Is Airport Extreme still usable

OK, thanks for the additional information. This really helps.

Connect an Ethernet cable to one of the 4 LAN Ethernet ports on the back of the Sagem modem/router. It does not matter which one of these that you use, but if they are numbered 1-4 and 1 is open, then it would make sense to use port 1.

Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the WAN "O" Ethernet port on the back of the AirPort Extreme.

Power up the AirPort Extreme and let it run a few minutes if it is not already on.

Hold in the reset button (located just to the right of the AC power cord socket) for 7-8 seconds and then release.

Allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status.

On the iPad, go to the Home Screen

Tap Settings

Tap Wi-Fi

Look for a listing of Set Up New AirPort Base Station

Just under that listing, tap on AirPort Extreme

The example below shows an AirPort Express as a new base station to be set up, but you will see AirPort Extreme on your screen.

When you tap on AirPort Extreme, that will start up the AirPort Utility setup "wizard". The wizard will take a few seconds to analyze the network and then display a screen that will look similar to the example below, except that you will see an AirPort Extreme pictured.

Network Name.......Type in a short simple name for the AirPort Extreme wireless network.

Base Station Name......Type in a short simple name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme device

Password.......Type in a password that will be used for both the wireless network and base station device

Verify......Type in the same password to confirm

Tap Next

The wizard will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, tap Done

At this point, you should be able to select the AirPort Extreme wireless network that you created with your Wi-Fi devices and enter the password to connect.

Post back on your progress and if the AirPort Extreme is working well, then we will set up the AirPort Express.

Did you reset the airports to factory first?

I am sure they will show up in airport utility if you factory reset them.

If not you need to use a computer and use ethernet. Once reset the Airport routers have a known IP address, 10.0.1.1 and it is possible to manually configure them.

See https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8501614?answerId=33762263022#33762263022

“Here’s the best way to set up your AirPort Extreme-based network” ?

Bob will doubtless answer.. but my take on it is the standard Airport Utility automatic setup is pretty good. Apple did very little in the way of documentation after that came out as they want people using the automated system. It is far less trouble because the more specific you make it the less universal it becomes.

Tell us what model your Extreme and Express are.. as we can at least point to expected speeds and how to find out info about the links if you are using wireless.

settings I might not have noticed, or ways to prioritize traffic between bands that either weren’t available way back when,

There are far more settings in the old Airport Utility than the new one.. Apple basically removed what little functionality variations they did have for more automatic .. less support bothering .. take it or leave it settings.

Apple have never included any QoS or prioritisation. Too sophisticated. And too many settings and even the majority of router companies either use OEM version from chip manufacturer which does not work 90% of the time or outsource it to specialists.

Also the designs are now 3 generations out of date for the AC models and many more for the N wireless.

They work well with all Apple environment but Apple gave up the router business not just because it did not make enough money but the investment required to catch up the leaders was considerable. And they straight-jacket themselves by writing their own firmware from scratch which is plain dumb. (Much speculation on my part!!)

The best way to get more speed out of your wireless network is to

1. Replace any wireless links with ethernet. Particularly backbone.
2. If ethernet install is not possible go with modern mesh products. They are hugely superior to old fashioned wireless extender or repeater technology.
3. Any Apple routers that still serve a function like airplay or time machine backup can be used wired to replacement mesh or ethernet system.

Assuming that the AirPorts are functioning OK, and you find the performance acceptable, you can certainly use them to set up a new network.

Depending on the models of AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express that you have, you may already have the latest firmware updates for the products.

If a firmware update is available for either AirPort, it will show up when you check using AirPort Utility. New firmware is available if you see an Update button when you click on the AirPort.

The most up to date firmware for the AirPort Extreme is either 7.9.1 or 7.8.1 depending on which version of Extreme that you have. The latest update for the AirPort Express is 7.8.1

What model is the Extreme?

If it is tower model Gen 6 or AC, it can be up to 6 years old but worth a test.

The earlier ones are getting old. The last of the flat ones, A1408 (look at the bottom label) was much better than previous ones but still limited to N wireless. It will be 6-8 years old. The very early ones up to Gen3 I would not bother with.

Express is either Gen1 A1264, N wireless with single ethernet.. that is the duckhead model. The next one is Gen2 with 2 ethernet.. still N wireless. They are really toy routers.. but are very useful for airplay. IMHO if you need the express for extend wireless .. just get another extreme.. they are cheap now second hand.. either Gen5 or Gen6.

Plug the Extreme into your wireless router with ethernet which must be kept in place. Reset the Extreme to factory and configure it with short names, no spaces pure alphanumerics. NOT APPLE RECOMMENDED NAMES. Passwords same rules but longer.

Once you do that if you are extending with the Express.. bad idea but try it.. all you need to do is park the express near the extreme.. reset it to factory and the configuration is pretty much automatic.

Hey Bob,

thanks so much for all your experience in this forum.

Is there an article where you (or anyone) gives an up-to-date “Here’s the best way to set up your AirPort Extreme-based network” ?

I’ve been using two Extremes and an Express as my WiFi backbone for years, but wonder if there are things I should be doing different, settings I might not have noticed, or ways to prioritize traffic between bands that either weren’t available way back when, or l haven’t found the checkbox to enable them.

thanks again,

Tom

Should I just throw up my hands and forget about the resuse?

If you have not used the AirPorts for several years, they both need to be reset back to default settings using a Hard Reset or Factory Default Reset.

We can provide step by step setup instructions, but we'll need a few more details to know how to provide the correct instructions for what you want to do with the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express.

What device will be providing your Internet connection? Is this a modem or another router? It would help if you could provide the make and model number of your modem or router that you will be using. (The AirPorts do not have built in modems, so you will need an outboard modem or modem/router if you want to have Internet access).

The AirPort Extreme will need to connect to your modem or modem/router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.

Will the AirPort Express connect to the AirPort Extreme using a wireless connection.......or......will the AirPort Express connect back to the AirPort Extreme using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection?

As far as setup, you can use the iPad for this procedure....or....a Mac. Let us know which device that you want to use to set up the AirPorts.