Q: New Airport Extreme added to AT&T 2wire Router
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May 11, 2015 3:42 PMby Tesserax,Just to be sure we understand your current network configuration is the new AirPort Extreme connected to the 2Wire router by Ethernet or by wireless? Do you have the Extreme configured to "extend a wireless network" or to "create a wireless network?"
Is your 1st generation Express an 802.11n or 802.11g model?
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May 11, 2015 3:53 PMby HiWiFi,Greetings,
Thank you so much for the quick response. Greatly appreciate that. To clarify, the new Airport Extreme is connected to the 2Wire router by Ethernet. I currently have the Extreme configured to "extend a wireless network."
Regarding the first generation Express. It is the 802.11g model.
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May 11, 2015 4:05 PMby Tesserax,Thanks for the updates. Nice gadget BTW. You'll have to let us know how you like it after we help you with your network.
Ok, a couple of suggestions:
- Since it is connected by Ethernet, you will want the Extreme to be configured to create a wireless network. This type of network is known as a roaming network. It would use the same network name (aka, SSID) as the 2Wire and wireless encryption type / password. It would also have to be in bridge mode, which you have already done. Note: The "Extend a wireless network" option is when the two routers are interconnected by wireless. This won't work anyway as both would have to be either Apple or 2Wire devices for compatibility.
- The 802.11g Express is your network's weakest link. You would find having the 1st generation 802.11n model would offer better streaming performance ... but may be hard to find as Apple doesn't provide these anymore. You do still have an option with your existing Express and that is making sure that it is in the best possible place to access your extended network. Proper placement is critical to bandwidth performance. Please give the following AirPort User tip a look to see if it can help.
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May 11, 2015 4:31 PMby HiWiFi,Thank you so much. This is very helpful. I will give this a shot and see if the music streams without interruption. Currently, the new Airport Extreme is pretty much next to the 2Wire in my office, connected by an ethernet cable. The AirGo with the old Airport Express is not too far away but outside on the patio. I will look through the Airport User Tips and also look into the placement issue.
Thank so much! -
May 11, 2015 8:34 PMby HiWiFi,Thanks again. I am set up as you instructed.
Now on my WiFi monitor at the top I can choose the 2Wire router or the new "Stephen's Wireless Network" which is, I assume, the new network I set up with my Airport Extreme. Should I now be setting my WiFi to "Stephen's Wireless Network" or the old 2 Wire Router?
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May 11, 2015 9:23 PMby Tesserax,HelpfulA few more suggestions:
- When naming wireless networks it's best to use short names without spaces. This should help any wireless client connect easier. For example, I would recommend that you change the one you created for the Extreme to something like: StephenWirelessNetwork. Of course what you name it is totally up to you.
- Second from my previous response I was suggesting that you configure both of your routers for a roaming network. However, since you have the Extreme in close proximity to the 2Wire router, I would further suggest that you just disable the Wi-Fi radio of the 2Wire. I make this suggestion for two reasons: 1) A roaming network works best when the routers are fairly distant from each other while still connected via Ethernet. This works best when your home is pre-wired for Ethernet. The idea for a roaming network is to literally "roam" with a wireless client between routers and still be on the "same" network. Since yours are close to each other this wouldn't be practical or useful even, and 2) With both routers close together the Wi-Fi signals can interfere with each other, causing a significant amount of signal noise. This would be a negative effect. So, all you would have to do in this case is disable the 2Wire's Wi-Fi radio(s). Your Extreme is already set up properly ... and to answer your question, you would then set your Wi-Fi to the Extreme's network as it should now be the only one that you can chose (and be the correct one anyway.)
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May 11, 2015 11:52 PMby HiWiFi,Okay, thank you once again. I have shortened the network name as you suggested. I've also disabled the WiFi radio on the 2Wire. At the moment, everything seems to be working well.
Airport Extreme is still next to the 2Wire router since it is connected by the ethernet cable, but I will move them apart as much as possible which will all depends on the length of the ethernet cable.
Hopefully, all will work when I am streaming music outside to the old airport in the back of the AirGo speaker.
I will also be moving my 2Wire router out from under a table. But not sure that is necessary since I just disabled the radio. I believe all wireless signal is now coming from the new Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme is on top of a table. I assume it has a much better signal than the 2Wire.
I also have a wireless alarm system in the house. I wonder if that interferes with the signal when I am streaming music. This is the first time that occurred to me.
Thank you.
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May 12, 2015 9:06 AMby Tesserax,I will also be moving my 2Wire router out from under a table. But not sure that is necessary since I just disabled the radio.
You are correct as this will not have any performance effect as its wireless radio is disabled.
I believe all wireless signal is now coming from the new Airport Extreme. The Airport Extreme is on top of a table. I assume it has a much better signal than the 2Wire.
Placing a wireless router at a higher, vs lower, position is typically always better for signal propagation.
I also have a wireless alarm system in the house. I wonder if that interferes with the signal when I am streaming music.
If your wireless alarm system is providing its own Wi-Fi network and that network is operating on either or both the 2.4 & 5 GHz bands, then it may cause interference. However, if it is a wireless client only then it should only be taking up a bit of bandwidth when running ... like any other wireless client (laptop, computer, printer, etc.)
You may also want to review the following Apple Support article on the various types of Wi-Fi interference and how to help reduce them. This type of interference presents itself as signal noise. The greater the noise the more impact to the signal quality and, in turn, the available bandwidth.
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May 12, 2015 8:36 PMby Tesserax,I would recommend that you start by performing a "factory default" reset on the Express, and then, configure (as before) to join the wireless network created by your new AirPort Extreme. Note: Before doing so be sure to have either a Mac running Snow Leopard or earlier or a PC to have the correct version of the AirPort Utility to administer these older devices.
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May 13, 2015 6:45 PMby HiWiFi,I wil do this. Thank you.
On another note, do you happen to know of any ISP in Los Angeles other than the AT&T and Time Warner, and Charter, etc? Any new companies that offer high speed, inexpensive high speed internet? I see in San Francisco there is something called WebPass.
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May 14, 2015 9:09 AMby Tesserax,On another note, do you happen to know of any ISP in Los Angeles other than the AT&T and Time Warner, and Charter, etc? Any new companies that offer high speed, inexpensive high speed internet?
"High speed" and "inexpensive" are polar opposites for Internet service. The other major player in your area, that I am aware of, is Cox Communications. However, a quick Internet search reveals dozens of sites that can help you narrow down an ISP so that you could shop around.
