Thomas-M
Level 1 (67 points)
Servers Enterprise

Q: Extending Wireless Network breaks entire network

Airport Extreme Time capsule, 2x Airport Express, all the latest hardware and all up to date.

 

When i set the AirPort Expresses to extend the WiFi network of the Airport Extreme, it breaks the entire network, all wired and wireless devices are unable to communicate on the network. I have to pull the power on the Expresses to get things to connect again and then do a hard reset to make them usable again.

 

The wireless network extending is done at a fair distance from one another so they are all connected via ethernet.

 

Has anyone else run in to this problem?

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 4:40 AM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (104,884 points)
Wireless
A:

Thanks, I assume that you are using a Mac running a current or recent operating system.  You can disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and turn the wireless back on at the computer at this time

 

Power up one Express for a few minutes

Hold in the reset button on the Express for 7 to 8 seconds and release

Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

 

Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Express (if the Express has 2 Ethernet ports), otherwise connect to the only Ethernet port on the Express

 

Click on the WiFi menu icon at the top of the Mac's screen

Locate the listing for New AirPort Base Station

Click directly on AirPort Express there

 

New AirPort Base Express.png

 

That will get the setup "wizard" running. It will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that looks similar to what you see below, except that you will see your devices displayed and the name of your wireless network.

 

Extend Ethernet 1.png

 

Type in a simple name that you want to call the AirPort Express device........Express1......for example

Click Next

 

Watch the next screen very carefully to confirm that the Express is being set up to extend using Ethernet. This confirms that the setup wizard is picking up the Ethernet cable connection and will configure the Express correctly.

 

Extend Ethernet 2.png

 

When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done. That's it.

 

The Express is now set up correctly. Set up the other Express exactly the same way except assign a different device name, like Express2, for example.

 

Please post back on your results.

Posted on Apr 19, 2016 6:30 AM

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Thomas-M

Q: Extending Wireless Network breaks entire network

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Thomas-M,

    Thomas-M Thomas-M Apr 19, 2016 4:44 AM in response to Thomas-M
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 19, 2016 4:44 AM in response to Thomas-M

    Also had one of the AirPort Expresses replaced for this issue and did not change the problem.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 19, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Thomas-M
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 19, 2016 6:16 AM in response to Thomas-M

    This sounds as if you first configured the Express devices to "extend a wireless network" and then connected the Ethernet cable to each Express. That will create a massive feedback loop that effectively crashes the entire network.

     

    Please power off both AirPort Express devices and disconnect the Ethernet cable from both AirPort Express devices.

     

    Check one at a time to make sure that each Ethernet cable.....that connects back to a LAN <--> port on the Time Capsule.....is working correctly by temporarily connecting a laptop or desktop to the Ethernet cable, turning off the wireless on the computer and confirming that you can get a good Internet connection that way.

     

    Please post back when you have completed that task and we will proceed and configure the Express devices correctly.

  • by Thomas-M,

    Thomas-M Thomas-M Apr 19, 2016 6:17 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 19, 2016 6:17 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Yes they are working correctly.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 19, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Thomas-M
    Level 10 (104,884 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 19, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Thomas-M

    Thanks, I assume that you are using a Mac running a current or recent operating system.  You can disconnect the Ethernet cable from the computer and turn the wireless back on at the computer at this time

     

    Power up one Express for a few minutes

    Hold in the reset button on the Express for 7 to 8 seconds and release

    Allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status

     

    Connect the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" port on the Express (if the Express has 2 Ethernet ports), otherwise connect to the only Ethernet port on the Express

     

    Click on the WiFi menu icon at the top of the Mac's screen

    Locate the listing for New AirPort Base Station

    Click directly on AirPort Express there

     

    New AirPort Base Express.png

     

    That will get the setup "wizard" running. It will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that looks similar to what you see below, except that you will see your devices displayed and the name of your wireless network.

     

    Extend Ethernet 1.png

     

    Type in a simple name that you want to call the AirPort Express device........Express1......for example

    Click Next

     

    Watch the next screen very carefully to confirm that the Express is being set up to extend using Ethernet. This confirms that the setup wizard is picking up the Ethernet cable connection and will configure the Express correctly.

     

    Extend Ethernet 2.png

     

    When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done. That's it.

     

    The Express is now set up correctly. Set up the other Express exactly the same way except assign a different device name, like Express2, for example.

     

    Please post back on your results.

  • by Thomas-M,

    Thomas-M Thomas-M Apr 21, 2016 12:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 21, 2016 12:32 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    You're the man.