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)
isabeau navarre

Q: i connected two airport extremes by extending a wifi network.  wifi seems weak...help

i connected two airport extremes by extending a wifi network.  all my lights are green, and airport utility confirms connections are excellent.  but the extended base station hasn't improved my wifi range in the area i set it up in.

airport extreme's, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Mar 1, 2013 8:19 AM

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Q: i connected two airport extremes by extending a wifi network.  wifi seems weak...help

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  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Mar 1, 2013 10:04 AM in response to isabeau navarre
    Level 10 (105,273 points)
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    Mar 1, 2013 10:04 AM in response to isabeau navarre

    If you have a Mac laptop handy, run the test that I have outlined below to find out if the remote AirPort Extreme is really extending the signal at all.

     

    Here, I assume that both of your AirPort Extremes are the newer "square" versions....not the older "round" version.

     

    Locate your Mac laptop close to the "main" AirPort Extreme

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

    Look for the BSSID and jot down the last few characters

     

    The BSSID is the AirPort ID of the AirPort Extreme

     

    Now, move the laptop close the "remote" AirPort Extreme and perform the same test

     

    If you see the same BSSID as the "main" AirPort Extreme, your Mac is picking up from the main AirPort...and the remote AirPort is not configured correctly to extend.

     

    If you see a different BSSID near the remote AirPort, that indicates that the Mac is picking up a signal from the remote AirPort....which is exending the signal correctly.