donmarrow

Q: How do I setup my Airport Extreme in Bridge mode (using 3rd party router)?

Specs:

Airport Extreme - v 7.7.7

Luma Surround Wifi Router(s)

 

I recently purchased a surround wifi system (Luma).  It comes with 3 routers that you place around your home.  Unfortunately I still have dead spots in my home so I'm looking at adding my Airport Extreme (AE) to the Luma network.  Is it as simple as hooking up the AE to the network (via Ethernet) and selecting bridge mode in the AE setup?

 

I can see the AE from my iMac and it is green.  How do I know it is actually extending the wifi range of my Luma router?

 

I searched the forum and all the posts dealing with this are several years old.

 

Thanks for your time...

Macboox, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Aug 27, 2016 8:37 AM

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Q: How do I setup my Airport Extreme in Bridge mode (using 3rd party router)?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 27, 2016 8:48 AM in response to donmarrow
    Level 9 (54,035 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 27, 2016 8:48 AM in response to donmarrow

    Basically you want to create a roaming type network with your Luma and AirPort Extreme routers. As you mentioned, the Extreme would need to be connected to the Luma by Ethernet and reconfigured as a bridge.

     

    In addition, the following are also required on the Extreme:

    • Wireless Mode: Create a wireless network
    • The network name must be the same as the one used by the Luma.
    • The wireless security type and password must match that of the Luma as well.

     

    To "know" that the Extreme is extending the Luma network, just check the BSSID value on the OS X Wi-Fi drop-down menu. It should match the AirPort ID on your base station. Note: You will have to hold down the option key before clicking on the Wi-Fi icon.

  • by donmarrow,

    donmarrow donmarrow Aug 31, 2016 5:25 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 31, 2016 5:25 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks, I will have to try that.  I put the extreme in BM but did not create a wireless network.  I'll post an update later tonight.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 31, 2016 6:05 PM in response to donmarrow
    Level 10 (104,993 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 31, 2016 6:05 PM in response to donmarrow

    The AirPort Extreme is "extending" the signal if the settings in AirPort Utility for the AE indicate that.......

     

    1) The AE is configured to "create a wireless network" that is using the exact same wireless network name that the Luma network is using

    2) The AE is configured to use the exact same wireless security type as the Luma network

    3) The AE is configured to use the exact same wireless network password as the Luma network

    Screen Shot 2016-08-31 at 8.02.34 PM.png

     

    4) The AE is set up to operate in Bridge Mode.....which Apple calls "Off (Bridge Mode)"

    Screen Shot 2016-08-31 at 8.03.01 PM.png

     

    Once you have verified this, post back for more tips on how to identify whether your Mac is actually connected to the wireless from the AE, or from another device.