HT204617: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)

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

Q: How to extend my wireless range with an Apple Broadband Extreme and an Apple Airport Express

Hello,  I have read through many of the forums and am having no luck.

 

I am running Windows 8 on a ZT System with 8 GB RAM and a 1 TB drive.  Computer is running great.

 

I own an Apple Broadband Extreme Base Station (5th Generation) and I just purchased an AirPort Express 802.11n Wi-Fi.  It is the newest model.  Model A1392.  My goal was to extend the range of my wireless signal.  I have a small home and the base station is located downstairs on my main computer.  The signal upstairs is decent, but when we start to log in with many devices, mostly all Apple ones, the signal really starts to slow down.  I thought I would correct this by purchasing the AirPort Express.

 

I have the base station plugged into my Cablevision cable modem and it works great.  I have an ethernet cable running out of the back of the base station, from one of the ethernet ports <--> and running into the back of the AirPort Express and plugged into the the port with the little circle, which I believe is the WAN port. 

 

The problem I seem to have is that the AirPort Express is NOT showing up under the AirPort Utility.  Only the Base Station is appearing.

 

Both are powered up and I did a "hard" reset of both.  I reconfigured my base station and set up the following:

 

Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network

Wireless Security: WPA2 Personal

Connect Using: Ethernet

Configure IPv4: Using DHCP

IP Address: (Provided Automatically)

 

When I click on the AirPort Icon and the "Summary" tab, I see:

 

Status" Normal and a Green Light

Version: 7.6.1

Channel: 149(Automatic), 1(Automatic)

Wirelss Clients: 0

 

Under the Base Station Tab, I do NOT have the "Allow setup over WAN" box checked.

 

Under the Wireless Tab, I see:

 

Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network

The box "Allow this network to be extended" is checked.

Radio Mode: Automatic

Radio Channel Selection: Automatic

Wireless Security: WPA2 Personal

 

Under the Guest Network Tab

 

I have "Enable guest network" box checked.  Security is set to: WPA2 Personal

 

Under "Access Control" MAC Address Access Control is set to "NOT ENABLED".

 

So my basic question is what am I doing wrong.

 

How do I get the AirPort Express to show up under the "AirPort Utility" so I can configure it to extend my wireless network.

 

I assume that hooking it up with ethernet would be more beneficial that extending the network with the AirPort wirelessly.

 

Any suggestions are greatly welcomed.

 

Thank you........Brad T.

Airport Base Station and AirPort Ex, Windows 7, Windows 8

Posted on Nov 28, 2012 5:40 PM

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Q: How to extend my wireless range with an Apple Broadband Extreme and an Apple Airport Express

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 28, 2012 5:49 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 10 (105,348 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 28, 2012 5:49 PM in response to bhturnow

    The problem I seem to have is that the AirPort Express is NOT showing up under the AirPort Utility.  Only the Base Station is appearing.

    I have not used a PC for a few years, so cannot provide "hands on" detail with Windows 8.

     

    The first thing to check is to make sure that you have the correct version of AirPort Utility installed on the PC.

     

    That would be AirPort Utility 5.6.1 for Windows

     

    Is this the version that you have installed?

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Nov 29, 2012 2:18 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 29, 2012 2:18 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hello and thank you for the response.

     

    I have AirPort Utility for Windows Version 5.6.1.

     

    So yes, I have the latest one installed.

     

    Thank you again for any help....

     

    Brad

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 29, 2012 3:49 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 10 (105,348 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 29, 2012 3:49 PM in response to bhturnow

    If you want to configure the AirPort Express using wireless, you must first make sure that you are connected to the network signal that the Express provides. 

     

    It will have a name like Apple Network xxxxxxx. No password is required. Once you are connected to the Apple Network xxxxxx, then open AirPort Utility to see if the Express is recognized.

     

    Option 2 is to connect an Ethernet cable from your PC to the LAN <-> port on the Express. Restart both devices and open AirPort Utility to see if the Express is now appearing.

     

    If still no luck, the PC is likely blocking the connection from AirPort Utility to the Express. The usual culprits are the Windows Firewall and/or anti-virus program.

     

    When I used a PC in the past, I found that I had to turn off both the Windows Firewall and anti-virus to install Apple routers. That finally allowed AirPort Utility to connect to the new AirPort device. After the device was setup and working, I turned the FireWall and anti-virus back on.

     

    But, I am not up to speed on Windows 8, so cannot say if these "fixes" will help or not in your situation.  Good luck.

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 1, 2012 3:52 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 3:52 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hello,

     

    Thank you.

     

    What I did was completely by-pass the Broadband Extreme.  I have an ethernet cable plugged into the AirPort Express from my cable modem.  I then have a 2nd Ethernet cable going from the Airport Express out the <--> port to my computer.  I am online using my desktop computer but the AirPort Express' light is a constant yellow and it does not show up in the AirPort Utility. When I power it up, it shows green for about 2 seconds and then goes yellow and stays yellow.

     

    I have tried to restart the AirPort Express several times by pressing the reset button and holding it in for 3 seconds and then 10 seconds.  I have also unplugged it.  It does not change anything.

     

    The AirPort Express is not sending out a wireless signal either why I would assume it would not since it is not configured.

     

    I will try to turn off the Firewall.  I do not have any Anti-Virus software installed for Windows 8, just what is built into the OS.  I believe it is Windows Defender.  I will see if I can turn that off too.

     

    Thank you again for any suggestions....

     

    Brad

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 1, 2012 4:34 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 4:34 PM in response to bhturnow

    Hello,

     

    I turn off Windows Firewall completely.  I then reccan for the AirPort Express but no change.

     

    I also went to Advanced Firewall Settings and made sure that AirPort Utility was allowed to receive and send signals through the firewall.  Unfortunately, still no change.

     

    I am going to try to uninstall the AirPort Utility and reinstall it and see what happens.

     

    I am still running through the AirPort Express right now through my desktop from my cable modem.

     

    Thanks.....Brad

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 1, 2012 5:49 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 5:49 PM in response to bhturnow

    Hello,

     

    I tried everything I can think of and no luck.  I plugged the Broadband Extreme back in and it shows up right away in the AirPort Utility.  I am able to configure it and everything else.  It is just the AirPort Express that does not show up.  UGH!

     

    Any suggestions, let me know.....

     

    Thank you again for your time,

     

    Brad

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 1, 2012 6:12 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2012 6:12 PM in response to bhturnow

    I went to the Apple website again and followed the directions here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

     

    The Airport Express still does not appear in the AirPort Utility.

     

    I have it hard wired and plugged in the WAN port as stated by the Apple Website.  Still a constant yellow light and nothing in the AirPort Utility after running another rescan.

     

    Thanks again for any suggestions.....

     

    Brad

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 1, 2012 6:25 PM in response to bhturnow
    Level 10 (105,348 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 1, 2012 6:25 PM in response to bhturnow
    Still a constant yellow light

     

     

    If you have a constant amber light, the Express is locked up and will need a Factory Default Reset to try to bring it back to default settings.  If the light is slowly blinking amber, that would be normal until it is configured.

     

    Looks like it is time to take the Express to an Apple Store....if you have one near you....or contact Apple Support directly.

     

    http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

     

    Hopefully, one of the Windows experts will offer some more ideas.That would not be me.

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 2, 2012 6:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 2, 2012 6:53 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi Bob,

     

    What I did was a FACTORY RESET of the AirPort Express. I had to hold in the reset button on the unit while unplugging it, and then plug it back in while still holding the reset button. The lights finally started to blink and it worked. The constant yellow light was gone. It then showed up in the AirPort Utility.

     

    I had to restart both my Broadband Extreme and AirPort Express several times, but finally was able to get them to play nicely.

     

    I set the units up as a ROAMING NETWORK via an Ethernet cable. The key was the plug the Ethernet cable into the WAN port on the Express and not the LAN port.

     

    I finally was able to get them to work and now have successfully completed this. Thank you! It took about 2 hours and "playing with" but I was able to get it to work. It should not be this difficult! :-)

     

    A few questions remain if I could....

     

    While in the AirPort Utility, under WIRELESS OPTIONS, should I check the boxes for:

     

    5 GHz?

     

    Use Wide Channels?

     

    and, Should Radio Mode be set to Automatic?

     

    We use several desktop computers but most of our devices are wireless including iPhones, iTouches, an iPad, and a Kindle Fire.

     

    I am not sure if the 5 GHz box should be checked. That option is only available on the Broadban Extreme, not the AirPort Express.

     

    For now, I have everything unchecked until I hear differently.

     

    Thank you again........Brad

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Dec 2, 2012 7:19 AM in response to bhturnow
    Level 10 (105,348 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 2, 2012 7:19 AM in response to bhturnow
    5 GHz?

     

    Normally by default, both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands use the same wireless network name. Wireless devices will connect to the best band based on their cababilities and distance from the AirPort. Most users should use this setting because devices will automatically connect to the best band

     

    If you enter a check mark next to 5 GHz Name, then that will assign a separate name to the 5 GHz network. Technically, if you do this, then you can "point" a 5 GHz capable device to the 5 GHz network.

     

     

    Use Wide Channels?

     

    This setting should be enabled

     

     

    and, Should Radio Mode be set to Automatic?

     

    In most cases, yes, since the AirPort will automatically scan available channels in the area and try to select the best channel to use. Some users swear by setting their channel manually, but there is always some guesswork involved when you do this.

  • by alanoconnor,

    alanoconnor alanoconnor Dec 2, 2012 8:54 AM in response to bhturnow
    Level 2 (191 points)
    Dec 2, 2012 8:54 AM in response to bhturnow

    Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network

    The box "Allow this network to be extended" is checked.

     

    do not use "allow this network to be extended" if you are using an ethernet connection from main router to new express.

    you aslo need to set it to bridge mode...

     

    Screen Shot 2012-12-02 at 11.52.05 AM.png

    Screen Shot 2012-12-02 at 11.52.26 AM.png

  • by bhturnow,

    bhturnow bhturnow Dec 2, 2012 11:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 2, 2012 11:19 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you.

     

    I checked the Radio Mode to Automatic and turned off the 5 GHz one.

     

    When I did select the 5 GHz one, it did indeed set up a separate network that was the same name as my network but with the 5 GHz added.  I went back and turned it off.

     

    I am not set up in roaming, i.e. bridge mode and all seems to be working well.

     

    Thank you again.....Brad