Roaming network question

I have a 6th Gen Timecapsule and a 6th Gen AE set up in a roaming network. I noticed that some of the settings under internet options are different, and was wondering if that was normal or not.
Thanks

Where I'm confused is that in this article, Apple says to put my main base station to 'share a public IP address' rather than bridge mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
Apple's instructions in the support document assume that the main base station is connected to a simple modem...not a modem/router or gateway type of device.
Unfortunatey, an example of the AirPort Extreme connecting to a modem/router or gateway type of device is not presented.
Your AirPort Extreme is connected to a router, so Bridge Mode is the correct setting for the AirPort Extreme and also the correct setting for the AirPort Express that will be extending the network.

Similar Messages

Question about upgrading HW in an existing roaming network...

I have a roaming network with the following configuration:
First Generation AirPort Extreme (i.e., first square model) acting as the base station connected to my DSL modem. I have a First Generation Airport Express connected to the Extreme via cable acting as a roaming network. This Express extends my network as a roaming network and also provides wireless printing. I also have another First Generation Airport Express joining the same WiFi network (i.e., with the Extreme) to run AirTunes.
For years, this has worked just fine. However, my Express (set up as a roaming network) keeps needing to be reset once a week (by unplugging and plugging back in). I have tried everything to correct this rather new problem. I suspect that it is either interference, the Express is now faulty, or (long shot) my MacBook Pro which is really old is causing some interruption with the Express (it loses it connection a couple times a week, yet all my other Macs don't. And, it had its first Kernel Panic last week). I am getting a new MBP any day as it needed to be updated anyway.
So I am wondering if I can swap out the Express (i.e., the one in roaming) with a new Extreme. I'd like to set up the Extreme in N-mode (something I have not been able to do with my current Extreme since I had b/g Expresses. I would also like to move to 5 Ghz to help minimize interference. That said, do I need to also replace the Express that is used for AirTunes to allow N-mode and 5 GHz??? Or, could I connect the older Express to my Extreme via cable and have AirTunes, while running a 5 GHz N-mode WiFi?
Also, I understand the new Extremes simultaneously run at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Does that mean I am running two WiFis or one WiFi being broadcase on two frequencies? I would want to enjoy 5 GHz, but still have my iPhone connect to the WiFi.

As you are aware, your iPhone will not connect to a 5GHz network and neither will your old Express...
I don't see any need to update this unit as this time if you are just streaming music using Airplay...
However, if you want to spend the money, you could buy a new Airport Express to replace the older "g" version.
I'm sure others here will have other ideas...
If I were to do this set up (i.e., have the old Extreme replace the old Express, and have the new Extreme be the new base station), would the old "AirTunes" Express be able to join the new Extreme simultaneous 2.4/5GHz network because it is connecting to it vis-a-vis 2.4 GHz? In other words, this would elimate the need to directly plug the old "AirTunes" Express directly into the new Extreme... correct?
Also, I assume that the new Extreme (via USB) can do the wireless printing like I currently use the old roaming Express for. Is that right?

Adding 802.11b/g AX(s) to multi-Airport Extreme 802.11n roaming network

First, a thanks to folks like Tesserax and Bob for the great ideas on this forum -- the questions & answers I've read have helped me to date, though I still have a question!
My home wireless network today consists of:
One fifth-generation AEBS running in 802.11n only (5 GHz) / 802.11n only (2.4 GHz) mode, on channels 149 (automatic)/11 (automatic) -- provides DHCP services
One second-generation AEBS running in 802.11n only (5 GHz) mode, on channel 157 (automatic) -- bridge mode
There is a wired home network with Cat5e and a gigabit switch in the basement. 30 down/5 up DOCSIS 3.0 service through Time Warner Cable, upstream from the fifth-gen AEBS. The AEBS units are connected in roaming mode via Ethernet.
Using the Airport Utility on my iOS devices, I'm getting "excellent" (59-65 Mb/s) connectivity when I am near either of the AEBS units. It is a large brick house built in the 1920s, and while there are now no dead zones in the house, there are areas where I drop down to 10-15 Mb/s per the Airport Utility. Unfortunately, the two AEBSs are at opposite ends of the house near external walls, one on first floor and one on second -- and the first floor rear AEBS needs to be where it is to serve a breakfast room and sunroom, while the home office AEBS needs to be where I have two Ethernet drops as the cable modem and switch are in the basement.
Before I added the fifth-gen AEBS, I had the older AEBS and two 802.11b/g Airport Express (AX) devices, also in roaming mode. I wasn't thrilled with performance, and while performance is much better with the two AEBS model, I'm wondering about the benefits of redeploying my AX devices elsewhere in the house on the roaming network -- on the theory that I should be getting better 802.11g performance from a device close enough to get max speeds than I am from a farther-away 802.11n AEBS.
However, I am concerned about whether adding back in 802.11b/g devices on 2.4 GHz would restrict the performance of my 802.11n network? I am assuming that might happen because I have 802.11n running on both frequencies... if I stepped back on the fifth-gen AEBS to 802.11n only (5 GHz) / 802.11b/g [or a similar setting] on that device, will that help? Or, am I running the risk of other cross-talk or interference -- or simply of my home network devices being befuddled by multiple access points in a single house?
Alternatively, I could try to replace my 802.11b/g AX units with 802.11n ones -- howeever, having just bought a new AEBS this week, that would encounter cross-talk with my Spousal Budgetary Compliance Unit (SBCU) and I could end up crashing the entire household....
Thoughts and ideas appreciated!

If you use the "b/g" AirPort Express devices in a roaming setup, any computers, iPads, etc in close proximity will connect at maximum "g" wireless speeds.
It's really not possible to predict the actual results in advance. The increased wireless coverage might tend to compensate for the lower speeds that would naturally occur due to signal drop off if you did not use the AirPort Express devices at all.
As long as the wireless access points are in a separate room, or separated by 25-30 feet or so from other access points, there should be no confusion that occurs with your laptop trying to connect. It will pick the strongest signal as it moves through the house.
I think the bottom line here is that this is one of those things where you just will not know unless you try. If the Ethernet cabling is already in place, it should not take long for you to find out how things are working.

Can you use a roaming network and wireless extender at same time?

Greetings community - I've been struggling with an attempt to extend my wireless network for some time now. Please forgive my ignorance on the topic - I realize how 'simple' this is for many of you. Let me summarize:
What I have functioning:
1. Comcast telephony modem
2. 5th gen Airport Extreme as main wireless router connected to modem via Ethernet (corner of floor 3)
3. 2nd gen Airport Express as wireless extender (hooked to a stereo on floor 2)
What I want to accomplish:
1. I have poor wireless signal on my sun porch (corner of floor 1 opposite side of building as modem)
Extra equipment I have:
1. Another 5th gen Airport Extreme
2. Another 2nd gen Airport Express
What I have tried (and failed at):
1. Initially I set up the second Airport Extreme as a second wireless extender and placed it at a further point away than my first wireless extender. I quickly realized that set up does not function appropriately and one cannot connect to the further extender (I read about that on the apple forums).
2. I tried placing the second Airport Extreme in a different part of the house at equal distance from the main router as the first wireless extender. It's capability to extend was minimal if any.
3. I tried connecting the Airport Extreme to the main router via an Ethernet cable with the hopes of creating a roaming network (which I read about on the apple forums). I would have to come up with a way to run the Ethernet through the house but I'm willing to cross that bridge later. Once I got that set up, the 2nd gen Airport Express which was previously set up as a wireless extender is no longer recognized. Argh!!
Questions/Theories/Suggestions:
1. Is it possible to have a wired extender (via Ethernet) function at the same time as a separate wireless extender all connected to the same router? If so how do I do it?
2. I thought about keeping Airport Extreme #1 wireless connected to Airport Express #1 and call that Network 1. Then plug Airport Extreme #2 directly into the modem to create Network #2 and use Airport Express #2 as wireless extender. When I tried plugging both Airport Extremes into the modem, they both stopped functioning.
3. Do I get a second modem to put somewhere else in the house and use Airport Extreme #2 and Airport Express #2 in that fashion? My guess is Comcast will try to charge me a separate internet access fee to do that (boo!!).
I know there are a lot of brilliant folks out there. I'm sure someone can read this and see the 'obvious errors' in my ideas and attempts. I'm certainly open to new suggestions as well.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice.
- The New Guy

Is is possible to rename the AEx 2 a different network name from the AEx1 and AE 1 (even though they are all connected to each other)? And say it is possible, would that potentially preventing the jumping?
No, in extend wireless the names must be the same..
However since you are creating a network on AE2 which is extended by AEx2 then you can indeed use a different name.. but it must be both,, AE2 and AEx2.
2. Even more crazy - if I did (could) give the AEx 2 a different network name, could I use my AE 2 as a wireless extension to that second network? Or is this just getting out of hand now?
You have lost me now.. there are ways and means.. but let me recommend a better solution.
Use EOP (homeplug in US) adapters if you cannot run ethernet. Multi-storey houses where you have heavy concrete construction are never going to work well with wireless alone. You are much better getting ethernet properly installed (which is the only 100% guaranteed method).. or buy a set of EOP adapters and give them a try.. they work in some cases and not others.. but better than wireless when they do work.
Otherwise I think you need higher power wireless routers.. but I can suggest you do the setup in a more controlled manner.
In other words do not use auto as per the airport utility.. use very short wireless names, different for both bands.. and fixed wireless channels.. then test which band works better.. Then you can do a link.. which will be slow but might give you better performance.
So..
Link1 Main AE1---- AEx1 This is wireless extend.
Link2 AEx1--ethernet--AE2. AE2 is in bridge mode and is also set to create a wireless network. (Use different wireless name here to prevent confusion).
Link3 AE2-----AEx2 Second wireless extend.
This overcomes the Apple limitation on multiple extends. It is not great setup but might get wireless to where you need it.. And better speed than you can get now.
NOTE>. I would personally never do this.. I will run ethernet forevermore.. having tried and tried in various places and using all kinds of equipment.. my conclusion is.. wireless is not suitable.. unless you can get enough signal in from one AP.. everything behind it must be ethernet.
It is much more expensive in some cases.. but ethernet works.. nothing else can be guaranteed to work.

How to set up roaming networks in both 2.4 an 5 Ghz.

I have two Airport Extreme base stations, both separately ethernet-connected to our wired LAN. They are configured as a roaming network (both have the same SSID and security credentials). The roaming works pretty well.
However, when I flip the 5 Ghz option on on both stations, I get two different network names for the 5 Ghz WLAN.
Our regular (2.4 Ghz) network name is "Apple Network" -- and we only see one instance of this in the airport menu of any computer in range of both.
However, we see two different 5 Ghz network names show up: "Apple Network (5 Ghz)" and "Apple Network(5Ghz)" (note the missing space between the "k" and the opening parenthesis in the 2nd one).
When I look in Airport Utility, the 5 Ghz network names are identical (both network names have the space between the "k" and the opening parenthesis). So, the base station seems to be changing one of the names on purpose, I am guessing because they need to be unique?
However, this isn't the case for the 2.4 Ghz WLAN name (the 2 stations have identical SSID's, and the SSID only shows up once).
This is annoying and confusing for our users, since there are three networks, as follows:
"Apple Network"
"Apple Network (5Ghz)"
"Apple Network(5Ghz)"
My question is: is there a way to make the two 5Ghz network names the same (which they already appear to be in the Airport Util config), and also only appear once in the airport menu of the WLAN clients?
Thank very much.

Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab located just below the row of icons
Click the Wireless Network Options button
Enter a check mark in the box next to 5 GHz Network Name
When you do this, "5 GHz" will be added to the SSID
Click Update and allow 25-30 seconds for the AirPort Extreme to restart

How do I know "Roaming Network" is working with Airport Express and Airport Extreme and should I use extended wireless network for third Express?

Attempting to eliminate a dead spot in Wifi coverage [and implement AirPlay] have one Airport Extreme 802.11n and two Airport Express 802.11n's.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145
The Airport Extreme is of course connected to cable modem and Ethernet switch, and one Airport Express is connected to the Ethernet network. As per instructions for creating a "Roaming Network", Airport Express is set to same SSID, security type, and Password.
Questions:
1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to? In other words, will it switch to the closer WiFi transmitter automatically? The WiFi reception problem is intermittent in the fringe areas so what I do not want it for it to stick with the more distant Airport Extreme in the basement when the Airport Express which is closer will work better.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
The third Airport Express will be in a third location - I was planning on using it also for expanding coverage but after reading the warnings about performance suffering when purely using WiFi for the expansion in this location ("Wireless Extended Network" without an ethernet connection) I have figured that the single wired Airport Express will be adequate and will use the third Express to do Airplay only.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259
Question: Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
Mitch

1. How does the client device know which Airport to connect to?
The Mac computer will automatically connect to the wireless access point with the strongest signal...which is probably the closest AirPort. An iPhone or iPad may not do this and will tend to stay connected to one AirPort.
2. How can I tell which of the Airports the attached client device is using?
On a Mac, open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility. Click on one of AirPorts. In the area to the right, locate the AirPort ID and jot that down. Then do the same for your other AirPort.
Move your Mac near one of the AirPorts and log on to the wireless. Hold down the option key on the Mac while you click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen. Look for the BSSID. That is the AirPort ID of the device to which you are connected.
If you are close to the "remote" AirPort, and you see the AIrPort ID of the "main" router when you are testing, then you know that the network is not configured correctly.
Can I use this second Airport Express to extend the wireless network via "Extended Wireless Network" while the other two are in "Roaming Netowrk" configuration? Without bogging down??
There will be a modest 10-15% bandwidth loss with the "extend" setup, assuming that the Express is located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the AirPort to which it is associated. You can avoid the bandwidth loss if the Express is also connected via Ethernet as part of the roaming configuration.

Airport Extreme + Time Capsule Roaming Network

Ok, I'm completely lost here and haven't found any solutions specific to my situation. I currently have two ethernet jacks in my condo, both have fiber optic internet connection which provide access when connected to a computer and no router. I'm assuming there is a router somewhere in the building but alas it's not in my unit.
My home office is in the den where I have one ethernet jack. Connected to the jack is my airport extreme (dual band, 7.5.1 software). The second jack is located in the living room where I have my Time Capsule connected. I have it set this way because the wireless signal from the den does not extend well into the living room.
Basically I have two jacks, a TC and an AE and I'd like to create a roaming network. Both of them are set to bridge mode with the same SSID, WPA2 security, same password, etc. When I open airport utility on my main computer I can see both the AE and TC which is good because I have files I need to access for work on the TC. The problem I have is some of the wireless devices will not get an internet connection but instead get the self assigned IP address. My iPhone and iPad work all the time as well as the xbox and PS3 that are hardwired into the TC. Macbook laptop only connects about 1 out of every 4 times and other guests with iPhones have been getting the self assigned IP too. It's confusing because sometimes the devices connect flawlessly and sometimes they don't.
Sorry for the long-winded post but this situation has been very irritating for a couple months so I thought I'd finally seek answers here. I guess my basic question is what is the proper setup for an AE and a TC roaming network using two different ethernet jacks with no modem in my unit?

Welcome to the discussion area, Junkcanoe!
I don't have a setup like yours, but might be able to offer some assistance.
Basically I have two jacks, a TC and an AE and I'd like to create a roaming network. Both of them are set to bridge mode with the same SSID, WPA2 security, same password, etc.
This would be the normal way to set up a roaming network, but the wild card here is that we don't know anything about how the main router that supplies the ethernet connections (valid IP addresses) to the condos might be configured.
For example, most apartments, hotels, etc that provide ethernet jacks usually limit the number of devices that can connect to each jack. Hotels tend to limit this to one or two devices. I counted six devices that you say will work properly plus a few more. Since you have two separate ethernet jacks, you may be looking at a situation where each jack is allocated a total of 4 devices, or valid IP addresses.
The bottom line here is that we won't be able to make much progress until we know more how the main router there has been configured. Is it possible for you to ask the complex manager (who will probably need to ask the IT guy) how many devices are allowed to connect per ethernet jack? Another way to ask the same question is how may valid IP addresses will each ethernet jack allow?
If you can, could I ask you to perform an experiment? Rather than have both the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule each connect to a separate ethernet jack, can you temporarily move one device near the other and connect them together using an ethernet cable? (Or, use a long ethernet cable if you don't want to move either device) LAN <-> port on one to LAN <-> port on the other. In other words, you'll only be using one of the ethernet ports in the condo for this experiment.
Any difference in performance or number of devices allowed to connect?
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

HT4260 setting up extended roaming network

I have an Airport Extreme and a new Time Machine. Because of the logistics of my house, the Airport Extreme base station must be the primary connection. When I go to set up Connection Sharing on it I get a conflict message stating that the IP address conflicts with that of the base station and the network does not work.
If both the A.E. base station and the Time Machine are set to Off (Bridge Mode) the network works fine.
I do not know how to configure an IP. Can the network function as it is (both devices set to Bridge Mode) or must I change the IP for the base station?
(computers connected --- Older Mac Pro (no wireless or bluetooth --- connected via ethernet cable) plus two iMacs and a MacBook and phones connected wirelessly)
thanks
Ron

hi
The situation described sounds a lot like the setup I have been thinking about for my home.
I have been reading the forums and apple's articles about the roaming network - this seems clearly the way to go if you can have the cabling, and you need more than one Airport basestation for better coverage and/or airtunes speakers.
However, in my home, I do not want the airport extreme to be providing the dhcp services.
The reason is that in this case (as I understand HT4260) I need two LAN cables to the primary airport extreme (=AE1) - one from the adsl-Modem+router to the AE1, and another cable from this AE1 back to the switch. From that switch I can reach the other Airport Extreme and Airport Express via the LAN cables. But, I don't have two cables available from a reasonable location where the AE1 can be placed with some useful coverage. I can set it up as described, but then the AE1 is stuck away in a closet with lots of concrete around it in a place where I don't really need coverage - wasting one AE1.
So... what I would like to do is the following:
-           phone line with adsl
\ and = cat 5/6 LAN cable
------ ADSL+router ============= (wan) AE1      (create the same network; internet as bridged)
         (runs DHCP)
               \       \============== (wan) AE2       (create the same network; internet as bridged)
                 \================= (wan) AX3       (create the same network; internet as bridged - add the speakers)
          add more as needed
and Optionally:                                AX4               (extend - so wirelessly - the same network; internet bridged - add the speakers)
My questions:
a) Would this create a good roaming network?
b) Would this create a good roaming network on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz - assuming AE and AX are both the latest models?
c) Would the optional AX4 - which is not wired to the main switch - be able to extend this network - just so that I can get the music in the room I like - actually outside on the terras; of course in parallel to the other AE/AX at the same time?
d) Would this wireless extension slow down any of the other connections? Or only the clients of AX3 (as an example) to which AX4 connects wirelessly?
I am trying to get some feedback before buying one or more AE or AX to replace/extend my old 1st gen n model Airport Xpress.
Which leads me also to:
e) will the 1st-gen-n A xpress work nicely with n-speeds on the 2.4 band together with all the other ones?
     Obviously I would loose my 5Ghz network and guest-networks in the area covered by this older AX?
     (I very likely use this older as my "AX4" in the example above.
Thanks for your help!
Robert

Can I use two different frequencies on a roaming network?

I have a roaming network with a first generation Airport Extreme (i.e., first square model), with a first generation Airport Express connected via cable to make up the roaming network. This is for a detached office that is about 50 feet and several walls away. It has worked wonderfully for years until recently.
I believe I am now experiencing some interference to the Express. Basically once a week I have to unplug the Express, count to 10-15, and plug it back in. Then all is well... for about another week. Oddly, the Express light stays green (why if no internet??). Interestingly when I had my iPhone with me (office is primarily used for my MBP), it could still see the Express' SSID. However, like the MBP, its wifi "fan" icon is not able to show a signal.
I have tried changing the channel to one that isn't being used by my neighbors, nor my Extreme. For a while, I was also experiencing interference on the Extreme. But that seems to have been resolved after I changed the channel on that unit. I noticed that my all my neighbors run in 2.4Ghz. So I'm wondering if I should buy a new Express that can run in 5Ghz. But that means I lose wifi connection to my iPhone. I can live with that inconvenience in the detached office, but not in my home (i.e., where the Extreme is).
So my question is: In my roaming network, can I have my Extreme run in 2.4Ghz (to allow iPhone wifi connection) and my Express in 5Ghz?
Side question: I noticed in Airport Utility that my Extreme's frequency is updated (Manual Setup > Base Station > Options) is updated weekly. Could that be somehow causing my Express to stop having a wifi signal and require the Express rebooting (i.e., unplugging)?

So my question is: In my roaming network, can I have my Extreme run in 2.4Ghz (to allow iPhone wifi connection) and my Express in 5Ghz?
Yes
Thanks. Good to know!
Update Frequency specifies how often the Express will check to see if any updates are available...which would have nothing to do with losing the Wi-Fi signal or other problem.
Thx. I feel like an idiot!
Btw, two other questions, if I may:
1. If there is no wifi signal, why would the Express light still be green?
2. When there is interference, why would the Express need to be rebooted? Why wouldn't it simply regain it's connection once the interference subsided? The reason I as is that I have exprerienced interference with the Extreme before and there is no wifi signal. After a minute or two, it would reestablish internet connectivity on its own (i.e., without me unplugging and re-plugging it).

HT4260 Creating roaming network problem?

HI
I tried to create roaming network at home with help of that article. I just bought new airport extreme for basestation to first floor and new airport express to 2nd floor. I´m planning to connect them with ethernet.
I´m using Mountain Lion on my mac and airport utility 6.1 . I noticed that I don´t have all the option needed to configure roaming network with that new airport utility?
Can some give me working instructions how to create roaming network with those tools?
Thx, Jukka

Sorry - I am a Windows guy and didn't read your post completely - and yes Apple does want you to use this version - but as I understand it, it can be used to set up a basic roaming network - but I don't have Mountain Lion so I can't advise you - however an alternative would be to use someone else's computer with 5.6.1 to set up your network (by the way you could even use a Windows computer) - but I can say from experience that once you set it up, you will be very happy with it - I have an office with 8 Extremes and 2 Expresses on 2 T1 lines and they work great - I would also suggest that you contact Apple and tell them what you think - maybe if enough people complain that it is broken, they will fix it - and again I am sorry about the mix-up - all the different versions and compatibility make it very confusing - many of the gurus feel the same way and suggest some of the things I mention - and you could re-word your question and post it again (this time I won't jump in) and maybe one of the gurus will answer.- anyway good luck - I was only trying to help

Time Capsule on a Roaming Network

Hello everyone,
Quick and hopefully simple questions.
I just bought a 2TB time capsule. Is there any good reason to setup partition(s)? My household has 1 iMac and 3 Macbooks. Would it be good to have a separate partition for each machine? I am also open to having some network attached storage on the time capsule but don't find it absolutely nessasary.
Lastly I plan on setting up a roaming network using my airport extreme(connected to the cable modem) and then run cat 6 to the time capsule and 2 other airport express units to get great wifi coverage throughout my house. Anyone have any tips or advice on this setup? I have checked the apple support site and understand the confing involved in setting up the roaming network, just wanted to poll the forums for any helpful advice.
Thanks for your time!!

Quick and hopefully simple questions.
I just bought a 2TB time capsule. Is there any good reason to setup partition(s)? My household has 1 iMac and 3 Macbooks. Would it be good to have a separate partition for each machine? I am also open to having some network attached storage on the time capsule but don't find it absolutely nessasary.
Answers are simple.. There is no way to partition a TC. Not without voiding warranty and removing the drive and doing it on a computer .. then returning the drive to the TC. So don't do it.
You do not need to have separate partitions for each machine.. if you are going to use Time Machine as most people do, each computer will create its own sparsebundle which is kind of virtual disk partition. Each computer will use only its own sparsebundle and everything will be kept isolated from each other.
I am not sure what you mean by using NAS .. do you mean a separate NAS plugged in or a USB drive or using some of the TC internal disk space for file sharing?? The later is not a great idea. TM and data do not generally get on too well.. And the TC is a backup target for TM.. it has no way to back itself up, nor can TM backup a network drive. So any files on the TC are not backed up.
See pondini .. our TM guru master for all things TM.
Basic info. http://pondini.org/TM/FAQ.html
See particularly Q3 here for sharing TM and data.
http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html
Lastly I plan on setting up a roaming network using my airport extreme(connected to the cable modem) and then run cat 6 to the time capsule and 2 other airport express units to get great wifi coverage throughout my house. Anyone have any tips or advice on this setup? I have checked the apple support site and understand the confing involved in setting up the roaming network, just wanted to poll the forums for any helpful advice.
Roaming is a good setup. Not a lot that goes wrong.
BUT.. IMHO.. and it is that..
Setup the whole wireless network using simple names.. no spaces pure alphanumeric.
Since every unit gets the same SSID.. I do recommend a lot more manual control.. I simply don't trust the automagical system to work.
You have only 3 non-overlapping channels at 2.4ghz.. 11, 6, 1 and you need to setup each unit on one of those channels.
There are more channels at 5ghz and the range is poor so they tend to interfere less.. but AC wireless uses 80mhz and even N uses 40mhz. So take care to spread things.. and you decide. Hence I use separate names for 2.4ghz and 5ghz so I can force clients to use band I choose.. not the one they choose.
Be experimental.. no one setup is ideal for everyone.. and since wireless is about 80% straight voodoo then try a few arrangements and see what works well for you. Be prepared to wipe the whole thing out and start over.. keep track of all the options you try in a log. (that is the science part.. log the voodoo!!)

Roaming configuration question with help needed!

I am installing multiple AEBS (4 to be exact) and I want to support a roaming network throughout my house. I have run through all the setups and have them all up running but it appears as I do not have the roaming part quite right. I have followed all the manuals , (setting bridge mode, SSID, WPA2, etc...) my question, that I cannot seem to find the answer to in any white paper - is at the wireless setup part -
I guess I should tell the quick layout. I have a router in my electric room so I just want the AEBS's to act as bridges with no DHCP - I understand that and have them configured that way, all with their own manual IP address.
Back to the question - I currently have 1 of the AEBS set on "create a wireless network" with the allow extend checkbox marked. The others set as extensions - when I do this - I lose my SSID completely and cannot connect wirelessly. Am I mixing WDS up with roaming a little? Should they all be set at "create wireless" or none -
Any help is very much appreciated!!
Thanks
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I guess I didn't explain it good enough?
All of my base stations (AEBS) are hardwired throughout the house - I do not want to use WDS (performance is to poor) I want them bridged. This is a fairly simple process using a product such as a Linksys Access Point - you just create a wireless network and choose a different channel for each WAP - maybe I just answered my own question?? The AEBS wireless setup asks (Do you want to create, do you want to participate in WDS, or do you want to extend a wireless network) I have been choosing create for 1 and extending for the others - not working. Should I be choosing create for them all and changing the channels is basically my question??
Thanks for the reply though!

HT4260 Ho to configure the "Roaming Network" using the current AirPort Utility

Hi, I have a question about this roaming network. With the current AirPort Utility I do not know how to select "share a public IP" on "connection Sharing" on the first AirPort. Maybe someone can tell me how to configure this. It would be great if Apple would update this...
Maybe this is important: I use a Time Capsule as my first base station. The second one is a AirPort Extreme and the third one an Airport Express.
If I just set the first device to "Bridge Mode" I loose the internet connection with my cabel modem. I get the message "No Internet Conection". If I hook up my mac to the cable modem via ethernet the internet ist still functioning.
The funny thing is that I can use the internet for a couple of minutes until it does not work anymore. Everytime I change something the the settings of the Time Capsule (Bridge Mode to DHCT & NAT) I can use the internet for a couple of minutes...??
Thank you!

Using AirPort Utility 5.6:
Connection Sharing: "Share a public IP address":
Connection Sharing: "Off (Bridge Mode)":

HT4260 Airport extreme and time capsule connection order in a roaming network

I plan to create a roaming network with my current Airport Extreme as the primary device connected to the internet and the new Time Capsule as the secondary device in Bridge mode. The connection between AE and TC will be wired (ethernet). Then I plan to connect the PC that needs backing up to the Time Capsule with an ethernet cable. Apart from the PC-backup functionality, I'd like to use the Time Capsule as a central NAS-device in my network. All other wired network devices that need access to the NAS (Apple TV, Xtreamer) are currently connected to the primary Airport Extreme with ethernet cables. My question: is there any reason why I should consider reversing the setup order, i.e. making the Time Capsule the primary device connected to the internet and the Airport Extreme the secondary device? Would this have a positive or negative effect on Time Capsule functionality and performance in the network? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Your Gen3 Extreme and all TC are gigabit.. as long as you connect with the required standard cable to have a gigabit connection between the two, there will effectively be no difference. In a home network you will struggle to saturate gigabit no matter what you do. Although the difference between the two configurations is really very small.
General rule is keep whatever is using the highest bandwidth closest and directly connected to whatever it is using.. shrug.. in this case you can follow or not.. it is more a guideline.

Time Capsule/Airport Express/Ethernet - Setting up Roaming Network?

Hi,
I am trying to setup a network in my house to extend the wifi. Currently the wifi signal is not strong enough to work in the a portion of the upstairs (bonus room). I want to extend the network and have it be as fast as possible.
Here's what I have going on:
There are 2 rooms hard wired with cat 5. The office and the upstairs bonus room. I have a comcast modem in the basement where the cat 5 wires all run to. The comcast modem has three available ethernet out ports. I have one of them running to my office where my time capsule is located which is where I currently have my wifi signal coming from. I have another ethernet plugged into another port on the comcast modem and running to the bonus room. I purchased a Airport express and was hoping to just plug it into the ethernet in the bonus room to extend my extisting network using the ethernet (via a roaming network?) but I can't get it to work.
A couple of questions:
Is this the best way to extend my network so it will be as fast as possible? How do I get it to work? I don't want to have to move the time capsule downstairs to make this work.
I am new to this type of networking so please forgive my ignorance.
Thanks in advance for the help.

Get the IP of the TC and the Express plugged into the Comcast router.. we are assuming router.
You simply click on the airport utility and see what IP it is picking up.
eg
This is bridged and has picked up the address from the main router.. so shows both LAN and IP address as the same.
Actually post a screenshot makes this ever so much easier.
If you are not getting this.. then click edit and go to the tabs..
1. Internet. Should be DHCP
2. Network. Should be Off (bridge mode)
3. Wireless. Should be Create a wireless network.
Post me up the details and "we" can work it out.
The basic Apple doco for roaming is here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4260
As with so much documentation it is out of date against the newest version of the airport utility.. so they are a little behind.

Roaming network question

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