Setup for extending Sky wireless network using Airport Express or Time Cap

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EJC1977 Author

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Setup for extending Sky wireless network using Airport Express or Time Cap

Hi,

Hi,

I have three Mac computers/laptops (iMac, MacBook Air and G4 PowerBook), all currently functioning via airport on a sky wireless network (Sky HD Sagem router) all backing up wirelessly to a Time Capsule 1TB which is also connected to the same wireless Sky network. At the top of my house signal strength is weak as you would expect. I would like to be able to extend the range of the sky routers signal which is on the ground floor (3 storey house). My original idea had been to setup a AirPort Express on the 2nd floor to extend the network, but I am unsure what steps I have to follow and whether I need to create a WDS network or not? I've seen some comments that say Sky & Apple hardware are not compatible and it's not possible to extend a Sky router/wireless network using a Apple Airport Express or Time Capsule. Can someone provide me with a step by step set of instructions on what I need to do to set this up? If a work around is required, again any advice would be very much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Eugene

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on May 17, 2010 2:33 AM

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Answer 1

May 17, 2010 6:00 AM in response to EJC1977

Welcome to the discussions!

Sky and Apple products are not compatible for the purpose of extending your network using wireless only.

If you could connect an ethernet cable from your Sky router to the AirPort Express, or if it's not possible to run an ethernet cable...take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home to transmit the ethernet signal.

If you configure the AirPort Express to "create a wireless network", this would in effect, extend your network by adding an AirPort Express that would be configured with the exactly the same wireless network name, security settings and password as your Sky router. The AirPort Express would also need to be configured as a "bridge".

Post back if you need more details about something like this.

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Answer 2

EJC1977 Author

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May 17, 2010 6:16 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi - thank you for your prompt response. Ok, so am I correct in saying that I reset and connect the Airport Express to the Sky router using an ethernet cable, then "create a new network" with AE, but with identical network name and security password to my Sky router? What is the "bridge" mode you refer to? Assuming, I can get that setup correctly I still have the signal/distance issue, so could I then connect the Time Capsule (on my 2nd floor) as a remote/relay with the AE as the main base station? Again not sure I'm not entirely sure what the best setup is for this. Your thoughts again are massively appreciated.

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Answer 3

May 17, 2010 6:25 AM in response to EJC1977

If I'm understanding correctly, you have a Time Capsule and AirPort Express now, correct? Do you know if the AirPort Express is an 802.11n version? If you are not sure, you can check the model number on the side. Post back and I'll check.

I'm thinking that if you could locate the Time Capsule on the 2nd floor and connect it to the Sky using an ethernet cable....and, if the AirPort Express is the "n" version, you could then extend the wireless network using wireless only with that device to the third floor.

Would that work for you?

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Answer 4

EJC1977 Author

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May 17, 2010 8:03 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi - Thanks! I'll check this evening and get back to you on the AE and confirm if it is "802.11n" version or not. I must admit I think the idea of hard wiring the TC from the ground floor to the 2nd floor is an unlikely solution as the wife would not allow me to run a physical cable that far. A wireless solution is therefore far more preferable. If needs be I would be happy to buy another AE. Does my idea of having Sky Router/AE connected with AE as "Main Base Station" and then the TC run as a "Relay" on the Second Floor and then maybe purchasing a new AE as a "Remote" on the 3rd Floor?? Cheers, Eugene

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Answer 5

May 17, 2010 11:44 AM in response to EJC1977

+I must admit I think the idea of hard wiring the TC from the ground floor to the 2nd floor is an unlikely solution as the wife would not allow me to run a physical cable that far.+

If you cannot run an ethernet cable, then my recommendation for the next best thing would be to use a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to transmit the ethernet signal over the existing AC power lines in your home. This will provide a faster and more stable connection than wireless from your Sky router to the Time Capsule.

If you have an "n" AirPort Express, you would use that to extend the wireless from the Time Capsule.

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