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Level 1

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Roaming networks

Hi all,

I connected two dual-band Airport Extremes (MC340LL/A) using Ethernet to create a roaming network. Let's call the one hooked up to the cable modem the primary and the other the secondary. The cable modem handles the DHCP, so I set them up both as wireless bridges. The guest network is disabled. I have green lights on both units and all computers (wireless clients) can access the internet just fine.

Here's my problem: all of the wireless clients only connect to the primary even if the signal is really weak. I swapped and reconfigured Airports to see if that was the problem. No change. Computers refuse to connect using the secondary.

Help!

MC340LL/A

Posted on Dec 22, 2009 10:29 AM

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

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Posted on Dec 22, 2009 12:17 PM

Welcome to the discussions!

_On the primary AirPort Extreme (AEBS)_
open AirPort Utility and click on your AEBS primary on the left
Note the AirPort ID number of your device to the right
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
Set the Wireless Channel manually to a channel of your choice. Do not use Automatic
Update to save settings

_On the secondary AEBS_
Click on the secondary AEBS to the left in AirPort Utility
Note the AirPort ID of your device to the right
Click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the the row of icons
Wireless Mode - Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name - Exact name of the AEBS primary network
Radio Mode - Exact same settings as AEBS primary
Wireless Security - Exact same setting as AEBS primary
Wireless Password - Exact same setting as AEBS primary
Wireless Channel - Set this to a channel that is as far away as possible from the channel on the primary AEBS
Update to save settings

Try out the network. If you have a Mac running Leopard or Snow Leopard, hold down the "option" key on your computer while you click on the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of your screen. You will see that AirPort ID of the device that the computer is connected to is displayed. In general, your computer should automatically connect to the closest AEBS as you move around.

Please post back on your progress.

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27 replies

Mar 23, 2010 3:53 PM in response to Bob Timmons

WORKED LIKE A CHARM! Thanks, Bob, for your GREAT assistance with this set-up. I've no doubt that your easy explanation was MAGIC 😉.

The connection to the web does seem a tad slow, though. Certainly, it is livable, but I'm wondering if there is something you are aware of that might make it faster. If not, no worries.

ALSO, I just posted another inquiry regarding not being able to connect a PC to the Time Capsule. If you have any expertise with this, could you take a look at this link: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2376067&tstart=0

In any event, know that your help was invaluable and appreciated. 😉

Sandie

darianj

Level 1

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Apr 20, 2010 9:30 PM in response to slosparky

Ok, i have tried all of this, and it still wont work.

I have a Airport extreme downstairs in my office, I then want to connect a Airport express upstairs in my room so i will get a stronger signal upstairs. I am connecting the airport express with a ethernet cable to the airport extreme. I tried all the before mentioned answers and it does not work? Please help me

Apr 21, 2010 6:11 PM in response to darianj

First, please confirm that you have a good internet connection from the Airport Extreme by temporarily turning off the wireless on a laptop or other handy computer and then connecting it to the ethernet cable from the AirPort Extreme.

Are you able to get a good internet connection this way on the computer upstairs?

Jun 2, 2010 12:03 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi, I hope this thread is still active.

I want to set up a network similar to Sandie's, except I want to put an Airport Express at one end. i.e. I'll have an AEBS/TC that's connected to DSL modem and a powerline adapter, and then connect powerline adapter on another floor to Airport Express so that clients can connect wirelessly to the Express. I'm wondering if the Airport Express supports this kind of set up the way that two AEBS/TCs do.

If it does, how do I use the instructions you provide to Sandy to set up the Express, since you tell her to connect her AEBS to the rest of her network via WAN port, and to a computer via LAN port to use the Airport Utility? As you know, Express has only one ethernet port for both WAN and LAN. Thanks very much!

Jun 2, 2010 12:12 PM in response to Mark Adelman

+I'm wondering if the Airport Express supports this kind of set up the way that two AEBS/TCs do.+

Yes, it will work fine.

+If it does, how do I use the instructions you provide to Sandy to set up the Express, since you tell her to connect her AEBS to the rest of her network via WAN port, and to a computer via LAN port to use the Airport Utility? As you know, Express has only one ethernet port for both WAN and LAN.+

Connect a short ethernet cable from your computer to the AirPort Express to configure it. When you have it updated, disconnect the cable and move the Express to the location where it's needed. Then simply plug in the ethernet connection from the powerline adapter to the Express.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

Jun 2, 2010 1:43 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks so much, Bob!

Jun 8, 2010 1:05 PM in response to Bob Timmons

hi,
i have a TC conected to my router.

i can conect to TC via wifi, but i cant see my TC in my finder or time machine:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=11635364#11635364

tnx for help.

Jul 19, 2010 4:20 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I hope you can help with a question. I already have a time capsule network set up and working well but need to extend for better coverage in my bigger house. I have an airport extreme to do the job. I only have one ethernet cable access point. What's the best way to configure this with the time capsule as the back bone of the network? Thanks in advance for your help. Michael

Jul 19, 2010 5:29 AM in response to Michael Anthony

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean here. Are you able to connect the Time Capsule and the AirPort Extreme using an ethernet cable? If so, you can use the instructions provided earlier in this post for that.

Jul 19, 2010 6:59 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I am able to connect a cable from the tc to the ae. I presume this is for the purpose of setting up the ae, and that after it is configured the cable between the tc and the ae is no longer necessary. Is that correct?

Jul 19, 2010 8:12 AM in response to Michael Anthony

The topic of this thread is "roaming networks", which is a network configuration where the main router and other routers are all permanently connected using an ethernet backbone. This type of configuration provides the best bandwidth performance for a wireless network.

You are asking about extending the network using wireless only to connect the main router and any other wireless extenders, correct?

If that's the case, in order to avoid confusion about a different type of network on this thread, please start a new post with a subject like "Extending a network using Wireless Only" and provide a description of the devices you have. We need to know whether all the devices will be Apple, whether they are all "n" capable, or whether you have a mix of older "g" and newer "n" devices.

vescy

Level 1

0 points

Aug 14, 2010 10:09 PM in response to slosparky

Hello all-

I've read most of the posts on setting up a roaming network and I'm still struggling with my setup. Here's my scenario- any help is appreciated:

- Wireless-n Primary AEBS connected to COX cable modem in the house
- I have a functioning 100 ft cat5e cable coming out to my garage/studio that I plug into my MB pro
- I can get a decent wireless signal from the AEBS but I have been trying to setup an Airport Express
A1264 for a roaming network
- I have followed all the protocol to initiate the roaming network but the Express will intermittently
blink amber
- My biggest concern is the bridge settings on the AEBS and the Airport Express- It absolutely would
not work when in bridge mode on the AEBS
- The airport express is in bridge mode but it will not allow any alteration of the wireless channels
- Apple support posts say the subnet masks must be the same- which I did manually on the Express
to match the AEBS subnet
- COX uses DHCP I'm sure of, but should I be setting it up manually on Airport utility?

A bit flummoxed!

Roaming networks