Trouble extending Airport network

I have an Airport Express that works great. I bought an Airport Extreme (mostly for the storage connection). The Extreme is a refurbished unit from Apple. When I configure the Extreme to extend the Express, "bad things" happen. I've been through this several times, resetting the Extreme to factory settings.
The last time the Airport Utility lost touch with the Airport Express entirely. When I reset the Extreme, I have no access to the Express at all. I have to power cycle the Express to get back to a working state. I think this has happened more than once, but I'm not sure.
1) Do I have a bad Extreme?
2) Should I be able to use Airport Utility to configure devices over the ethernet?
3) What else should I be trying?
FYI: Both devices are connected to an internal LAN behind a firewall. I've tried the Extreme connecting to both the "single port" and the "set of ports".
Thanks
David

Well, they warrantee them, but that doesn't mean it that's perfect. Given the "it just works" nature of most Apple products, it's been a less than happy experience, so I want to consider that possibility.
Well, as long as I have two wifi units, I'd /like/ to have them make a larger wifi. Granted, I haven't noticed a range problem before with my Express, so maybe I shouldn't care about that. The primary goal is to have the extreme provide hard-disk storage for Time Machine.
Yes, the computer I'm using to configure them (MacBook Pro) is behind the firewall. It's normally not on the ethernet, but I have connected it at various times during this adventrue.

Similar Messages

Troubling extending wireless network with Time Capsule and Airport Extreme

I am trying to set up and extend a wireless network in my house, but it’s not working right. I have two Airport/Capsule units in the house:
2TB Time Capsule (Dual-Band II)
1 Airport Extreme (Dual Band)
I have the Verizon Fios router as my gateway to the internet, and also as my DHCP server. I have also tested the ethernet ports in my house to verify that they work, and that I can get a DHCP-issued IP address.
Now, my Verizon router has WiFI, and it’s still on. I am not using it though except to troubleshoot. So far as I understand, this should not cause a problem.
Base station setup
So I setup the TC to Create A New Wireless Network, on the ethernet network it’s on (Dlink switch plugged into Verizon router). I set it up in Bridge Mode (as opposed to having it dole out IPs, since the Verizon router does this already). The TC gets a valid IP, and my wireless device connect to it without a problem. I have checked “Allow this network to be expanded” under Wireless settings.
Extended station setup
The AE Dual-Band is plugged into the Ethernet, and is reset to Factory Settings. I name it “Airport Extreme 2” and I chose “I want Airport Extreme to join my current network.” The other two options are: “I want to create a new wireless network” and “I want to replace and existing base station or wireless router with Airport Extreme.”
I chose to “join,” I select “I want to connect Airport Extreme to my network using Ethernet to extend my existing wireless network.” The other options are to disable wireless entirely, or to “wirelessly join my current network.” On the next page it asks me to select the device or network that the Airport Extreme will connect to using the Ethernet. I set it to the Time Capsule.
Results:
Access near the Airport Extreme 2 is incredibly slow. Speedtest shows I am getting less than 1Mbps. Worse yet, my mail client won’t connect. It just times out.
What I had hoped was that the AE would connect via Ethernet to the network, and just bring the wireless network to the other side of the house. Instead it almost seems as though it is just re-amplifying the TC’s signal. Otherwise, why is performance so bad?
Thanks to anyone with some insight here!

Hello Kennuff. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Since you have the ability to connect all of the routers by Ethernet, there is no need to configure the Time Capsule (TC) & 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) for a dynamic WDS (aka, extending a network). This option is only when the routers do NOT have an Ethernet connection between them.
Instead, you want to configure the TC & AEBSn in a "roaming" network. I suggest starting by performing either a "hard" or "factory default" reset on both.
Next be sure that both the TC & AEBSn are on the same Ethernet subnet coming from the Verizon-supplied router.
Configure the TC & AEBSn as follows:
AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
o Allow this network to be extended: <not checked>
o Radio Mode: <leave the default or if you require a specific mode make sure both routers are configured the same>
o Wireless Security: <configure both routers the same>
AirPort Utility > Select the TC or AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection
o Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Having trouble "extending" Airport Express to DOCSIS Motorola Surfboard

In 30 minutes of searching this forum, it is clear Bob Timmons is the man when it comes to Airport Expresses.
I had ATT DSL connected to 3 airport expresses (A1264) for streaming music in smaller apartment.
I'm now in a bigger rental home and want to extend the network. After some tinkering, I can get the A1264 to "join my wireless" network but I can't get it to "extend." When I choose those settings, I get the blinking amber light - and it will not work.
I'm connecting to a Motorola Surfboard DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem. Can anyone help?
Thanks
Ron

If you are trying to extend the network wirelessly......Apple's extend a wireless network feature will only work with other Apple wireless routers.
To confirm, please see this excerpt from Apple's product literature on the AirPort Express:
Extend an existing Wi‑Fi network’s range.
If you already have a wireless network in your home and want to extend its range, AirPort Express can help. Just place it in range of your primary base station — an AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, or another AirPort Express
http://www.apple.com/airport-express/
If you have a Motorola modem/router providing your wireless network, the AirPort Express will not be able to extend that signal.

Doubly extended Airport network has become unstable

I have an ethernet-wired Airport Extreme generating a wireless network, extended twice by Airport Express units, with a TiVo wireless adapter getting feed from the 2nd AXpress. TiVo is located about 120' from AXtreme; that's the full length of the network. TiVo currently is receiving an IP address most of the time but is not receiving TiVo information, reporting "Gateway not found" (it has connected reliably in the past). All the Apple equipment is glowing green, both on the equipment itself and on the Airport Utility. All AX are running v7.6.3, my OS is 10.6.8 on a 2008 Mac Pro.
All stations are n-capable. AXtreme is currently set up to "Create a wireless network"; "Allow this network to be extended" is checked, Wireless security is WPA2 Personal.
Relay AXpress is set up to "Extend a wireless network." Should it be "Join a wireless network" or "Participate in a WDS network" instead? "Allow wireless clients" is checked. Security is WPA/WPA2 Personal.
Remote AXpress is set up identically to Relay; should it be different?

I have an ethernet-wired Airport Extreme generating a wireless network, extended twice by Airport Express units, with a TiVo wireless adapter getting feed from the 2nd AXpress.
You cannot extend twice. Apple's "extend a wireless network" function works like the hub and spokes of a wheel.
Your AirPort Extreme is the "hub" and each AirPort Express resides at the end of a "spoke". The devices at the end of a "spoke" communicate directly to the "hub".....not to another device at the end of another "spoke".
You can have multiple devices extending, but each one resides at the end of a separate spoke, since it must communicate directly to the hub.
In your case, the 2nd AirPort Express cannot "extend", but it can "join" the network. It provides no additional wireless coverage when it joins, but the Ethernet port is enabled if you clicked that option in AirPort Utility.
The Express that is "joining" is going to have a tough time unless it is quite close the 1st AirPort Express so that it can get a good signal. If you think about it, you will realize that the wireless signal has to make two separate "hops" to get to the 2nd AirPort Express. Not good.
If you want the 2nd AirPort Express to "extend" the network, it must be physically located closer to the AirPort Exteme than it is to the 1st AirPort Express.
Never use the WDS option, (which Apple tries to hide for good reason) as it only operates at slower "g" wireless speeds and each relay or remote on the network cuts the bandwidth on the entire network in half. So, with a base station, relay and remote in a WDS setup, your network runs at about 14 Mbps. That's about where wireless "b" operates....very, very slow....about 10 times slower than a basic "n" network.

Extended Airport network

A=TimeCapsule connected to Internet
B= AirportExtreme, connected to A, secondary station
C= AirportExpress, new secondary station
According Apple http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US
any secondary station must connect to the primary base station, hence to A
Problem:
when for C the signal of B is stronger than from A, then C connects with B. So connection is A -> B -> C.
When this happens C becomes useless, even when its LED turns green. Any device, even when in closest neighbourhood of C, does not connect with C, it tries with B or even A if possible.
C could connect with A, but B overrides with better signal strength and establishes the connection.
How can I force a network where C connects with A, not B?

@Tesserax - I am sure you are correct. I ran iStumbler on one of my MacBooks and found that in the area of the house where the AXn is located, signal strength from the AEBSn was somewhat weak - around 35% or so on both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz bands, with a good deal of noise from external sources (neighbors' phones and access points, etc.).
It's a bit of a quandary as I'd also like to have the AXn located near a sound system in that part of the house for Airtunes. BTW, streaming over Airtunes (via iTunes or Airfoil) works, but the noise will occasionally knock it out for a few seconds as well. The noise spikes are clearly visible in iStumbler.
I see that the only iron-clad solution is to run an Ethernet cable from the AEBSn to the AXn, but unfortunately that entails a nasty trip into the crawl space under the house, which just creeps me out - all that fiberglas, dirt and spider webs - yuck! It might be worth it in the end, as it would certainly do the job.
For right now, I am just using the AXn for Airtunes, joined to but not extending the network. I'll crawl under the house when the weather is hot and I've had a few beers...

Trouble extending wireless network using 2 Airport Expresses

I used to have one Airport Express extending my Time Capsule, and had a stable network. Since adding a second Express I have intermittent prroblems - sometimes termporarily "losing" the network from my devices (Mac Mini, iPhones, iPads) at various parts of the apartment. I absolutely can no longer use Time Machine to back up my Mac Mini from the second Express to the TC (a full backup estimated 5 days and keeps timing out or failing).
There's quite a bit of degradation in the signal from the front of the apartment (the TC) to the back (the 2nd Express). For example, at the TC attached to the cable modem, I get about 20-25 Mbps download (very happy) and in the back where my computers now are, I get about 2 Mbps (unliveable - really).
I need it to be stable, but sure hope I can get better performance. Can anyone help me troubleshoot or tune up the performance?
Are these Expresses phasing each other in and out?
My configuration:
Living room: Time Capsule (1st generation) running 802.11n 2.4GHz only network. Firmware version 7.6.1
Next in line, about 35 feet away, Airport Express, FW Version 7.6.1
Last in chain, another 35 feet away, Airport Express, FW Verson 7.6.1
I live in a 1,600 sq ft apartment, not a huge house. There are some walls, but I try to keep them pretty exposed.
I set it up using Apple's Airport Utility v 6.1 (610.31), from Mac Mini using Lion 10.7.4
Default settings, no tricks, DHCP. Just turned off Airplay to see if that would help.
Airport Utility says (today) I have "excellent" connections between the devices.
Any help would be grealy appreciated.
Jim

Next in line, about 35 feet away, Airport Express, FW Version 7.6.1
Last in chain, another 35 feet away, Airport Express, FW Verson 7.6.1
The "remote" devices in Apple's "Extend a wireless network" setup all connect directly to the main router...in this case, it would be the Time Capsule.
The setup works like the hub and spokes of a wheel. The Time Capsule would be the hub and each AirPort Express resides at the end of a spoke. A device at the end of a spoke cannot communicate with another device at the end of another spoke. It communicates directly to the Time Capsule.
Remember that an "extending" device can only extend the bandwidth (speed) of the signal that it receives. It can help provide more signal strength.....but it cannot make the signal that it receives go faster. Placement is critical.
If you had only one Express, a good location might be approximately half the distance from the Time Capsule to the general area that needs more wireless coverage.
Chances are, the second Express is receiving such a weak (and slow) signal, that it cannot do anything to help. It is like a copy machine trying to copy a very poor image. You may well be better off eliminating the most distant Express and trying things that way.
Things get more complicated when you add in obstructions like walls. Even a typical interior sheetrock wall will absorb 15-20% of the signal or more, so after a few walls the signal has already lost approximately half of the strength...and speed.

Apple TV 2 stalls over extended Airport network?

Hello. I have an Apple TV 2 in my basement, right next to an Airport Express (802.11n) that extends my Airport Extreme (802.11n) network - which originates upstairs, in my office. ATV2 reports a signal strength of "five bars" in this configuration. However, if try to access a large video file on my computer (via Home Sharing), it chokes.
Now here's the fun part.
If I unplug my Airport Express, the file plays perfectly. Starts in a few seconds, no skips, no hitches, nothing. Plug the Express back in, and ATV2 chokes on the large file again. I can reproduce this every time. My iPhone/iPad tell me that the signal strength is one tiny bar (and are faster over 3G from this location), yet the files stream seamlessly to Apple TV 2 via home sharing.
Anyone experience similar? Anyone able to configure a similar network that works in this capacity?
I've tried reconfiguring my network, playing with multicast rate, googled for solutions. Can't figure it out. I'd really like to have the Express working with the Extreme; my network coverage in my basement (on the laptop, iPad, iPhone, I mean) is spotty otherwise.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
jjd

Although the "extend" feature does not impact overall bandwidth significantly, it does use up some bandwidth for extended network administration. What you may be experiencing is that there just enough of a bandwidth loss using the extended network that is affecting the quality of the streams to the Apple TV.
If you prefer to use the Express to extend your wireless network, I would suggest that you try relocating the Express. Even a small distance (inches) can make a difference. At 2.4 GHz, the wavelength is around 5 inches. Better still, to help find the "sweet spot" of where to best place the Express, you can calculate the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the Extreme's signal at the Express' location.
SNR (in dB = Signal (in dBm) - Noise (in dBm). You will want the SNR value to be 25-30+ for the best performance. If you have a Mac laptop (running Leopard or Snow Leopard) handy, you can easily make this calculation using OS X's System Profiler.

Can you mix roaming and extended airport networks as such:

I have my main aebs connected to the cable modem. I want to conenct several airport expresses to the aebs via powerlien adapters to form a roaming network. One airport express I cant connect conveniently to powerline so I want to set it up to extend the wireless network as well as acting as a a wireless to ethernet bridge (to connect a Tivo). Any pdroblem mixing these two types of networks?

Several is a lot.. there isn't really enough wireless channels free to make several viable unless you are running 5ghz. You can extend wireless and use the express as ethernet bridge. But it might be worth thinking if you use roaming network naming for the rest of the network.. at least use a different name for the unit you extend.

Why won't my WPS printer and Tbox connect to my extended AirPort network?

I have an AirPort Extreme (7.6.4) in my home network and recently added an Airport Express to improve the signal coverage. Most devices connect quite happily to the extended network (iPad, iPhones, iMac, Windows PCs).
However, my Epson XP-200 (WPS) printer and Telstra Tbox refuse to connect when the Express is on. If I turn off the Express they both connect fine.
What do I need to do in the AirPort Utility to allow these devices to connect with the Express on?

Are you using the guest wireless network?
Sorry but the solution to some of these things is usually arcane.. if you are not prepared to reset and try again.. it is really hard to suggest other things to do.
But here are some of them.
1. Set specific channels for 2.4ghz wireless.. Do not use 12 or 13 even though allowed in Australia because often US drivers are unaware of those channels.
2. Remove all wireless security.. only as a test.. do the printer and Tbox work if there is no security. You are only testing briefly and do not need to reset everything.
3. Do not use WDS to setup the printer. Plug the printer in by USB to the computer and redo its setup manually from scratch using the utility that came with the printer. This is often much more successful than using WDS with apple stuff. You will need to remove all the existing setups of the printer in the computer and start over.
4. You can also always export the settings.. just change the AE and Express back to factory defaults.. and do as little setup as possible.. you don't have to change anything else except the one computer you use for the setup.. if it fails.. simply restore the settings. If it works you can then change the settings on all the rest of the equipment.. is it really that big a hardship??
5. Why don't you extend using ethernet.. and see if you have the same issue?? You setup using the roaming network method.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260
If the issue is only when you extend wireless then it at least gives you a headstart to complain to Apple about their multiple incompatibilities.

Extending airport network - Express as Base/Main and Extreme as client

Hi,
I have looked around on these forums and can't find the answer to these questions, so apologies if they have been asked and answered elsewhere.
I have an Airport Express 802.11n which I want to plug in to my cable modem as the base station. I have a Windows PC and network storage drive (ethernet cable connection only) in the other room that I want to join to my network (and can't move the NAS for various reasons).
I am considering purchasing a dual band Airport Extreme 802.11n Gigabit router to put into the second room to allow the NAS to be shared with the PC (NAS and PC connected via Ethernet cable to the Extreme) and a laptop connected over Wifi.
I believe I may be able to use the Extreme to extend the wireless network (is this correct? - do I have to hit control in the Airport Utility to get the Extend option?), but am not sure if this will disable the Ethernet ports on the Extreme. Are the Ethernet ports still enabled if the Extreme is in 'extend' mode? (I have downloaded the PDF of the Extreme manual and it doesn't mention this). If so I will need to configure the Express as a WDS Main and the Extreme as a WDS remote(?) - but I believe I will lose bandwidth doing this - correct? In either of these configurations will I still be able to use the Express to stream music to my hifi in room 1?

Welcome to the discussions!
If you configure your AirPort Express(n) (AX) to "Allow this network to be extended", the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) can be configured to "Extend a wireless network" from the AX.
There is some bandwidth loss in this type of configuration, about 10-15%, but far less than an WDS configuration which will result in a 50% loss of bandwidth. The AEBS will need to be positioned in an area that receives a good wireless signal from the AX
The ethernet ports on the AEBS will be active in the "extend" configuration.
Since the AX creates a single wireless network, you will be losing some features on the AEBS, namely its ability to create dual band networks and a guest network. In the type of configuration you propose, the AEBS would only act as an extending device for the AX and provide 3 ethernet ports for devices.
I'm confused by your question on streaming AirTunes to your stereo with the AirPort Express. If your AX is connected to the modem, the stereo connects to the audio port on the AX, so the stereo will need to be close to the AX.
If you need to stream AirTunes to a remote location, it would make more sense to use a 2nd AX and configure it to "extend a wireless network". Then you could connect your stereo to the 2nd AX. If you need more than 1 ethernet port, you could add a simple ethernet switch to the 2nd AX.

Extending Airport Network w/ DVD??

Ok, I've been able to set up a wireless network at home that connects my Apple hi/fi to our Airport Express w/ Airtunes. What I'm wondering is if I can connect my hi/fi to my optical connection on my DVD, then use an RCA out Y cable to the Airport Express unit so I can play both Itunes and my movies.
Anyone?

The Express mini-plug is for connecting either to the audio of your stereo or to audio output for powered speakers.
At this point, and someone may prove me wrong, there are several products out there like Miglia or El Gato, ADC that will allow you to provide a signal to your computer which you can view. I have a Miglia Max TV that takes cable input and allows me to watch it on my television. I am sure that it can be adapted to allow DVD input but no to stream wirelessly to a television. The only system that I know that allows you to do that is Apple TV but you must use iTunes as the source or the iTunes Store but you can stream directly to Apple TV from your DVD player at least not today.

Connecting Extreme to Express to Express to extend Wireless Network

I am having trouble extending my network with the use of two Expresses connected wirelessly to the extreme. For some reason, even thought the second Express is just across the room from the frist express, it keeps dropping from the network with the error message to check to see if it is still in range etc. I am curious what I might do to prevent it from dropping and if it would help to wire together the two extenders (even though the connection to the Extreme is wireless)?

Have you swapped the two express over.. as one might have low wireless output or receive.. and swapping will show you something.. if the problem remains. the location of the poor unit is just that.. really poor.. if the problem moves with the express then the express itself is the problem.
Wireless can alter dramatically with movement of a device by a few cm.
You need to realise wireless is a 4" (10cm) pipe ( we still buy imperial size pipes!!)
Which is straight as a die from router to client.. if it happens to pass through say a mirror.. that is a sheet of metal.. no wireless gets through. Or if it passes through a very heavy piece of furniture.. much more signal is absorbed.. The 4" pipe idea can help you see what is the problem.. and give you idea to mount things up high.. where the wireless signal goes through much less material.. including the wet meat bags that insist on sitting in the signal path.

Trouble extending a wifi network with 2nd Airport Extreme base station.

I have added a second Airport Extreme in order to extend a network. I connected it to the network via an ethernet cable into one of the three ethernet ports. I have configured it using these instructions (http://systemsboy.com/2009/02/extending-an-airport-network.html). I get green lights for both units.
My network works until I update the second unit. As soon as I update the second unit, my entire internet connection goes down. Even computers in the office that are connected via ethernet cannot access the internet. As soon as I unplug the second base station, the internet connection is "live" again. I don't know how to proceed. I think my brain is fried. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks,
Rich

Based on the information in your post, the article that you referenced will not provide the correct configuration that you need for your network. In summary, the information in the article is for extending wireless network using wireless only. You are connecting your two routers together using ethernet, correct?
To confirm, your post indicates that +I have added a second Airport Extreme in order to extend a network. I connected it to the network via an ethernet cable into one of the three ethernet ports+
If this is correct, the Wireless Mode for your "main" router should be set to "Create a wireless network".
For the second AirPort Extreme, you will use exactly the same setting, "Create a wireless network". The network name, security and password should match the settings of your main network exactly. This is probably confusing to you, but these are the correct settings when you have the second AirPort Extreme connected to the first using an ethernet cable.
It is critical that the second AirPort Extreme be configured as a "bridge" in order to function correctly on your network. When you are in AirPort Utility - Manual Setup, click the Internet icon at the top of the setup page. Look for the Connection Sharing setting at the bottom of the page. This must be set to "Off (Bridge Mode)". The configuration to "bridge" should be the last step before your click the Update button at the lower right of your screen.
Post back if you need more information or details.

Can I use an Airport Express to extend a network using a Bwrg500 router?

Can I use my Airport Express to extend my wireless network while using a Bountiful BWRG500 wireless router? The Bountiful wireless router has the WDS abilities.
http://www.bountifulwifi.com/Products/BountifulRouter500G/Overview.aspx
Thank you for looking.

It is in fact possible to extend your network using WDS. I say this under the assumption that your statement regarding the WDS capabilities of the Bwrg router is correct. However, keep in mind that you cannot use a WPA or WPA2 password with a WDS extended network. You must either use no encryption or use WEP. Unfortunately some routers require WEP passwords that use either 10 or 26 digits ONLY while the express uses a 13 digit password.
This can be a troubling problem considering that most people need a wifi password to ensure safe and secure browsing.

Help! airport extreme won't recognize and extend my network

OK - so I have a house with 3 floors - and was having trouble getting a good enough signal from my ground to my top floor. So I bought an airport extreme - and this was my plan.
1) To have the signal coming into my router (provided by my cable service) all on the ground floor.
2) To use a netgear 'booster' through a power socket, to take the signal to the first floor and hook this into an airport extreme.
3) Then to have another netgear booster on the top floor into an airport express so I could use airplay etc in my room on the top floor.
I want one single network to run within the entire house.
However, the airport extreme box - when I ask it to 'extend a network' - does not recognize the ethernet cable going into the back of it - even though i know there is a signal because it will allow me to 'create a new network' and it sees every other wifi signal for miles around, but does not recognize the signal coming out of the netgear booster and going into the back of it.
So now, I've got three different networks running in the house - one for each floor - and it's a little frustrating....
thoughts on a postcard?

All that you need to do is insure that all 3 networks have exactly the same wireless network name, use exactly the same wireless security setting, and the same password. Then everything will behave as one "big" single network.
If your devices are capable, they will automatically "switch" to the access point with the strongest signal as you walk them around the house.
The AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express both need to be in Bridge Mode (they probably are), but you need to check on this as the last item before you update the settings.
The tricky part of this is the wireless security setting.....because you must know exactly what type of wireless security setting your cable service modem/router is using to provide the exact same setting to the AirPorts. I assume that you know the name of the "main" wireless network and password.
The AirPorts use WPA2 Personal by default, so check and see if your modem/router is using that setting. If not, you will need to change the modem/router to either WPA2 Personal (preferred) or WPA/WPA2 Personal (next best setting). If you change the modem/router to WPA/WPA2 Personal, then you must also change it to the same setting on the AirPorts.
If the security settings do not match up exactly on all wireless access points, then the network will not behave as one "big" single network.
The settings for both AirPorts should look like this:

Trouble extending Airport network

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