HT202056: Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations
Shan Younker
Level 1 (119 points)
Wireless

Q: How to name your extended AirPort Network

I've configured my AirPort Express to wirelessly extend my AirPort Extreme wireless network but there are a couple things that are not clear.

 

1. Should/Can the extended network have a different name?

2. What network do you connect to?  The original network or the extended network name?    If it's the original name then how do your devices know to use the extended vs regular network.

Posted on Jul 16, 2016 2:10 PM

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Shan Younker

Q: How to name your extended AirPort Network

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  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jul 17, 2016 1:10 PM in response to Shan Younker
    Level 10 (105,018 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 17, 2016 1:10 PM in response to Shan Younker

    1. Should/Can the extended network have a different name?

    It can't have a different name if you are using wireless to extend the network.  See this thread for more information:

     

    Possible to give Airport wifi extender a custom wifi name?

     

    2. What network do you connect to?  The original network or the extended network name?    If it's the original name then how do your devices know to use the extended vs regular network.

    The theory here is that devices will connect to the AirPort with the strongest signal. The theory works well with Macs, but not so well with PCs and mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad.

     

    Plan to temporarily turn off the WiFi when you move a PC or mobile device from one area to another area that will be closer to another Airport. Then, turn the WiFi back on and the device will usually pick up the stronger signal from the closer AirPort.

  • by Shan Younker,

    Shan Younker Shan Younker Jul 17, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 17, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob,

     

    Thanks for the info.  As a follow up, why does the AirPort Utility allow you to give the wirelessly extended network it's own name? Is this just to help you with device management?