WiFi Setup in Large House multiple Apple Hardware Devices -Help Please!

Question

Hello:
I have tried to solve my wifi issues over the past months, but I am stuck. I recognize that this is a little involved, so let me apologize in advance.
I do not expect someone to be willing to take the time regarding this, but if someone could at least read this and give me some general pointers, that would be great.
Highlights of current problems - we cannot consistently print documents from our printer, which is connected via an airport express (note that the airport express is wired to the internet with Cat 5e, we cannot consistently stream itunes music, we have too many separate wifi networks - we prefer one wifi network, if possible. Most recently, I have been trying to extend or join my own existing networks, and I do not understand the difference in terminology, and in any event, neither attempts worked as I kept getting error messages and the amber lights stayed on.
Goals - We would like to have seemless wifi throughout our old, larger sized house with ability to stream iTunes music from an apple computer or via Airtunes from an iPhone, and print from any computer or from any iPhone or iPod, and ability for guests to join wifi with a password and have such connection be good throughout our house. I prefer not to have to manually select different wifi networks as we move around the house with an iPhone or Macbook Pro. Also, I often get prompted for wifi passwords (depending on which of my airport expresses comes into range) and I would like to avoid putting the passwords in each time. Or one signal gets weak and my device does not know that it should switch to the wifi network with better reception. I would like to be able to walk from point A to point B and have my wifi connection work continuously behind the scenes. And I would like to be able to play music on receiver, and control same via our iPhone and iPods.
Hardware -
Basement: Verizon Fios wireless Router, Ethernet Network switch with multiple Cat 5e ethernet cables going to different locations in the house.
1st Floor: Macbook Pro connected to internet via ethernet; 1 previous generation Airport Express connected to internet via ethernet, with a printer cable going from Airport Express to a printer and an audio capable going from Airport Express to a receiver. If possible, I would like that same Airport Express to provide wireless access. I also have a non-apple wifi device that is recessed in the ceiling, I think it is by On Q/Legran and this non-Apple wifi device is connected via ethernet.
2nd Floor: Older generation iMac (purchased in around 2005) that is not connected to ethernet, 1 Airport Express (new version) connected to ethernet; 1 additional Airport Express (new version) connected to ethernet; 2nd MacBook Pro which relies on Airport Express.
3rd Floor: Apple Time Capsule connected via ethernet cable, Apple TV sitting right next to Apple Time Capsule, with HDMI cable running from Apple TV to home theater receiver.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Answer 1

Hello JoJo121. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
To achieve having "one" wireless network throughout the house, we just need to configure all of your base stations for a "roaming" network. With this type of network, a laptop could literally roam from room-to-room and still be on the "same" network.
You already have one of most important parts of this type of network and that is you have an Ethernet infrastructure where you want wireless to be provided.
The FiOS router should not need any configuration changes.
Setup the 802.11b/g AirPort Express Base Station (AX), 802.11n AirPort Express Base Stations (AXn), & Time Capsule (TC) as bridges:
o AirPort Utility > Select the base station > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection > Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
For each AX, AXn, & TC in the roaming network:
o Connect to the same subnet of the Ethernet network, i.e., they should all connect back to the Ethernet switch at the FiOS router.
o Provide a unique Base Station Name
o The Network Name should be identical
o If using security, use the same encryption type (WEP, WPA, etc.) and password.
o Make sure that the channel is set at least three channels apart from the next base station to prevent Wi-Fi interference.