Once Apple quit making Airport equipment and updating technology, got some ORBI wifi equipment and set up network with that. I'd like to use my Extreme to extend that network to weak spots in the house, but every time I try to set up the Extreme, it will only allow me to create new Airport network, not attach to a different network. Any suggestions?
The AirPort Extreme will not be compatible with the Orbi network unless you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to one of the Orbi access points using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.
Another way to say the same thing would be to state that the AirPort Extreme will not be able to connect to the Orbi network using only a wireless connection, if that is your goal.
In order to "extend" the network, the AirPort must be set up to "Create a wireless network" that uses the......
1) Exact same wireless network name that Orbi network is using
2) Same wireless network security setting
3) Same wireless network password setting
4) Be configured to operate in Bridge Mode
Even if you are able to meet all of the requirements above, how well your WiFi devices will switch from the Orbi network to the AirPort network when they move close to the AirPort Extreme is open to question.
You may find that you need to assign a different wireless network name to the AirPort Extreme network, and then manually log off of Orbi network and log on to the AirPort Extreme network when you want devices to connect to the AirPort Extreme. You won't have an "extended" network in this case, of course. You will have two separate wireless networks, requiring that you manually "switch" from one network to the other as needed.
If you want to try things out and need more tips on how to try to set this up, we need to know whether you will be using a Mac, a PC, or an iPhone / iPad to configure the AirPort Extreme.
The AirPort Extreme will not be compatible with the Orbi network unless you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to one of the Orbi access points using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.
Another way to say the same thing would be to state that the AirPort Extreme will not be able to connect to the Orbi network using only a wireless connection, if that is your goal.
In order to "extend" the network, the AirPort must be set up to "Create a wireless network" that uses the......
1) Exact same wireless network name that Orbi network is using
2) Same wireless network security setting
3) Same wireless network password setting
4) Be configured to operate in Bridge Mode
Even if you are able to meet all of the requirements above, how well your WiFi devices will switch from the Orbi network to the AirPort network when they move close to the AirPort Extreme is open to question.
You may find that you need to assign a different wireless network name to the AirPort Extreme network, and then manually log off of Orbi network and log on to the AirPort Extreme network when you want devices to connect to the AirPort Extreme. You won't have an "extended" network in this case, of course. You will have two separate wireless networks, requiring that you manually "switch" from one network to the other as needed.
If you want to try things out and need more tips on how to try to set this up, we need to know whether you will be using a Mac, a PC, or an iPhone / iPad to configure the AirPort Extreme.
To add a bit to the other comments, the Netgear Orbi mesh system relies on a dedicated wireless radio for the purpose of communicating between the Orbi satellite(s). The Apple wireless base stations do not support this concept and cannot be used as another Orbi satellite. Basically, the only wireless method to extend an Orbi is with another Orbi. That's pretty much true for all "mesh" type wireless systems.
The whole point of the Orbi system is coverage. If you have a poor wireless signal area, you buy another satellite in the same series. Mesh systems do not work properly if you try and mix in another brand router.. Since you have now moved to Orbi stick to it. You will get far better results.
Sorry, I'm confused. On one hand in your original post, you said that you have weak spots in the house that need better WiFi coverage. On the other hand, your post just above indicates that you have "good" coverage.
I'm not recommending that you try to incorporate the AirPort Extreme into the Orbi network, but we can tell how to try to do this if you really are interested.
If you have good coverage now, there is probably little to be gained by spending the time to find out whether the AirPort Extreme will help, or simply make things more complicated......unless you have the time to experiment with no guarantee that things will improve.
Let's call it weaker spots. I was hoping to extend it even outside to back porch. Inside the house, all is fine. I thought it would be easier to do. Too far away to use ethernet and don't want to have multiple networks. More a question of not wasting something which still worked.
I had good coverage, but a working Extreme I thought I could still put to use. I'll unplug the Extreme and store it away.
Adding Extreme to existing ORBI network
