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)
bone24

Q: using airport express as a wireless network extender

trying to extend the range of my 802.11n wireless network. in airport express utility setup guide it says click wireless, done, choose "extend a wireless network", cant do, this option not present. my airport express is 1st gen and im running windows 7

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 7:34 PM

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Q: using airport express as a wireless network extender

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Feb 18, 2013 7:39 PM in response to bone24
    Level 9 (54,786 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 18, 2013 7:39 PM in response to bone24

    What is the make & model of the router that is providing the wireless network that you want to extend with the AirPort Express? ... and by 1st generation, do you mean the 802.11g version or the first 802.11n model?

  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Feb 18, 2013 7:40 PM in response to bone24
    Level 9 (50,142 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 18, 2013 7:40 PM in response to bone24

    If yours is really a first generation Express, you are correct - "extend" a wireless network is an option for 802.11n Express models.

     

    Only Apple AirPort wireless networks can be "wirelessly extended".

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 18, 2013 8:31 PM in response to bone24
    Level 10 (105,273 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 18, 2013 8:31 PM in response to bone24

    my airport express is 1st gen

    Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of confusion about AirPort Express "generations"

     

    To clarify on your Express, please take a look at the side of the Express and look for the Model No.

     

    A 1st Generation AirPort Express will be Model No A1264. 

     

    If you see A1084 or A1088, these are older models of the Express that did not have a "Generation" designation.  They will not have a setting to "Extend a wireless network", and cannot be used for that purpose if you plan to "extend" using wireless only.

     

    Please post back to clarify what Model No you have so we will all know how to proceed.

  • by bone24,

    bone24 bone24 Feb 18, 2013 9:42 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2013 9:42 PM in response to Tesserax

    Sorry yep an A1088 model( I think, eye sight going but looks like that) bought it quite a few years ago, and now got a bigger house and need to extend my wireless network.. Its not an Apple wirless network. The wireless modem is a Bob lite ( iinet in Australia) So if I buy a new Airport Express will I be able to extend my wireless network (windows system) ?

  • by bone24,

    bone24 bone24 Feb 18, 2013 9:43 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2013 9:43 PM in response to Tesserax

    Bob lite router and sorry yep its a 802.11g not n

  • by bone24,

    bone24 bone24 Feb 18, 2013 9:44 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 18, 2013 9:44 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Sorry yep an A1088 model( I think, eye sight going but looks like that) bought it quite a few years ago, and now got a bigger house and need to extend my wireless network.. Its not an Apple wirless network. The wireless modem is a Bob lite ( iinet in Australia) So if I buy a new Airport Express will I be able to extend my wireless network (windows system) ?

  • by edex67,Helpful

    edex67 edex67 Feb 19, 2013 1:31 AM in response to bone24
    Level 4 (3,250 points)
    Feb 19, 2013 1:31 AM in response to bone24

    Apple routers can only 'extend' an Apple network. You could invest in Powerline adapters to connect the 802.11g Express to the network. If you replaced your main router with an Apple router then you could extend, just not with your current Express.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 19, 2013 6:07 AM in response to bone24
    Level 10 (105,273 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 19, 2013 6:07 AM in response to bone24
    Sorry yep an A1088 model( I think, eye sight going but looks like that) bought it quite a few years ago, and now got a bigger house and need to extend my wireless network.. Its not an Apple wirless network. The wireless modem is a Bob lite ( iinet in Australia) So if I buy a new Airport Express will I be able to extend my wireless network (windows system) ?

     

     

    Unfortunately, even if you bought a singel new Express, it could not "extend" your Bob lite network.

     

    You need to buy two AirPort Express "n" versions if you want to "extend" using wireless only. The first Express would "create" a wireless nework and the second could "extend" the wireless from the first....assuming that the second is located where it cn receive a strong signal from the first.

  • by bone24,

    bone24 bone24 Feb 19, 2013 12:29 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 19, 2013 12:29 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thanks all. I'll sort something out