Time Capsule + AIrport express extended mode, poor usability

Hello all:
I have a TC(late 2009 model) and airport express(wireless N model) that acts as extended network of the TC. Right where the airport express is located the internet signal/reception is good, but if I move away 20 feet from the airport express, my internet goes terrible slow. Not sure why, but I just followed the steps on the wizard to set this up.
Any ideas?

Similar problem here. Cable Modem (Moto SB6120)->AEBS (802.11n dual-band)>AX (802.11n) for wireless connection to MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.2. AEBS configured as dual-band: 801.11a/n at 5GHZ and 801.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHZ. AX configured to wirelessly extend the AEBS 5GHz 802.11a/n network. I am able to run on the extended 5GHz network (via AX) for varying lengths of time, until the internet connection dies. When this occurs, I am able to switch over to the 2.4GHz network to get back online. Solution up until now has been to unplug the AX, then plug it back in. After the AX restarts, I am able to hop back onto its 5GHz signal and get to the internet. However, the internet connection on this band will drop again after some time.
I was on the phone with Apple Support twice in the past week to get this resolved, but no joy. Senior Advisor seemed to think that my AX was working properly, and that that the problem could be with my AEBS -- perhaps the 5GHz antenna might be bad in my AEBS? Seems odd to me, since both my AEBS and AX are less than 2 months old...
I just read the post from LocoDoc and decided to see if I could replicate the problem. Sure enough, when I am connected to the internet via my AX extended 5GHz network signal and a Time Machine backup starts, the internet connection quits. Only recourse is to restart the AX. Note that I do not experience this problem with Time Machine while connected wirelessly straight to the AEBS 5GHz signal. Only when I am connected to the "extended" signal via the AX.

Similar Messages

Time Capsule & Airport Express Extended Network loses connection!

OK, so I am an Apple virgin of 2 months experience, after many many years with Windows based PCs, so please be patient and gentle with me. Sorry about the long explanation.....
My set-up comprises of a Time Capsule, which is connected to the Internet via a NetGear ASDL modem. Both pieces of equipment are situated in my wife's office on the first floor of our house. My office is on the ground floor, where I have a 27" iMac and an Airport Express which is connected to a printer via the USB port. The Airport Express is sited about 10 feet from the iMac.
All software and firmware are lastest versions - TC v7.5, AX v7.4.2 & Airport Utility v5.5.
For the past 2 months, I have only been using the AX to print wirelessly and the set-up has worked faultlessly.
Earlier this week, I decided change the configuration to extend the network to allow me to use my laptop & iPhone in areas of the ground floor where I had no signal. I followed the online instructions and first changed the TC to check the box to 'allow this network to be extended', after updating the configuration successfully I moved to the AX. Here I changed the wireless mode to 'Extend a wireless network', selected the network name and checked the 'Allow wireless clients' box. This also updated successfully.
Everything ran correctly and the range of the network was greatly increased.......great, job done...not!
After about 3 hours the iMac lost the connection and the TC disappeared from the Airport Utility pane and refused to reappear. I checked but also couldn't connect or see any network on the laptop or iPhone, so have dismissed a fault with the iMac. I finally got things back up after doing a power reset of the TC, but after a few hours same problem occurred, and occurred and occurred. By clicking the Airport Utility icon on the top right of the screen and following the prompts from 'no Internet connection', I can at least get things up and working without a power reset of the TC, but the connection still drops after 2-5 hours each time.
My first call to Apple Support led to a full reset and re-config of both the TC and AX, setting the extended network up as I had done originally. The only difference was an iMac reset (alt/cmd P&R on power up) and changing the 2.4Ghz channel from 1 to 11. This had no affect and the connection drop-out problem continued.
My second call to Apple Support led to me being passed to a Level 2 Techie, who first suggested that I tried disabling the Guest Network - tried it, and it made no difference. I was then told to try a WDS network, which whilst not losing connection, is slower and has less range than the original extended network and frankly sounds a cop-out.
Has anyone had a similar problem, anyone solved the problems, can anyone offer any help or advice please.. I'd appreciate any input....thanks.

Similar problem here. Cable Modem (Moto SB6120)->AEBS (802.11n dual-band)>AX (802.11n) for wireless connection to MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.6.2. AEBS configured as dual-band: 801.11a/n at 5GHZ and 801.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHZ. AX configured to wirelessly extend the AEBS 5GHz 802.11a/n network. I am able to run on the extended 5GHz network (via AX) for varying lengths of time, until the internet connection dies. When this occurs, I am able to switch over to the 2.4GHz network to get back online. Solution up until now has been to unplug the AX, then plug it back in. After the AX restarts, I am able to hop back onto its 5GHz signal and get to the internet. However, the internet connection on this band will drop again after some time.
I was on the phone with Apple Support twice in the past week to get this resolved, but no joy. Senior Advisor seemed to think that my AX was working properly, and that that the problem could be with my AEBS -- perhaps the 5GHz antenna might be bad in my AEBS? Seems odd to me, since both my AEBS and AX are less than 2 months old...
I just read the post from LocoDoc and decided to see if I could replicate the problem. Sure enough, when I am connected to the internet via my AX extended 5GHz network signal and a Time Machine backup starts, the internet connection quits. Only recourse is to restart the AX. Note that I do not experience this problem with Time Machine while connected wirelessly straight to the AEBS 5GHz signal. Only when I am connected to the "extended" signal via the AX.

Best configuration to extend wifi with Time Capsule & Airport Express

In my house I have a Fritzbox wifi router on the ground floor as my primary internet access. I have an ethernet cable going to the 3rd floor study where the Fritzbox signal is relatively weak. I purchased a Time Capsule as a backup device, but also wanted to extend the Fritzbox wifi network by plugging the ethernet cable in to the TC. I was not successful in extending the network, so I had to create a new network. When moving from downstairs to upstairs, my iphone keeps the connection to the (now weak) wifi network and I have to manually change to the (stronger) TC wifi network.
Additionally, I used to be able to successfully extend the downstairs wifi using my Airport Express (and also managed to have my speakers plugged into this for wireless usage), but do not want to additionally complicate my set-up.
So, what is the best way to connect the following equipment, ideally with the same network name, to ensure I always use the strongrst signal automatically:
Third floor:          iMac,    Macbook,   Time Capsule, Airport Express
          Ethernet cable from ground floor to 3rd floor
Ground floor:     Fritzbox wifi connected to internet

You must configure the Bridge Mode setting as the very last step before you Update the settings, otherwise the setting will change automatically.
In other words, you can change the setting to Bridge Mode, but if you make any other changes before you click Update, the Bridge Mode setting will not take effect.
Or, if you see any error messages about DHCP conflicts or Double NAT....the AirPort is not in Bridge Mode...even though you might think it is. Check the settings again.
will I still be able to set up an additional 5GHz network in parallel?
Yes

Hi I've recenty purchased a new imac time capsule airport express. I've set up a new network, rather than extended the current one. How do I change my new network to an extended one or create an extended network?

Hi I've recenty purchased a new imac + time capsule + airport express.
I've set up a new network, rather than extended the current one. How do I change my new network to an extended one or create an extended network?
Michael

detailed in terms of what focus?
here is a video guide about using the airport utility
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Jv6m43eIE

Time Capsule-AirPort Express-WDS not working together

According to everything I've read here, I've configured this properly, but it doesn't seem to be working. If anyone can help me troubleshoot this I would greatly appreciate it.
I have a new Time Capsule acting as my main wireless base station; it has a manually-configured static IP address, is plugged into my Verizon FIOS router, and is set to distribute IP addresses over wireless using DHCP. I have it set to run a 5 GHz network in addition to the regular 2.4 GHz network. I have an older AirPort Express that I want to use to extend the range of the 2.4 GHz network (the Express can only do 802.11b/g, not 802.11n), in part because we have some older devices in the house that I don't want to slow down the 802.11n network, and in part because the 802.11b/g signal doesn't reach all parts of the house very strongly. So I told the Time Capsule to make its network extendable, told the AirPort Express to participate in a WDS network as a WDS relay, and entered the MAC address of the Time Capsule's 2.4GHz network as the WDS main. Result: flashing amber light on the AirPort Express, which no longer shows up in the AirPort Utility; I had to do a hard reset in order to get the Express back (and then it had to be reconfigured again, of course). At the moment I have it just joining my wireless network, and that works -- green light -- but of course doesn't allow the Express to extend the range of the wireless network.
What am I doing wrong here?

Before there was dual band, we always told users that if they used WDS, the entire network would revert to "g", even if the Time Capsule, AirPort Express, etc were capable of "n" performance.
Your findings seem to confirm that this happens with a dual band as well.
I think it's well worth it to get the AirPort Express 802.11n. Then you can reconfigure the Time Capsule back to "Create a wireless network" and check the box to "Allow this network to be extended"
The Express"n" would then be configured to "Extend a wireless network". I use this setup and would highly recommend it. There may be a slight bandwidth loss due to overhead, but the performance is light years ahead of WDS.
If you are using the same network name for both bands on the Time Capsule, then I believe by default the Express will extend the 2.4 GHz "n", "g" and "b" band. This makes sense for most users since 5 GHz signals do not travel well over distance or penetrate obstructions well.
IF...you want to extend the 5 GHz band, the only way that I know how to do this is click Wireless Network Options on the wireless setup page for the Time Capsule and enable the option to assign a different name for the 5 GHz network.
Then you will have to configure the Express to extend this specific 5 GHz network. I never had much luck extending 5 GHz, and I wanted my iPhone to be able to use the network across the house, so I went with the simpler one network name for both bands and extended the 2.4 GHz network.
If you have a "g" device joining the extended network, it may tend to slow the "n" devices down slightly...when the "g" device is active, but it won't drag everything down to "g" levels. When the "g" device is not active, "n" devices will run at "n" speeds.
BTW, the ethernet port on the AirPort Express is active when you configure it to "extend a wireless network". This can come in handy for hooking up DVD players, etc that need an internet connection for firmware updates and extra features.
Follow up....I tried a very quick reconfiguration of my dual band AirPort Extreme (same router that the Time Capsule users) and AirPort Express using the WDS arrangement and everything did indeed drop way down in speed and performance.
Post back if you have questions. Happy to help.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Time Capsule + Airport Express N How to extend

Have been trying to extend my wireless network but have been unsussessful. Here is my setup. Cable modem connected to Time Capsule and Express N connected via ethernet cable. I try to do it with the setup but it will eventually revert to picking up the cable modem IP address 169.etc so I think I might need to manually input the addresses. Will some walk me through this including the ip addresses I should use? The Time capsule is NOT in bridge mode and works perfectly with the internet and other expresses used only for music streaming. Thanks

Mitchell, welcome to the discussions!
You may find it easier to use Manual Setup in AirPort Utility for the device.
The key setting would be under the Internet icon. Look at the bottom of the pane for Connection Sharing, this would be set to Off (Bridge Mode). Under the Wireless tab, you would set the Wireless Mode for "extend a wireless network" and make sure there is a check mark next to "allow wireless clients"
On the setup of the Time Capsule in AirPort Utility - Manual Setup - Wireless tab, make sure there is a check mark next to "allow the network to be extended"
If you have a good wireless signal in the area where the Express will be located, you also might want to try extending your network without using the ethernet cable. Normally, a good starting point for positioning the Express is at a point that is approximately half the distance from the Time Capsule and the area that you want to cover with the Express.
You may also need to reset your cable modem by powering it down for 10-15 minutes and then restarting.
Please post back on your progress.

Qwest Q100 Modem + Time Capsule + Airport Express = only wireless working

I have been reading other similar topics and havent quite got the exact fix I am looking for.
Goal: I have qwest DSL, i have a Qwest Q100 modem from them, it has one ethernet port, i have that port going into my TC, and the TC being a wireless router, I also have a slingbox(ethernet), directv receiver(ethernet), and xbox(wirelessly) connected to the TC. On another floor, I have an airport express connected to the TC extending the network and ethernet coming out of it into another directv receiver(id like to add a ethernet switch to this and add another slingbox and blu ray all via ethernet) I also plan on adding another airport express in the basement and hooking up similar items via ethernet.
Problem: NOTHING thats hooked up via ethernet works, everything hooked up wirelessly works perfectly.
I have the dsl/ppp login details from qwest. I am assuming from what I am reading I need to bridge and make the TC control the ppp login.
the TC sees the items connected, as does the Q100. but no data what so ever via the ethernet ports on the TC or the APE, but the APE extends the wireless network perfectly.
I am basically looking for what I need to do on the Q100 and what I need to do on the TC for it to work with the wireless and the ethernet all over.
Thanks for any advice and help! I Greatly appreciate it!

would i be better off with the wireless model they offer?
It would simplify things a bit. I did not check the specs. I doubt that it offers dual band wireless, so you'll probably be turning the wireless function off to use the Time Capsule wireless.
the only mention i can find in the modem is "ipoe transparent bridging" in relation to bridging or anything of that sort.
The simplest form of bridge mode is probably what you need. It will take some experimentation unless some other users have done this before you and happen to see this post.
it seems like it may just be easier to get their wireless modem, plug into it directly for ethernet items
That will work
qwest is of little help, i get "we do not support networking" responses when i talk with them.
Expect zero help from any provider. All they want to do is say "everything looks good to the modem. After that, we have no responsibility for anything".
run the TC off of it instead of as a wireless network, and make the airport express extend that modems network instead of TC's?
The Express will only extend the TC's network. It's not compatible with the other wireless router for this purpose.
is that practical at this point?
It's an option and there will always be plusses and minuses. Plus is easy connectivity. Minus is that you won't be able to use the Guest Network feature of the TC if you were planning to use that feature. I'm pretty sure the TC will have a far better dual band wireless section, so you probably won't use the wireless at all on the provider's device.
If it were me, I would try to make bridge mode on the modem work. Then you'll have all the options available on the TC. I run things that way here, but don't use Quest, so can't comment on their modem.

Select Between Time Capsule & AirPort Express

I have an iMac which sits between my Time Capsule and Airport Express (Extending)
My iMac reverts to the extender and as such - data transfer to the TimeCapsule drive is very slow.
How can I force the Mac either in Windows7 /Mac OS X to use the TimeCapsule as they share the same SSID in extention.
Thanks.

Unfortortunately, there is no way to "force" a device to connect to a given access point.
The iMac will connect to the device that it thinks has the strongest signal.
You have a few options:
Move the iMac closer to the Time Capsule
Move the Time Capsule closer to the iMac
Move the AirPort Express further away from the iMac

Time Capsule, Airport Express and Xbox Live

Recently I went out and bought a Time Capsule 1TB hoping to extend my wireless network. I knew that Apple products wouldn't usually help extend a DLINK network so it came as no surprise when I could not extend my DLINK network. My solution was to buy a new Airport Express, disable the wifi on the DLINK router and extend the Airport Expresses network via the Time Capsule.
The current situation is: DLINK <-> Ethernet <-> Airport Express Wireless Time Capsule <-> Ethernet <-> Xbox360
The issue is the Time Capsule as far as I can see. For apparently no reason it will change from a solid green status light to a flashing amber status light. Signing my Xbox into Xbox Live seems to be a trigger, but the Time Capsule goes amber even when the Xbox isnt on at all. When it does change to flashing amber I am no longer able to detect it within Airport Utility and as such am unable to diagnose the issue. Any help would be appreciated.

Here it works fine. I have a Time Capsule connected to my ADSL modem. I had to buy an all new Airport Express 802.11n, though, because my old AE could not extend my network.
On an all 802.11n setup you just check the "Allow this network to be extended" on the master (Time Capsule), and choose "Extend a wireless network" on the remotes.
The X-Box is connected with an Ethernet cable to the Airport Express, and connection to X-Box Live works fine.
Good luck!

Extending airport wi-fi network (time capsule airport express)

I have a time capsule linked to my BT cable modem and i have created an apple wi-fi network that I use for my Mac mini and a laptop.
However the wi-fi network doesn't reach the other end of the house, and I am thinking about extending the wi-fi network by adding an airport express.
I have looked at the documents online, but I am not sure of a few things.
Do you need to wire the airport express to your time capsule or another cable modem? (that seems to loose the purpose of wi-fi) as per a document on apple airport networks (p41)? is the only solution a Roaming set-up?
Can t you just plug it in a electricity socket the airport express and add it to your wi-fi network via your network software in system preferences?
thanks for the help

Welcome to the discussions, stephanm8!
The AirPort Express(n) can be configured to "extend" the main wireless network created by the Time Capsule. Here's how to do it.
_On the Time Capsule:_
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Wireless Mode would be set to "Create a wireless network"
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save settings
_On the Express:_
Open AirPort Utility, click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode would be set to "Extend a wireless network". If you don't see this choice, hold down the "option or alt" key on your computer when you click on the selection box. When you select this choice, you should see the network created by the Extreme to "extend".
Enter the wireless password if requested
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Update to save settings
If you have a dual band Time Capsule the main network can be extended. The guest network cannot be extended.
Once you have the Express configured to "Extend", position it at a point that is approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the distance between the Time Capsule and the area that you want the Express to cover. You may need to adjust the location of the Express from this general starting position depending on signal strength.

Time Capsule + Airport Express (no password for extended guest network)

Hi guys,
I´m using at home an Time Capsule combined with an Airport Express for extended range.
I´ve activated the Guest Network on the Time Capsule, using an WPA2 Password for it.
Problem is, the Airport Express is extending both the regular network and the guest network, but there´s no password set for the extended guest network.
So basically there are 4 networks, 3 are properly secured (TC regular and guest and AE regular) but I can´t set a password for the Guest Network that´s being extended by the Airport Express.
I have looked everywhere on the AirPort Utility with no luck whatsoever.
I appreciate any help on this.
Kainan-Maki.

Time Capsule and Airport Express, Windows 7
So you don't have a Mac or even iOS device to setup the TC and express?
This addition of extending guest is new in later firmware.. but you need the 6.2 utility to control it.. AFAIK.

A Time Capsule, Airport Express and AT&T 2Wire walk into a bar...

Alas, I'm sure this question has been asked before, but my reserach keeps turning up separate answers. So I thought I'd turn to this forum for some advice. Ultimately I'm seeks suggestions on various ways to configure my network to allow easy backups, connection two rooms, and wirelessly print from anywhere.
I have a:
Time Capsule (dual band) - used for Time Machine backups
Airport Express (older)
and new 2Wire 3800HGV-B wireless modem/router from AT&T (for U-verse internet/TV)
My room configuration is:
Living room with TV, internet connected DVD player, and new AT&T 2Wire Wireless U-verse modem
Home office with 2 desktop comptuers (no wireless cards) and a USB printer.
Two roaming laptops which move around the rest of the house
The livingroom and the office can't be connected with a physical wire.
What I was hoping to do was setup my office with the Time Capsule in the office as a wired hub, and then use it as a wirelessly bridge to the 2Wire network. But as I understand it, a Time Capsule can't be used as a bridge to a non-Apple product. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Alternately I could always get wireless cards for the desktop computers, but this leaves the printer.
I've read suggesitons of people who have used their TC as the primary router, disabling wireless on their AT&T 2Wire, and hooking the two together with ethernet. Others who just join the TC to the 2Wireness network. But really what I'm seeking is a way to join the two rooms.
Any thoughts? Am I asking the right questions or providing the right information?
Much thanks,
dana.

So I figured I'd go with an initial suggestion and attached my TC via ethernet to the 2Wire modem/router in my living room, and make the TC my primary wireless router.
Good plan
since both will be in the same room, I assume I need to disable wireless on the 2Wire
Correct
What kind of configuration do I need to do on the TC, or do I just following the wizard and select 'Extend existing network'?
You can follow the guided setup or I can give you a step by step manual setup. In either case, you will configure the TC to "Create a wireless network".
("Extend" is only used if the TC connects using wireless only....you will be using Ethernet from one of the LAN <-> ports on the 2-Wire to the WAN port (world icon) on the TC.
The guided setup will normally sense that the TC is connected to another router and suggest that the TC be configured in Bridge Mode, which is the correct setting. Otherwise, select the Bridge Mode option when it is presented.
Note....If you have a newer dual band TC, the Guest Network option cannot be enabled when the TC is configured in Bridge Mode. So, if you want a "Guest" network, maybe the 2-Wire could provide that service.
Should I attach this (via ethernet) to the TC or the 2Wire?
Pick a LAN <-> port on either one, your choice, whichever is easier
What should the AT&T DVR be connected to?
I'm not familiar with an AT&T DVR, but if it connects via Ethernet, you can connect to a LAN <-> port on either the 2-Wire or the TC
For printing, my plan is to attach the printer through USB to the Airport Express and then connect that wirelessly to the TC network (though my first attempt at this failed to connect).
Suggest that you get the TC up and working smoothly. Then tackle the Express.

Time Capsule Airport Express Best Configuration for Backups & Internet

I have Time Capsule as a main router connected to a cable modem downstairs, plus Airport Express (new with firmware upgrade 7.3.2) in my office upstairs to extend the network. Two things keep happening:
1. Backups work sometimes and sometimes not although I am connected to my WPS secured network
2. Frequently lose internet connection, as in every hour or so; alternately nice and fast, then none at all. Most of the time I have a SNR of about 37.
Is there some optimal configuration settings for TC and Airport Express that could reduce these occurrences? Is there, for example, something I need to do with the Access settings on one or both?
Thanks for any help.

Since it still looks like you will need to support 802.11g wireless clients (your iPhone), the best radio mode for the Time Capsule (TC) will be the default "802.11n (b/g compatible." Since this is running in the 2.4 GHz radio band, you can use iStumbler (or similar utility) to determine if there are other Wi-Fis in the area; find out what channels they are operating on; and try changing channels on your wireless network to see if this will help provide the best SNR.
1. Backups work sometimes and sometimes not although I am connected to my WPS secured network
Are you actually using a WPS, or did you mean WPA?
2. Frequently lose internet connection, as in every hour or so; alternately nice and fast, then none at all. Most of the time I have a SNR of about 37.
If directly connected to the TC by Ethernet do you still lose the Internet connection periodically? If so, how about when connected directly to the cable modem?

Time capsule + airport express NO WDS?

I am trying to configure my time capsule and airport express to talk to each other and I dont see WDS as an option on my time capsule? I do see it on the airport express.
I am trying to hook up a sling catcher to the express (through ethernet) so that it can talk to my sling box hooked up to the time capsule.
Am I missing something?

ok - so i am having similar issues and can't find an answer. if i've missed it, please forgive me (new to MAC stuff) and point me to the right area and i'll read it out.
i have the following: an internet router, to which i have connected via ethernet cable my time capsule. On the time capsule, I have configured a wifi (wifi1) which i have enabled to be "allow this network to be extended". this wifi network works great. I have an airport express. this one i have configured to join a WDS network. things seem to be OK, except the airport express is not managing to pick up an IP address from the Time Capsule and therefore ends up with an APIPA. They are both configure in bridge mode. i have tried the airport express in relay and remote mode, to no avail.
all i want to do is to enable the airport express to be an extender for my wifi network to allow my laptop to also be able to connect from the other side of the house. is this too much to ask? i thought i had understood that you could do this with these pieces of equipment.
i have tried all sorts of configurations and this is not working.
nyone have a solution for this?
thanks,
D.

Time Capsule + Airport Express = SLOW!

ok experts, here is the problem: I am using a Time Capsule as my base station and speakeasy.net tests show its getting 8mbps down and 2mbps up. When i extend my wireless network using an Airport Express the speed test results plummet to .5 mbps down and .3mbps up. when I'm in my bedroom where the airport express is, things are insanely slow. When I am in my office close to the Time Capsule, things are fast.
the Time Capsule is configured as 802.11n (802.11b/g compatible), Channell 11, and the wireless Mode is: Participate in a WDS network, with WPA 2 Personal security.
It seems to me the problem lies with the airport express. Any wonderful suggestions and sage advice?
thank you very much in advance. larry

"Extend a wireless network" and "participate in a WDS" are two completely different methods of expanding a wireless network arrangement.
Ideally, you will use the "extend" feature because this places much less of a bandwidth penalty on the wireless network compared to WDS. But, to use the "extend" setup, both of the Apple devices must be "n" capable. We know that the Time Capsule is an "n" capable device, but your Express may or may not be depending on what version you have.
Can you check the fine print on the side of your AirPort Express to see which model number you have? It will likely either be an A1084 or A1264. Please post on your findings.

Time Capsule + AIrport express extended mode, poor usability

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