Participate in a WDS Network

Welcome to the discussions!

You have 2 AirPort Expresses there, which you are trying to configure as remotes. What product are you using as the main router in your network?

Arron Chu wrote:
it is okay to set up as " Create a Wireless Network". When I try to set it as "Participate in a WDS Network", it doesn't work after restart.

What doesn't work means is, I cannot see the wireless network in my list, also the yellow light is flashing. I've tried a so many times to restore the previous setting and still have the same problem.
later I realized it only happens when i set it is "Participate in a WDS Network".

I have 2 airport express to be WDS remote so I must need the "Participate in a WDS Network" function working.

If your AirPort Express units are "N"-capable, your "main" AIrPort station (presumably your Time Capsule) should be set to "Create a wireless network", as well as to "Allow this network to be extended". In that case your AirPort Express units should be set to "Extend a wireless network".

If your AirPort Express units are "pre-N", the appropriate setting for your Time Capsule is evidently "Participate in a WDS Network". You'll also need to declare it to be a "WDS main" under the "WDS" tab and enter the MAC addresses ("AirPort IDs") of the AirPort Express units.

Arron Chu wrote:
Yes my main station is the Time Capsule. The problem here is, if I set my time capsule as "Create a wireless network", I do not have the option to add the the airport ID of my 2 airport express.

the 2 airport express are b/g only.

This means that you must use the "Participate ..." setting.

I did get the WDS work with 1 airport express before. but last night i tried to add the other one and i screw up. the problem i am facing is, I tried to add my 2nd airport express airport ID and save, the time capsule doesn't come back anymore.

You might try reseting all your AirPort units and trying again. All units must have the same network name, same band and channel, and same security settings. Start with the Time Capsule and add the AirPort IDs of both AirPort Express units. Configure each unit and test to see if it works before moving on to the next one.

I'm having the same problem. All of my equipment is of the older b/g variety. About a month ago, one of my wds remotes stopped working. Then, a week later, the other stopped working. The setup assistant that used to configure the remotes suddenly started offering errors on restart. Manual configuration has not worked and is rather complicated. It appears that Airport Utility has lost its ability to support older gear in some configurations.