VeronaNJ

Q: Extend Airport Extreme Network via Ethernet to Airport Express

I have an Airport Extreme and recently purchased 2 Airport Express units (the new ones that sit on the table top).  I was successful extending the network wirelessly but as soon as I introduce the Ethernet Cable (using the Airport units for Audio speakers so want to extend via ethernet) I continue to get the same problem when setting them up "Unexpected Error...Try Again".  I cannot figure out where I am going wrong.

 

Can someone please give me "dummy" instructions on how to extend the network via Ethernet.  I want to create multiple "Airport Express" zones that are hard wired via Ethernet.  Any insight or direction would be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Airport Express, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 11, 2013 5:12 PM

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Q: Extend Airport Extreme Network via Ethernet to Airport Express

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 30, 2013 10:29 AM in response to Don Schultz
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 30, 2013 10:29 AM in response to Don Schultz

    Things will be a whole lot easier and a lot less confusing if you could please start a new post for your questions.

     

    Please confirm that you are using one of the AirPort Utility 6.x versions.

     

    We have the answers and will post them if someone else has not already done so when we see your new thread.

  • by Don Schultz,

    Don Schultz Don Schultz Nov 30, 2013 10:48 AM in response to VeronaNJ
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 10:48 AM in response to VeronaNJ

    I am trying to extend a gen 4 Airport Extreme by hardwiring ethernet to a 2nd gen Airport Express and will add a second Airport Express if I can get the first one to work.  I have a large network with a 24 port switch and aiport utility 6.3.2 (most recent as of this date)

     

    First question:

     

    When expanding my network using the hardwired Airport Express can I name the new network anything I want or should it be exactly the same as the Extreme Network.  I would prefer to name it differently so I can keep track of which network my devices are acturally joining but I will be happy simply to get this to work either way.

     

    Second question:

     

    After repeated attempts to configure my hardwired Aiport Extreme, I get the following yellow status error:

     

    Yellow Internet Connetion

    Yellow No DNS Servers

    Yellow Conflicting DHCP Range

     

    Observation:

     

    Many of the suggestions here and the link posted in a previous post are not based upon the most recent Airport Untility software so that may contribute to my lack of success so far.  I am using the most recent version.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 30, 2013 10:59 AM in response to Don Schultz
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 30, 2013 10:59 AM in response to Don Schultz

    Perhaps you did not understand our request for you to start a new post, since this thread is confusing at best.

     

    To do that you would go back to the main forum page......this one.....

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/community/wireless/airport

     

    In the space labeled Ask Your Question, type in a title for your post and click Submit,  then copy and paste in the information there.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Don Schultz,

    Don Schultz Don Schultz Nov 30, 2013 11:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 11:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Yes I do and I will comply.  The challenge for me is that I believe that all pertanant information on a specific topic is best placed in one thread that applies to that topic.  Anyone who subscribes to the thread will be notified of new posts and updated information and any one who searches will find that topic rather than seaching  and finding a dozen separate questions that apply to the topic.  That said, I certainly respect your expertice on this topic and will post my questions in a separate thread.

  • by capucci,

    capucci capucci Dec 24, 2013 12:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 12:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    This is all great information.  Thank you everyone for your input.  I have a setup at home and I am trying to figure out if this information will help me with the issue that I am having. 

     

    I have an Apple Airport Extreme with Time Capsule.  I also have 2 Airport Expresses (table top style).  I use the audio output of the Airport Expresses to send audio to 2 separate whole house audio systems.  Right now I have the Airport Expresses set up wirelessly in my home.  I go into an app (let's say Pandora) on my iPhone and I start up audio.  I then go into my Airplay options on my iPhone and I select the appropriate Airport Express to Airplay my audio to.  Everying is fine until I get too far away from the Airport Express I am Airplaying music to from my phone.  The audio starts to break up and cut out. When I check my phone I still have full WiFi strength.  This leads me to believe that in my current configuration I am sending music wirelessly from my iPhone directly to the Airport Express.  Is there a way to instead send the music to my wireless network in my house and then over hard wire (I could hardwire the Airport Expresses if I had to) to the appropriate Airport Express?  Would I still have them in my Airplay list on my portable devices if I set them up this way?

     

    Thank you for any help you can offer.

     

    Justin

  • by Subaquaal,

    Subaquaal Subaquaal Dec 25, 2013 7:08 AM in response to capucci
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 25, 2013 7:08 AM in response to capucci

    Justin,

     

    Yes you can.

    But then you have to reconfigure your Airport Express. With your current wireless settings it won't work.

     

    good luck

  • by cubervic,

    cubervic cubervic Jul 17, 2014 10:53 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 17, 2014 10:53 AM in response to John Galt

    I couldn't stress enough on how accurate John Galt's answer is.

     

    When you want to extend your network connection through Ethernet, DO NOT select "Extend a wireless network".

     

    Do what it says in his post instead. (Extend via Ethernet, and then create a network that is identical to the Extreme)

     

    My result looks like this. (rather than AirPort Express connected via a line/dotted line at the bottom of the AirPort Extreme)

    Screen Shot 2014-07-17 at 10.47.12.png

     

    If you first select Extend a wireless network, and then connect the Ethernet cable, your entire network will crash.

     

    At this point, I suggest that you remove the ethernet cable, wait for the Express to come up wirelessly, and then do a Restore on the Express first.

     

    That made my life a lot easier.

  • by klmorin,

    klmorin klmorin Nov 28, 2014 4:04 PM in response to cubervic
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 28, 2014 4:04 PM in response to cubervic

    I believe I used the same method as directed by Bob Timmons, and everything works perfectly.

    I just wonder why I get a different pattern with AirPort utility?

     

    Voila_Capture 2014-11-28_06-56-27_PM.png

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 28, 2014 9:14 PM in response to klmorin
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 28, 2014 9:14 PM in response to klmorin

    Because you have AirPort Extreme de Luc 2 wired to AirPort Extreme de Luc.

     

    In the other example, both the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme are wired or connected to the same router.

  • by klmorin,

    klmorin klmorin Nov 29, 2014 5:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 29, 2014 5:33 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    So there are three routers in this configuration.

    A first router connected to the modem and the other two connected to the first.

    But, why the first router is not shown in the diagram?

  • by trockin,

    trockin trockin Dec 5, 2014 8:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 5, 2014 8:34 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob's comments extend wireless at least for me.  i got no pickup in download speed.  Does it matter if i'm trying to do this on an ipad vs. mac?  i'm going to try john's approach to create a new network and give it the same name.

  • by Cyclopsed,

    Cyclopsed Cyclopsed Jan 19, 2015 8:15 AM in response to klmorin
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 19, 2015 8:15 AM in response to klmorin

    I would love to know the answer to this as well. 

  • by alexfor,

    alexfor alexfor Apr 22, 2015 9:48 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2015 9:48 PM in response to John Galt

    Hi bob

    i have the same issue with three expresses

    llet me ask you this if I connect all my three expresses with the way that you explained

    is this not gonna make any problem in my network sharing.

    i Mean if one PC is connected  to express #1 will be able to see the other PC on express#2 or #3 share folders?

    all computers will be into the same network and subnet??

    i Would be appreciated if you help me with this one.

    thanks

  • by mprattmd,

    mprattmd mprattmd May 21, 2015 7:20 PM in response to alexfor
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 21, 2015 7:20 PM in response to alexfor

    Make sure you only have one DHCP sever handing out IP addresses in all your setup.

     

    I have an Ubiquiti Edgemax router right off my cable modem that is the one and only DHCP server (highly recommend by the way)

    I then hard wire an Extreme in Bridge mode only (DHCP OFF) off of an unmanaged switch

    I then hardwire an express upstairs that is coming off another switch

     

    Airport Utility sees both side by side

     

    Both the Extreme and the Express are creating a wireless access points (can be the same or different names) but are not handing out IP addresses.

     

    Make sure you have one and one only DHCP server active so all the connections wont confuse each other

  • by Jacques4242,

    Jacques4242 Jacques4242 Sep 28, 2015 3:13 AM in response to cubervic
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Sep 28, 2015 3:13 AM in response to cubervic

    I found this article very helpful. Step-by-step instructions along the lines of Bob's advice.

    http://kenrockwell.com/apple/how-to-create-a-large-wireless-network.htm

    I have a non-Apple cable-modem-router extended by two Airports - one wirelessly and one via ethernet. Everything works at top speed now.

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