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)
Lisasupportme

Q: We are adding an airport  express.  We don't ever find the option "Allow this network to be extended" so it is not working.  Help!!

We purchased an airport Express, supposed to be easy to set up.  Not the case.  We dont ever get the option to "allow this network to be extended" I think it is number 8 on the list of how to install it.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

iMac

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 3:58 PM

Close

Q: We are adding an airport  express.  We don't ever find the option "Allow this network to be extended" so it is not worki ... more

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jul 28, 2013 4:07 PM in response to Lisasupportme
    Level 9 (52,715 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 28, 2013 4:07 PM in response to Lisasupportme

    That is older instructions.. the new v6.3 utility no longer uses that method.

     

    There is plenty of posts here about how to extend wireless network and using the v6 utility.. indeed it is perhaps the most asked for topic here.

     

    Look at the more like this on the right..

     

    eg https://discussions.apple.com/message/19469783#19469783

     

    Any post by Bob Timmons will give you a good lead.

     

    Apple need to update their documentation.. about the time Mountain Lion came out but clearly that is far from the main interest at the moment.

  • by Lisasupportme,Helpful

    Lisasupportme Lisasupportme Jul 28, 2013 4:18 PM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 28, 2013 4:18 PM in response to LaPastenague

    Thanks.  I did follow Bob Timmons instructions, and we get an "unexpected error has occurred".  We also get an error that says someone else is using the IP address...

  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jul 28, 2013 5:34 PM in response to Lisasupportme
    Level 9 (52,715 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 28, 2013 5:34 PM in response to Lisasupportme

    Start over.. reset everything to factory..

     

    Load the older utiity.

     

    Do the setup of each item then in isolation.. it is often easier when the automagical does not do its magic.

    When the magic doesn't happen it just leaves you in a hole.. that is why I still prefer the old utiity and manual setup.

     

    How to load 5.6 into ML.

     

    1. Download 5.6 for Lion.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482

    Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.

    Leave the package open on the desktop so you can see the file. AirportUtility56.pkg

     

     

    2. Download and install unpkg.

    http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/

     

     

    Run unpkg on the desktop.. If your Mac refuses to run the software, because it wasn’t downloaded from the Apple store, go to security in preferences and allow other software to work.. this is limitation of trade methinks. You can set back later if you like.

     

    Now drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. in finder, open the new directory, drill down.. applications, utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.

     

     

    You cannot uninstall version 6 (now 6.3 if you updated) so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. although I have had no problems when doing so.