Roaming with Airport Express (bridging) between two Airport Extreme AP's

I have two Airport Extreme base stations set up on a company LAN that provide wireless coverage for our very large facility. Both are set up with the same SSID and WPA settings and they are 5 channels apart, 1 and 6. We have a cart with a computer and it uses an Airport Express / WDS to allow wired Ethernet bridging to our LAN via the wireless. I can't seem to get the Airport Express to "roam" between the two access points, ie, when one AP's signal gets too weak I would expect that the Airport Express would switch to the stronger of the two AP's. Is this a correct assumption?
In the AirPort utility when you set an Airport Express as a remote it only allows you to specify one "main" AP, so I don't know if this is why I can't seem to get it to roam between both AP's. Anyone have any experience / success doing this? Thanks for any information you can provide.
Joe Jenkins

if possible, it sounds like you need to configure a "roaming" network, not a WDS. Of course, I am assuming that all your base stations have access to your LAN via ethernet...
- Configure each base station with the same network name and authentication/password.
- Put each base station in bridge mode (unless you need 1 of them to distribute ip addresses).
- Each base station needs to be on a different channel - and make sure they spread apart, like 3 and 11, as opposed to 3 and 4.
Basically make sure they are configured exactly the same except for the wireless channel.
Roaming should improve.

Similar Messages

Using "bridge" on Airport Express N between two bornes.

Hi,
I have two Airport Extreme N base station, one is dedicated to be used with b & g cards and the other one with dedicated be used with "n" only compatible Mac.
The link between the two Airport id done with an ethernet cable, The first Airport Express N is connected to the Wan, the second is setup as "bridge" ( speed @ 100 full).
I didn't use WSD in fact this option slowdown all the newtwork to b/g.
Everything works fine. I'm concerne about speed. If you look at the "info pane" in the "Network Utility" (located in the "Uilities folder"), you can get several information on you Airport card (usually in choosing (en1).
On a iMac 24'' equiped with an Airport card "N", Informations from "network Utility" shows that the speed is "54 Mbit", The Airport Express as been setup to support only the "n" norme, To enforce that I did choose the 5 GHz Chanel...
Q- Should I get a better speed ? or the information shows in th" info pane" is not accurate ?
Q- How to be sure what speed do we have ?
Thanks

Thanks...one last question. I have an aiport express (extreme is in the study), and I was wondering if I could hook up a wired router to it?
The background is that I want to hook up my TV and another wireless device to the internet. My APE is hooked up to my media PC, but need to get internet to other devices.
Should I just get 2 wireless bridges or can I simply by a wired router for the APE?

Can Airport Express bridge off another Airport Express?

Hello All,
Currently I have the current setup and working great for the most part.
Aiport Extreme (Base) - Connected directly to my ISP Modem upstairs.
Airport Express 1 (Bridge Mode) - Bridged to the Airport Extreme Base and placed midway hall upstairs
Airport Express 2 (Bridge Mode) - Bridged to the Airport Extreme Base and placed downstairs
Currently when I am out on my deck, I will receive 1 bar or no signal.. The signal that I do recieve is coming from one of the airport express..
My question is, If I place a third additional Airport Express outside on my deck/patio will this daisy chain off the current AirPort Express that is already bridged to the Airport Extreme Base, or will it ONLY be able to bridge from the AirPort Extreme Base and not daisy chain from the AirPort Express? In other words, if I do not receive signal from the AirPort Extreme base on my deck/patio will this be of no use to extend the range?
Many thanks in advance!

My question is, If I place a third additional Airport Express outside on my deck/patio will this daisy chain off the current AirPort Express that is already bridged to the Airport Extreme Base
Sorry, but no. Although the third AirPort will connect to the AirPort Express, it will "join"....not extend...the network. When an AirPort "joins" a network, it provides no additional wireless signal coverage.
or will it ONLY be able to bridge from the AirPort Extreme Base
Correct, if you want the additional AirPort Express to "extend" the network. An "extending" device must connect directly to the main base station.....not to another device that is already extending the wireless signal. The reason for this is that Apple's "extend" feature only allows a signal to be extended wirelessly one time....not two.
if I do not receive signal from the AirPort Extreme base on my deck/patio will this be of no use to extend the range?
Correct. But, if you located the additional Express somewhat closer to the AirPort Extreme, it might pick up enough of the signal to be able to extend it. Remember, an extending device can only extend the quality of signal that it receives.
However, if you could run an Ethernet cable from the port on the current "extending" Express to the other Express that you want to add, you could configure the additional Express to 'create a wireless network" and effectively extend the network that way.

How do i turn off airport express bridge

How do i turn off airport express bridge?

Only exception was that it went into bridge mode and I cannot configure an IP camera that was working prior.
Bridge Mode is the correct setting for the AirPort Express since your "upgraded" Xfinity device is a modem/router or gateway device.
So, you already have a router set up on the network. Bridge mode must be used on the AirPort Express to avoid having two devices both trying to act as routers on the network.
That would create IP address conflicts and other problems like Double NAT.
Since the Xfinity device is now your network router, you must configure the port settings for your camera on the Xfinity modem/router. The AirPort Express will simply pass through those settings since it is in Bridge Mode.
You may need to check with Xfinity support on how to set up port forwarding if the owners guide does not cover that topic.

WDS with Airport express and Dual ethernet Airport base

Can the airport express and dual ethernet airport base create a wds? I can't find the options on the airport base's software.

coloradoapple, Welcome to the discussion area!
The Dual Ethernet (snow) AirPort base station (ABS) does not support WDS.
Only the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) and AirPort Express (AX) support WDS.

My home network has an Airport Extreme w/Time Capsule as the base and then an Airport Express and a second Airport Extreme to reach different areas of the house. Is there a way to use the second Airport Extreme for file storage on this network?

My home network has an Airport Extreme w/Time Capsule as the base and then an Airport Express and a second Airport Extreme to reach different areas of the house. Is there a way to use the second Airport Extreme for file storage on this network? Network is administered through an iMac running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2. Ideally, would like for the second Airport Extreme hard drive to appear on the list of devices in the Finder window.

Ok.. gottcha
The problem is network wise.. Yosemite is about equal to tin cans and string.. pathetic.
Here is my usual set of instructions to get anything working on Yosemite.
The best way to fix problems is a full factory reset of all the AE in the network.
Factory reset universal
Power off the AE.. ie pull the power cord or power off at the wall.. wait 10sec.. hold in the reset button.. be gentle.. power on again still holding in reset.. and keep holding it in for another 10sec. You may need some help as it is hard to both hold in reset and apply power. It will show success by rapidly blinking the front led. Release the reset.. and wait a couple of min for the AE to reset and come back with factory settings. If the front LED doesn’t blink rapidly you missed it and simply try again. The reset is fairly fragile in these.. press it so you feel it just click and no more.. I have seen people bend the lever or even break it. I use a toothpick as tool.
Then redo the setup from the computer with Yosemite.
1. Use very short names.. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED names. No spaces and pure alphanumerics.
eg AEgen5 and AEwifi for basestation and wireless respectively.
Even better if the issue is more wireless use AE24ghz and AE5ghz with fixed channels as this also seems to help stop the nonsense.
2. Use all passwords that also comply but can be a bit longer. ie 8-20 characters mixed case and numbers.. no non-alphanumerics.
3. Ensure the AE always takes the same IP address.. this is not a problem for AE which is router.. it is a problem for AE which is bridged.. you will need to set static IP in the main router by dhcp reservations or use static IP in the AE which is tricky.
4. Check your share name on the computer is not changing.. make sure it also complies with the above.. short no spaces and pure alphanumeric..
5. Make sure IPv6 is set to link-local only in the computer. For example wireless open the network preferences, wireless and advanced / TCP/IP.. and fix the IPv6. to link-local only.
6. Now mount the disk of the second AE in finder... manually.
Use Go, Connect to Server and type in the AE ip address.
SMB://10.0.1.2
Where you will replace that address with the actual address. The network resource should be discovered and then it will request the password.. type that in and make sure you tick to save it in your keychain.
There is a lot more jiggery pokery you can try but the above is a good start.. if you find it still unreliable.. don't be surprised.
Do as much as you want of the above... not all of it is necessary.. only if you want it reliable.. or as reliable as Yosemite in its current incarnation can manage.
The most important thing is point 6.. mount the disk using direct IP address and not names.. dns in Yosemite is fatally flawed.
See http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/01/why-dns-in-os-x-10-10-is-broken-and-what-yo u-can-do-to-fix-it/

Can I extend my network by connecting one of my airport express devices to my airport extreme via an ethernet cable? I have CAT5 cable throughout my house but have a wireless network w/ 3 airport expresses

Can I extend my wireless network by connecting one of my airport express devices to my airport extreme via an ethernet cable? I have a wireless network with 3 airport expresses and 1 airport extreme functioning as the base station. I have CAT5 throughout my house.

Welcome to the discussions, mib88!
Can I extend the network a second time with another Airport Express...
The short answer would be no. If you want more details, please continue to the next paragraph.
Apple's "extend a wireless network" works just like the hub and spokes of a wheel. Your main hub is either the Time Capsule or the AirPort Extreme and the AirPort Express is at the end of a spoke. You can add more devices at the ends of other spokes, but these devices will communicate directly to the hub, not to another device at the end of a spoke.
Apple does offer an option which is is known as a "static WDS", which can consist of a "main", "relay" and "remote" device. The problem here is that this type of setup has two huge drawbacks:
1) All of your faster "n" devices will drop down to much slower "g" speeds
2) The bandwidth or speed capability on the network will drop down to only 25% of the original bandwidth with a "main", "relay" and "remote" on the network.
Don't think you want this on your network. Your best option is to connect the new AirPort Express to the "hub" using an ethernet connection. If you can't run the ethernet cable, take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by sending the ethernet signal over the AC powerline in your home.

Airport Express not showing in Airport Utility, flashing Amber

I have 3 Airport Express units. Two of the 3 work fine and show up in Airport Utility v.6 , but the third flashes amber and is not recognized in Airport Express. I have tried soft and hard resets, and it always goes to a flashing amber light and is never reocgnized by Airport Utility.
If I pull down the Wifi icon and go to Airport Express, I get the following window:
Any ideas would be appreciated.

The screenshot is still not coming through here.
Sorry, but I am not familiar with any of the model numbers that you have posted. North and South American versions of the older Express models will be A1084, A1088, or A1264. The newest version of the AirPort Expess is A1392.
Regardless of the model number, all that you can really do is power up the Express for a few minutes, and hold in the reset button on the side of the device for 10 seconds. Then, release the reset button and allow a full minute for the Expess to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.
If you still cannot "see" the Express in AirPort Utility, you either have a defective Express or a much older version that is not supported by AirPort Utillity 6.x.

Airport express connection to extend airport extreme

Hi all,
Not sure if this is in the right forum, but any help appreciated. I'm using an Airport Extreme base station for wireless connection to a batch of PCs and Apple Macs. It works great, and hs no problems. I've just purchased the new Airport Express MC414X/A, with the intent to get wireless into a separate unit on my property, approx. 15 metres away, brick walls intervening. My intention was to run Ethernet from the base station to the Express so that I get a better output, the unit being 15 metres closer.
I'm unable to get the concept of how I configure the software to make this happen. I've looked at the Airport Utility graphics within the program, but can't work out how to get the Express connected and working. I'd appreciate any help/advice that can be offered; hopefully in layman terms, if possible.
TIA for any assistance.
Barrie

barriefromcorowa wrote:
Thanks for prompt response. I'm using a late model Airport Extreme as the router, and I purchased the new Airport Extreme N series device, with the new shape (no plug on the device). HTH, and I appreciate any further advice you might give.
Regards
What version of OS X are you using? Also, many people get the airport express (AX) and the airport extreme (AE) mixed up. Are you using two airport extremes... (which is very good) or are you using one airport extreme and the one you just ordered is the new airport express (which is good)?
Also if you go to your Application Folder then your Utility Folder you should have at least one application called Airport Utility... what version of Airport Utility is this that you have (airport utility 5.6 or airportutility 6.x)? to locate what version go the About menu located in the menu bar under the menu category of Airport Utilyt located at the top of the screen, to the right of the apple logo.
Message was edited by: Carlo TD

How can I set up an older airport express using the newest airport utilities?

How can I set up an older airport express using the newest airport utilities? Seems like there isn't an option to set this up. Normally you could add/set up this in the airport setup assistant- but that doesn't exsist any longer.
Thanks for any suggestions

How can I set up an older airport express using the newest airport utilities?
Unfortunately you can't, since Apple dropped support of the older AirPorts with AirPort Utility 6.x.
Using some workarounds....not supported by Apple.....you might be able to download and install an older version of AirPort Utility that would allow you to administer the older AirPort.
See this thread for more details and instructions:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/21397085#21397085

How do I find a forgotten airport express base station in Airport utility.

I tried to add my airport express to my home network. I inadvertently clicked on "forget this base station" in airport utility. I cannot seem to get it back in airport utility. How do I find it again?

Hi,
This reply is for anyone who got this far but couldn't get further, becuase their setup was similiar and the above didn't work.
I have an Airport Extreme which I wanted to extend with a new Airport Express (2G). I first connected with a network lead and then decided I wanted to extend wirelessly so I could use the lead for my Samsung Smart TV - for Netflix. I clicked "forget" and then couldn't see the Airport Express to reconfigure it to extend my network wirelessly. Resetting the Airport Express is fine but it still doesn't appear in AirPort Utility.
You must switch ON Wi-Fi in System Prefs, Network. I didn't have it switched on because my Mac Mini is connected to the Airport Extreme with a network cable. The newly reset to Factory settings Airport is now available in AirPort Utility to select under the "Other AirPort Base Stations" button. Be careful of the default setting during setup. You do not want to use the AirPort Express instead of the AirPort Extreme (which sets the Extreme back to Default settings)
Connecting a New AirPort Express to a wired AirPort Extreme by first switching on Wi-Fi (which I wasn't using) was not intuitive. Remember to switch ON the Wi-Fi then switch it OFF after setup if you don't need it. And honestly one less thing in my living room broadcasting radio waves everywhere has got to be a good thing.

How do I setup airport express to extend my airport extreme

How do I setup airport express to extend the airport extreme

Unfortunately, you are getting incorrect advice here. Might be a good idea to start a new post, since the original thread is long out of date.
First, please confirm that you have a compatible Express with the AirPort Extreme. This would be either the current A1392 version.....or the previous A1264 version.
Next, we need to confirm "how' you want to extend, since you do not mention this in your post.
Are you planning to "extend" by connecting the AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet connection (highly recommended).....or.....are you trying to "extend" by having the Express try to connect wirelessly to the AirPort Extreme?

Airport Express not seen in Airport Utility! PleaseHelp!

Airport Express not seen in Airport Utility! PleaseHelp!
Changing Utility version did not help.
I have successfully used my Airport Express 802.11n A1264 (1st gen.) to stream my iTunes music wireless to my living room stereo. Lately my Airport Express looses connection after every restart and does not show in the Airport Utility.
I run 10.6.8 on a Quad core Mac Pro. up to date on al software updates per 10.6.8 I use a 3rd gen. Airport Extreme 802.11n.
W.W.

I actually did this by myself not into the computer but a secondary Ethernet port on myTripple play Fios modem.
The Express showed up right away. I did the reset and set it up in the utilities to join my existing wireless network. I don't remember all steps but at some point it asked me to put in internet info, I did not, and then it asked me if I wanted the amber flashing stoped so I could use it to stream music. I clicked yes and the set-up finished with a green light. After I disconected the Ethernet cable, plugged in the Express in my living room stereo wireless, it has been working normal since. I restarted a few times, green came right back.
James since you had the right idea I gave you the 10 points. Thank you for being helpful.
Walter

How do I use my airport express to enhance my airport extreme?

how do I use my airport express to enhance my airport extreme?

Check my post in the thread I've linked to below.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3703370

How do you add an Airport Express to an existing Airport Express network

how do you add an Airport Express to an existing Airport Express network

I assume that you are interested in using the new Express to extend the wireless range of the other.
If so, please check out the following Apple Support article.

Roaming with Airport Express (bridging) between two Airport Extreme AP's

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