Using AirPort Express as a WiFi Range Extender

I have a Westell Versalink 327 W combination DSL Modem and Wireless Router downstairs hooked up to an iMac via ethernet cable. Can I use the AirPort Express as a WiFi Range Extender upstairs? Any issues I should be aware of?

I suggest that you check with DLink on this as using the same manufacturer will always give you the best chance at compatibility.
Maybe this would do it:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=357

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Can I use my extreme as a wifi range extender? my dsl is a westel madem/wifi combo.

can I use my airport exteme as a wifi range extender? my dsl is a westel modem/wifi combo.

You can use the AirPort Extreme to extend the wireless network if the network has been created by another Apple router.
The AirPort Extreme would not be compatible for the purpose of extending the wireless from the Westell gateway using wireless only.
If you could connect the AirPort Extreme to the Westell device using an Ethernet connection, you have some other options. Post back if you need more info on this type of setup.

Anyone has an idea how to connect and configure my Airport express to an internet range extender which is plugged into mains

Anyone has an idea how to connect and configure my Airport express to an internet range extender which is plugged into mains?
Message was edited by: m. emin

You can connect it but with ethernet cable. You can not connect it by wifi to extend the range a second time.
BTW AE is rather sensitive to connect by wifi to non-apple wifi routers.

Can I use Airport Express as a Wifi Extender?

Forgive my ignorance, but I just swithed to all Apple products a few months ago and I have a question about the airport express.
We currently have one airport extreme base station set up in our house. The only problem is that the g signal for my iPhone won't reach quite far enough to get to the third floor (its a very long and tall home).
I was wondering if you can use the Airport express as a wifi extender with no cords plugged into it, similar to the linksys extenders you can buy that extend the signal range.

LukeW, welcome to the discussions!
Yes, an AirPort Express could be used with your Extreme to "extend" the wireless network created by the Extreme. I assume here that you have an "n" capable Extreme.
If you have an older 'g" Extreme, the Express could be used to "participate in a WDS" (wireless distribution system), which is a similar setup.
It will probably take some experimenting to find the best position for the Express (you want it to receive as strong a signal as possible and "extend", so a good starting point would be to place the Express at a point that was roughly half way between the Extreme and the area that needs more wireless signal.

HT4587 what about set up apple tv using airport express base without WIFI connection

How to set up Apple tv on my tv using airport express base without internet connection

In theory you can configure the AirPort Express to broadcast a Wi-Fi network that the Apple TV can connect to. The default configuration of the Express is to broadcast an unsecured Wi-Fi network with a Network Name of something like: Apple Network NNNNNN. You would then configure the Apple TV to connect to this network.

Using Airport Express as separate wifi network vs extender with Time Capsule?

Hello all. I recently converted my home computer network from Windows/PC based to an iMac with Time Capsule. On my previous setup, I had a Cisco/Linksys router with wifi, and I also had two Airport Expresses in separate areas of the house where the Linksys had a weak signal. Obviously, I had the Airport Expresses set up as "separate" wifi networks, as they could not be used as network extenders with the Linksys. This setup seemed to work really good, as the 3 wifi networks provided good blanket coverage in all parts of the house. Each network also seemed to "hand-off" to the other pretty well, meaning that Airport Express 1 would show as the active network when you moved far enough away from the Linksys (or insert any of the network names here, even though I'm pretty sure that the device accessing the network has more to do with this than the networks themselves). In particular, the speeds that I got from the Airport Expresses actually eclipsed the speeds that I would get from the Linksys wifi.
My issue is that after I converted everything, I left the Airport Expresses as "separate networks" and essentially removed the Linksys/Cisco router and replaced it with the Time Capsule. So I still have 3 separate wifi networks, just like before, with the Time Capsule network taking the place of the Linksys wifi network. While the Linksys and the Airport Expresses seemed to co-exist together nicely, I get the feeling that the TC and the AEs are somehow working against each other or at least competing with each other for bandwidth. For example, if I have my iPhone right beside my iMac and TC, and I run a speed test on the iPhone using the TC wifi network, I get download and upload speeds in the range that I am expecting (30-40 mbps download). However, when I walk down the hallway to the other end of the house, the TC tends to remain the dominant wifi network, even when I am in the same room with one of the AEs (this is where they used to "hand off" nicely between networks). When you run a speed test in this location still on the TC wifi, the speed drops down to 5-7 mbps, and worse, I believe the signal becomes inconsistent because webpages and data often seem to be freezing in the middle of downloading. I understand that the distance from the TC is causing this, because my solution has been to manually switch from the TC to the closest AE, and that fixes the issue. Run a speed test after I manually switch to the closest AE when I am in the same room as an AE, and the speeds pop back up to 30-40 mbps.
My question is this: would switching the AEs to "extenders" of the TC wifi network help this issue? Honestly, my laziness was one reason that I did not do this when I setup the TC initially, because I have several devices that access the AE wifi networks that I'd have to update with the new network name and password. Everything was working great before, and I just didn't want to upset the apple cart. But if I have created an unfriendly environment between the TC and the two AEs, I certainly have no problem making the change now. I just wasn't sure if making this change would fix my problem or not. I know it's a mundane thing, but I'd like to be able to roam the house without continuously having to manually switch between wifi networks to get a consistent signal.
Sorry if this is a simple issue. I am admittedly a newbie with the TC and its interaction with the AEs.
Thanks in advance!!

It is not a simple issue.
Exactly which method works best is going to take some experimentation.
The way you are trying to set it up as a roaming network is generally considered the best.. but the devices like iphones do not hand off neatly.
It is interesting that they in fact used to hand off better using the Linksys.. which could be due to its poorer range. The new TC having so much better range is causing the phones to not swap "towers" to the local express.
Test it with a Mac laptop.. as generally they do hand off better.
I cannot quite figure out if you are using roaming correctly. All the wireless should have identical names, with identical security setting and passwords.
The only thing that should be different is wireless channels on each item. And you are likely just using auto anyway.
So each device is creating a wireless network. And for 2.4ghz one should be channel 1, then another channel 6 and another channel 11. For 5ghz it will be same idea but there are more channels available.
When you extend wireless, everything runs the same channel. But the wireless speed is reduced. You must disconnect ethernet to each of the expresses.. and the problem is your 30-40mbps will reduce permanently to 15-20mbps for all clients. So take your choice.. 15-20mbps for all clients forced to double hop is better than 5-7mbps which you experience now when you walk around.. although I am not sure how much browsing you do whilst walking. You may need to compromise which is the better out of several not great alternatives.
I would have a test.. which is wrong btw.. but I have heard that it works.
In your roaming network at the present time. Try setting each router to a manual wireless channel.. and fix all of them the same. So for instance, set 2.4ghz to channel 11. Try fixing the 5ghz as well, say the TC is defaulting to 149, it might not actually respond to manual wireless channels.. you will need to test this.. say set to 36 or 40 and see if the TC is actually changed.. if not just set all the expresses to 149 as well. What you are doing is trying to reinforce the wireless in each area.. but this is actually wrong. So all will have same wireless name and same security wpa2 personal is the only valid one.. and all the same password.
Test with a few clients and see if the results give you decent local speeds as well as better roaming.. once you decide which to do, then you will need to change all the clients.

Want to use Airport Express As A Wifi Extender/Repeater for Motorola Surfboard sbg6580 NO CABLES...

I am trying to simply extend my wifi network with Airport Express N. I am trying get my Motorola Surfboard sbg6580 to work with AEn, MOT sbg6580 has WDS and apple.com says "it does work with other routers" I guess I cant figure this out... I do not want to run 50 ft of ethernet cable and drill holes in floors, just simply extend network with AEn as repeater or extender. Is this possible? If so how?

Suggest that you check with the TW cable folks to see if they have a device that will do what you want.
If they cannot help, it is always best to use products from the same manufacturer to insure compatibility in applications like this, so if you have the make of your modem or router handy, you might check on the manufacturer's website to see if they offer what you need.

Setup airport express (1st gen) as range extender wired

So here's the situation.
I have a 1st gen airport express, and I want to use it as a range extender for my wireless network (uses a technicolor TG582n).
I am planning on connecting the airport express with ethernet cable to the remote location where I would like it to be a range extender.
I also want it to be an airplay speaker for the computer connected to the router.
I know I can only configure this device with an old version of Airport Utility, but aside from that I cannot get this to work.
Does anyone know if it is possible, and how I would go about doing it?
Many thanks

Apple sold a version of the AirPort Express long before they introduced what is known as a 1st Generation model, so as you might imagine, there is a great deal of confusion about which version of the Express is which.
Please look on the side of the AirPort Express that you have and post back with the Model No that you see there so we will know exactly what you have.
In order to configure the Expess to "extend" the wireless network provided by the TG582n device that you have, you will need to know 3 things about the wireless network that the TG582n device provides.
1) Wireless network name
2) Wireless network password
3) Exact settings for wireless security
Most users know 1) and 2) regarding their wireless network, but you will also need to know 3) to be able to configure the Expess to work correctly with your network. If you do not know exactly what type of wireless security the TB582n is using, it will not be possible to configure the Express with the correct settings.
In that case, you will need to be able to access the settings of the TB582n to find out what exact setting that it is using for the wireless security on the network.
What version of AirPort Utility will you be using to configure the Express? If you are not sure, open AirPort Utility and click on the AirPort Utility menu at the upper left corner of the screen and then click About AirPort Utility. Post back with that version number.

Extend Range of Linksys WRE-54G using Airport Express?

I have a Linksys WRT-54G as my wireless router. I am currently extending its range across my house using a Linksys Range Extender WRE-54G. I want to connect a stereo and a PS3 in the basement to the network, using my Apple Airport Express.
When I configured the Airport Express as a simple range extender for the WRT-54G, it seems to crash?/interfere? with the WRE-54G, so neither the AE or the WRE work. If I unplug either the WRE or the AE, the other begins to operate again.
Any ideas what's wrong? What I can do to get it working as planned?
Thanks,
Michael

I use an airport express which connects to my airport extreme and extend my wifi that way would assume that an airport express connecting to another express would act likewise
not sure what you are asking it in the windows on mac forum though

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range

Do I have to use airport extreme to be a main network if I want to use Airport express extend my wifi range.

You cannot extend wifi from a different brand router..
Only apple to apple.
But the apple router does not have to be the main router.. it can be in bridge.. as long as it is creating a wireless network it will work fine.

Can i use airport extreme as wifi range extender in conjunction with a Linksys AE4500 router

can i use airport extreme base station as wifi range extender in conjunction with a Linksys AE4500 router

If you are trying to "extend" using wireless only......Apple tells us that their "extend a wireless network" feature is designed to only work with other Apple routers.
So, in order to use your AirPort Extreme as an extender, you would need to have another Apple router.....an AirPort Express, Time Capsule, or another AirPort Extreme as the main base station.
I haven't tested the specific Linksys model that you have, but have owned and worked with several other Linksys models, none of which were compatible with Apple for the purpose that you ask about....so I would have to say that it is extremely unlikely that your model would be compatible with the AirPort Extreme.

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.

Trying to connect a NetGear Wifi Range Extender to my existing Wifi. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station and I am also connected to a Vonage Phone Router. Any help would be appreciated?

I am trying to connect a NetGear Wifi Range Extender to my existing Wifi. I have an Airport Extreme Base Station and I am also connected to a Vonage Phone Router. Any help would be appreciated?
The Apple update Firmware for my Airport Extreme Base Station does not update for some reason? Help?
Additionally, I have an older version Airport Express that does not update with the newer Airport Utility Version 6.3 and asks me to download 5.6 to update? Is this worth it?
Thanks

The netgear is not going to work very well.. and not at all unless it is universal wireless extender.. you cannot use WDS method.
If it does support universal wireless then make sure the airport uses a rational SMB compatible wireless name.. not an apple name which is 35 characters long with spaces and illegal characters like apostrophe.
So nice AE name.. AEwifi and actually while you are trying.. fruitlessly to do this.. use AE24ghz and AE5ghz (so different names on the different bands)
Assuming your AE is gen3 or greater.
You should also fix the wireless channel at least for 2.4ghz since the netgear is probably only going to repeat 2.4ghz so use channel 11, as a trial.
And use no wireless security as a test.. if that works.. then use WPA1 & 2.. as often old equipment using WPA2 is not compatible.
If it fails with simple name.. fixed channel and no security. Sorry it is not compatible at all.. it happens.
If your AE is G wireless or earlier model.. really the time has come for replacement.
If your Express is G wireless model it is not supported.. and is too old to bother with expect I guess if you want to run audio to a speaker.
You must use older 5.6 utility to do this.. so do you have a computer running older OS.. up to Mountain Lion it is easy to install with a bit of manipulation.. later is much harder .. or windows computer anywhere or available to you.

I want to extend the range of my Time Capsule, can I use Universal WiFi Range Extender, 4-port WiFi Adapter WN2000RPT?

I want to extend the range of my Time Capsule, can I use Universal WiFi Range Extender, 4-port WiFi Adapter WN2000RPT?

A universal may work but reliability tends to be poor..
You are much better using another airport .. extreme or express.. even a second hand older one.
Or do not use wireless bridge or repeater.. simply run ethernet or use EOP adapters to a second WAP run independently of the main router.. it is far more reliable and far faster solution .. wireless bridge/repeater will halve your wireless speed.

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 as a WiFi Range Extender

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