network/stream music

Hi,
I just bought an airport express to extend my network throughout my house and stream music to my stereo system in my living room. My time capsule, which is connected to the DSL modem and is the base station, is in one far end of the house, while the airport express is at the other end. It has greatly improved the range of my network and when using my macbook in the front room, it gets full bars, however, the when using airtunes to stream music with iTunes 9 and OS 10.6, the music will cut in and out randomly and I occasionally get unknown error -15000 when trying to connect.
I played around with the airport express channels (any channel other than 10 will receive an unknown error -15000 automatically,) adjusted the firewall, and adjusted Netbarrier X, my third party security software. I found information in this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA21538?viewlocale=en_US
The only thing that works is moving the airport express close to my computer to remove the physical barriers. It plays perfectly then. Is it possible to buy a second airport express and plug it in halfway between my stereo and time capsule to boost the signal to the airport express plugged into my stereo? Will this solve the problem of the music stream cutting in and out every 10-20 seconds?

Mad Cow wrote:
I checked and my signal is -87 and noise is -95.
At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, that's a rather poor signal value. Here is a description of what different ranges of signal-to-noise mean:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10329543&start=1
In the other post, you mentioned interference from other electronics. Could physical barriers be causing interference also?
Barriers won't cause interference, but they can reduce signal transmission. How far apart are the two units, how many walls are in between, and of what material are those walls made?
If this is the case, can I add a second airport express between my base station and stereo-attached airport express to boost the signal?
In theory something like that might work, but I'm not sure that an AirPort Express can act as a "relay" station between a "main" station and a "remote" station. It might require an AirPort Extreme. Perhaps someone else can comment on that possibility.
Can you relocate your Time Capsule to an different phone outlet? Can you use longer cables between the wall and the modem and/or between the modem and the Time Capsule to move the Time Capsule to the other side of the room to be nearer to your AirPort Express? Can you use a longer audio cable between your AirPort Express and your sound system?
You may be able to use a pair of Power-Line units
(http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-network.htm) to connect your AirPort Express to your Time Capsule via Ethernet.

How do I use Airport Express to extend my current network.

I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this? Thanks!

Linc44, welcome to the discussions!
I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this?
By "old AirPort Express", I take it that you have a "b/g" version of the device, which is model number A 1084. Is that correct?

I'm trying to activate my Airport Express to a wireless network powered by an Airport Extreme. I get an error message that says I need to Use Airport Utility 5.6. My system is currently running Airport Utility 6.1

'm trying to activate my Airport Express to a wireless network powered by an Airport Extreme. I get an error message that says I need to Use Airport Utility 5.6. My system is currently running Airport Utility 6.1

Is your AirPort Express an older 802.11g model? If so, you will need to install v5.6 if you are running OS X Lion or 5.6.1 if running OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard. Unfortunately, the iOS version of the AirPort Utility cannot administer these older base stations.

I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

I am trying to install a second airport express to extend my network. When I use the aiport utility it does not see the second airport express.

Suggest that you perform a Factory Default Reset as follows:
Pull the Express from power
Wait a few moments
Hold in the reset button and keep holding it an additonal 8-10 seconds while you plug the Express back in to power
Release the reset button and allow 40-45 seconds for the Express to restart
Apple's instructions to do what you want are here:
It will often help to temporarily connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to the AirPort Express for the setup. Once the Express is configured, you can disconnect the Ethernet cable and move the Express to the desired location.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Although an AirPort Extreme is shown as the extending device in the example, the setup for an AirPort Express is exactly the same

Problem using Airport Express to extend wireless network.

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