Setting up 802.11g WDS

Hello,
I have an older model Airport Extreme Base Station and an older model Airport Express that both use 802.11g. I am trying to set up the Airport Express to extend the range of my network. I reset both devices to their factory defaults, and then set up the AEBS in AirPort Utility in the following way:
Under the "Wireless" tab I set the Wireless Mode to "Participate in a WDS network", set the Wireless Network Name to "Home Network", left the Radio Mode at "802.11b/g compatible", set the channel to "1" and set a password.
Under the "WDS" tab I set WDS Mode to "WDS main", checked "Allow wireless clients" and added the AirPort ID of the Airport Express in the WDS Remotes section. I then hit the Update button.
After doing this, the Airport Express still did not show up as part of "Home Network" but instead kept creating its own network, "Apple Network 072671". So, I switched over to that network and did a Manual Setup of the Airport Express as follows:
Under the "Wireless" tab I set the Wireless Mode to "Participate in a WDS network", changed Wireless Network Name to "Home Network", left Radio Mode at "802.11b/g compatible", and set Channel to "1".
Under the "WDS" tab I set WDS Mode to "WDS remote", checked "Allow wireless clients" and entered the AirPort ID of the AEBS into the WDS Main field. I then hit the Update button.
The Airport Express now shows up under "Home Network", but the AEBS is nowhere to be seen, and the network is no longer connected to the internet. I can only access the AEBS by resetting the Airport Express to its factory defaults, at which point the AEBS shows up under Home Network again.
So, what am I doing wrong? Is there a step I've missed or a mistake I've made at some point? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I am at my wit's end.

I just can't think of why it is doing this. Could it be a hardware problem?
Maybe, but I don't think so.
The following are the instructions I use and share with others. Please check it against the steps you took as a means to double-check if any item was missed.
(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then relocate them to their desired locations when complete. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)
Main Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the main base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base
Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window.
o Enter the base station password if necessary. If the base station is using the
default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and then choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the base station you want to connect to this base station.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.
Remote Base Station Setup
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as a remote base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the remote base station, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the base station password, if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar and click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.
(ref: Pages 42-46 of "Designing AirPort Networks.)

Similar Messages

Setting APs to 802.11g only

Is there a way to set up LWAPP APs so that only 802.11g devices will be supported?
My understanding is that any 802.11b device that attaches to an AP will cause the AP to then operate in 802.11b compatibility mode, and thereby decrease the max bandwidth to 11 mb, i/of 54...
I thought the APs could be set up so that they would only support 802.11g, and would not fall back to 802.11b data rates.
So - is my 802.11b fallback belief correct? and, if so:
can the APs be set to 802.11g mode only?

Thanks for your reply.
We cannot use the per WLAN setting as we can only do this on some APs in certain locations; all APs broadcast the same campus SSIDs.
I did look at the Wireless menu on the controllers, and all I could find that seemed relevant was the 'Network' setting under 802.11b/g/n. The options there are:
'802.11b/g Network Status'
'802.11g Support'
If I uncheck either setting then the Data Rates change such that all rates above 11 mbps are no longer listed.
SO clearly that is not what we are looking for.
I could find no setting that would allow me to uncheck any option for just 802.11b...
So I am still stuck.
Lynne

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

I'm trying to extend the range of an Airport Extreme 802.11g by adding an Airport Express 802.11n. I set the Express up to join the existing network, but it does not make any difference in the range of the network. What's wrong?

Let me see if I can help you with the basic WDS configuration steps:
Note: To help facilitate the setup, temporarily connect the AXn directly to the AEBS LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Once the setup is complete, you can move the AXn to the desired location. For all configuration steps you will be using the AirPort Utility. Before starting, be sure to jot down the AppleIDs for both base stations.
802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBS > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS main
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Remotes: <enter the AppleID for the AXn here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.
802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) Configuration
AirPort Utility > Select the AXn > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode: Participate in a WDS network (Note: You may have to hold down the Option (Mac) or Control (PC) key to see this option in the list.)
Manual Setup > WDS tab
WDS Mode: WDS remote
Allow wireless clients (checked)
WDS Main: <enter the AppleID for the AEBS here>
Click on Update and allow the base station to restart.

Airport Extreme 802.11n and WDS with 802.11g express

I have an 802.11n Airport Extreme that I have been using with my AppleTV. I have it set to allow for 802.11b/g, since I have an old Powerbook Titanium that cannot be upgraded.
I recently decided to add my Airport Express 802.11g to the mix to act as a bridge for a remote, wired computer. I did this by enabling WDS on the Extreme/Express.
My question is this: by enabling WDS on the extreme, will the AppleTV still be able to connect at 802.11n speeds, or does it get pulled back to 11g? Is there any way to verify/check this on either the Extreme or the AppleTV?
Thanks,
keith

You can check the connection speed of each wireless client attached to a base station using Airport Utility. Launch Airport Utility, click on the Airport button in the toolbar. On the Summary tab you'll see an item called Wireless clients. It shows you how many wireless client devices are connected to that base station.
Click on the words Wireless Clients and you'll get a graph and a list. The graph shows the signal strength of each client. The list shows the client's wireless MAC, the signal and noise levels and the rate at which each device is communicating. On my Extreme-n base stations, I regularly see rates from 1 to 130 and everything inbetween. It looks like each device runs at it's best rate based on signal strength and error rate.
Assuming you know the MAC of your Apple TV (it's on the serial number label) you can see what wireless data rate it's getting this way.
The thing I've noticed is that my Extreme-g base stations seem to connect to clients at higher average rates than my Extreme-n units. In other words, on the g units I'll see more clients at 54 (the max) or 48 and on the n units just a couple will connect at 130 or 54 but most are at lower rates like 27 or 11 (even 2 or 1), even when they are in the same room as the base station.
I find that very odd and would like to understand it. Anybody have any ideas?

AirPort Express 802.11g and WDS

The other evening I spent two hours unsuccessfully trying to add an AirPort Express 802.11g as a WDS remote station to an existing AirPort network hosted by an 802.11g AirPort Extreme. The computer was using Mac OS X 10.5.4 and AirPort Utility 5.3.2. I believe both AirPort units have the latest firmware.
I've been able to do this in the past elsewhere, but it seems like every time I try this, I'm successful despite my efforts instead of because of them.
The AirPort Express Setup Guide 5.1 (http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/AirPort_Express_SetupGuide5.1.pdf) doesn't offer much help: "Open AirPort Utility and follow the onscreen instructions to extend the range of your AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express network."
Apple's online support doesn't help much either. This knowledge base article (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2044) discusses the AirPort Admin Utility, not the AirPort Utility. The feature to "auto configure as a WDS remote base station" that seemed to make this so easy with AirPort Admin Utility had is gone from AirPort Utility.
Can anyone offer any advice about how to make this work? I've stumbled across some advice like making sure that the channel numbers are the same on both stations, but it would be nice if some Apple document had the computer story in one place. It would be even nicer if AirPort Utility had the same "auto configure" feature that the AirPort Admin Utility had.
Thanks for any advice.

I realized days later that I already had the information I needed. The electronic book "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Extreme Network" (from http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/airport-n.html ), which I already owned, notes that the following items much be set the same on both AirPort stations:
- radio mode
- channel
- base station password
- wireless security method
- wireless password
I think my problem is that one station was set to a specific channel while the other was set to the default choice of "automatic".

One main 802.11g & one expander. Used to work; can't get it set up again.

We have two AirPort Extremes (both 802.11g)--the "office" one is connected via Ethernet cable to our ADSL modem. The "living room" one is at the opposite side of the house, and has worked for three years as a range extender. We had to change our WEP key today (problems with Windows machines), and once we did that, "living room" disappeared. We did a factory re-set of "living room," and it showed up under the Wireless Networks menu as "Base Station $idenfication" (having lost its name in the re-set).
I opened AirPort Utility, which showed both "office" and "Base Station $idenfication," but "office" had the green button to the left, while "Base Station $idenfication" had the yellow button. So I needed to reconnect "Base Station $idenfication" to "office"'s wireless network in order for it to work as a range expander, right?
I went into the AirPort Utility and chose "Base Station $idenfication." I was asked if I wanted to switch networks (I'm assuming from the regular old house network to this "network" the re-set base station has created), and I did. I chose "Manual Setup," and then "assist me." I named the AirPort, created and verified a password, hit "continue," and chose "Extend the range of my AirPort Extreme network." It asked me to choose the network I want to extend, which I did. It asked me to select the wireless device I want to join, and I selected it. It said "Configuring main network for a new WDS" with a blue progress bar.
Then it beeped and said "There was an error setting up this Apple wireless device for WDS. Quit AirPort Utility and try again.
So I did. And got the same result. Still with "office" with a green button and "Base Station $idenfication" with a yellow button.
Help?

To facilitate the WDS set up, try the following:
o Perform a "factory default" reset on all of the AirPort base stations to be used in the WDS.
o Place the base stations within near proximity of each other during the set up phase, and then, relocate them to their desired locations when complete.
o To avoid having to "switch" wireless networks during the WDS setup, attach each of the remote/relay base stations, via an Ethernet cable, to the main base station. Of course, this would be dependent on the AirPort types used.
o Be sure to jot down the MAC address for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS as these will be required during the setup.
o When enabling wireless encryption, configure the relay/remote base stations first and the main base station last.

Airport Express (Model with 802.11G +54MBPS Mac/PC and Set Up Issues

Hi,
We have a 4 Mac and 1 PC Household. Cable Internet Service by Roadrunner.Cable model (owned) connected to a D-Link 802.11G wi fi router (by ethernet from cable modem)in the family room , then out to a Imac (the half moon base and LCD screen with a airport card also in the family room and the closet computer to the D-Link
router, (we did add a D-Link antenna to the router ? about 10 months ago (a D-Link ANT24-0700 (Version 1.2)and a HP 4 in 1 printer attached via USB to the Imac
,a eMac 1.25 ghz 1Gb ram with airpot card also connected wirelessly (no printer attached on the same floor but in a ajoinging room about 20 feet from the Router, and another eMac 1.0 Ghz 1Gb ram with airport card in the upstairs part of our house (a bedroom) and no issue with Internet connection (it has a Epson 3in 1 printer attached via USB, and a MacBook Pro with 802.11N wireless card in side , bought for a Christmas/Birthday Present and also for college.It to has no issues with the Internet where ever it may be in the house. Our sole PC a HP tower with a added D-Link WDA -2320 Range Booster Desktop Adapter (802.11G) and we added a D-Link Antenna same model as the other a ANT24-0700 to help with Internet access which it did as well as adding some ram to increase page loading time etc. It does not have a printer attached. I will get to the Topic Area now
The Airport Express. I was not involved in the set-up as I was laid up due to a bad back and post major knee surgery , But I always (especially recently) wondered why the light was amber and blinking. I read through the manual and also
Apple.com support and MacFixit.com (which is under construction and moved to part of Cnet.com)and then went to the Airport Express Discussion area (sorry for being so wordy) I need a Twitter account to post!) We have a network name for the D-Link and the computers all were added and it also supports a Xbox 360, a Sony PlayStation 3 and a Nintendo Wi (in online use without issue) but..
A network was also as it appears to myself) for the Airport Express and under the half moon bars showing connection strenght (there is our D-Link network "phoenix" with security protection WPA2 I believe) as I have set up the router, We had a Apple Base station prior that was ? 802.11B (a half moon white unit) still have it in the box ) So for normal daily use, checking e-mail and internet use all of the computers use the "phoenix" or D-Link supported Router 802.11G
and The other network calld Apple Network with numbers and letters after it (and hopefully security) password is unknown , The Airport Express is set up connected via USB to a HP B&W laser printer which has saved quite a bit of money on ink, To utilize that printer you must switch from "phoenix" The D-Link router network to the Apple Network (followed by letters and numbers) The Imac and the eMac in the family room and a ajoing room (after switching to the Apple Network
can than print to the lasr printer. The eMac upstairs and the HP Windows XP Professional software can not print to the laser printer (yet the HP PC shows it as a individual network and a strong signal, equal to the Internet connection from the D-Link, and the eMac (after switching under the half moon (not the proper name I am sure) to get to the Apple Network to print , it will not print, yet it shows a 5 bar signal, same as the D-Link connection. I do believe we have two seperate networks (but do not understand why the two Mac's in the family room can print to the laser printer by simply switching networks and then file and print. ** One other 9probaly major item is that it states to set up the Airport Express with a Mac With OSX 10.4 or later (at the time of set up, we had the Imac and two eMac's all running Panther OSX 10.3.9 9which they continue to have installed) We obtained the HP Tower and Monitor and HP 4in 1 printer ust before Christmas in 2008 and the MacBook Pro in Mid December 2009 (current model and running Snow Leopard 10.6. The HP Tower runs Windows Xp Professional (Service Pack 3) so the MacBook Pro which is much more mobile , could be used to do the set-up, or the HP Tower coulf be moved temprarily, I do recall if Router changes (at least with The D-Link You need to be connected by Ethernet to the Mac
that would be doing the set up/configuration of the router (and it runs OSX 10.3.9 and is a older Mac (with 80Gb Hard drive that is partioned for OS9 and OSX as well , it is under a Ghz processor wise and less than 1 Gb of ram as the last ram slot required a seal to be broken and 256mb of ram (?) could be added
it has 768 mb of ram but knock on wood running well. We use Lacie external drives
on the Imac and both eMac's and need to get external drives for the HP PC as well as the Mac Book Pro (15" screen)
I apoogize if I repeated myself, and rambled but I wanted to (in one post) to explain our set up and network configuration
Questions
1) if indeed it is that the two networks is true and a set yp that is not correct
can the Airport Express be configured without opening up the router (when ever that happens it seems one computer is unable to get online and each time its a differnt one a Mac or veen the PC
The PC under My Computer and Networks clearly shows the wto distinct and seperate netwoks with strong signals and the distance is not far (it is through a floor as the other emac and the PC are upstairs and cabling by ethernet is not a option
2) If I need to open the router would I add the Airport Express as a client as if it was one of the computers or gaming systems on the network? (adding the Mac adress or IP address (not sure how you find the Mac address) and its been while since the router was opened up for any additions or work on it.
3) would it be on the same channel as the router or not ?
4) Hopefully with proper configuration the light will stay on (and green) on the A/E and the eMac and HP PC will be able to print to the laser printer. Currentlt
when anything needs printed from the PC its put on a Flasg Drive and plugged in tothe Imac and the the Apple Network is selected and data printed, The eMac upstairs has the option of using the attached Epson 3 in one or doing the Flash stick work around.
I would be verya appreciative if some one took a look at the set up above and advised me of what is right, what is not right* and what to do to fix things up
I would imagine after proper set up, delete the Apple Network from the PC and eMac upstairs and ? all of the computers as we should have one base station (the D-link and the spoke (the A/E connected by UBS to the A/E (it may be ethernet but the cable connection from the A/E to the HP laser printer is correct (the rest of the A/E set up ... Please , tell me where it is and where it should be
and ? any idea why we can print to the laser printer down stairs and not up stairs ? it did mention printer set up with Panther as possible, page 43 of themanual we have un chaper 5 Tips and Troubleshooting (under whn your printer isn't responding) (we do not have the interfereance listed in the manual,
our phones are land line, one 900 mghz and the others 5.8 ghz
It is possible to move the A/E and laser printer if that would help the two computers (desktops) upstairs) bt the distance is way less than 150 but their is a floor and ? duct work (metal ) but I think here is a place to stop typing and let some of the experts on the discussion forums take a look.
one lst note (as the lap top will be going off to college in the fall (runnning Snow Leopard, and the other 3 Mac's run Panther OSX 10.3.9 should the HP PC windows Xp Professional be the computer to set up the air port express and the Airport Utility proram installed & would this conflict with the current Router (set up by a Macc running OSX 10.3.9 (Panther) i.e (should both set ups be on the same computer?) but actually aThe D-Link is OSX10.3.9 compatible (and 802.11G) and set up requires ethernet connection to a Mac (You type in the numbers and . etc and password as administror and you are in, or should the admin be on the same cpmpuer for the router and A/E ?
(and considering a Airport Extreme Base Station as well as dual frequency simulataneus and 802.11N (for the laptop now) and future, or wait. The 802.11
in theory would broadcast farther..?? even if computers had 802.11b(our Mac Desk tops and the PC 802.11B card
Thanks Again!!!
Many, Many Thanks
amnienttales

William Boyd Jr.
Hello again,
D-Link Router is model DGL-4300 (along with a D-Link ANT24-0700 Omnidirectional
7dbi Antenna . Our Cable Internet ISP (Roadrunner) provides consumers with dynamic ISP address's . All Mac's have Airport Cards and The Hp Tower XW4550 has a D-Link Rangebooster G Desktop Adapter WDA-2320 (also with a D-Link ANT24-0700 Omnidirectional 7 dbi Antenna (the PC OS is Win XP Pro Service Pack 3) The 3 desktop Mac's run OSX Panther 10.3.9 , The 15" MacBook Pro OS is OSX 10.6 Snow
Leopard (not sure what is after the .6 (right now) D-Link's website is
http://www.dlink.com , I have configured this router multiple times in the past.
also added as clients on the network (Utilizing the D-Link Router) are a X-Box 360, Sony Play Station PS3, and a Nintendo Wii all of which have on line ability
and enables online video game play with any one online.
As mentioned prior the Airport Port Express is Model A1084 Part No. M9447OLL/A
which is USB conected to a HP LaseJet B&W , model 1020 and some how the two computers near it can switch to the Airport Express Network from the D-Link Router based Network and print wirelessly to the A/E connected LaserJetPrinter
I realize I will need to reconfigure the D-Link Router and add the A/E as a client. I will try first to use the Airport Utility and see if I can do anything
Utilizing it (adding it to the D-Link network, I think its unlikely but worth a try but* the password is unknown but I have a few guess's as to what it may be.
I do have the necessary admin and network paswwords to cconfigure the D-Link Router,
1) * If the the A/E Utility experiment fails and I need to re-configure the router * do I need to (as per the Airport Express Set Up Guide (Use a Mac with OSX 10.4 or later or a PC with Win Xp Home or Professional (have a desk top PC that has the specs) and The Mac Book Pro meets the Mac Spec's)
If I can not get a password to work on the A/E I would reset it using the reset button
And before plugging in the A/E , connect the appropraite cables in our case a USB cable to the LaserJet Printer then plug in the A/E
2) I would then connect by Ethernet from Either the Mac Laptop or The PC to the D-Link router (if not the router will not set-up correctly)
3) The one question that puzzles me is that we are not using the A/E as a base
but a client
in two sections(Using Airport Express , connecting a Printer via USB
and use Airprt Utility to create a new network or join a new newWireless computers using Mac OSX 10.2.7 (Tiger) or later or a PC with Windows XP and it then goes in to the steps of ising the printer for both a Mac and a PC (using Bonjour on the CD that came with the A/E (this appears to contradict needing to use Mac OSx 10.4 or a PC with Win Xp set the A/E up for use as a printer
(joiing a new network or existig one)
And in Chapter 5 Tips and Roubleshooting= Your Airport Express Status Light Flashes amber & Your Printer is not responding (it is flashing amber and the printer does not respond to the two computers upsstairs (one Mac running OSX 10.3.9 & One PC running WinXp and its states to make sure the printer is selected
in the Printer list o client computers, to do this on a Mac using OSX 10.3 or later , open Printer Set Up Utility and follow steps and if a PC with Windows XP , Open Printers and faxes and then follow steps
in Closing ? can I configure the A/E Utility with a Mac using 10.3.9 as above or
? Per Chapter 1 Getting Started use a Mac with OSX 10.4 or later or a PC with Windows Xp Home or Professional
Perhaps I am taking the tips and trouble shooting and Printer Set up out of context or does the getting Started Computer specs contradict them or are they
for use if the A/E was going to be a Base Station and not a client..
Will keep at it,
ambienttales

Trying to set up 2 Airport Extremes to replace my old 802.11g pair.

Hello...
I am trying to set up my extended Airport Extreme network with new Extremes to replace my older 802.11g pair.
Here is the situation: I have Cable 'net access that comes into my studio. It is then wired to the "Studio Extreme" into the WAN port. Then there is an Ethernet wire from the Ethernet port to a hub, which is wired through the wall to hub 2, that goes apx 500ft via CAT6 to my house. Then there is another hub that wires all the Ethernet ports in the walls of the house. Out of one port is AirPort Extreme # 2.
The Problem:
My old AirportExtreme #2 works fine. The new one won't play nice.
The Studio Airport is set to: Create A Wireless Network with WPA2 Personal security. It is happy with a green light.
The New AirportExtreme 802.11n is set to: Extend a wireless network with WPA2 Personal Security. It says Connect using: Wireless network.
I have tried to set it up with the Ethernet cable going into the WAN port, and the Ethernet port. When it is in the WAN port, it says "nothing is in the WAN port". When it is in the Ethernet port, it says It can't find the network. I have tried unplugging everything and turning it back on, in reverse order etc. When I bring the New Extreme #2 to the studio, it plays nice, but I suspect it is working wirelessly with the Studio Extreme. (?).
I have tried to set it to "Create a wireless network" as I have seen suggested in some forums. Still doesn't make it happy.
I also tried to let the software " replace the old Airport with the new Airport" . that didn't work either.
The Old Extreme 802.11g still works and is happy also. Its cable is plugged into the Ethernet port and it transmits throughout the house.
I am going nuts trying to get this to work! Why does the old one work and not the new one?
HELP!!!!
Thank you!

You got ahead of things here (and chose the wrong settings), but we can correct things.
Reset the AirPort Extreme again, please.
Then open AirPort Utility, select the AirPort Extreme, and click Manual Setup.
Click the Base Station tab under the row if icons to name the AirPort Extreme, assign a device password and adjust Time Zone settings.
Now, click the Wireless tab next to the Base Station tab and adjust settings as follows:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network (Extend is used only if you connect using wireless...and you are connecting using Ethernet)
Wireless Network = Same name as your "main" AirPort Extreme
Enter a check mark next to Allow this network to be extended
Radio Mode = Automatic
Radio Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = Same setting as the "main" AirPort Extreme
Wireless Password = Same password as the "main" AirPort Extreme
Confirm Password
Click the Internet icon, then click the Internet Connection tab
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update and wait 25-30 seconds for a green light
Very Important......Power off the entire network and wait a minute or two
Power up the modem first and let it run a minute by itself
Power up the "main" AirPort Extreme the same way
Power up the "remote" AirPort Extreme the same way
Continue powering up devices one at a time until everything is powered up
The network should now be functioning correctly.

Setting up multiple speakers w/ Airport 802.11g/n

Hello..
I updated my Airport Express to the 802.11g/n model over the holidays and has set up a pair of wireless speakers via Airtunes.
I kept the older (pre 802.11g/n) AE as I was told that I could still hook up speakers to it via Airtunes.
So here is where I got stumped while setting the 2nd set speakers. I plug my older AE into the wall and the audio cable (from the 2nd set of speakers)
into the AE audio in port.
How do I get the wireless signal from the newer AE to read the older AE (where the 2nd set of speakers are plugged into) to channel music into a different
area of the home? I have a large studio size apt. with minimal interference.
Do I need to have another DSL line to run into the older AE so I can get the wireless signal to work for the 2nd set of speakers?
For some reason, I'm thinking this isn't necessary since I already have a wireless signal coming from the newer AE.
Any ideas as to what I may be missing here?
thanks as always in advance! ~A~

Atcandela wrote:
So if I understand correctly, I would still plug in the older AE & audio cable, but have to set it up in
"client mode"?
Yes.
... My concern is that I won't be able to
to set up the older AE using the newer Airport Utility.
I'm guessing you've tested this before?
Yes. To administer your original Express, use AirPort Utility 5.6. It is compatible with Lion as well as Mountain Lion, however, the installer app will refuse to install it on Mountain Lion.
This dilemma is easily solved though. You simply need to extract the app from the installer package using a package extractor like Pacifist.
Download Pacifist here: http://www.charlessoft.com/
Download AirPort Utility 5.6 here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
If you happen to have an archived copy of the AU 5.6 app somewhere, such as a Time Machine backup or equivalent, you can simply restore it or drag the app to your Mountain Lion system's Utilities folder. It will run without complaint. It is only the package installer that is the problem.
Mountain Lion will not allow you to delete its existing version of AirPort Utility. Just ignore it. It and the older version (which will bear the unique name "AirPort Utility 5.6") can peacefully coexist.
Note: For those with Leopard or Snow Leopard systems you need AirPort Utility 5.6.1 (this is confusing - a later AirPort Utility version for an earlier OS X version - but it is correct).
Download AirPort Utility 5.6.1 here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1536

Configuring WDS w/ Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n & Express 802.11g

I currently have an Airport Extreme Dual-Band 802.11n Model: A1301 (located downstairs) and an older Airport Express 802.11g Model: A1084 (located upstairs) which I had been using to stream iTunes to my upstairs stereo (which worked flawlessly). Recently a friend of mine recommended that I reconfigure my network to a Wireless Distribution System setup which would allow me to create a remote wireless node which improves my wireless signal strength upstairs, allows an interface to Airplay to play our music from our iPod's/Pad's and also provides an hard-wired Ethernet connection for my newly delivered Network Extender for my cell phone. So I followed the URL: support.apple.com/kb/HT4262 to assist in this conversion and found that I was unable to configure my network as desired. While this documentation is very good, there is one snafu that I worked out that finally allowed a successful setup. Follow the instructions for:
- Connecting a WDS main base station to the Internet
- Configuring a WDS main base station
- Configuring a WDS remote base station (See last line of instructions for the correct WDS Main ID)
Ensure all Wi-Fi base stations are powered on and allow them time to appear in the AirPort Menu Extra.
From the AirPort Menu Extra, select an 802.11g Wi-Fi base station to configure as a WDS remote.
In AirPort Utility, select the WDS remote Wi-Fi base station in the Base Station Chooser, and click Manual Setup.
Select the AirPort icon from the Toolbar, and click on the Wireless tab.
From Wireless Mode select Participate in a WDS network.
Click on the WDS tab.
From WDS Mode, select WDS remote.
Enable Allow wireless clients (see the first note below).
If not already supplied, enter the 2.4Ghz AirPort ID of the WDS main, then click Update.
There are two Apple ID's for the dual-band Extreme (2.4 & 5.0Ghz). Be sure to use the 2.4Ghz ID which is listed under the "Summary Tab" of the utility. What is confusing is that in the AirPort Utility, when you position the mouse cursor over the graphic of the Extreme on the left-hand side of the GUI, you are presented with a yellow dialog box which displays the 5Ghz ID and this can be misleading especially when you are trying to connect to an older 2.4Ghz Express ...

My Express is the A1264 802.11n model. My Extreme is the A1354 model.
The most crucial issue is the the Tivo, because the Premiere only works with Ethernet (I dont' have and wont' buy the upgraded wireless doohickey), but of course I would prefer that the Express also act to extend the signal, and I particularly want it do so using WEP access (or nothing, see below), since I have a second Tivo which ONLY works wirelessly and which ONLY works using WEP, not WPA.
Since there were so many different issues and needs going on, I was excited about the Dual Band because it meant I could potentially get 5G speeds for my iPad and perhaps the Tivo Premiere connection, while allowing a completely separate band for the OLD Tivo.
The other option I've been trying out (to accommodate the Tivo2 that can't handle WEP) is having no security, but making the networks hidden.
A third option I tried to make work was to create a "guest network" for just the Tivo2.
But what I'm finding out (it's what I always struggle with...networking is a nightmare.) is that if you take one from Column A, Column B disappears, so to speak.
The way it used to work on the non-dual band Extreme was as I mapped above, and the Tivo2 and my iPad used the wireless signal with no problem while the Express was Ethernet connected to the TivoPremiere, but it did so using WDS, which doesn't even seem to exist as a possibility, forget teh fact that it undermines the speed boost (so I read)
I've frankly never been able to understand the differences between the various modes and structures, and believe it or not I'm very smart and very comfortable with computers and Macs, having worked on them for 25 years.
And one of the biggest reasons I've had such a hard time is because of the many times that I have updated after making changes, Airport Utility tells me it worked, but nothing happens and then after too much frustration I end up unplugging and shutting down every single piece of equipment and rebooting everything and then it DOES work. Sometimes. But I can't be doing that every time I make one tweak, I'll go insane!
And the number of pin-resets I've done on the Express, the Dual band, and even the cable modem would make your head spin!
So there's my story. Kinda. Does it make any sense? At least in terms of my goals?
Your help is more appreciated than you can imagine.

Connecting AX (802.11n) and AX (802.11g) to create WDS

Hello I'm currently trying to connect my new Airport Extreme (802.11n) to my old Airport (802.11g)
in the aim of extending my network. So I would like to have the 11n as my main.
and 11g as a remote I think?
can anybody give me a step by step on how I would go about this on Airport Utility?
I think my main problem is that my old Airport is connected to a different network.
Kyle

You would need to configure the 802.11n AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to operate in an 802.11g compatible mode. You would need to configure one AEBS to operate as a WDS main. You would need to configure the other AEBS to operate as a WDS remote (or relay). An Unfortunate side effect of WDS is that each link cuts your available wireless bandwidth in half. Therefore the maximum wireless bandwidth achievable is 1/2 the 802.11g rate.

I would like to replace my old AE 802.11g with new version 802./11n - How do I connect

I have just bought a new Airport Express (802.11n wi-fi) and would like to use it as the base station in place of the older version (802.11g).
The old one to be used in another room connecting to my sound sytem as an extention to the new one.
Both of these AEs utilise different Aiport Utility (5.6 against 6.1).
Can anyone please give me some detailed explanations of how I can set-up these devices, if indeed they are possible.
Alan

Sorry, just to make sure: Do you want the older 802.11g Express just for iTunes streaming or (in addition) to extend the wireless range of the newer 802.11n Express? If it is the latter, you may want to reconsider doing so as the only way to extend with "mixed" base stations is with a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
A WDS has two major disadvantages: 1) It can only operate in the 802.11g radio mode, basically negating the advantage of your 802.11n Express, and 2) For every base station added to the WDS, the overall bandwidth is cut in half. So starting with 54 Mbps (for 802.11g), your extended wireless network will be running around 25-27 Mbps.

AirPort 802.11g range

Greetings.
I'm setting up a Mac mini as the hub of a home theater system and the fact that it will be on a wireless network is important.
We're going to be using the latest Airport which is 802.11n but the mini only has g. The furthest machine is going to be 70 feet away - and it needs to be reliably on the network.
Can anyone speak to whether this is realistic? I know it is probably on the fringes.

I think that you should be okay. Seventy feet isn't that far as long as you don't have a lot of metal and concrete and you run at 2.4GHz not 5. Speed should be pretty good since you are not adding an Airport Extreme as part of a WDS. Just remember because you are using an 802.11n Extreme with equipment that is at best 802.11g, you cannot exceed either range or speed of anything better than 802.11g.
Also, your download speed is limited to the speed of your internet provider.
Also, if you are going to add an Apple TV, syncing the Apple TV with iTunes via a wireless system is very slow. If you do add an Apple TV, you would be best connecting it to the mini via ethernet.
Apple TV has its own discussion form which is very informative.

HT4262 Can I extend a WiFi Network, using a 802.11n Airport Base Station with a 802.11g Airport Express?

Having a new Apple AirPort Extreme (802.11n) I need to extend the network since even the AirPort Extreme provides after about 30 Feet maximum only 50% signal strength in 2.4 GHz and maximum 41% signal strength in the 5 GHz band.
I have an Apple Airport Express (802.11g) but I am not sure that it can extend with it the network to get a better signal strength?
I know I can only use the Apple Airport Utility 5.6 to access the AirPort Express, but I can see also the AirPort Extreme though it (5.6).
Also, it seems that my "old" Wireless Motorola Cable Modem (SBG900) for the same distance (about 30 Feet), which is a 802.11g, gives still a better signal strength (62%) than the Apple Airport Extreme...
I guess I need the proper instructions how to, if it is possible.
Any intelligent answers available? Thanks.

This is very confusing. The AirPort Express Base Station has three settings (under "Wireless" in the AirpPort Utility 5.6) "Create a wireless Network", "Participate in a WDS network" and "Join a wireless network".
Whereas the first is self-explanatory the second and third seem to indicate, that a relation with an existing Network can be created. This is also indicated, when selecting as the "Wireless Mode:" "Join a wireless network" and then selecting "Wireless Network Name:" where then all available networks 802.11 b/g/n pop up you can choose which to use.
Now, it does not make any sense, that if all these settings and selections are available, that the AirPort Express cannot extend an existing network, considering that the AirPort Extreme, which is a 802.11b/g/n can be connected to. Even the AirPort Utility 6.0 sees the AirPort Express 802.11b/g but when selected alerts that "This version of AirPort Utility doesn't support this base station. Use AirPort Utility 5.6 to configure or manage this base station. AirPort Utility 5.6 is available at AirPort Service and Support." And as said, that AirPort Utility 5.6 sees everything and has said setting options.
The way as I see this it is, that if I can pickup an existing network, created with an AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n with an AirPort Express 802.11b/g and have the option to "Join a wireless network" such AirPort Express should be able to broadcast the picked up and joint network. Otherwise the setting options for the AirPort Express are nothing else than a distortion of reality to me.
Also, before I got the new AirPort Extreme 802.11b/g/n I had an AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11b/g (gray) and there I was able to extend the network via the AirPort Express 802.11b/g.
So the above comments do not make sense to me.
Hope you understand that and have a better explanation available.

Airport Express 802.11n joining existing Aiport Extreme 802.11g network

We added an Airport Express to support Airtunes on a stereo system to an existing Airport Extreme 802.11g network. The original Extreme had an antenna to extend its range as well. The problem we are having is that the connection from an iMac keeps going up and down. Is there an issue using WDS between Airport units that are of different speeds? Any thoughts on why this might be doing this and how we can get it to operate stably again as it was with just the old Airport Extreme.

I am concerned with the speed being reduced by half per node. Do you mean if I had three access points in a WDS network the speed would be half or does it reduce to one third?
Also, I want to point out in the latest manual, WDS does support 802.11n and mixed, including wide channel, which may over come being halfed but not further reductions.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf
--------excerpt from apple manual -------------------------------------
Setting Up a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
When you connect devices wirelessly in a WDS, you set up each device as
either a main, a remote, or a relay device.
You can connect AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Stations or Time Capsules and use the
5 GHz frequency band in the network. Only client computers that have 802.11n wireless
cards installed can join the network. If you want client computers using 802.11b or
802.11g wireless cards to join the network, set up the network using the 2.4 GHz
frequency band, or add 802.11g AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express to the network. See
“Choosing the Radio Mode” on page 21 for information about setting the frequency
band of the network. You can also set up a dual-band network that utilizes both the
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, so client computers using 802.11n wireless cards
can join the 5 GHz segment of the network, and computers using 802.11b or 802.11g
wireless cards can join the 2.4 GHz segment. See “Setting up a Dual-Band (2.4 GHz and
5 GHz) Network” on page 48.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Setting up 802.11g WDS

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