Relay Station

I have been having trouble making the airport express be a relay station for my wireless internet. Does my base station have to be an Apple one or can it be from my internet provider? I have been having trouble with having the internet going throught the airport. i must be setting something up wrong because I can wirelessly print but it doesn't give me internet. Any suggestions because the manual that comes along doesn't help much.
Thanks in advance,
Luke Beischel

Hi Lucius:
You can only extend the range of your network if your Wireless base station supports WDS. The ethernet port will only become active if you have the AE configured in WDS mode.
I hope this helps!

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After the Airport update today, Airport Utility no longer sees my new Extreme or my 2 new Airport Express relay stations (same network); however, my internet is working and all Airports are green?

After the Airport update today, Airport Utility 6.0 no longer sees my new Extreme or my 2 new Airport Express relay stations (same network); however, my internet is working and all Airports are green? I'm running Lion on my iMac and updated when Airport Utility prompted me to do so a few hours ago. After applying the updates is when Airport Utility stopped seeing my routers. But they are working? Thoughts?

Did you remember to completely power cycle the entire network?
You would want to do this after any update or change to the network.
If you did not do this yet......things are out of sequence.
Power off everything on the network.....all devices.....power down order is not important
Wait a few minutes
Start the modem first and let it run a minute or two by itself
Start the next device connected to the modem the same way
Work your way out on the network starting each device about a minute apart
Check the network

Apple TV as WDS relay station?

We have a mixed Airport Extreme 802.11g/gigabit Ethernet LAN at our house. Because our widescreen TV is at the other end of the house, well out of the effective range of the Airport LAN, and our main iTunes "server" Mac is connected by gigE, I connected the Apple TV by wire as well. All that introduction is for what I want to do: Since the Apple TV's Airport interface is not being used, why can't I make it a WDS relay station for the Airport network? That would really extend our wireless LAN. I know you can do this with an Airport-equipped Mac that's connected by Ethernet...
PowerMac G5 Dualcore 2.33GHz Mac OS X (10.4.10) Apple TV w/32" Panasonic HDTV

Welcome to the Apple Discussion Forums.
I'm afraid the tv can't be used in that capacity.

AirPort Express as Relay Station?

I have read the article at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454, but I am still a little confused.
- Can I use the Express as a relay station or can only Extremes be used as such?
- If so, are there certain models that can or can't? (My Express is a couple of years old)
- Can an Express be a relay station and at the same time be connected to my sound system? (to play from iTunes)

Can I use the Express as a relay station or can only Extremes be used as such?
Yes, the AirPort Express Base Stations can be configured as a relay base station in a WDS.
If so, are there certain models that can or can't? (My Express is a couple of years old)
Both the original 802.11b/g version and the new 802.11n version of the AirPort Express Base Station support configuration as either a main, relay, or remote base station in a WDS.
Can an Express be a relay station and at the same time be connected to my sound system?
Yes.

My WDS (with WEP encryt) relay station shows "No ethernet connection" error

I have a WDS with two airport extremes (one is base station and one is relay) and an airport express as the remote to the relay station. When using WPA/WPA2 everything is OK. When I switch the three stations from WPA to WEP encryption (needed for my new "Pronto" remote), the airport utility shows the relay (airport extreme) with a yellow error button and the actual relay station flashes yellow. The airport utility explanation is that "nothing is connected to the ethernet WAN port" on the relay station. Meanwhile, the remote (airport express) to the relay station has a green light and shows no errors.
Also, my Nokia N95 setup wizard shows the network as WPA/WPA2 even though all the three components are set to WEP?

Ok, thanks for clarifying that for me. Currently, I am unaware of any issues with OS X 10.8.x and the earlier 802.11b/g AirPorts or with them conflicting with earlier OS X Macs.
If you temporarily power-off the iMac can the MacBook connect now? If so, try setting the Radio Mode on the Express to: "802.11g only." By default, it is set at: "802.11b/g compatible." Verify that the MacBook can still connect. Once verified, power-down the MacBook. Now power-up the iMac. Verify that it can connect. Leave it powered on. Finally power-up the MacBook. Can it connect now?

Wireless relay station possible?

I'm a complete networking novice, so please ignore my Level 4 rating and respond in words of one syllable if possible. I haven't known which of the Airport forums to post in, so pardon me if this isn't the best place.
I have a home network that's used only to share a cable internet connection among my wife's Dell PC hardwired to an Asante 802.11G wireless router that sits beside it in one corner of the first floor; my own Titanium Powerbook G4 with original Airport card, connecting wirelessly from my upstairs office; and from time to time, my son and daughter who have, respectively, an Aluminum PB G4 with Airport Extreme card, and a Titanium PB G4 with Sonnet Aria Extreme card. The Sonnet card uses Airport driver software transparently. Neither the Albook nor (during its current visit) the Tibook with Sonnet card is reliably able to connnect to the router from more than about 8 feet away. My own Tibook has far more range than either of the other PBs: up to 50' in some locations in the house. Its normal position is about 20-25' (straight-line distance) from the router, and I connect and stay connected very dependably.
It would be very helpful if I could install a wireless relay station or signal booster somewhere that would enable my son and daughter to connect wirelessly from their own rooms (which are farther from the router than my office), instead of having to camp with their Powerbooks in my wife's crowded office to go online. Moving the router isn't a good option; the geography of the house would make it very awkward. Running ethernet cable from my wife's office all through the house is an extremely unappealing last-resort option that I'd have to hire someone to do, since I don't know how to snake wires through walls. But I could run a cable to the other end of the first floor without too much difficulty, if driven to do so. I would prefer to plug something into a wall outlet on the second floor, set up any necessary software, and have things just start working for the kids in their rooms. Is that a possibility?

Neither the Albook nor (during its
current visit) the Tibook with Sonnet card is
reliably able to connnect to the router from more
than about 8 feet away.
If this is the case it sounds more like an interference issue.
AirPort: Potential sources of interference
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58543
My own Tibook has far more
range than either of the other PBs: up to 50' in some
locations in the house. Its normal position is about
20-25' (straight-line distance) from the router, and
I connect and stay connected very dependably.
What happens if you switch the router to b mode only with the flaky clients?
Running ethernet cable from my wife's office
all through the house is an extremely unappealing
last-resort option that I'd have to hire someone to
do, since I don't know how to snake wires through
walls. But I could run a cable to the other end of
the first floor without too much difficulty, if
driven to do so.
This would be the best choice as it would ensure best possible reception.
I would prefer to plug something
into a wall outlet on the second floor, set up any
necessary software, and have things just start
working for the kids in their rooms. Is that a
possibility?
You can't use an Airport Express to extend the router you currently have.
In theory you could get two Airport Express units, wire one to the router and configure the other to extend the new Airport network.
Not used it myself, but this could be an option.
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/XE102.php
iFelix

Express and Extreme, relay station problems

I am using my Extreme as a base station WDS. I don't have an airport card in my iMac. How can I configure my Express as a relay station, if i don't have an airport card? Thanks!

The Airport Express doesn't need to be connected via Ethernet.
Hard Reset the Airport Express by holding the reset button while it's plugged in (5-10 seconds, till the light flashes rapidly) and use the Airport Admin Utility to configure it remotely.
Use the Airport Admin Utility to access the configuration of the Airport Extreme while connected directly to it on the LAN port (the one marked <...>).
Go to the WDS tab, and enable the Extreme as the WDS main base station.
Click the [+] on the right hand side, and choose the wireless network created by the Airport Express. Click OK/Done.
Once you update the Airport Extreme (lower right hand corner) it will connect to and configure the Airport Express remotely.
Step-by-step instructions are available in the KB, using this article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454
Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Airport Express systems with two relay stations

I need to use four Airport Expresses to cover my house from bottom to top. The system design is such that the main base station connected to the broadband router is in the basement, then there are two relay stations to connect to the final remote base station located at the top floor.
The Apple manual describe the use of one one relay station between the main base station and a remote base station, the case of two relay stations is not covered. The question therefore is what settings the relay stations should have in such a configuration.
Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP

Welcome to the discussions.
Here is what Apple says.
The base station that connects to your Internet service provider is the main base station. A remote base station connects wirelessly to the main station and extends (or "rebroadcasts") the wireless network to clients that are not in range of the main. A relay base station is like a remote, but it has the additional function of extending the wireless network to a remote which isn't within range of the main. There can be only one relay between a remote and a main.
Don

How to set up Express as a relay wireless base station ? System: Yosemite

How to set up Express as a relay wireless station ?
OS: Yosemite.
Airport utility: 6.3.4
Base station: Extreme, connected to modem. Configured as "create a wireless network"
Remote stations: Express, connected wireless as "extend a wireless network"
Need relay station between Extreme and Express units.
Airport utility doesn't give the "relay" option.

Sorry, but Apple does not provide a "relay" option. The network can only be extended one time, not two.
Move the remote station closer to the main station, or move the main station closer to the remote station, or move both closer together.

Did anyone else have all their wireless airport relay base stations suddenly reset at 4:30 PM August 5 2013? I had four base stations at my house reset simultaneously at 4:30.

At 4:30 PM today all of my secondary base stations simltaneously reset and lost connection. I am wondering what might have caused this. All of my eithernet connected stations remained green and connected but the relay stations sudenly lost any recognition for the network and required a restart to find one another angain. I will occasionally have one go off the reservation but all at exactely teh same time gives me pause to consider a bug.

I have the same proble, I posted my question but still nobody answers me yet. If you get to kknow something please let me know

Airport Extreme Base station + Relay Inquiry

My Airport Express Base station died on me so I replaced it with an Airport Extreme. I immediately noticed the lack of wds support and a simplified network setup option.
So I updated all my other relay stations to the newer network(Airport Express btw).
I found that the Ethernet connections weren't functioning anymore. Why?
To make it clear, I'm trying to connect a non-wireless computer to my wireless network through a relay station.
Is this still doable?

Yep! I can understand that!
Here are the basic setup steps for creating a WDS with a mixed (802.11n/g) base stations:
AEBSn - WDS Setup
(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)
Main Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the main base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base
Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window.
o Enter the base station password if necessary. If the base station is using the
default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and then choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the base station you want to connect to this base station.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as a remote base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the remote base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the base station password, if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
Relay Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar to join the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the relay base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the relay base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS relay” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the Main AirPort ID field.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the remote base station this relay base station will connect to.
o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

Remote base station versus relay base station

Okay, I give up. What is the difference between a remote and a relay? Can I daisy chain relay base stations? Will remote base stations act as "relays"? Are there any tricks to setting up the relay stations (remotes seem completely straightforward)? What are the positives and negatives of each?
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

It seems like the distinction is more important if you want a wired connection to the station. If you're just tring to create a robust wireless network, can you do many remotes but just one relay? It seems like relay would be the way to go if there was no limitation on how many.

Relay vs Remote Base Station

I have setup a WDS network with my airport express units.
What is the difference between a relay station and a remote base station in a WDS network?
Thanks
Mike

Yes, so lets say I have two aiport express. One of them is in my bedroom and it gets good reception from my router. And the second one is in lets say my den, and it doesn't get so good reception from my router, but it is close to my bedroom... Would I have both the bedroom and den airport express as REMOTE, or would i put the bedroom one as a RELAY and the den as a REMOTE, or the other way around. I have a WDS network setup.. or does it matter?
Thanks

Adding remote/relay base stations

hello,
re network with AEBSn's and Airport Express's
is it possible to add more than 4 remotes to a network? In Airport Utility under the WDS page (participate in a network), it only seems to allow 4 remotes added when setting up the main base station.
can remotes be connected both by WDS and ethernet cable?
are relay stations required to be connected by ethernet cable or can they be WDS as well?
when setting up a relay base station, should the station also be listed as a remote under the main station?
finally, when do I use 'Participate' vs. 'Extend' a network under the wireless tab in Airport Utility?
I've read the article "Designing Airport Networks" and can't find clear answers to the above.
also, I do understand band width will suffer with multiple base stations
any help appreciated.
kind regards, Scott.

is it possible to add more than 4 remotes to a network? In Airport Utility under the WDS page (participate in a network), it only seems to allow 4 remotes added when setting up the main base station.
Yes, but indirectly. You can only add four remotes or four relays (with up to four remotes attached to the relay) to a main base station ... for a total of twenty-one base stations in a WDS.
can remotes be connected both by WDS and ethernet cable?
If a base station is connected by Ethernet, it is no longer participating in a WDS.
are relay stations required to be connected by ethernet cable or can they be WDS as well?
They would be wireless.
finally, when do I use 'Participate' vs. 'Extend' a network under the wireless tab in Airport Utility?
Use "Participate" when you are creating a WDS; use "Extend" when you want to extend a 802.11n network wirelessly with an additional 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn).

WDS Set up - Help Needed! Airport Extreme with one Relay and one remote

Hi Guys,
I need a bit of help. I am feeling quite stupid and frustrated. I am having some difficulty with setting up a WDS network with:
Base station: Airport extreme (current version)
Relay: Airport Express (current version)
Remote: Airport Express (current version)
I start by cold resetting the three units. The Base station is connected via Ethernet. The setup I wish to get going is a simple base - relay - remote.
I go through the utility manager and set up the base station, first as "create a wireless network" enter the ISP details etc etc. Its green light. Everything is fine. Then manually configure the Base Station. Hold down option key hit Participate in a WDS. I then select main enter + and add the Mac Id's for the intended Relay unit and Remote Unit (12 character and numeric string). At this stage I am only adding the intended Relay unit and Remote units MAC number.
Question 1: Do I need to add the base unit's MAC number itself under: WDS Remotes? even I am setting it up as Main?
I am careful to note the security settings and the the Wireless Network name to match these in the relay and remote set up. Under the Wireless tab I leave the Radio Mode: as Automatic (802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n). I make sure the base has "allow this network to be extended" ticked. Under Radio Channel selection I edit it to reference channel 1 for 2.4Ghz (5 Ghz leave as Auto). I am careful when setting up the Relay and remote to match the Radio Channel. (Although I tired many channels as I thought maybe interference was a factor and denying the fact its obviously my set up skills as a factor).
Question 2: Do you need to disable Guest networks? I would think it does not matter as I have tired turning it off and has not made any difference.
Under Access Control I leave as default, Not enabled.
Next I hit update and and error message comes up. WDS Error as it can not find other units. Ok fine as the relay and remote are not yet set up. So I ignore and can get to the stage where the base unit is working and green light with an internet connection.
I then proceed to set up the Relay unit. Doing the same steps as above with a couple of differences being I add the MAC numbers and select the WDS Mode (Relay for Relay and Remote for Remote. I add the Main base station (i.e Airpot Extreme MAC No.) when prompted and then + the Remotes MAC number. The same for the Remote except I only need to add the base station's main no.
Question 3. Do I need to add the Relay's own MAC number to its own setup? This seems doubtful as with the base station but tired with and without for good measure with no success.
The 2.4Ghz channels are all set to 1. Radio mode set to Auto. Although even when I try to manually set them to all identical it doesn't seem t help.
Then the problems begin. The base unit is Green and the Relay and Remote say they are not connected to the internet. I assume since I have not seen a WDS Error message then the units are set up correctly or as I ignored it on the base unit. But when click unignore the error seems to work itself out.
Question 4. I need help to understand why I have no internet. The remote / relay says something about no IP number and I don't really understand what I should do? Do I need to go back the Airport Utility Manager and start messing about with the TCP/IP, DHCP, NAT ? The base is set up PPPoE and the relay and remote are set to Bridge.
It is really puzzling me why the relay and remote flash amber with error messages related to the IP number? I have tried turning off the base station and router and then on again but no joy.
Can anyone please enlighten me or give me a few ideas? I am doing something very obviously stupid and I guess the fix is something simple that I have overlooked.
I did spend the time and go through the threads and search online, So I am not trying to waste anyone's time I referenced the two links to get a second opinion:
http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/03/taming-an-airport-express-wds.html
http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/settingup_an_airport_relay_with_airportexpress/
Any help much appreciated!

Versed wrote:
I need a bit of help.
Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.
My WDS experience is limited to "main" and "remote" configurations (no "relay"), so I'm not posting from direct experience, but below is what I think would work in your case.
I go through the utility manager and set up the base station, first as "create a wireless network" enter the ISP details etc etc. Its green light. Everything is fine. Then manually configure the Base Station. Hold down option key hit Participate in a WDS. I then select main enter + and add the Mac Id's for the intended Relay unit and Remote Unit
I don't think the "main" unit needs to be told about the "remote" unit, only about the "relay" unit.
Question 1: Do I need to add the base unit's MAC number itself under: WDS Remotes? even I am setting it up as Main?
You'd never enter the MAC address of a unit into its own configuration, if that's what you mean. I also don't think that you'd need to enter the MAC address of the main into the remote and conversely.
I am careful to note the security settings and the the Wireless Network name to match these in the relay and remote set up. Under the Wireless tab I leave the Radio Mode: as Automatic (802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n).
Five things have to match in a WDS configuration: network name, encryption type, network password, band, and channel.
I make sure the base has "allow this network to be extended" ticked.
I don't think that's important for a WDS configuration.
Question 2: Do you need to disable Guest networks?
I wouldn't think that matters.
Under Access Control I leave as default, Not enabled.
That's fine.
WDS Error as it can not find other units. Ok fine as the relay and remote are not yet set up.
Right.
I then proceed to set up the Relay unit. Doing the same steps as above with a couple of differences being I add the MAC numbers and select the WDS Mode (Relay for Relay and Remote for Remote. I add the Main base station (i.e Airport Extreme MAC No.) when prompted and then + the Remotes MAC number. The same for the Remote except I only need to add the base station's main no.
I think this should be the MAC address of the relay station, not that of the main station.
Question 3. Do I need to add the Relay's own MAC number to its own setup?
No.

Relay Station

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