simonfromswansea

Q: Extending Time Capsule wireless network with an Airport Extreme

Hello - can anyone please advise about extending a wireless Time Capsule network by adding an Airport Extreme?

 

I've looked at the Apple support advice - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US -

Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n) -

but I couldn't seem to make it work. I don't know if it is different as I'm using Mountain Lion, but I cannot seem to locate a '

iMac

Posted on Sep 7, 2012 3:14 AM

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Q: Extending Time Capsule wireless network with an Airport Extreme

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  • by simonfromswansea,

    simonfromswansea simonfromswansea Sep 7, 2012 3:15 AM in response to simonfromswansea
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    Sep 7, 2012 3:15 AM in response to simonfromswansea

    Sorry, that should have continued.

     

    I cannot seem to locate a 'Extend Wireless network' option anywhere when I go into Airpotr Utility.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 7, 2012 7:00 AM in response to simonfromswansea
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 7, 2012 7:00 AM in response to simonfromswansea

    Is this a new AirPort Extreme that you are trying to add?

  • by simonfromswansea,

    simonfromswansea simonfromswansea Sep 7, 2012 7:15 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2012 7:15 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    An old one (circa 3 years). I basically upgraded to T Capsule to provide an easier backup system than I used to have.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 7, 2012 9:57 AM in response to simonfromswansea
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 7, 2012 9:57 AM in response to simonfromswansea

    We understand that you have a "square" shaped AirPort Extreme....just like the Time Capsule, correct?

     

    What version of AirPort Utility are you using to configure the AirPort Extreme?

     

    If you are not sure, click the AirPort Extreme menu at the upper left corner of the screen and then click About AirPort Utility.  It should be either 5.x or 6.x

     

    Post back with that info.

  • by simonfromswansea,

    simonfromswansea simonfromswansea Sep 9, 2012 1:50 AM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Sep 9, 2012 1:50 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi, that is correct - square-shaped. v6.1 of airport utility

    Cheers

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 9, 2012 5:31 AM in response to simonfromswansea
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 9, 2012 5:31 AM in response to simonfromswansea

    Temporarily, move the AirPort Extreme to the same room or general area of the Time Capsule, power it up, and wait a full minute.

     

    Then, hold in the reset button on the back of the AirPort Extreme for 9-10 seconds, then release. Allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light.

     

    Close AirPort Utility if it is open.

     

    Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of your Mac's screen. Wait a few seconds for the listing of New AirPort Base Station to appear.

     

    Start Config Process.png

     

    Click on AirPort Extreme just below that and AirPort Utility will open automatically open and analyze your network settings. In the example above, this is shown as an AirPort Express. In another minute, you will see that it will configure the AirPort Extreme to "Extend" the network.

     

    Enter a device name that you want to use and click Next

     

    Wait another minute for AirPort Utility to configure the AirPort Extreme. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.

     

    Move the AirPort Extreme to a location that is approximtely half the distance from the Time Capsule to the area that needs more wireless coverage and power it up.

     

    You are all set.

  • by simonfromswansea,

    simonfromswansea simonfromswansea Sep 9, 2012 5:56 AM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Sep 9, 2012 5:56 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks Bob

  • by tincha,

    tincha tincha Dec 12, 2012 7:40 PM in response to simonfromswansea
    Level 1 (57 points)
    iOS Apps
    Dec 12, 2012 7:40 PM in response to simonfromswansea

    Thank you for this, very helpful. Does the new device (i.e., an Airport extreme in my case) need to have the same name as the network it's joining?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 12, 2012 7:43 PM in response to tincha
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 12, 2012 7:43 PM in response to tincha

    It will have the same name. You cannot change this....unless....you connect the AirPort Extreme back to your main router using a wired Ethernet connection. 

  • by cptsopiens,

    cptsopiens cptsopiens Jan 6, 2013 2:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2013 2:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Great discussion, Bob.  So I set up my old Airport Extreme as an extender to my Time Capsule.  I labeld the AE as "myinitials Extender".  In my wifi list, I will continue to only see the name of my wifi network, correct?  It is only listed once, but I won't know whether TC or AE is providing the signal for a particular device?  Does that make sense?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 6, 2013 2:07 PM in response to cptsopiens
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 6, 2013 2:07 PM in response to cptsopiens

    The signal will only show up as one network from your Mac.

     

    If you want to know which device you are connected to at any given time......

     

    Locate the Mac near the Time Capsule

    Hold down the option key while you click on the AirPort icon at the top of the screen

    Look for the BSSID and jot down the last few digits

     

    Now move the Mac close to the AirPort Extreme and perform the same check.

    If the AirPort Extreme is extending correctly, you will see a different BSSID.

  • by cptsopiens,

    cptsopiens cptsopiens Feb 11, 2013 9:40 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2013 9:40 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob, now I noticed my iMac is connecting to the airport exteme (extender) and the TM disk (on time capsule) drops off at times and my iMac can't find it?  Is this due to the extended network?  is there a way to tell my iMac to only connect to the Time Capsule in the basement, rather than the extender in a nearby laundry room (to improve my bedroom signal)?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 11, 2013 10:06 AM in response to cptsopiens
    Level 10 (105,003 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 11, 2013 10:06 AM in response to cptsopiens

    Sorry, but no. The iMac will connect to what it feels is the best quality signal. Try moving the AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule to get them closer to each other and /or minimize obstructions in the signal path between them as much as possible.

  • by DanRibar,

    DanRibar DanRibar Feb 12, 2013 6:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 12, 2013 6:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Will the AE take on the security parameters from the TC?  We have time / MAC specific security, only allowing certain people to use the wireless.  Will this automatically be true on the exteneded network?

     

    Thanks.

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