Which do I need? Extreme or Express?

I am replacing my DLink router and am uncertain whether to purchase an Airport Extreme or Airport Express.
I will only have my iBook G4 connect wirelessly as there are no other computers in the house. It is not likely that I will make use of the iTunes feature, but I would like to print wirelessly.
Also, do both base stations have the same range?
Thank you

Hi George the choice is really yours, but I will outline the differences that I am aware of:
Item - Express - Extreme
USB printing - Yes - Yes
WAN port - Yes - Yes
LAN Port - No - Yes
Airtunes - Yes - No
56k Modem - No - Option
Users per unit - 10 - 50
Size - Little - Bigger with external power supply.
Range - Both the same - "AirPort Extreme provides a range up to 50 feet at up to 54 Mbps and up to 150 feet at up to 11 Mbps for AirPort Extreme-enabled computers." I found this on the Apple website! AlsoExternal antenna port available on selected models. For use with Apple-approved antennas only; antennas sold separately.
It's really down to whether you want a LAN port and perhaps a 56k modem (Extreme) or the ability to stream iTunes (Express).
Also is the cost factor, $129 Express v. $199 Extreme.
I have both and use the different features of both
Will
1GHz G4, 15" PB, 1.5GB RAM, Airport Network, 4 GB iPod Mini (1G), 60GB iPod (5G) Mac OS X (10.4.6)
Help others by marking solved questions as answered ( + Solved or Helpful )

Similar Messages

How can I know which clients are connected to my network through express and which are connected through extreme?

I have an airport express extending, through wireless, a network provided by an airport extreme. How can I know which clients are connected to my network through express and which are connected through extreme?
Here you can see both routers:
I would expect to some clients connected to the express, other than the extreme. And that's all I see: only the airport extreme appears as client of the airport express.
Below, one can see the summary of the config for both routers.
Would somebody explain it?
Thanks,
Marcelo
Message was edited by: Marcelão

please disregard this answer.
Message was edited by: Marcelão

I have recently purchased the latest ipad. Got to say I am extremely dissapointed that it does not support Java or Flash which are platforms needed to do online business banking. I am now faced with ditching it and replacing it with a competitors product

I have recently purchased the latest ipad. Got to say I am extremely dissapointed that it does not support Java or flash which are platforms needed to do online business banking. I am now faced with ditching an expensive toy for a competitors product that offers full business functionallity. Is there any way round this ? It seems extremely bad form on apples part not to support this or make it very clear of the products limitations at the time of purchase.

Well, my bank has an app but the website does not use Flash or Java. While my credit union doesn't have an app, their website doesn't require Flash or Java either.
I pay all my bills online, bank, and access my brokerage accounts. None of the sites I have encountered require Flash or Java. Some government sites do require Flash so I use Photon, it's a browser that does Flash content very well. So you might check out some alternatives browsers.
Otherwise I suppose you will either dump you bank, your iPad, or just not do online banking.

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use?

I have an airport extreme and express, if I use the extreme as a base station connected to my old router can I use the express to extend the signal while also creating a new network that only I can use? Essentially having two wifi connection off the same network? If so how do I set this up?

Extending using a wireless connection always results in a performance compromise.
If the Express is going to extend using a wireless connection, then the Express will need to be located about half way between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more wireless coverage. The more that you have line-of-sight between the Extreme and Express, the better the network will operate.
Remember......the Express can only "extend" the quality and signal speed that it receives, so it needs to be located where it can get a very good signal from the Extreme. Although Apple cleverly uses the term "extend", a more accurate term for the Express would be "repeater".
If the Express will extend by connecting to the Extreme using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection......highly recommended for best performance.....then the Express can be located exactly where you need more wireless coverage. There is no signal loss at all through the Ethernet cable, so the Express gets a full speed signal no matter where it might be located.
Post back to let us know which way to you want to go.

Setting up a mixed g and n network on 1st Extreme + newer Express?

I have a first gen Airport Extreme 802.11n (flat white, first one they made before adding on gigabyte ethernet). It is great for my needs. It goes into a cable modem. The Extreme handles all routing and the rest. The modem is just a modem that, BTW, Comcast forces me to rent because I use their phone service and customers cannot buy a separate “Voip” specific to Comcast for use with a cable modem they already own. So a perfectly good Moto DOCIS 3.x modem I own sits idle…)
Anyhow…
I had a first gen Airport Express (very limited in capability). It died. So I got a new Airport Express 802.11n (flat white) about a year ago. I hooked that up mostly to use on a printer and for travel. I made it part of my main network. It “extends” it but, my house/property is very small. A large Wi-Fi network is not needed but, seemed only option to be on network and print.
Recently, I added yet another device to my Wi-Fi network. A small router for an AV receiver. It was, alas, 802.11g. I also have two other g devices and maybe a third and fourth (I’ll have to check, both I rarely use. One is unplugged as I rarely use it and the other is hooked up to an internet TV that is rarely used).
All of these devices worked great until I turn on my old Mac Mini, which I think is also 802.11g. Before that AV receiver router was added, it was fine. But now, Wi-Fi on it is basically gone. Except, when it isn’t!
For some reason, my network has decided that the Mini should connect via the Express. Since other g’s are on that, I think that is the problem. I don’t see how it happens but, sometimes, it connects with the older Extreme. When that happens, it seems to work great! Note, I did try using just he Express in place of the Extreme hooked up to the cable modem for the entire network but, it could not handle it. The Extreme can.
Since both the Extreme and Express are similar as 802.11n Wi-Fi routers except, the Express says something like revision 1 when I look at it on iOS Airport Utility (is it “better” in some way?) I think the solution is telling the Extreme and Express to only accept certain devices.
How can I tell each router to accept only certain devices? The old Extreme has one way (it seems) of doing this while the Express has another. But neither is precisely what I think I need to do. The settings for this are under the Wireless Options button under the Wireless tab in Airport Utility (latest, OSX). But if you can answer this question with any knowledge, you know that!
I’d just buy a new Extreme which, I think, allows radio signal frequency segregation (or whatever this is called) but, alas, these two Wi-Fi routers work great (except for the Mini) and I’d like to use them until one actually dies.

You still refuse to discuss data versus radio signal.
So, I guess that is that. You have no proof to back up your contention as neither do I.
Granted, from the g device to my Express, it is at g speeds. But, I contend, that once that g radio signal is converted back to data only (now at speed of light) inside the Express, the Express sends that data, via the exclusive “Extended network” connection, to the Extreme, at n speed. It has to as the Extreme will only take n speed.
Sure, it is splitting hairs, if I am right. I am not saying I am. But my idea (before our branch debate on g and n signal versus data upon arrival at the Express) is an interesting way to force old g clients to use only one router. But to force those pesky g clients to use the newer simultaneous dual band Express by setting the Extreme to 5GHz g only was a new solution for me. It worked too. In that case, it is not about minute speed gains or losses but simply letting the g clients have their one party at the Express, which can handle them better when part of an extended network with an older, original Extreme.
It is also far better to just have one Wi-Fi router as, adding Airport routers in an extended network, slows things down 60% or less and requires more "data management overheard", according to Apple*.
It is interesting that they said data management overhead and not radio signal management?
Alternatively, using the “Roaming network” method where the two stations are linked via Ethernet, is an even better option.
* https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202056

Setting up TC on N (5 GHz), with older AirPort Extreme and Express on B/G

Hi there,
I've done a search through the forums (and the net) to see if I can find a solution to my query, but the answer currently escapes me so I thought I'd ask outright....
I have recently purchased a Time Capsule. Previously my wireless network relied on an AirPort Extreme Base Station (one of the older white models that looked like a UFO) over 802.11 b/g which was extended by an AirPort Express (again, non-N).
What I would very much like to do is create a setup that has the Time Capsule running 802.11 N only over 5 GHz, with the AirPort Extreme connected to it over Ethernet and still running a B/G network out with the Express.
There is a diagram here, which shows exactly what I want, but their instructions are far from complete or up-to-date with the current AirPort Utility software: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/31/exploringtime_capsule_wifi_802_11n_and_the_5ghzband.html
However, I can't for the life of me work out how to do this. If someone could help me out I would very much appreciate it.

For the TC, I suggest that you change the Radio Mode to: 802.11n only (5 GHz) - 802.11n only (2.4 GHz).
For the AEBS & AX, I am assuming that you still want them as an extended wireless network ... correct? If so, all that would need to change is the following for the AEBS:
o Connect the AEBS directly to one of the TC's available LAN (opposing arrows) ports by Ethernet. Connect this Ethernet cable to the WAN (circle-of-dots) port on the AEBS.
o Reconfigure the AEBS as a bridge. (ref: AirPort Utility > Select the AEBS > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode))
o You may want to rename the AEBS/AX wireless network with a new Network Name (or SSID). This is totally optional, but may prove helpful as a reminder that you only want non-"n" clients to connect to it. For example, and with absolutely no imagination on my part, you could name your TC's wireless network: My Really Fast Network, and the AEBS/AX's: My Not So Fast Network.
o Finally, you will want to be sure the the AEBS/AX wireless network is at least 3-5 channels away from the 2.4 GHz network provided by the TC. This will prevent any Wi-Fi interference between them.
The WDS settings created earlier when you configured the AEBS & AX for an extended network should remain the same.

Network with Airport Extreme, Airport Express and Time Capsule

Hi,
I have a good internet connection working perfectly in the following order. ISP connected by ethernet (cable) to an AE and this extended to an EX and this extended to a new TC. The AE and AX are 801.11 b/g/n but not dual as the new TC. My question is. If I work with an iPhone, the AE is going to work just with g forcing to TC to work with g as well with the rest of the equipments (AppleTV, other iPhones, iMac? I have an iMac that should be connected to the new TC and I would like to do it by 802.11n, is it possible in this configuration? I now that it would better if I organize the network with the new TC (dual) first. However, the TC is too far from the iMac and this is not my favorite option.
Another question is:
The new TC is very close to AppleTV but wirelessly. Will I increase the speed for watching movies which are placed at TC (through external disks connected to the USB in the new TC) if I connect the TC to AppleTV using an ethernet cable?
Thanks,
Jokin

... My question is. If I work with an iPhone, the AE is going to work just with g forcing to TC to work with g as well with the rest of the equipments
The answer is yes, but I believe you can avoid that by having the iPhone connect only to the new dual band TC. Configure *everything else* to run an 802.11n network exclusively - not "802.11n (b/g compatible)". This way the iPhone will be unable to connect to that network, causing it to run in the slower b/g compatible mode. Your iPhone will work fine, as long as it remains within range of your TC's 802.11g wireless network.
Remember that you will need to change all your equipment's settings: the Extreme, the Express, the TC, and maybe the AppleTV.
Galt's rule of networking: "The number of problems you encounter increases exponentially with the number of devices on your network."
So... proceed methodically.
The new TC is very close to AppleTV but wirelessly. Will I increase the speed for watching movies which are placed at TC (through external disks connected to the USB in the new TC) if I connect the TC to AppleTV using an ethernet cable?
The speed will be limited by the slowest link in your network chain. A wired network is always preferable, since it cannot be affected by interference or obstructions.
If you are streaming movies from the Internet, your wireless link will probably be the limiting factor.

Airport extreme and express & apple TV

I have an airport extreme and express & apple TV. I'd like to do the following:
1) Extend the network via the express
2) Enable the express to stream music to the stereo from the apple TV
I am sure someone has figured this out but I can't find the answer...
Thank you

Firstly, the easiest bit (although I don't believe you need to do this):
I would try "downgrading" the Extreme station's network type to only b/g (excluding n entirely), but I don't see that option in the radio settings anymore
You will get additional settings if you hold down the option key while browsing the radio settings drop down menu.
Moving on: Unfortunately a dropped connections seems to be a problem with umpteen causes and not only is it difficult to troubleshoot with someone in a forum it can also be made even more difficult because many problems are associated with network settings on a router that the person who is trying to help is unfamiliar with.
However you seem to be convinced your problems arise when your express is running which may narrow things down a little if correct, if not it may actually lead us away from the answer to your issue.
Is it the kind of security I'm running? Should I try WEP or... none at all?
I use WPA and have no problems (password = 8 Characters)
Should I attach it a different way? Perhaps manually set it to "participate in a WDS network" or "extend a wireless network?
I have my expresses set to participate in a WDS network, but that's because I use them for other things other than itunes, I would have thought 'join a network' would be fine.
You could check that all your devices are using independent IP addresses and all are using the same subnet. You could also check that no two devices have the same mac address, I've been told a million times this can't happen, but I've seen it. You may be wise to check these things before and after your devices have been 'kicked off the network", you may even want to write them down to see if any are changing.

AirPort Extreme + AirPort Express ≠ bridge to server

Here's the dilemma: my office recently purchased a multifunction Toshiba printer, which must be accessed wirelessly to print, scan, etc. This is accomplished via a server (aka the "Fiery").
Our LAN centers on an AirPort Extreme (802.11a/n - 802.11b/g/n), which provides our internet access via its ethernet connection to a cable modem. Originally we extended the network via a Cisco Linksys bridge, which recently was rendered useless by a power outage.
Thinking that keeping everything within the Apple family would obviate some of the troubles we had to deal with when using the Cisco bridge, I added an AirPort Express, plugging it directly into the surge suppressor that protects the Fiery and the printer. The Express connects to the Fiery via ethernet.
While both Extreme and Express were showing solid greens in AirPort Utility, and I had set up the Extreme to "create" the network and the Express to "extend" it, I still cannot connect to the printer from my Mac—the whole point of this exercise. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Hello Vernassoc. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
If your goal is to provide Ethernet connectivity to the printer using the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), you don't necessarily need to configure both base stations for an extended wireless network.
Instead, you can configure the AXn as a ProxySTA. (Apple's term of a wireless Ethernet bridge.) As a ProxySTA, the AXn would "join" the wireless network created by the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) and have its Ethernet port enabled for wired clients.
To activate ProxySTA, you must set up the Express to join a wireless network and then enable the Allow Ethernet Clients setting; both settings are located in the Wireless tab of AirPort Utility. The feature should work with any wireless network: a, b, g, or n; and 5GHz or 2.4GHz. (Note that the Express, which ships with firmware 7.3, must also be updated to firmware 7.3.1 for this feature to appear.)

AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and Dish Network

I have an older model AP Extreme and Express. My Extreme is my base station and connected to my USB printer. I use the Express to stream Airtunes downstairs to my stereo and have another profile I use to "create a wireless network" for when I take it on the road. Now I want to create another profile with the Express so I can connect my Dish Network receiver. This will allow me to use the iPhone app to set the DVR to record remotely but I need to connect the receiver to the internet. How do I configure the Express to do this? The Dish receiver has an ethernet jack in the back that I can connect to the Express. My Wii system joins my network wirelessly, but the Dish receiver needs to be connected by ethernet. I am using AirPort Utility 5.5.1.

I too am struggling with this same issue, but I have a current Airport Extreme (square) and a first gen Airport Express. I can't do a WDS because I use WPA2 on the Extreme (booklet says I have to use WEP or none, which I am not going to do). Now, I have no problem purchasing the next gen Airport Express that allows extension of a WPA2 network, but want to make sure that my idea is sound - buxwheat is trying to do what I want to do, but I don't need a new profile. I have a spare D-Link WBR-1310 that I could use, but would rather not.
The AirPort Extreme 802.11n has a configuration option to "extend a wireless network", which will allow you to maintain higher "n" speeds on your network and use WPA2 Personal security. The ethernet port on the AirPort Express is enabled in this type of configuration. If you want to try this, you'll need to also make sure that the option to "allow this network to be extended" is enabled on your AirPort Extreme.
It's always an "iffy" proposition to download big high definition movie files using wireless. With a very good, strong wireless connection, you may be OK, but ethernet...if you have the option...is always a much better choice for this type of application.
If you cannot run an ethernet cable to the DVR, for about the same price as a new AirPort Express, you might want to consider a pair of ethernet powerline adapters. One adapter plugs into an AC socket near your main router and the other plugs into an AC socket near the DVR. The ethernet signal is transmitted over the AC powerline in your home. My opinion...this would provide a faster, stronger and more reliable connection than wireless only.

Extreme and Express help... can't seem to co-exist?

Hey guys and gals. I'm having a bit of a problem with my AirPort Extreme and Express and need your help/recommendations. Okay first some background info...
I have a MacBook Pro (C2D), an Apple TV, and an iPhone that all connect to my AirPort Extreme (n draft spec). I had the AirPort Extreme running at n (b/g compatible). No problem.
Then I decided to get an AirPort Express so that I could stream my music from iTunes over to my Allen & Heath Xone 92 mixer and thus my nice Mackie studio monitors (i.e. use AirTunes to stream music to speakers). In hooked up all the hardware (i.e. the monster cable and the power cord) for the Express, then installed the supplied AirPort CD. I then phoned Apple Care because I didn't want to mess anything up. I don't remember what steps I took exactly with the representative, but basically at the end of the day we got the music to stream. Great! Well not so much... I didn't realize while I was on the phone that we had actually set up (I think this is correct) 2 "networks"... one was the AirPort Extreme, the other was the AirPort Express. So if I wanted to use the internet, I had to choose Extreme. If I wanted to stream music, I had to choose Express and no choice of using both at the same time.
So yesterday I phone Apple again... Explain the situation, and we hard reset both the Extreme and Express, this time setting up the Express as a WDS (wireless distribution system). Now I can use the internet and stream music at the same time. Great! Well not so much... now whenever I stream music it cuts out for minutes at a time, not really working properly.
So I phone Apple for the third time... We change a whole bunch of settings, delete preference files (BIG mistake... reset all my energy settings, .Mac, etc.... thanks Apple!!!!) and at the end of like 4 different scenarios basically reset the Extreme and Express, but this time under the guise that the reason the last setup was cutting out while streaming music was that the Extreme was using WPA2 security and the Express only really likes WEP. So I change to WEP when I hard reset the Extreme, hard reset the Express, do a WDS and everything seems to be working (while on the phone with Apple). Great! Not so much... hahahaha.
So now the issue is that I can't connect to the AirPort Extreme network all the time... it shows up under my lists of networks (along with some of my neighbor's networks) but OS X will not automatically connect to it. When I select it I get the "error while trying to connect" error. Also my iPhone will not automatically connect to the AirPort Extreme either.
So basically what the heck is going on??? How can I have my AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, iPhone, and Apple TV all co-exist on a network and be able to at the same time browse the internet and stream music over AirTunes???
Sorry for the long read... Please help!
-Keith

Unless you have a requirement to extend your 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station's (AEBSn) wireless network with the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), then you only needed to set up the AX in "client mode" to stream iTunes.
AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - iTunes Setup
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort > Base Station
o Base Station Name: <rename or leave default>
o Base Station Password: <enter desired password>
o Verify Password: <re-enter desired password>
AirPort > Wireless
o Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
o Network Name: <existing AEBSn's wireless network>
o Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
Music
o Enable AirTunes (checked)
o Enable AirTunes over Ethernet (optional)
o iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
o iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
o Verify Password: (optional)

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express? Also, can I get wireless printing?

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express?
I just moved into a house where they have ATT DSL and it is really slow in my room. I am hoping that I don't have to purchase a booster and I might be able to use my Airport Extreme or Express to boost it. I don't think they want my Extreme as their router, though. They are PC.
I am also hoping that I can set up a wireless printing situation in my room using the Express or Extreme.
I am running 10.4.11 on my old MacBook Pro laptop, 10.5.something on my old desktop (MacMini).
Thanks for any help ahead of time,
Carole

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express?
I just moved into a house where they have ATT DSL and it is really slow in my room. I am hoping that I don't have to purchase a booster and I might be able to use my Airport Extreme or Express to boost it.
Unfortunately, this won't work especially if you want the connection between the routers to be wireless. The two are just not compatible for configuring an extended network. However, it could work if you can have them interconnected by wire. In that case, you could configure them into a roaming network.
I don't think they want my Extreme as their router, though. They are PC.
This shouldn't be an issue as the AirPorts support wireless clients regardless of which operating system they are running.

Here's one for ya! Extreme and Express together...

Hi,
I purchased an Extreme and Express today. (So far this is working much better than the D-Link and Linksys I tested.)
Ok, here's what I'd like to do.
Firstly, the DSL modem is connected to the Extreme.
1) I have a Mac Pro 2.66 which is connected to the Extreme via Ethernet cable.
2) The Express is in the living room.
3) An iMac 2.4 which is in the study, is quite a distance from the Extreme, which is why I purchased the Express... to Bridge.
Ok everything works when the Extreme is set to 2.4 GHz, but when I set the Extreme to 5 GHz, I have service on the Mac Pro, but the iMac does not get any service. I imagine this has something to do with the Express... maybe not.
Does anyone know why I can't get any service on the iMac when the Extreme is set to 5GHz?
Your help would be truly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
-Dean

I would move the Express away from all that and if possible find an outlet where the Express will be by itself (a dedicated outlet just for the Express and nothing else around it.) Also make sure to plug the Express directly to the wall and not using a power extension (if you have a surge suppressor buy one of those in-wall or over the socket adapters, nothing with big long wires.)

Can I connect a network storage device to Airport Extreme or Express?

I have a wireless network with an Airport Extreme base station and 2 Airport Express network extenders and would like to add a network storage device to the network so our whole family can access it for backups and storage.
Can I connect a USB or etherent storage device(hard drive) to one of the ports on the extreme or express and have it show up on all of our desktops like our printers do?
If not--Is there another to accomplish what I need?
Thanks!

You can ethernet storage, but not USB storage.
AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express: Uses for the USB port
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107857
iFelix

802.11n AirPort Extreme and Express

Hello,
Thank you in advance for all your help and replies, I truly appreciate it.
I'm looking to purchase an 802.11n Airport Extreme and AirPort Express. I want to setup the Extreme next to my DSL modem and setup the Express in another room and have it extend the wireless network. The Express will also serve as an ethernet port from my DVR unit. I have read different posts that indicated that if I setup the Express to wirelessly connect to the Extreme, via WDS, or some other method, the wireless network will be downgraded to 802.11g. I currently have a 802.11g wireless network. I have one Buffalo Technology 802.11g wireless router and one Buffalo Technology 802.11g router (setup as an access point) and can do everything I need except connect a external HD via USB.
If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password. Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
So, do I understand what I have read correctly, that connecting an 802.11n Extreme and 802.11n Express via wireless (WDS, or other method) will downgrade the network to 802.11g? Are there any other recommendations on how I should connect these two devices and provide 802.11n service?
Again, thank you in advance.
--GMReed

When using the "extend" feature with the new 802.11n base stations, the extended wireless network operates in the 802.11n mode. I believe you may be referring to one of two things that may have led you to that conclusion: 1) When extending a network with the older static version of a WDS, the extended network operates in the 802.11g mode. This is true when either or both base stations are 802.11g models, and 2) Non-"n" wireless clients, connected to a "n" network, will bring the network down to the lowest bandwidth level of the oldest standard. Although connecting these types of clients does affect the overall bandwidth available to "n" clients, it does NOT bring the overall wireless network down to "g" or "b" level.
>If at all possible, I would like the entire network (Extreme and Express) to use the same SSID and password.
By default, both base stations must uses the same Network Name or SSID and wireless password to work properly.
>Have the Extreme perform the MAC filtering, provide DHCP address, and service a guest network.
For MAC filtering in an extended network, both base stations must be configured with the same MAC addresses for all clients that you want access to the extended network. The Extreme would provide DHCP service, but (unfortunately) you cannot extend the guest network.

Slow Wi-Fi connection with both Extreme and Express

Hi all,
I have problems with slow Wi-Fi connection at home. With my 100/100 Mbit/s fiber I have an Airport Extreme 802.11ac connected by Ethernet cable directly into the cable modem.
With only the Extreme as a router I was not satisfied with the Wi-Fi range and therefore also bought an Airport Express 802.11n (2nd generation ) to extend the network with.
The range got better but I'm facing real slow Wi-Fi connection both on the Extreme and the Express.
Example - When connected to the Extreme less than 1 meter from it I normally get a down speed on 30 Mbit/s and on the Express (placed 8 meters from the Extreme) I normally get between 2 to 8 Mbit/s down speed.
I have a couple of questions about this issue below that I hope someone can answer.
1. The Extreme and the Express are connected wireless. If I connect them together with cable instead, will I then get the same speed from the Express that I have on the Extreme?
2. I've read in several forums that the latest versions on the Extreme and Express causes bad Wi-Fi connections and an downgrade to earlier version is recommended. My problem is that Airport Utility only can find the latest versions when trying to downgrade (bought both of them recently).
How can I downgrade to earlier versions when Airport Utility can't find them? If possible, is this still recommended to do?
Current versions:
Extreme - 7.7.3
Express - 7.6.4
3. Could it cause problems if the Extreme and Express doesn't have the same versions, or is this normal?
4. Any suggestions to improve the down speed on my Wi-Fi connection?
Thanks in advance!

1. Cable connections are always better.
But test first.. turn off the express.. reboot or even factory reset the extreme and have another go with it.
On a computer plugged in by ethernet test the speed.. wireless should be off..
So the most important thing is .. do you get full speed by ethernet.. if not you will never get it by wireless.. always less.. and sometimes much less.
2. You cannot downgrade either of those models. So you are stuck with them as is..
3. I think wireless links are always problematic.. by the very nature of the beast you will drop your speed by half.. so if the links were perfect.. and the Extreme wireless gives you 30Mbit then the best the express could ever give you is 15Mbit.. it is the nature of wireless.
4. Yes.. we can make suggestions.
But give me the pure wired network speed first. If that is low then tell me what modem you are using, which you mentioned.. normally a fibre system has no modem just a fibre converter to ethernet called ONT. Optical Network Terminal

Which do I need? Extreme or Express?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for