Peter Roussak

Q: Airport Express as Access Point

I currently have my Airport Express set to extend the wifi network created by my Airport Extreme Base Station but the distances are stretching its capability and degrading signal.

 

What I've done previously is use a Powerline Adapter and connect the AE to that by ethernet cable, but the issue then was that I couldn't see how to maintain the same wifi network name ie if my Extreme Base Station network was called Net1, I would have to call the AE's network Net2, and then there would be just enough Net1 signal that devices would have to be switched from one network to the other, which became a pain.  The instructions for setting up the AE as an access point say that it has to be configured to create a wireless network, so it makes sense that it would have a different name.

 

So my question is what am I missing, how can I configure the AE so that it is part of the original Net1 network rather than creating its own Net2 network.

 

Thanks

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Aug 15, 2016 11:53 AM

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Q: Airport Express as Access Point

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  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 15, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Peter Roussak
    Level 9 (52,471 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Peter Roussak

    A roaming network is create a wireless network with the same name and same security as the main AEBS.

     

    You can use whatever name you like.. but roaming is perfectly valid way of doing it. The Express and Extreme simply use different channels for their wireless which should work automatically.

     

    I do note there is an issue with roaming.. some devices roam just fine.. like laptops.. but unfortunately iOS stuff seems to need a kick to get it to move "towers". Put the wireless into aircraft mode.. and then back again and it should swap. This is hopefully one day going to be fixed.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 15, 2016 2:28 PM in response to Peter Roussak
    Level 9 (54,344 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 15, 2016 2:28 PM in response to Peter Roussak

    Whether you use Powerline adapters or just an Ethernet cable between AirPort base stations for extending, you are basically using a roaming network configuration.

     

    The important items in this configuration are as follows:

    • Only the "main" base station, the one connected to the Internet modem, must be in router mode. That is, Router Mode = DHCP and NAT. All other base stations must be in bridge mode. Router Mode = Off (Bridge Mode)
    • All base stations must be interconnected by Ethernet (or Powerline).
    • Each base station must have a unique base station name.
    • Each base station must be configured to "Create a wireless network." However, each base station must use the same Network Name, wireless security type and password.
  • by Peter Roussak,

    Peter Roussak Peter Roussak Aug 15, 2016 2:42 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 2:42 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks to both of you!  I hadn't heard the term "roaming" in this context before but I'll give your suggestions a try.