Request: Provide Ethernet Bridging to NON-WDS Networks!!!

I realize that the topic I am adding here has been discussed quite a few times and also that many comments were made on the issue at least as often. What I am trying to understand is this:
Why did the initial design of the Airport Express turn off or not provide Ethernet bridging in client mode?
My brother gave me the AE as a gift over a year ago and just recently I got a wireless router and dsl modem (in one unit) and was able to install the AE for the following usage (which I consider reasonable and 100% compliant to what was written on the box):
- stream airtunes to the stereo in the living room (ok)
- get my playstation2 online using the ethernet port (no way)
Now that I have gone through hours of internet searching regarding WDS, I see that Apple has not intended the AE for this usage as it is only possible using Airport units. Don't get me wrong, but I am not going to go out and buy another base station in the form of any other Airport unit (especially after reading the other threads regarding their reliability!) just to get the funtionality of an Ethernet bridge.
Bridging requires little to no additional intelligence in the unit other than mirroring the network traffic it is hearing on the wireless side. And that is obviously available since the WDS configuration offers that. I am aware of technical details (I built up the internals of a wireless ethernet bridge in a Hiperlan/2 network over three years ago at a research facility) and want to know why this is not done by default?? The AE is heating my living room as it is and I consider this a reasonable request for a new firmware edition - those who don't use ethernet bridging wouldn't notice a difference and the AE would finally fulfil what is promised on the box.
Thanks for your time and perhaps persuasion in handling this issue - I hope my AE lasts long enough to experience this firmware edition if it ever gets out there.
iMac (2000) Mac OS X (10.2.x) Also a PC from 2004 (XP)

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Similar Messages

Use AX as an Ethernet bridge and a WDS relay simutaneously

I searched the forum but didn't find any conclusive answers. So here goes:
I need to connect a computer to my existing wireless network (AX as AP), but it doesn't support wireless whatsoever (Sun workstation). So I want to get another AX to use it as an Ethernet bridge.
My question is, can the AX work as a WDS relay at the same time to extend my existing Airport network?
Thanks in advance.

The only way it'll work as an Ethernet bridge is if it is part of a WDS network, so you'd be getting the wireless extension anyway.
BTW, it would be a WDS Remote, not a WDS Relay.

Can't get ethernet bridge to connect to network

Hi
I am trying to connect my old iMac G3 (10.2) to my airport express network with an Aeropad Mini (an ethernet bridge powered by USB hub on my mac - made by Macsense).
The network is seen successfully by an iMac G5, an Intel Macbook and a PC. The connection occasionally works but more often than not it does not see my airport express - instead it connects to a self-assigned IP. Sometimes it connects then drops off halfway through. Other times it just will not connect at all.
There are no drivers and you set it up via your browser. I can connect to the status and set-up page (192.168.1.50), after entering all the Aeropad info manually, and most times it can see my Airport Express (via the Site Survey on the set-up pages). but sometimes it does not even get that far. I reset the aeropad and restart the mac many times, and sometimes it works but mostly it doesn't.
I'm using channel 11 and it's WAP-encrypted.
Things I've tried:
updating the firmware from the macsense website
checking it's on client mode
manually entering the DNS address of my router - 10.0.1.1.
Trashing the internetconfig preferences from the library
making sure that ethernet is at the top of my network port configurations
Plugging it into a powered USB hub
Trying it on my MacBook (running Leopard).
Still can't connect - just a self-assigned IP - even on on the new macbook.
Any help would be appreciated as I really can't get this to work and it's beginning to take over my life!. I thought it was working after I entered the DNS address but it just went down again the next day.
Thanks.
Message was edited by: Joanna Leapman

This is probably repeating the steps which you have taken already, but I thought I'd put them in one place just in case.
Problem:
If you're able to see other wireless networks but not your own. (And it works with AppleTV version 1.x)
It can be any of the following:
1. No wireless signal/out of range (check your multicast setting and put this as low as possible, check the range with other wireless devices/moving your appletv closer)
2. The wireless SSID is set to invisible/private (use "Other" on AppleTV and enter the SSID manually.)
3. The AppleTV doesn't support the channel used. (Tune the wireless to use a lower channel such as those under 10.)
4. The AppleTV is not supporting the security of your encryption.
Troubleshooting:
1. First try setting up a basic wireless network with no security, no frills such as a high multicast rate or high channel number and as a basic wireless b or g network. Position the AppleTV next to the basestation and then attempt to make the appletv connect to it. (Do not use an AdHoc network with your mac, as the AppleTV doesn't see these.) At this stage you're just trying to see if the AppleTV is even able to connect to your hardware. If this doesn't work there is possibly a larger problem at hand.
2. If this works, then move the devices to their desired locations. (This checks that it's not a range/interference issue.)
3. If this is still working, then the problem lays in a configuration setting. Firstly enable a security protocol, avoid WEP. Keep adding settings, keeping changes from the default to a minimum.
If you can't get past step 1, then it could be an issue with your wifi base station. Try getting the AppleTV to connect to a different wireless basestation (perhaps borrow one from a friend or a neighbour's unsecured network.)

AEBS and AExpress N ethernet bridge disconnects when I sleep MBP??

Hi all this is my first post but im a long time mac user having grown up in a mac house.
anyways im an it guy by profession and ive been working at this issue to no avail so I figured I might come on there and see if any of you have experienced this issue
the issue I get is that when I close/sleep my MBP it disconnects the Airport Express ethernet bridge clients
NETWORK Info
I run a small business from my home thus I have FiOS (yay 20/20) with a block of 13 static ips that i distribute via DHCP and MAC reservation to allow remote access to my network as well as keep things consistent.
I currently run cat6 from my FiOS ONT to my Airport Extreme Base Station, which i use on a strict N only in 5ghz range as my area is flooded with b/g networks but no n networks (yay again).
I recently acquired an N Airport Express to provide a wireless to ethernet bridge thus extending my network to my entertainment center (ps3 xbox etc)
(extra info: im using n here because i found that b/g limits my internet connection speeds to 7-9 mbps where as my connection is capable of 20. On my n speed network I can get my full bandwidth wirelessly, yes I know there is obviously some bandwidth and throughput loss by going wireless but not as much as a b/g network was giving me)
NETWORK SETTINGS
On my n network I distribute a range of IP addresses from my static block. I have tried a few different dhcp lease times which definitely improved my initial problem which seemed that it would log me out when the key rotated every 20 min. Currently ive bumped that up to 1 day (i know not as secure id like to set it back to 20min but it seems that when it rotates that it logs me out) and haven't had that specific issue revolving around key rotation again. ive tried the WDS, Extend a network and join a network options with no real difference in behavior when I shut my laptop and for example my GF is playing rock-band online she gets disconnected also worth noting that it seems there is an intermittent DNS issue on the express ie cant find time server even though at that time ethernet clients are able to connect and get dns response
Below is my log from my express base station when the disconnect occurs
Feb 05 06:23:29 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.apple.com (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 07:23:29 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.apple.com (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 08:23:29 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.apple.com (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 09:23:30 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.apple.com (adjusted -1 seconds).
Feb 05 09:28:36 Severity:5 Joined BSS 00:1e:52:78:bc:48
Feb 05 09:28:36 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for authenticator ******:bc:48
Feb 05 10:24:05 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 11:24:35 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 12:25:05 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 13:25:35 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 14:26:05 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 15:26:35 Severity:3 No Address for NTP server time.apple.com.
Feb 05 15:44:34 Severity:5 Disconnected from network.
Feb 05 15:44:42 Severity:5 Joined BSS **********bc:48
Feb 05 15:44:42 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for authenticator ********bc:48
Feb 05 15:53:26 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [************:6baf%bridge0]:51073.
Feb 05 15:53:28 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [************:6baf%bridge0]:51075.
Feb 05 15:53:28 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [************6baf%bridge0]:51076.
Feb 05 16:09:13 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
and my log from my AEBS
Feb 05 09:09:08 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 09:28:37 Severity:5 Associated with station ******:91:07
Feb 05 09:28:37 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for supplicant **********:91:07
Feb 05 10:09:09 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 11:09:10 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted -1 seconds).
Feb 05 12:09:10 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 13:09:11 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted -1 seconds).
Feb 05 14:09:11 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
Feb 05 14:15:28 Severity:5 Associated with station ******:6b:af
Feb 05 14:15:28 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for supplicant ******6b:af
Feb 05 15:09:13 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted -2 seconds).
Feb 05 15:44:32 Severity:5 Disassociated with station ******6b:af
Feb 05 15:44:35 Severity:5 Rotated CCMP group key.
Feb 05 15:44:35 Severity:5 Deauthenticating with station ******cc:e5 (reserved 2).
Feb 05 15:44:35 Severity:5 Disassociated with station ******:cc:e5
Feb 05 15:44:35 Severity:5 Disassociated with station ******91:07
Feb 05 15:44:36 Severity:5 Rotated CCMP group key.
Feb 05 15:44:43 Severity:5 Associated with station ******:cc:e5
Feb 05 15:44:43 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for supplicant ******cc:e5
Feb 05 15:44:44 Severity:5 Associated with station ******91:07
Feb 05 15:44:44 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for supplicant ******91:07
Feb 05 15:53:01 Severity:5 Associated with station ******6b:af
Feb 05 15:53:01 Severity:5 Installed unicast CCMP key for supplicant ******:6b:af
Feb 05 15:53:15 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [******:6baf%bridge0]:51048.
Feb 05 15:53:16 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [******6baf%bridge0]:51049.
Feb 05 15:53:16 Severity:5 Connection accepted from [******:6baf%bridge0]:51050.
Feb 05 16:09:13 Severity:5 Clock synchronized to network time server time.nist.gov (adjusted +0 seconds).
THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT AND SUGGESTIONS

i decided to also add my log from the mbp (dont think it matters but its an early 2008 model mbp)
as you can see i put my computer to sleep at the exact same time that the airport express lost connection iI
2/5/09 3:44:31 PM kernel hibernate image path: /var/vm/sleepimage
2/5/09 3:44:31 PM kernel sizeof(IOHibernateImageHeader) == 512
2/5/09 3:44:31 PM kernel Opened file /var/vm/sleepimage, size 4294967296, partition base 0xc805000, maxio 400000
2/5/09 3:44:31 PM kernel hibernate image major 14, minor 2, blocksize 512, pollers 4
2/5/09 3:44:31 PM kernel hibernateallocpages flags 00000000, gobbling 0 pages
2/5/09 3:44:32 PM kernel /drv/ MacModule.cpp:261 powerStateWillChangeTo: flags=4 stateNumber=2
2/5/09 3:44:32 PM configd[36] AppleTalk shutdown
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel /drv/ MacModule.cpp:266 powerStateWillChangeTo: found flag=kIOPMSleepCapability (4)
2/5/09 3:44:32 PM configd[36] AppleTalk shutdown complete
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel AirPort: Link Down on en1
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM aosnotifyd[278] Stream:streamCallback - an error occurred on CFReadStream: Operation could not be completed. Socket is not connected
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel /drv/ MacModule.cpp:261 powerStateDidChangeTo: flags=4 stateNumber=2
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel /drv/ MacModule.cpp:266 powerStateDidChangeTo: found flag=kIOPMSleepCapability (4)
2/5/09 3:52:58 PM configd[36] setting hostname to "Comp.local"
2/5/09 3:44:34 PM kernel System SafeSleep
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel hibernatepage_listsetall start
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel hibernatepage_listsetall time: 180 ms
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel pages 635428, wire 220619, act 232958, inact 31, zf 59, throt 1114, could discard act 55989 inact 111080 purgeable 13578
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel hibernatepage_listsetall found pageCount 454781
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel IOHibernatePollerOpen, mlget_interruptsenabled 0
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel IOHibernatePollerOpen(0)
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel writing 454552 pages
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel image1Size 636423168
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel all time: 21548 ms, comp time: 2872 ms, deco time: 0 ms,
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel image 1120299008, uncompressed 1861844992 (454552), compressed 1116586684 (59%), sum1 5d386928, sum2 eeca85bd
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel hibernatewriteimage done(0)
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel sleep
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel Wake reason = EC LID0
2/5/09 3:52:59 PM kernel System Wake

Dual RAP Mesh Network vs PTP Wireless Ethernet Bridging to provide link redundancy

Currently looking at a few options to optimize a current point-to-point wireless LAN-to-LAN connectivity shot for a wired customer site for better redundancy (hardware diversity and/or logical path diversity). Currently the customer is fed via an older solution, using two Cisco 1522 APs with Cisco Aironet 14-dBi Path Antennas (AIR-ANT5114P-N) for a 5-GHz PTP wireless ethernet bridge (under 3km), in which one 1552AP hangs off a L3/L2 Distro switch and the customer's 1522AP hangs off a 3750X switch, which has another access switch hanging off it via a fiber run of about 2km, which is exposed in parts and can't be re-run again due some limitations.The customer doesn't utilize any wireless services. Due to their location, we can't connect them to our wired distro infrastructure directly via fiber.
Looking at setting up two wireless shots (instead of just one currently used); 5-GHz point-to-point bridges using upgraded gear: Cisco 1552EU APs with Cisco Aironet 14-dBi Path Antennas (AIR-ANT5114P2M-N) or straight Exalt r5005 solution. The PTP shot will hang off two seperate distro switches for redundancy purposes, pointing toward the customer site at two seperate locations, spaced apart by approximately 1 to 1.5 km, so that they aren't at the mercy of being isolated on one side if they have another fiber cut which connects their two main access switches together. If need be, we can hang two main APs on one distro facing two APs at the customer site, since this would create some redundancy, just not the same level as above.
The below is what I'm really unsure on.
Possibly looking at setting up a mesh network using Cisco 1552E APs with 2.4 GHz Omni-directional antennas (either a 2.4/5GHz Terrawave MIMO Omnidirectional antenna or Cisco AIR-ANT2547V-N antennas, which ever is best) with two RAPs, one RAP hanging off one distro and the other RAP hanging off another distro for hardware diversity, both under the same bridge group name and both RAPs hanging off the same WLAN management SVI subnet on the distros. The customer site will have two 1552E MAPs located at two seperate sites, as pointed out above. I don't think a third AP would be needed, since they don't use wireless services. Since there would be only two RAPs, not three, would it be best two set-up this with both RAPs on the same channel to minimize convergence time should the mesh transfer from one RAP to the other RAP, as long as both RAPs are spaced apart under ???? distance to avoid interference/other issues? Looking at some documenation, it appears you can have a MESH network, as long as your MAPs and RAPs fall within a 2 mile range area, preferably closer to a 1 mile range area (for better bandwidth & reliability). This solution has been brought up as possible dual-homed solution in theory, by virtue of having two more more MESH APs fall within the range listed above, to the RAPs. From a layer 3 perspective, I'm not sure what the most optimal idea to run with in this scenario set-up would be. Possibly set-up two seperate user SVI VLANs (for their data services), one placed on each access switches these MAPs will hang off at the customer site, & using the same management SVI subnets as the RAPs for the wireless managment side (for accessing the APs). From my understanding, the user data SVI doesn't matter from the perspective of when the mesh transfers from one RAP to another, it should be transparent to them. The distro switches will just have the management SVIs placed on them for the RAPs, the user SVIs will be placed local on the access switches only. And all APs will hang off access ports set to the management VLAN ID.
In my opinion, the PTP 5-GHz, dual distro homed solution makes the most since for wired client access, but since the latter option was brought up, it has to be weighed - plus I'm curious if it can work.

The Exalt r5005 works great for redundancy PTP links. You have to use the sync cable between the two co-located bridges and also set the polarization on the bridges. You can then use routing or spanning tree to decide traffic path. With mesh, you will have to make sure you set the parent or else the maps will keep switching perhaps.

Can I plug my remote airport extreme into my ethernet to improve the signal of the wds network? If so which port do I use the lan or wan

My signal downstairs is pretty weak even though I can see it as part of my WDS, I have access to a hard wired internet connection downstairs should I plug in my secondary airport extreme direct to improve my wireless downstairs?

Hi Other
Unfortunately you cannot use a Graphite as a client to join a wifi network. Your best bet would be to get one of the game adapters such as the Linksys WGA54G which you can plug into the ethernet port on your Wii to bridge to a wireless network.
Regards...jeremy

Setting up an older AE to extend an AEn network as a Ethernet bridge

I know that this question has been asked a million times, and I've followed everyone's instructions and no matter what I do, AEn is still amber and no network gets to the AE.
Here is current setup:
Airport Utility: 5.5.1
AEn:
Firmware version: 7.4.2
Airport ID: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:66
2.4 ghz ID: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:65
Wireless mode: Participate in a WDS network
Wireless network name: Pastel
Allow this network to be extended: unchecked
Radio mode: 802.11a - 802.11b/g
Radio channel selection: manual 149/4
Wireless security WPA/WPA2 personal
WDS mode: WDS main
Allow wireless clients: Checked
WDS remotes: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:B8 (the x's are just added for you guys)
DHCP and NAT enabled
AE to be used as Ethernet bridge (I originally wanted it to extend wireless too, but I can do without that, and disabling wireless clients makes debugging easier):
Firmware version: 5.7
Airport ID: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:B8
Wireless mode: Participate in a WDS network
Wireless network name: Pastel
Radio mode: 802.11b/g
Radio channel : 4
Wireless security WPA/WPA2 personal
WDS mode: WDS remote
Allow wireless clients: unchecked
WDS main: I've tested both XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:66
and XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:65
IP address set in Bridge Mode
Anything unmentioned is left as default.
Airports are next to each other, like right beside each other, but the AEn reports WDS error that no other airports have been detected. I have tried temporarily attaching the two together with an ethernet to no avail. I have internet no problem coming from the AEn, but plugging with Ethernet into the AE, while the utility shows green, I do not properly get assigned a DHCP address, and have no network connectivity.
I hope I've posted enough information, please let me know if you need more and anything I can do to help the situation.

Thanks for the really prompt input Bob, really a spectacular forum.
I've actually already followed the guide to no avail. That said, I have 'resolved' my issue. Unfortunately it won't help anyone else who has this issue because I simply swapped the two devices and everything worked. (Its not an issue of typo as the settings were literally copied and pasted out of notepad). Which is too bad because I wanted to have the Ethernet ports at my hub, but thats life. Mysterious or what? If that means anything to you guys, I'll give and real resolutions a whirl to see what happens.
This is actually the first time I've had difficulty with WDS, and my past experiences were with $30 SMC routers, so I am a bit surprised given the good experience I've had with airports otherwise.

Ethernet port as a bridge to the wireless network

*Is it possible to use an Ethernet port in MacBook as a bridge to the wireless network* and connect another device to it that will have access not only to the Internet, but also to other services, eg. files on another computer connected to the network wirelessly.

The short answer, would be Yes.
The longer answer requires setting up the computer in the correct
way to do so; and hope that any advice to going there was followed.
And knowing more about your hardware situation may yield better
or easier answers; a better solution to using all the computers.
You can share a network connection through use of settings in the
appropriate System Preferences panels. Other sharing preferences
would probably have to be checked and if necessary, changed.
I never change anything that just works, without good reason, and
so far, since I have no need to share between my computers by wire
or wireless, I have not done so. I do have files on external hard drives
and on USB Flash Drives, and can put stuff on CD & DVD media.
Given that, I don't network my computers over AirPort, Ethernet, or
by FireWire, etc. But others here do. Your HelpViewer in the Mac
can tell you how to network or share internet over ethernet, etc.
More information on your situation is needed to propose answers.
PS: Information you posted in another location would be relevant to
getting a reply here, too... in reference to this post:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10804230#10804230
Good luck & happy computing!
{ edited }

Packet Tracer 6.0 "Provides new capability with PT Bridge to connect real network equipment to the Packet Tracer environment"

The new updates sound great. Anyone got any documentation on the "Provides new capability with PT Bridge to connect real network equipment to the Packet Tracer environment" bit?
Rich

PT Bridge is an external java applet allowing Packet Tracer to communicate with real world networks through multiuser cloud. Have a look on http://www.packettracernetwork.com/ for more details (end of the home page)

Airport WDS Network and the 5GHz Option

Setting up any Airport base station with basic settings is simple but there always seem to be options that are not well covered in the 'manual' when setting up slightly more complex networks. I'm hoping someone can provide some clarification on our configuration or parhaps some advice.
For many years we have used a series of generations of Aiport basestations to create a WDS (wireless distributed) network. This is where one base station is the master and other base stations extend the range of the network wirelessly. This is not a set of wireless basestations creating an extended network by sitting on an ethernet backbone - that's a different configuration.
Anyway, we now have a Time Capsule, an Airport Extreme, and an Airport Express. The Time Capsule is the master and the other two base stations extend the network. By default, the basestations select the channel automatically but we have selected manual channels because we have neightbours that all seem to want to sit on channel 1. We've opted for channel 13, a less used channel.
[Internet ADSL Modem]
|
[Airport Extreme] ---- [Time Capsule] ---- [Airport Express]
The Extreme and the Express both operate in Bridge Mode only, that is, they simply extend the configuration of the master basestation and do not ditribute private addresses or do any NAT. I reckon this keeps it simple. Any changes made on the Time Capsule - such as Access Control changes - are pushed out to the other two stations automatically. This seems to be a significant improvement over version 5 of the airport software.
My main question relates to the 5GHz network option. I can turn on a 5GHz discrete network on the Time Capsule. It receives a unique name so it's clearly distinguished from the 2.4GHz network when connecting to it on our Macs. You would expect the other two base stations to be able to extend the 5GHz network too but their 5GHz options remain turned off by default. I can turn them on manually but I'm not sure if they should all be configured to work on the same channel or even if turning them on at all is a good idea.
Over the years, the setup of a WDS network has become easier (if only for the reason that Apple has removed some of the more confusing options and simply enables them in background). But the 5GHz network configuration is far from clear. Any advice anyone might have would be much appreciated. Thanks.

My main question relates to the 5GHz network option. I can turn on a 5GHz discrete network on the Time Capsule. It receives a unique name so it's clearly distinguished from the 2.4GHz network when connecting to it on our Macs. You would expect the other two base stations to be able to extend the 5GHz network too but their 5GHz options remain turned off by default.
It appears as if your Time Capsule is a simultaneous dual band version which produces both a a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network.....and you have enabled the option to assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network.
If both your AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express are also simultaneous dual band versions, they can extend both the 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz signals from the Time Capsule.......but only if the Time Capsule is configured to use the same wireless network name for both bands.
The simultaneous dual band version of the AirPort Express is easy to identify......it looks like a miniature AirPort Extreme. Check the Model No on the bottom of the AirPort Extreme and report back with that to find out if your AirPort is simultaneous dual band.
Earlier versions of the AirPort Extreme could produce a 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz network, but not both at the same time.
Once we have clarification on your AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express, we can decide on the options that will be available to you as far as "extending" both bands.

Using Older Airport Express as an wireless/ethernet bridge

Hi there,
I noticed that people are using their Airport Express (n) products to create a bridge to wireless networks via the ethernet port on the Express.
Is this possible for older non-N Airport Expresses?
I read online that one could set up a WDS network, but I am having -no- luck doing that. Each time I try, I am prompted to enter other nodes on the WDS network, but there's a chicken and egg problem since the first node I am trying to set up keeps requiring other nodes before applying the changes to the configuration it is very frustrating.
I have an Airport Extreme (b/g) and two airport expresses (b/g) and would very very much like to connect an ethernet-run skype phone to one of the expresses. I currently use one as an AirTunes node, and the other (the one I want to use for the skype ophone) as a wireless printer node. Is it possible to use the latter as an ethernet bridge? Can I do that without setting up a WDS network? If I have to have a WDS network, what are the step by step instructions I should follow to do that for all the hardware listed above?
This seems a lot harder than it should be.

+I noticed that people are using their Airport Express (n) products to create a bridge to wireless networks via the ethernet port on the Express.+
+Is this possible for older non-N Airport Expresses?+
It is only possible with the older Express if you also have an Apple main router and setup all the devices in a WDS arrangement. If you are having difficulty setting up the WDS on your network, reference pages 42-44 in the Designing AirPort Networks Guide for a step by step procedure of this. Or, perhaps you might want to use one of the excellent posts by Tesserax for this as well. See this post.

Mini can't connect to the internet via ethernet bridge

I installed a Netgear WGPS606 (It's a print server and wireless ethernet bridge) on my home wireless network. Here's the Configuration: DSL connected through a Linksys BEFSR41 DSL/Cable router with 4 port switch. My Graphite Airport base station connects to one of the ports on the switch, and it serves the wireless computers on the network. The WGPS606 is connected wirelessly to the Airport Base station. I have a MacMini connected to one of the ethernet ports on the WGPS606. The Mini successfully gets its IP address from the DHCP server on the Airport. (Interestingly, the Airport's DHCP server is configured to provide addresses for airport clients, not ethernet clients, but it does provide an IP address for the Mini -- I assume because the mini is connected through the wireless bridge.) I can see and connect to the Mini via the local network, but the Mac Mini cannot connect to the internet.
Any clues?
Mark

Never mind. I gave up on the Netgear print server and bought a second AirPort Express and set up a WDS network. Everything works like a charm. That's the last time I waste nearly a day of my time to save $30 bucks on a piece of hardware.

Airport Express Ethernet Bridging

I have a Mac mini connected to my flat panel TV and I used to use a Graphite base station to connect to it from my iBook G4, naturally the iBook can see the mini but not vice versa (**** Apple firmware).
I have an Airport Express that I stopped using as a print server and wanted to hook it up the same way I had the Graphite Base Station, HOWEVER, it doesn't work. It SAYS in the Airport Admin Utility that Airport to Ethernet bridging is supposed to be in effect, BUT, it doesn't work the way the Graphite Base Station does. Is this another example of Apple creating an artificial limitation in a product, or will this work?
iBook G4 1.33 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Mid-2005 Model

I have tried this and it does work. You can do this manually from the station you want to use as the relay, but it is a royal pain. Let Airport Admin do the work; set up the relay from the main base station.
To enable bridging mode on the express (ie: the express is connected to a machine with ethernet and you want to then connect the express to the main base so the machine has internet access)
Install your main and remote base stations and power them up (easiest if the remote is reset to factory state)
Launch Airport Admin Utility and connect to the main base station for your network.
On the "WDS" tab, enable the station as a WDS main base station and allow wireless clients.
Click the "+" button to add a remote base station and select your airport express. Leave checked, or check the "Auto configure..." box.
Click "OK" then "Update"
Read and enter the requested information on the drawer that appears; you are setting information for the remote/bridging station.
Wait for the stations to restart and build the network (about 1-2 minutes).

Unbearably slow Internet connection using WDS network

We have an old Airport Extreme (saucer, 802.11b/g) and an Airport Express (802.11n, b/g compatible). We're using the Extreme as a WDS main, and the Express as WDS relay. Wireless devices that connect to the Internet in our house include a MacBook Pro, a couple of iPhones, an iPod Touch, an XBox 360, and a PS3.
None of these wireless devices are in direct line of sight to the main base station. Typically, our connection to the Internet is decent for the XBox, which has almost a clear line of sight to the relay (Express) base station. On the other hand, the connection for the MacBook Pro, iPhones, and iPod, is extremely slow. Maybe the actual connection speeds are the same for all devices, but at least for the XBox online gaming works. (Haven't tried online gaming with the PS3 yet.)
The problem that compelled me to post this thread is the slow Internet connection to our MacBook. When our MacBook Pro is moved from its usual location to a place just a few feet away from the Extreme, download speeds are satisfactory (e.g. 10,000+ kbps measured using Speakeasy.net). However, when we sit farther away from the Extreme and are only a few feet from the Express, download speeds are dismal (200-300 kbps). The Internet connection is noticeably slow; web pages load like molasses, and watching streaming video is almost impossible. Upload speeds are usually about 7-10x faster, which is kind of strange.
Airtunes is off. We've tried setting up the Express base station as a WDS remote instead of relay, no difference. Allow wireless clients is turned on for both main and relay. Channel 1, WPA2 personal security.
Part of the problem may be due to the fact that our house is steel framed so, depending on location, the frame of the house may get in the way of our wireless network. But even if the MacBook is within 2 feet of the Express with NO walls or obstacles in between, the speed remains dismal. The line of sight from the Extreme (main) to the Express (relay) is impeded by a few obstacles but little in the way of walls.
However, if the MacBook is close to the Extreme, with good speeds, then I walk away and sit near the Express, I still get good download speeds. This lasts only a short time. Also, if I turn off Airport on my MacBook Pro and turn it back on again, speeds are back down right away.
I understand WDS cuts the bandwidth down substantially, so I decided to unplug the Express and just use the Extreme station, set to create a wireless network instead of participate as main in a WDS network. When I do this I get satisfactory speeds on the MacBook Pro, even sitting at a location where I used to get the slow speeds.
So at first I thought forgetting about WDS completely would seem to be the solution to the problem. That seems to be true for the MacBook, but when the Express is offline and the Extreme is the only base station, the XBox and PS3 now are the devices with a very poor connection to the Internet, as there are 3+ steel framed walls between the base station and the devices. When the WDS network is up, the XBox and PS3 are almost in direct line of sight to the relay station (but then I lose speed on the MacBook and other devices.)
I'm trying to find a solution that allows a good speed connection for all these devices. Right now I have to choose between a regular network with a good connection for my MacBook, or a WDS network that allows gaming but appears to be worthless for the MacBook.
Your assistance is most welcome.

I'm trying to find a solution that allows a good speed connection for all these devices.
The solution is to run an Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to the AirPort Express (AX). Then you won't need to use WDS and you won't suffer the bandwidth penalty of WDS. Then you would configure both the AEBS and AX to create a wireless network using the same SSID (network name) and wireless encryption type/level/password. The AX should be configured to act as a bridge (not sharing a single IP address).

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network?

How do I add an Airport Extreme with Time Capsule to an existing non-Apple network? I have an ISP provided wireless Router that has to remain as the base station. I am able to join my 1/2TB Airport Extreme and Airport Express to the network, but I can't access/use Time Machine.

One option would be to connect the Time Capsule (TC) to the ISP-provided wireless router by Ethernet. You can then configure the for a roaming network. Then, depending on what your goal is for the AirPort Express, you can either: 1) Add it to roaming network, 2) Configure the TC & the Express for an "extended" network, or 3) Configure the Express to "join" the roaming network for AirPlay.

Request: Provide Ethernet Bridging to NON-WDS Networks!!!

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