Use AirPort Express to Extend Original Router's Range

I have an existing router that works fine for the first and second floors of my house (it is not an Apple router), however, my Apple TV is in the basement and the WiFi coverage is absolutely horrible. I'm curious if I can use an AirPort Express router to extend the range of the initial router (I have Ethernet access in the basement) so that I can stream to my Apple TV from anywhere in the house.
Thanks!

Yes, if the AirPort Express is configured to create a wireless network that uses the exact same wireless network name, same wireless security setting (WPA2 Personal) and same wireless password as your existing router.
In addition, the AirPort must be configured to operate in Bridge Mode.
Other than naming the network and entering the password, AirPort Utility will take care of most of the settings automatically, assuming you have Mac running Lion (10.7.x), Mountain Lion (10.8.x), Mavericks (10.9.x), or you use an iPhone or iPad for the setup.
Note.....it would be much better if you could connect the Apple TV to the AirPort Express or your existing router using an Ethernet cable connection, not wireless.

Similar Messages

Using Airport Express to Extend a wired network using Belkin N Router

I have an ethernet/wired network in my home office and am using the Belkin N Router which is connected to the upstairs by ethernet also. I have a wireless network that the Belkin router uses to let me connect to the internet wirelessly if needed and I use it for my MacBook Pro inside the house but can't outside [the Belkin is connected to cablemodem].
I am trying to use my Airport Express to 'extend' the network from my home office out to my back deck by having it wirelessly be available [it is connected to main router/cable by ethernet/wired]. I have 5 bars on the Belkin Router wireless signal but very low unreliable bars from the Airport - either because it is not relaying the wirelss network of the Belkin router or it's not able to send its wifi signal from its ehternet/wired connection to the main router/cable modem, not sure which --
Short of pulling an ethernet wire outside to the back deck or getting an antenna to hang on my MacBookPro to better receive the home office wireless signal, is there a way to set up the AX soit can become an internet transmitter wirelessly of the wired network it is hooked to???
I read http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108040
but that didn't seem to help == and it appears the AX won't extend a non Apple wireless signal and I don't have one [tried the Extreme but it didn't work = the Belkin has been perfect = I can wirelessly connect in the room above the home office but would love to be able to use the AX to extend its power or at least use the wired linkage to then extend the power wirelessly....

Hey
in the following thread one of those top users posted a list of wireless routers AEXP is able to extend wireless network with via WDS
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1492474&tstart=195
maybe that belkin is your modell?
and here:
http://ryanschwartz.net/2004/08/05/airtunes-airport-express-and-the-wrt54g
also here:
http://www.beatnikpad.com/archives/2004/10/19/airportexpresswds
are descriptions of how to connect to 3rd party routers (not belkin but the way to connect of both is quite similar so it might possiby help you too.
Not using wep, wpa/ wpa2 during installation and connecting the AEXP to Mac or Lan Port of your router should help.

How do I use airport express to extend my wireless network?

How vcan I extend the range of my wireless network using Airport Express?

It appears that you may have "join a wireless network" and "extend a wireless network" mixed up a bit.
The Express can "join" virtually any wireless network produced by any manufacturer's router if it is provided with the correct settings:
name of the wireless network
the correct wireless security settings
and correct password.
"Join" is normally used for AirTunes or to connect a USB printer to the Express for remote printing.
But, the Express does not provide any additional wirless coverage when it "joins" another wireless network.
Apple's "Extend a wireless network" feature, which was introduced about 5 years ago, allows the Express to connect to another Apple "n" wireless router and then "repeat" or "extend" the wireless signal....providing more wireless coverage in the area where the Express is located.
This is a proprietary setting. Apple says it will not work with devices from other manufacturers. To our knowledge, this is correct.
Prior to 2007, Apple used a setting called WDS to allow the Express to be configured to provide more wireless coverage. Attempts were made by a number of manufacturers to standardize the WDS settings, but things were never finalized.
The result is that Apple's older "b/g" routers were sometimes compatible with WDS settings from another manufacturer. There were a handful of products....5 or 6, as I recall....that were said to work. Some did, some didn't. Linksys had a couple of models, Netgear had one, SMC another, etc. Extremely limited.
Since WDS was never adopted as an industry standard, manufacturers developed their own WDS settings. Compatibility was extemely limited and unreliable. That continues to this day with WDS.
Bottom line....It is always best to stick with the same manufacturer throughout your network as far as routing is concerned.
If you have an newer "n" Apple router like an AirPort Extreme, the Express can extend the wireless as can along Extreme. If your Extreme is dual band, and you want to extend both bands, then you need another Extreme.
Another responder suggested to someone that they could connect the AirPort Express to a router via Ethernet. What exactly would that achieve?
That is a completely different subject since this discussion is about extending a wireless network using wireless only.

Using Airport Express to Extend a Time Capsule Network: Results (*Long*)

Thought I would share my recent (2 hours ago) experience with setting up an Airport Express to Extend a Time Capsule 802.11N 5Ghz Network. Basically I just followed the directions in the Apple Airport Utility, using the "Extend a Wireless Network" setting:
Time Capsule (TC) 802.11N 5Ghz: In computer room
Linksys (LNK) 802.11g configured as dual network router with TC, also in computer room.
Airport Express (AE): In living room, about 50' away, several old plaster walls in between.
According to iStumblr:
1) I get an 80% signal from my TC when my MacBook is practically sitting on top of it.
2) I get an 88% signal from my Linksys 802.11g sitting next to the TC
3) I get 35% signal from my TC when my MacBook is in the living room. This is NOT enough signal, for some reason, to maintain a decent internet connection.
4) I get a 46% signal from my LNK from the same location. This IS enough signal to connect to the network.
5) With the AE configured as "Extend a Wireless Network" to the TC, and placed in the living room (again, about 50' from the TC base station), I get a 55% signal from the AE (which shows up as the same name as the TC network, for obvious reasons) Again, enough signal to connect to the network.
I did some internet speed tests using SpeedTest (take these with a grain of salt, of course)
1) From computer room over TC: 18Mb/s~22Mb/s average over 2 days of testing
2) From computer room over LNK: 18Mb/s~22mb/s average over 2 days of testing
3) From living room over AE(extended network from TC): 5~7Mb/s average in the last 2 hours
4) From living room over LNK: 12~14Mb/s average over 2 days of testing
Preliminary conclusions:
1) Setting up an extended network is pretty straightforward, and works without issue.
2) My 802.11g network with my old Linksys is far superior than my new extended 802.11N 5Ghz network, at least for internet connection speed.
3) I feel a bit irritated buying this AE now to extend my 802.11N network, if its not going to give me any advantages over my ancient 802.11g network
4) File transfers may still be better over the 802.11N-I will test that out at some point.
5) I have not tried WDS instead of "Extend a Wireless Network"-not sure what the benefits would be.
Computer Notes:
MacBook Aluminum-MB(Al) 2.0 C2D (802.11n)
finds 8 wireless networks in my neighborhood (3 of them are mine)
MacBook White-MB(Wh) 1.83 CD (802.11g only)
finds 10 wireless networks in my neighborhood (3 of them are mine)
Oddly, the signal strength of my networks isn't that different between the two computers-between 2% and 5%, even though it can't see as many networks. The 2 networks the MB(Wh) CAN see are at around 21% and 25% signal-not sure why the MB(Al) can't see them at all.

Your biggest mistake is confusing signal strength with signal quality. The signal indicator indicates strength and nothing else. You need to be using iStumblr to look at SNR (Signal to noise ratio).

Use airport express to extend network from linksys wrt54g

Hello all, I'm having no luck here, and hope you can help me. I am running a MacBook Pro, 2.16 GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, 3 Gigs ram, OS X 10.6.8.I am at work, trying to use a newly purchased AirPort Express to extend the signal from the back office, which has a Linksys WRT54G router. I updated the router's firmware to 1.02.8, build 001, dated 8.5.09. I have tried numerous times to configure the AE using AirPort Utility, and always wind up with an error message, "An error occurred while updating the configuration. Make sure your Apple Wi-Fi base station is plugged in and in range of your computer or connected via Ethernet and try again. (-6753)" During the configuration process, I am asked what I want to do with AE, I have tried both "create a new wireless network," and "I want AE to join my current network," with no success. Any comments will be appreciated.

The Linksys WRT54G and WRT54GS (through version 4 only for both models) were said to be compatible with Apple's WDS settings.
Perhaps this article may offer some clues, but it is doubtful that you will be able to make this work with the particular version of Linksys router that you have.
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2006060516541633

Trying to use Airport Express to extend network created by Actiontec M1424WR (FiOS)

I would like to use two Airport Expresses to extend my home network which is created with my Actiontec M1424WR. My ISP is Verizon FiOS. I previously had TimeWarner and used one of my Expresses to create the WiFi and the second Express to extend it. Now that I have a modem/router provided by Verizon, I'd like to utilize both Airports as extenders. I have a two story house and the signal is "fair" upstairs. I would like to use my Roku player to access my home library via Plex. My problem(s):
I used a hard reset to restore my Expresses to the default settings because my Airport Utility could not find them and my old network is not active anymore. After the reset I was able to find them but I kept getting an "unexpected error occurred try again later" message. After this message my Macbook OS X 10.8.5 could not connect to the internet anymore. I had to go to System Preferences ---> Network ---> Assist Me.. ---> Assistant ---> and then found my network and reconnected. So my Macbook is connected again but my Airport Expresses sit unused..
My Network:
Modem/Router ->     1. PC
                               2. PC #2
                               3. Xbox
                               4. D-link 5 port gigabit switch -> a. Directv b. xbox #2 c. xbox #3   d. THIS IS WHERE I WANT MY AIRPORT
I would like one Airport, connected via ethernet and towards the back of the house, extending my network and the other, connected via wifi and upstairs, also extending my network.
If anyone has time on their hands to help me with my problem I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Mike

I followed Kappy's advice and connected one AEX to my modem/router using a 50ft ethernet cable, creating a new network.   I connect my second AEX wirelessly to the first, extending the network. The first AEX was placed towards the back of the house and the 2nd AEX was placed upstairs. I was able to stream netflix on two devices upstairs while streaming a movie using plex from one pc downstairs to a roku player upstairs without any buffering at all. All three were in HD and my brother was playing multiplayer on his xbox (wired). It works! Thanks Kappy!

Using Airport Express to extend an existing wired/wireless Dlink network

Our network uses a Dlink router which must be located in the basement. Our home office Apple computers are wired, and the wireless Apple laptop is almost always used in the living room, directly above the Dlink, so no signal strength problems there. However, the wireless signal does not reach as far as the home office. It's only 20-25 feet away on the main floor, but for some reason, probably structural, the wireless signal doesn't penetrate.
Now I need to extend wireless access capability to the home office, so that I can use the iPod Touch in the office. I've read through a number of posts, and haven't found one that exactly matches this issue.
The information about joining an existing network has this sentence in it:
"Or you can use AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme to extend the range of an existing AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express network by creating a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)."
The existing network I have isn't an AX network. And it's both wired and wireless. And one of the detailed posts explained why a WDS was not the best way to go. Plus I'm confused by references to "base stations" which seem to refer to something that looks like a Time Capsule, not to an AX.
If AX will do what I want it to, I'm envisioning plugging it (all by its lonesome) in to a wall outlet in the hallway outside the home office. That's based both on what I want and what the salesperson said AX could do when I explained what was wanted.
The Dlink network has been working beautifully for months, and I don't want to do anything to screw it up! That includes even opening up the AX utility software until I know exactly what to do.
Can I do the setup (once it's explained!) on the wired computer? If I have to connect the AX to the network as part of the setup, can I use the 5-port switch that extends the wired connection the extra two feet to the computer (and also provides the wired network connection for the main printer)? Or should I take the laptop downstairs and connect the AX directly to the Dlink router?
Thanks,
Marg

+If I connected the AX by cable to my 5-port switch (which in turn is connected directly to the Dlink), would that constitute "an ethernet connection to the D-Link"? If so, then it should be possible to use it as described in your 6th paragraph, to "expand ... (our) main wireless network" -- is that right?+
Yes, this will work great.
+I'd never heard of ethernet powerline adapters, which sound very cool but are not wireless per se - you need a cable to connect the computer with at the far end, and it's wireless capability that I'm trying to create in the home office.+
Rather than hooking a computer up at one end, you could hook up the AirPort Express at one one and setup wireless that way. You won't need the adapters in this case since you have access to the switch. You may have need sometime in the future to get an ethernet signal to another part of the house, so keep this option in mind.
Here is how to setup the AirPort Express. You will use AirPort Utility, which should already be on your Mac Pro. Its located Hard Drive > Applications > Utilities.
Temporarily, connect the AirPort Express (AX) directly to your computer with a short ethernet cable to set it up. When you have the configuration done, you can disconnect the cable and move the AX to the location where it's needed.
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Base Station tab below the row of icons to enter a name and device password for the device and choose your time zone, etc.
Then click the AirPort icon in the row of icons at the top of the setup page.
Click the Wireless tab below the icons
Wireless Mode....Create a wireless netork
Wireless Network Name....Exact same name as your D-Link wireless network name
Radio Mode....802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)
Channel...Automatic (see note* at bottom)
Wireless Security...exact same setting as D-Link network
Wireless Password....exact same setting as D-Link network
Click the Internet icon in the row of icons
At the bottom of the page, make sure that the setting for Connection Sharing is set to "Off (Bridge Mode)". This setting allows the AX to work in tandem with the D-Link.
Update to save settings.
*Automatic will usually work well for this. Ideally, you want the D-Link and AX to be on channels that are least 5 channels apart. Automatic will usually choose an open channel, but you may need to manually set the channels on both routers for this step.
Your setup should work fine. Please post back on your progress or questions.

Using airport express to extend Time Warner cable modem wifi signal

I just today got a Time Warner Cable Arris modem with built-in wifi. I'd like to use my 802.11n Airport Express base station to extend the TWC network wifi signal to other parts of my house, but I can't get the Airport Express to shake hands with the TWC modem.
In Airport Utility, under the "Wireless" tab, I've selected "Extend a wireless network". I am able to select my TWC network under "Wireless Network Name." Wireless Security is set to "WPA2 Personal." But when I click "update" the airport express fails to join the TWC network, and my Airport Express signal disappears; I am only able to get the signal back by resetting the Airport Base Station with a paperclip.
Applecare tells me that I might be able to use the Airport Express to extend my TWC network, but they do not support that process. Is there any way to do what I'm trying to do? Are there settings in Airport Utility I need to change? I'd appreciate anyone's help.
Thank you.
Todd

You need TWO Airport units, one to function as the main radio and the other to function as an extender. I used two Express units.
Configuration is simple if you start from a factory default condition. Then connect the main Airport to AC power and finally to the Internet modem (or modem/router). Open Airport Utility on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. After confirming that it works, insert your desired administrative and WiFi passwords.
Then connect the extender to AC power. As before, open Airport Express on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. No need to add password info.
Do not expect the Airport to respond instantly to the configuration commands. BE PATIENT!

Using Airport Express as a travel router

At home I use my Airport Express to extend the range of my existing Airport Extreme WDS. When I travel can I take the Airport Express to hotels as a travel router to make the DSL signal in my hotel room into a wireless one? Do I need to reconfigure the Airport Express and if so, how do I configure it? Or do I just plug it in and go?

Hello rkhoo. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Since most hotels utilize a router to provide Internet access to the guest rooms, you should only have to have your AX configured in bridge mode.
To set up the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a bridge, either connect to the AX's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then, using the AirPort Admin Utility (located in the \Applications\Utilities folder), make these settings:
Network tab
o Distribute IP addresses (unchecked)
o Apply the new setting.
To make it easier to switch between using the AX at home or other locations, you should take advantage of AX's configuration profiles.
The AirPort Express Base Station (AX) can store up to five different configuration profiles. You will need to use the AirPort Admin Utility, located in Applications/Utilities to create & save these profiles.
To create a new profile:
o Open AirPort Admin Utility, and select your AX from the list, and then, click Configure.
o Click the Profiles icon in the toolbar.
o Click Add to create a new profile; give it a name, and then, click OK.
o Set options, such as network name, passwords, Internet connection method, etc.
o When done setting the options, click Update.
To switch profiles:
o Open the AirPort Admin Utility, and select your AX from the list, and then, click Configure.
o Click the Profiles icon in the toolbar.
o Click on the desired profile, and then, click OK to apply the new profile and restart the AX.
Just remember to switch to the desired configuration profile before removing power from the AX.

Can I use airport express to extend my network AND stream iTunes???

I have an airport extreme connected to the cable modem and sending a signal out to my home network. I also have a powerbook and an airport express connected to the home stereo.
My question is, can i use the express to extend my extreme signal (to reach the back yard) and stream music from itunes at the same time? The set up utility seems to suggest that you do one or the other.
Thanks!

Are you sure you configured the Express to extend the Extreme's network? If you use the standard setup, the two base stations will be indistinguishable, i.e. you'll only see one entry for the wireless network.
If you were connected to the Extreme when you configured the Express, try turning off Airport in the Airport menu and then turning it back on. The computer should pick up the stronger signal at that point.

How does one use airport express to extend a non-Apple wifi network?

Hello. The wifi signal reaching my room shows good on my macbook but weak on my ipod touch. Therefore I want to pick it up on my airport express and extend/boost it.
I have tried everything in the auto and manual methods of setup to do this, but the only thing I can manage to do is to join a wireless network wirelessly and then then connect to it through a ethernet cable from my airport express. I want to pick it up wirelessly and extend it wirelessly - is this possible? This is the reason why I bought it!
thanks a lot, JJ

Thanks for that info. So, I have been trying to use my airport express n to extend an airport n network (for greater distance of coverage) and cannot get this to work either. I can join the other apple airport's network and then connect to the airport express by cable. I have tried all the help available here but that seems to be the only way to extend a network. But I cannot see any point in that! JJ

How do I use Airport Express to extend my current network.

I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this? Thanks!

Linc44, welcome to the discussions!
I am now using an Airport Extreme and want to use my old Airport Express to extend my network. How do I do this?
By "old AirPort Express", I take it that you have a "b/g" version of the device, which is model number A 1084. Is that correct?

Help: Using Airport Express to extend the range of Airport Extreme

I am trying to use the Airport Express to extend the range of the network created by my Airport Extreme. The Express works in terms of streaming music from iTunes on the PC connected to th Extreme.
However, I am trying to run a short Cat-5 cable out of the Express to a nearby PC in order to have access to the internet. If the Express is recognized by the Extreme and can play music through connected stereo cables, why can I get an internet connection through the LAN port..??
Here's a real basic representation of my connections...
Cable Modem >>-- Cat5 -->> Airport Extreme >>-- Wireless -->> Airport Express >>-- Cat5 -->>PC#2

To wirelessly extend the range between two AirPorts, you need to configure them in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).
To facilitate the WDS set up, try the following:
o Perform a "hard" reset on the AirPort Extreme Base Stations & a "factory default" reset on the AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) before setting up 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 station, via an Ethernet cable, to the main base station. Of course, this would be dependent on the AirPort types used for the main/relays/remotes.
o Be sure to jot down the MAC addresses 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.

Using Airport Express to extend my wireless network

I recently purchased a Time Capsule but found that I could not see the wireless signal from my bedroom. To solve this I purchased an Airport Express to extend the range. I plugged the AE into an outlet in my bed room and set it up to join my existing network. Everything looked fine from the point of view of the Airport Utility. Unfortunately my iPod Touch still can not see my wireless network from my bedroom. I new iPad can see it but the signal is very weak, even when I hold it right next to the AE. Is there a setting I missed?

Rick, welcome to the discussion area!
I plugged the AE into an outlet in my bed room and set it up to join my existing network.
You need to configure the AirPort Express to "Extend a wireless network". The AX does not provide any additional wireless coverage when it is set to "join".
First, you need to check a setting on your Time Capsule as follows:
AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab (below the icons)
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Update to save any changes
On the AirPort Express move it close to the Time Capsule for configuration:
AirPort Utility > Manual Setup > Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network" (Hold down the option key on your Mac if you do not see this choice appear when you click the selection box).
Wireless Network Name = Same name as your Time Capsule Network
Check mark next to "Allow wireless clients"
Security = Same setting as your Time Capsule
Password = Same password as your Time Capsule
Confirm Password
Update to save settings
The AirPort Express can only "extend" what it "receives". Most users position it too far away from the main router and consequently, the Express extends a weak signal. Try a location that is about 1/2 to 2/3 the distance between the Time Capsule and the area that needs move coverage. Then experiment a bit to find the best signal.
Post back on your results.

Using airport express to extend network via ethernet socket

I have a wireless router set up which feeds my mac and tv (via a wired ethernet connection). I have also a pc which doesn't have wifi capability.
Can I use airport express to make my pc pick up the wifi by plugging the pc into the ethernet socket? I would also plug a printer (currently connected to the pc) into the usb, so it can become a shared printer.
Thanks

Can I use airport express to make my pc pick up the wifi by plugging the pc into the ethernet socket?
Yes. But, it is the AirPort Express that would "pick up the wifi". Then, you would connect an Ethernet cable from the AirPort Express to the PC.
Configure the AirPort Express to "Join a wireless network" and click the option to "Enable Ethernet clients" during the setup to activate the Ethernet port on the device.
I would also plug a printer (currently connected to the pc) into the usb, so it can become a shared printer.
There is a good chance that your printer will work connected this way, but you won't really know until you try.

Use AirPort Express to Extend Original Router's Range

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for