Using an Older (802.11g) Airport Extreme as bridge with Time Capsule

Several people have inquired about the possibility of having older (802.11g) computers and devices connected through their Time Capsules without disturbing the 802.11n capabilities of their newer equipment.
The latest version of Designing AirPort Networks Using AirPort Utility --
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/DesigningAirPort_Networks10.5-Windows.pdf -- explains (pp. 48-49) that one can configure a dual-band (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) network of this type by setting up the "second device [i.e., the older Airport Extreme] as a bridge." What is lacking is a clear (at least to me) way of configuring the 2.4 GHz Extreme as such a bridge, although the text states that one need only follow instructions "earlier in this chapter" (which begins at p. 14). When I try to do this, the AirPort Extreme shows up as a separate network.
Obviously, I am doing something wrong. Can someone walk me through how to configure the AirPort Extreme as a bridge?
Thanks.

The MAC support people walked me through a solution to my question about using an older (802.11g) AirPort Extreme and a Time Capsule to form a dual network. The solution turns out to be pretty easy but I am posting it in case anyone else has a similar problem.
Here's what was involved:
N-capable equipment: MacBook Pro, IMac, Time Capsule.
B/G-capable equipment: AirPort Extreme (flying saucer 802.11g); Mac G4; older (802.11g) AirPort Express supporting a network printer; IBM ThinkPad running Windows XP (w/service pack 2).
Step 1: Using AirPort Utility (manual setup), I set the Time Capsule to run at 5 GHz (click on "Wireless" then "Radio Mode". Under the same "Wireless" tab, I assigned a 13-digit WPA2 password to this network (more about this latter). If you opt to use the 5GHz frequency, you have the choice of WPA2 or nothing. After saving your settings, exit out of the AirPort Utility; you are done with the Time Capsule.
Step 2: Reset the AirPort Extreme to its default settings by depressing the small reset button while the device is plugged in.
Step 3: I reopened AirPort Utility, accessed the Extreme and clicked manual setup. (You will loose your connection to the Time Capsule at this point, but this is okay.) At the top of the screen that opens in response to clicking "manual setup," click "internet" and set "connection sharing" to "Off (Bridge Mode)" Next click "AirPort" at the very top of the screen: under "Base Station" I named the Extreme as "G network" and set up a network password. Under "Wireless" I next set up a WEP 40 bit password which was identical to the WPA2 password I used for the Time Capsule. Using a WEP password was necessary, because some of the older computers were not WPA2 compatible. I kept the passwords identical simply as a matter of convenience.
Step 4: Connect the AirPort Extreme to the Time Capsule using an Ethernet cable between the WAN port of the Extreme, and one of the three LAN ports on the Time Capsule. There is a small, green LED recessed in the LAN port socket; if it lights up, you are in business.
Step 5: Using a pin, I reset the 802.11g AirPort Express to its default settings, opened AirPort Utility (no need for manual setup for this), named the Express "Printer" and added it to the G network in a conventional manner by following the setup prompts. (If anyone needs help with this, let me know). Exit out of AirPort Utility and reopen it to refresh; all wireless devices (3 in my case) should be visible and lighted green.
Step 6: I set up the MacBook Pro and the IMac to join the 5 GHz Time Capsule network, and everything else to run on the G network. At this point, everything appears to be working. I can, for example, print a document from my MacBook Pro (N-network) to the network printer which on the G-network. (Because the older computers belong to my daughters, I'll never know if file sharing across the networks is a possibility.)
I take no credit for any of this; it was all accomplished through the efforts of very patient MAC support people.
Carl

Similar Messages

Using Airport Extreme as Bridge with Time Capsule

I recently replaced an Airport Extreme with a Time Capsule, which has been great. However, I would like to use the Airport Extreme in bridge mode to extend the range of my wireless network. I don't want to use WDS, so I've connected the two via ethernet. So, the setup is this:
Cable modem connected to Time Capsule WAN Port
Time Capsule creating 802.11N (b/g compatible) network
Airport Extreme connected to one of the Time Capsule's LAN ports
However, the Airport Extreme doesn't have an option for "Extend a wireless network" under Wireless Mode - it just has "Create a wireless network" and "Participate in a WDS network".
My goal is to have the Airport Extreme essentially acting as a remote antenna for the network being created by the Time Capsule. Is this not possible? Is it because of the difference in wireless speed (N vs. G)?

However, the Airport Extreme doesn't have an option for "Extend a wireless network" under Wireless Mode - it just has "Create a wireless network" and "Participate in a WDS network".
The "extend" option is only applicable to 802.11n capable devices. However this doesn't matter since the "extend" option and WDS are both used for wirelessly extending a network. Since you are not doing that, you will not use either of those.
You should configure the AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) to create a wireless network. You would configure the AEBS to use the same SSID (Network name) as the Time Capsule as well as the same wireless encryption type/level/password. To reduce interference, you would configure the AEBS to use a channel as far from the one used by the Time Capsule as possible.

Airport Extreme (Dual band) with Time Capsule (Dual band) Extension problem

Hi
I have an airport extreme (dual band) set up with a dual band Time capsule extending the 5ghz band .. however the mac address that the time capsule says its using is the 2.4ghz band.. I only noticed this while setting up static IP addresses on my network... does this mean it is extending the 5ghz network on a 2.4 ghz band? how do i set it up to just extend the 5ghz properly.. any clarification would be appreciated.
thanks in advance

See my answer to your other post.

Airport Express Model A1088 with Time Capsule Model A1254 configuration problems.

I have a Time Capsule Model A1254 and an Airport Express Model A1264. I run OSX 10.7.4. When I try to configure an older Airport Express Model A1088 the Time capsule does not recognise the older Airport Express after I configure it using Airport Utility version 5.6.
Can anyone help please.

What do you mean "the Time Capsule does not recognize the older AirPort Express"?
Sounds like the AirPort Express needs to be reset and reconfigured.

Can I use a second generation Airport Extreme to extend my Time Capsule network?

I have a second generation Airport Extreme (circa 2009?) and am thinking of buying a Time Capsule. Can I use the Extreme to extend my network?

Yes. Note; however, you won't be able to extend the 802.11ac mode of the new Time Capsule. Also be aware that the 2nd generation Extreme did not provide for simultaneous dual-band operation. That would mean that you will only be able to extend either the 2.4 or 5 GHz band, not both at the same time.
... so it can work in a limited fashion.

Airport Extreme set up with Time Warner

OK. I am experiencing a similar problem as mentioned in a differnt thread, but a bit different. First my Airport Utlility is 6.3.1 so the graphics for settings are completely different. I have an ATV2, Black Mccbook and Ipad2. My problem is when I try to add a third device of the three, especially the Macbook, once I get it an assigned # via the modem (using a White, new Surfboard 6141 and Time Warner as provider), my Ipad gets dropped. Once I even lost the ATV2. The Mccbook is generating its own DHCP address. When I have it on and reboot the modem, it sets it up , but then I lose the Ipad when I turn it back on. My apple extreme in set in Bridge,(by default it is a 2007 model.Has never been a problem when I used Verizon.Where do I go from here. Been playing with this all day. Internet connect is set fort DHCP . Network is set for Bridge. I have no Ivp6 settings.
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), Pioneer 111-D in a Galaxy external box, PreSonus Firebox, Ipad2, ATV2
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Moncrief
Re: My AirPort Extreme will only let me have one device on the wifi at a time. How do i put multiple computers, phones, and wireless devices on my wifi network at the same time?Mar 22, 2014 5:06 AM (in response to Moncrief)
AND, the Airport Utility in my version looks nothing like what has been pictured previously in this post. I don'y have a screen that allows for Share a oublic address, Distribute etc.iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5), Pioneer 111-D in a Galaxy external box, PreSonus Firebox,
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Moncrief
Re: My AirPort Extreme will only let me have one device on the wifi at a time. How do i put multiple computers, phones, and wireless devices on my wifi network at the same time?Mar 22, 2014 5:11 AM (in response to Moncrief)
Also, I was not given instructions for set up from Time Warner. It was done via a phone call by the technician when they installed the cable. Timw Warner takes no responsibility for owned Routers and how to configure them. They just make sure the modem is probperly feeding the signal. Message was edited by: Moncrief

(using a White, new Surfboard 6141 and Time Warner as provider)
This is a simple cable modem, that will deliver only one IP address to the AirPort Extreme.
My apple extreme in set in Bridge,(by default it is a 2007 model. Has never been a problem when I used Verizon.
Bridge Mode is not the correct setting for the AirPort Extreme. It needs to be in a Router Mode of DHCP and NAT.
Bridge Mode would have been the correct setting with a Verizon modem/router......but the SB6141 is not a router....it is a simple modem.
You can try to make the settings change to see if that will work, but in most cases when you are making a modem change on a network, it is recommended to first reset the AirPort Extreme back to factory default settings (to wipe older and possibly conflicting settings), and then configure the AirPort to work with the new modem.

Backup airport extreme usb disk with time machine

Can I use Time Machine to backup a usb disk attached to an Airport Extreme?

no.
TM does not back up networked drives. check out ChronoSync.

Airport Extreme and external HDD time capsule issues

I'm going to try to provide as much information for you so that you can recommend a fix to the problem.
1. I've just become an Apple owner and also purchased Airport Extreme (AE) a Belkin USB (4 port) hub and a Seagate GoFLex, 1.8T external HDD.
2. My system:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro8,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 6 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Boot ROM Version: MBP81.0047.B04
SMC Version (system): 1.69f1
Serial Number (system): XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hardware UUID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled
3. Attached to the HUB is HP 6280 printer and the Seagate 1.8T GoFlex external HDD.
4. I did configure the AE and my internet connect is working spot on.
5. The AE recognizes the HP6280 printer and it works fine.
Here's where the problem starts:
When I open Time Machine to configure Time Capsule I cannot get the AE to add thGoFlex external HDD drive to the WiFi.
Do I have reset the AE to default setting and start all over? Is there another way to add the GoFlex to the AE so it recognizes it; then, I can run the set up program for the time machine and have wireless capability.

New2Guitar wrote:
When I open Time Machine to configure Time Capsule I cannot get the AE to add thGoFlex external HDD drive to the WiFi.
I hate to have to tell you this, but backing-up with Time Machine software via an Airport Extreme is "iffy" and +*not supported by Apple.+* See [Using Time Machine with an Airport Extreme Air Disk|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Airport.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
By the way, a +Time Capsule+ is a wireless router, similar to an Airport Extreme, but a bit larger and with a hard drive built-in, and Time Machine backups to it are supported. In fact, that's the main thing the Time Capsule was designed for. See: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC344LL/A/Time-Capsule-2TB?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mc o=MTMzNzU2MjI

Use airport express wireless printing with time capsule

I want to add airport express to my time capsule network to take advantage of wireless printing. I have set my AE to join my existing wireless network and connected my printer to the USB port. I logged into AE through Airport Utility and clicked on the printer pane. It shows my usb printer is connected to the AE. Then I went to system preferences to set my print and fax settings to share over network.
I thought this is correct, but when I click print it tells me the printer is offline. Am I missing a step? I would connect the printer to my time capsule but I need my printer in a different part of the house. Thanks for you help!!

You have your printer installed at two different locations. To confirm, open System Preferences and then click Print & Fax.
You should see your printer listed twice in the printer list on the left.
One is your printing installed at your computer and the other is your printer installed at the AirPort Express.
When you open a document to print, you have to choose the printer that you want to use. You may still be choosing the printer at your computer. Look for the printer at the Express. If you intend to use the printer at the Express most of the time, you might want to make that your default printer so you don't have to select a device each time you print.
For more info on printing issues, see the Apple Printer Troubleshooting Guide.
Keep in mind that not all printers are compatible, even though they may appear connected to your device. If you work your way through the guide and still cannot print, then that's likely the explanation.

Airport Express not working with Time Capsule

I replaced a NetGear wireless router with a new Time Capsule. After some trial and error I got everything that was hanging off the NetGear - 2 x TiVo machines, printer, extra ports for business laptops - working except my "old" Airport Express unit that I had been using to send my iTunes to my stereo tuner. I just cannot get this to connect to the Time Capsule wirelessly no matter what I do. It works just fine when connected wirelessly direct to my iMac but just will not connect to the Time Capsule as a client. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

I would suggest, reconnecting the Express to the TC again. Use the AirPort Utility to make ALL configuration changes including the network extending settings. Then restart both base stations and check that the settings are still good. Then disconnect the Express and give it a few minutes to initialize. It should connect. If not, then the issue may be either the distance or obstructions (like walls, ceilings, floors, etc.) that is preventing the Express from getting a signal from the TC that is adequate enough to extend.

Password-protect Airport Snow as bridge on Time Capsule

I set up my new Time Capsule (removing the Netgear router) to my Comcast cable modem and eventually got all my Macs, PCs, and printers connected. I applied WPA encryption to the TC. I'd turned my old Airport Snow into a bridge so long ago that I forgot how to get into its settings. It allows one to connect to my network without a password. I want to rename it and set up password protection on it. Can anyone lay out the steps? thanks!

I'm not sure why you still need the Snow as a bridge if you are also using Time Capsule, but here goes:
Use a computer that either is connected wirelessly to the wireless network generated by the Snow or is connected via Ethernet to the Snow's LAN port. Launch AirPort Admin Utility (also called AirPort Admin Utility for Graphite and Snow). In the list of base stations that appears, select the Snow and click "Configure". Type in the base station password. (The base station password is not the same thing as the network password, which you aren't using.) If you have forgotten the base station password, reset the base station. (See Resetting the AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet).) In the AirPort pane of AirPort Admin Utility, in the bottom half of the pane under "AirPort Network" type in a new name for the network. Click "Change Wireless Security" and add a password. Click "OK" and "Update".
You won't be able to set up WPA security on the Snow; it only can use WEP (which is far from secure).

I have an older 802.11g Airport Express - How do I update?

The current Airport Utility does not support it. The articles say I need to use the old Airport Admin Utility and/or a pre-version 6 version of the Airport Utility. I cannot install these on an iMac with Mavericks. The system won't install them. Any ideas on how to install/use these old utilitities?

Error 10057 is related to Windows, but unfortunately, I do not have a PC on hand to troubleshoot this issue. Maybe this will help?
Error 10057 with Apple AirPort Utility and Windows - CTACS ...

Can I use a WiFi extender like Netgear wn3000rp or Mcrepeater with Time Capsule (first generation)?

I want to securely extend my network to improve strength of signal in the basement, where I have an Apple TV. Now signal strength is 4 (out of 5), but have had some problems streaming from Netflix.

Yes, ethernet is a hassle to install, but done once and it works for the life of the house. It is much better than wireless or EOP.. so the investment is worth it particularly for things like media streaming.
I have done all the wireless repeater stuff.. all the various ways to avoid ethernet.. and I always ended up regretting it.. movies would play perfectly for the first 3/4 of the time.. and then start skipping, lagging, out of sync.. for last bit. Gremlins and voodoo.. I am sure of it. Run ethernet and all of the voodoo stops.
Wireless, great for laptops and mobile phones.
For permanent installation .. go ethernet.

Buy 802.11N AirPort Extreme & Use old 802.11g as router to connect xbox

My son's xbox 360 was connected via an airport express to my wireless LAN which uses the older "dome" 802.11g airport base station. This worked well until the airport express express "burned out". I was going to buy a new airport express 802.11N for $99 but then realized that by buying an airport extreme 802.11N base station (for $179) and using my old 802.11g base station instead of a new airport express 802.11N to connect to the xbox, I would be upgrading my household LAN to 802.11N for only $79 more than the cost of a new airport express.
I am concerned that by using the 802.11g as a router to connect to the xbox I woud be slowing down the whole network thus defeating the purpose of upgrading my current LAN with a new 802.11N extreme base station.
Is there a "right" way to configure the network so as to use my old
802.11g airport extreme as a wireless router (instead of a new airport express) to connect to the xbox without slowing the whole network?
What do people do with their old 802.11g airport extremes when they upgrade to the 802.11N airport extreme base station?

+My question is this: may I toggle the 2004 g extreme on and off -as needed- to extend or use a printer?+
If all of the devices on the network are "n", then you'll be able to make use of Apples new "extend a wireless network" configuration. The wireless will operate at much faster "n" speeds.
If you add a new AirPort Extreme "n" and you want the older "g" Extreme to "extend", you'll still have to use the older WDS setup on all of the routers on the network. This will drop the entire network down to "g" levels and cause a signficant loss of bandwidth as well. In effect, it would be the same as if you had all older "g" routers on your network.
You could configure the older Extreme to "join" the wireless network. It would not provide any additional wireless coverage configured this way, but it would allow the other "n" devices to operate at "n" levels. You could plug a printer into this device assuming that it's compatible with remote printing at the USB port of the Extreme.
I would not recommend turning a network device on and off as this will surely cause connection issues with other network devices, probably sooner rather than later. If you plan to use the older "g" Extreme to provide a print function, plan on leaving it powered on with the rest of the network.

Airport Extreme Printing Problem with HP Deskjet.

Hello ... I wonder if any helpful folks can assist me with my printing problem? I am using Tiger on a new Intel imac with a HP Deskjet 960C. This printer is listed as having the latest drivers included within Tiger and works perfectly when connected via USB so my problem I guess is not with the software....I have disconnected everything and plugged everything back together again. I also deleted the printer from the printer list within the Printer Setup Utility application.... The imac recognisies the printer and upon pressing the print button everything feels as though its just going to work. The blue barber shop scroll appears but the printer fails to kick into gear and I get the big red exclamation mark appearing in the status box .... I would really love to try and sort this annoying error ... Any ideas? Thanks. Book G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Hello jds17. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Unfortunately, not all USB printers are compatible with AirPort base stations.
Take a look at one of these iFelix Unofficial AirPort Printer Compatibility links, depending on which AirPort base station you have:
o 802.11g AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) or AirPort Express Base Station (AX)
o 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn)
If your printer isn't listed, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, but simply that it has not been verified. iFelix also provides the following workaround for printers not on the list that would certainly be worth a try.
Also, you may find the following Apple article helpful.

Using an Older (802.11g) Airport Extreme as bridge with Time Capsule

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