Time Capsule Wireless Range Extended with AirPort Express
I recently was able to (finally) get my Time Capsule working with my previous 2WIRE modem/router (DSL through ATT). This took hours, but it was worth it! Time Capsule is now my primary router with it "bridged" with the 2WIRE device which is now only a modem. Back up is working fine with our three Apple laptops. However, the wireless signal is weaker than when it was set up with the 2WIRE alone. Our signal strength upstairs was weak making internet connection VERY slow and frustrating. I got an AirPort Express to see if I could use it to boost/extend the wireless signal from the Time Capsule unit. Set up was simple, and it is working great! I have it plugged into a wall outlet between the Time Capsule and the stairs leading upstairs. The wireless signal is now "full" everywhere in the house!
Wired Ethernet from the TC to the AirPort Extreme will result in much better performance. It sounds as if you are not configuring the AirPort Extreme correctly.
Please try the following steps carefully:
Unplug the Ethernet cable from the AirPort Exteme if it is not already unplugged. With the AirPort Extreme powered on, hold in the reset button on the Extreme for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Extreme to restart
Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Extreme.
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click on AirPort Extreme.
The example below displays an AirPort Express. You will see AirPort Extreme.
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Exterme and click Next
Wait a minute while AirPort Setup configures everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
That's it. Pretty simple. Things should be working fine now.
Similar Messages
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Current wireless network is Time Capsule (connected to a Cisco router, 1GB switch to servers and printer 1) to Airport Express (wireless) and to Airport Extreme (wireless). Distance means poor signal at the Extreme which has 2 printers (ethernet cables) and an iMac (wireless)
Solution is to connect the Extreme to the Time Capsule via Cat 6 ethernet cable
How do I configure the TC and the Extreme?
I will keep the Express for a wireless extension to the TCWired Ethernet from the TC to the AirPort Extreme will result in much better performance. It sounds as if you are not configuring the AirPort Extreme correctly.
Please try the following steps carefully:
Unplug the Ethernet cable from the AirPort Exteme if it is not already unplugged. With the AirPort Extreme powered on, hold in the reset button on the Extreme for 10 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Extreme to restart
Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Extreme.
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and wait a few seconds for a listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear. Just below that, click on AirPort Extreme.
The example below displays an AirPort Express. You will see AirPort Extreme.
AirPort Setup will open up automatically and take a minute to analyze the network, then announce that the Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network.
Enter a device name that you want to use for the Exterme and click Next
Wait a minute while AirPort Setup configures everything for you. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.
That's it. Pretty simple. Things should be working fine now. -
Extend Time Capsule Wireless Range
I am having trouble with my Time Capsule's wireless range. I am not a networking expert by any means. I own an old building that is 4 stories connected by stairs with thick walls. All the rooms ethernet cables converge in a cubby on the 3rd floor. I placed my Time Capsule in the cubby, but I couldn't receive a wireless signal from the 1st floor. This is ironic because I have an old Netgear G router that sends signals throughout all 4 floors. So I bought an Airport Express to extend my network wirelessly, but the signal has been unstable perhaps because the Time Capsule's wireless signal is too weak. So I want to connect the Airport Express on the 1st floor using the Ethernet link from the 3rd floor Time Capsule which is my main router. From my research, I discovered about WDS networks, which I believe you have to use in order to create a network with multiple Apple base stations linked through ethernet.
I called Applecare who told me:
-To connect from Time Capsule to Airport Express using Ethernet, must use WDS network. Setup Airport Express as Relay, NOT Remote.
-Relay- Direct ethernet connection from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then wireless connection from Airport Express to Macbook.
-Remote- Wireless signal from Time Capsule to Airport Express, then direct Ethernet connection from Airport Express to Macbook
I have several questions for you wise people out there:
1. To extend the Time Capsule wireless network using the Airport Express, but connected directly via ethernet, do I need to setup a WDS network?
2. I prefer to just use the simple Apple settings "extend network wirelessly". Will this setting only boost a wireless signal received from the Time Capsule? Can it not extend a wireless signal sent directly from Ethernet?
3. I'm considering getting a Quickertek Triband antenna to place outside the cubby. Anyone have any experience with Airport external antennas?:
http://www.quickertek.com/products/timecapsuletriband.php
Any information would be much appreciated! These networking issues have been giving me months of headache.
Thank you!
Alexander
Specs:
Apple Time Capsule 1TB
Airport Express N version
Connected with 2.4ghz. band to N capable Macs.Extending your network with an AirPort Express (AX) won't boost the TimeCapsule's (TC's) range per se. It will expand the network's range by adding another transceiver.
If you'd prefer to avoid using Ethernet to connect the TC and AX, you might get a better signal on the first floor if the AX was on the second floor, i.e, roughly halfway between the TC and the 1st-floor computer. [Extending the range of an 802.11n network|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=AirPortUtility/5.1/en/ap21 24.html] describes how to configure them.
If an Ethernet linkup is no problem, though, that should work even better. In this case, it's best to use different (by 3 or more) channels on the 2 stations to reduce the chance that they'll interfere with each other.
Either way, it's best to use the same network name, network password, and encryption on both stations so you can roam freely through the building without needing to switch manually between them.
[Designing AirPort Networks 10.5-Windows manual|http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Designing_AirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf] is another good resource you may find helpful. -
I recently upgraded my OS to Lion 10.7.4. I also just upgraded from a 1st Generation Time Capsule to a 4th Generation Time Capsule. I have an Airport Express (Version A1264) that I formerly used to extend my wireless network. Airport Express no longer connects to my network. I have downloaded Airport Utility 5.6 to try and configure, but with no luck.
TC first gen was not simultaneous dual band. So.. it's probably best to factory reset your extreme and then tell it to extend again.
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Given Time Capsule wireless range is 150', will this solution work? In detached garage, connect DSL modem to phone line, then connect ethernet cable to DSL modem and run 125' to small office bldg. Connect separate ethernet cable to DSL modem and run 200' to main house. Put time capsule or Airport Express in each bldg resulting in separate wireless networks in each? Thanks.
This will work very well. You can run a CAT5e (or CAT6) Ethernet cable up to 330 feet...or 100 meters...with virtually no signal loss.
CAT6 costs a bit more, but will handle next generation Ethernet speeds, so if you have a choice, suggest that you opt for CAT6 cabling. -
Can i use a cisco RE1000 range extender with airport extreme
Can I use a Cisco R1000 range extender with airport extreme?
Apple's "extend a wireless network" function appears to be a proprietary feature that will only work with other Apple routers.
As far as we know, devices from other manufacturers are not compatible with this feature.
Bottom line....It would be extremely unlikely that this would work, but it's worth a try if you already have the products in hand.
Please post on your results. -
I have a Simultaneous Dual Band Time Capsule. Up until now, I have been extending the network with the Airport Express (2nd Gen, the 802.11n model). Since it was not simultaneous dual band, it was extending over the 2.4 GHz band so as it could extend b, g, and n and support my iPhone at 2.4 n as well as my iPad and MacBook Pro at 5 GHz.
I just bought the new simultaneous dual band unit, which theoreticalkly should be able to extend both bands.
Now, it is not that simple. I also run a guest network, which I assume also gets extended when WDS is on. I also still have the old Express which I have relegated to another part of the house.
When I set up the new Express, it asked me which one of the networks I want to join, either <SSID> or <SSID 5GHz>, the automatically generated name for the the 5 GHz band on the Time Capsule. Which one do I join? How do I know that both are extended? When I connect to the <SSID 5GHz> now my iPhone can see that one and connect to it, so I am assuming it is NOT going at 5 GHz.
And I have no idea at all what the guest network is doing....
Does anyone have any insight into tthe proper way to configure all the units, and what I can expect? My network is as follows:
Airport Express (Simultaneous Dual Band)
Cable Modem > Time Capsule (Simultaneous Dual Band) >
Airport Express (802.11n, last gen)
I want to run guest network (hopefully simultaneous dual band) and personal network. I want the new express to run both bands just like the Time Capsule, and for the old express I want to know which of the two bands I am extending.
Thank You!I also run a guest network, which I assume also gets extended when WDS is on
Unfortunately, the Guest Network cannot be extended.
When I set up the new Express, it asked me which one of the networks I want to join, either <SSID> or <SSID 5GHz>, the automatically generated name for the the 5 GHz band on the Time Capsule.
This likely indicates that the Time Capsule has been setup to use separate names for the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, instead of the default, which uses the same wireless network name for both bands.
In order for the AirPort Express to be able to extend both bands, the Time Capsule will need to be configured so that both bands use the same wireless network name.
Then, configure the AirPort Express to extend the wireless network name of the Time Capsule, and it will extend both bands. At least, that is the way an AirPort Extreme works, and I assume that the Express is the same. I don't have an Express here to test, but will in another day or two.
The location of the Express is important, since the 5 GHz signals are not as strong as 2.4 GHz signals. You may need to experiment by placing the Express closer to the Time Capsule than normal. With an AirPort Extreme, I find that the Extreme must be located no more than about half the distance from the main router to the area that needs more wireless coverage.
If you continue to use the previous model Express to extend as well, it too must be configured to extend the wireless network name of the Time Capsule. Configured this way, the Express will extend the stronger of the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz signals, so it will likely extend the 2.4 GHz band unless it is located close to the Time Capsule.
To find out which band the previous model Express is extending, locate a Mac laptop close to the Express and hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the AirPort icon at the top of the screen. The info displayed will indicate whether you (and the Express) are connecting using 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. -
How to set Time capsule as base station and airport express to join
I have a wireless network using an Airport express. Now I would like to have time capsule to be set up as the base station and just the airport express to join this network, in order to listen wirelessly to music, but keep the speed of the time capsule.
Right now, the ethernet cable is connected to the Airport express. Do I have to switch that to the Time capsule? I tried to do that, but it wasn't able to connect to the internet in this case.... I am lost. Now I have a speedy time capsule, but have the network running on the slow Airport express... Please help!!! And I believe as you guessed already, I am not a smarty, when it comes to networks.
HELP! Please!!I actually have mine set up this way that you are looking to do. Works well for me. here si what you can try:
Make sure you unplug the Express all together first. It does interfere when trying to set this up. Next setup your TC just like the instruction says (remember no Express). You should just be able to set up your TC, connect to the internet and get going like any other router or like the Airport Extreme. if you set up your TC with your comp and CANNOT access the internet that is your first problem. My suggestion: do a hard reset of the TC if you have already attached it to the Express while also doing a hard reset of the Express - this is to bring them both back to afctory defaults to start fresh. This definitaely helped me.
So once you have your TC up and running and you have internet access thru your TC, you are halfway there. Make sure your TC shows in the left column of the Airport Utility (and dont forget to install the Airport Utility from the disc that comes with teh TC before you do any of this, forgot that). if it shows up in the left column you should also be able to see the Express in that column, both with green lights, if you have set this up correctly. Then plug in the Express. As the above mentioned remember t make sure it is connected to the correct port on that back of the TC. It will remain amber then blink a few times. This is normal. It should be blinking amber when you attempt the setup of the Express. Your airport utility shoul dnow see the addt base station (Express) in the left column. When you click on it and click CONTINUE it will ask you if you want to switch networks. You can do that and lick switch provided you are already connected to the TC and alrady have an internet connection. Once you click switch the TC will disappear from the left column and you will be left only with the Express. This is OK. I am not in fron to fm y comp right now so I am doing this from memory but in setting up the Express you want to add it to your existing network. You will have to choose which network to add it to in a drop down box in one of those steps - just make sure you add it to the one that you named your TC. Then click to the finish and click UPDATE. Let it finish the update - you shoul dsee green light son both the TC and Extreme HARDWARE - not necessarily in the airport utility. Also it is a good idea to to to the menu bar on top where the WiFi icon is and manually select your network in case you get bumped off while the TC is updating itself after you ckicl update - this happened ot me and it wouldnt complete the update and took me forever to figure out it needs internet connection to complete the update screen.
next make sure you RESTART your comp. This I guess will make all changes basically go into effect as you cycle it up. When you are up and running you should see your WiFi connect as your TC and NOT your Express. Also go back into airport utility and see if you ahve both items listed in left column - they too should have a greenlight. If they do you should be set.
I did this because I wanted to steam my iTunes files that I have on my TC to stream to iTunes via my network. The Express part, as you know, is what allows the streaming. So make sure you plug your stereo cable into the Express audio port. Then go to iTunes and on the bottom you will notice a new little drop down box - make sure to select Express so it can wireless stream (in iTunes prefs there is a pref you must turn on also to allow iTunes to see remote speakers.
Ive simplified this a little since I am not at home but this is the gist. In a prefect worl you should be able to easily have this work. I did so I know it does at least work if not anything else. You just have to make sure you get the steps correct and have everyhing plugge din where they should be...
G'luck -
Airport Extreme extended with Airport Express - extremely slow
I know this is not new. I have seen many discussions on this subject but no real answer.
My setup: ADSL modem connected to a AEBS (square, N compatible). Yesterday I got an older Airport Express (draft N) and extended the WiFi netowork.
I understand that this extension will reduce the speed but I didnt expect it to be that slow:
Download speeds:
- cable connection to the AEBS: >10 Mb/s
- wireless connection near the AEBS: 9.5 Mb/s
- wireless connection near the Airport Express: 0.2 Mb/s !!!
In the Airport Utility the Airport Express connection shows as GOOD.
Is it normal? Should I try to change configuration, channels, anything to improve this?
Any ideas?
Thanks,
TondenFrom my experience of setting up the Airport WiFi for family members and friends, I have learnt the following :-
1. Airport Express is not as good as Airport Extreme, for being as extender, the difference can be quite a lot.
2. There is always a dead cornor (bad reception) in a house
3. Even moving the Airport Extreme / AE a few inches, the performance can be improved quite significant
4. If possible, always choose 5G 802.11n than 2.4G, unless there are many thick walls.
My suggestion will be as follows :
1. Moving out the AEBS out of a closet, is a good idea
2. Always try to locate the AEBS in the centre of a area, instead of the two sides
3. Try to test the AEBS without an extender, and find the best location area (don't place on the floor, neither above 6 feet height)
4. After finding a best location, set the extender closer to the AEBS, and then moving apart from it (check the performance after every move), it is better that both devices can face each other.
5. I can't tell you the reason, and some people may not agree with me, the new 2013 Airport Exteme performance is better and may be is a good idea to replace your Airport Express, and use it to connect with your router, and old AEBS as an extender
6. Some Powerlinks (in case you can't use a wired ethernet connection between the two devices) work and some don't work with Apple Airport products, therefore, if possible, have an option to return them to the shop if they do not match
Good luck -
When adding WRE54G to wireless network incompatible with Airport Express
I added a Linksys WRE54G to expand my network to a Powerbook G4 laptop with a weak signal. When I connect the wireless expander, I no longer see the Airport express in the airport utility. I cannot access the printer or itunes speakers attached to the airport express. When I power off the expander and have a weaker signal, the airport express is available again. I don't know how to configure the wireless expander to work with airport express, and if I try to create a WDS network with the airport express (currently unsuccessful), then I believe I will lose itunes support (and maybe the printer?).
Does anyone know how to configure the WRE54G so that I can still see the airport express on my network?
Thanks,
BrigitteI was having the same problems. Try this link, someone seems to have solved it.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1271648 -
Dlink Wireless Range Extender with Time Capsule Setup
Looking to setup a D-Link DAP-1320 on my time capsule to extend my wifi network. The D-link instructions are pretty basic, only two choices. WPS Setup, which the Time capsule does not have. And Web browser setup by going to dlinkap.local which only times out and does not load.
Any sugestions? thanksNope this cannot work.. Apple to Apple .. Dlink is banana.. Apples don't talk to bananas.
If the DAP-1320 has a WAP mode.. then plug it by ethernet into the TC and use like that. Not going to work any other way. -
I attempted to set up a new HP wireless printer. It is unstable and HP support says I have too many devices since I have a time capsule and 4 airport express either extending my network or being used for a different printer or stereos. Anyone else find that their Airport Express/Extreme interferes with a wireless printer. If so, what's the point?
I have a similar model, the HP 8500A here in the home office that I originally hooked up using wireless on an AirPort system consisting of an AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule and 2 AirPort Express devices.
The HP was originally hooked up to the "main" router using wireless as a test to see how wireless would perform. No issues with setup or performance over the first few weeks. I did eventually change the device to connect using Ethernet once I had room to move the device near the AirPort Extreme.
HP is pulling your leg with the advice about too many devices. The AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule will handle up to 50 wireless devices. In my case, I did nothing except follow the setup procedure and restart the entire network....something that I always do when I make any change to the network. -
Thanks for any help with this.
You are asking several different questions. If you need to store your photos, music, and movies on an external volume, you certainly can. Any externally connected hard disk drive will work, connected either directly to your Mac or to your Time Capsule as a shared volume.
You should not rely upon using that as a backup device though. Although you certainly may use it for both purposes, it is a better idea to have dedicated backup devices for a variety of reasons not limited to redundancy. You would not want to simultaneously lose all your pictures as well as your backup. If they are all on the same device, that could happen. Furthermore, a backup cannot back up the volume on which it is running.
As for adding an Extreme or Express, using its LAN port for your iMac, and then enable Internet sharing so you can effectively use the iMac as a "hotspot", you can do that too, but I am unclear on what benefit you believe this arrangement would convey for you.
An Extreme's Guest network is separate from its Main network; that is the reason for having it. -
Time capsule wireless range = terrible
Just purchased my new time capsule (2011 model) there a couple of weeks ago, but i am noticing the range on it doesnt exceed outside my bedroom for the most part. It has less range then my Actiontec modem combo that came with Bell Aliant services.
Its set up standardly as it sets itself yp when you hook it up, i have not really done any settings changes.
I find the connection with randomly drop (it says connected but no web pages will open) and the range goes to a max of maybe 15-20 feet which seems rather terrible.
any helpful suggestions?
If you need to know any specifics let me know and ill do my best to supply such information
thanks
cheersAre you using Mac? On the Mac, go to the dashboard, download and install a handy utility "Wireless Grapher".
You'll see the Network, Channel and signal strength from your connected router, as well as other Wi-Fi in collision and noise combined affecting your reception.
Also, if you're using one Airport device to extend the network of another Airport device, you have a choice to either extend the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz channel. Some tricks there.
e.g. I'm using one Airport Express to connect to the modem router, and connecting to a Time Capsule (ac) via 2.4 GHz. Then I have 5 GHz channel for a few Macs (requiring TM backups), and another Airport Express (extending the same Wi-Fi network) on 2.4 GHz for iPhones. I also have another 2 dual-band routers for Windows based computers, all to the modem router. Altogether I have 4 channels in use. They separate well and noise level is very low.
You may need to reset / swap the Airport Express base stations, and also the TC and see which one gives your bad signals. You may need 3 hours to fix it. -
Wireless wifi extender. Airport express
I Am trying to use airport express as a wireless wifi extender. I can't get the hardware to connect to my existing wifi signal. What do I do. Obviously not a techie
Explain what you have as your current WiFi router. Is it an Airport Extreme, Apple Time Capsule, or another Aiport Express? If any of those, you should be able specify via Airport Utility on the added Airport Express:
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode: Extend a Wireless Network.
However, if your current WiFi router is from another manufacture, then I would suggest running an Ethernet cable from the existing WiFi router to the Airport Express, then configure the Airport Express as:
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Network -> Router Mode -> Off (Bridged Mode)
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Create a wireless network
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Wireless Network Name -> <specify the same name as your existing WiFi router uses>
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Wireless Security -> <same as used by existing WiFi router>
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Wirelelss Password -> <same as used by existing WiFi router>
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Wireless Options -> 2.4GHz Channel -> different from existing WiFi router by 5 channels (1,6,or 11 ideal)
Airport Utility -> Airport Express -> Wireless -> Network Mode -> Wirelss Opitons -> 5GHz Channel -> any different channel from existing WiFi router
This will create a roaming network using the same WiFI SSID and Password. Since the Airport Express is in Bridge mode, both WiFi devices are on the same subnet as specified by the existing WiFi router, they both have the same WiFi SSID and password. As your devices move around the house, they will automatically switch to the WiFi base base station with the strongest signal (or at least when the loose one signal, they will switch to the other base station and you will not loose your connection. I actually use this setup in my home, except I use 2 Airport Extremes, but setting up a roaming network using Ethernet connecting the WiFi base stations will work with any mix of manufacture's devices.
If you cannot run Ethernet cable, you may be able to use a pair of PowerLine Adapters, that use your home electrical wiring as a substitute for ethernet cable. the speeds are not as fast as Gigabit Ethernet, but generally more than acceptable for most WiFi base station speeds.
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