airport express to extend range

I bought another express to extend more. But if I understand express doesn't connect in other express am I right ?

Actually, it can. The problem you are having, most likely, is that you are attempting to create the older "static" version of a WDS where you can use three base station "in series" (main, relay, & remote) to cover the greatest linear distance. My guess is that you have tried using the "Allow this network to be extended" and "Extend a wireless network" options which only pertain to the newer "dynamic" WDS with the 802.11n AirPorts. Unfortunately, this newer version only allow two base stations in any one direction. )Think of it as spokes of a wheel, with the main in the middle and each other base station on the spokes.)

To re-create the older "static" WDS with the newer 802.11n AirPorts, you would need to select the "Participate in a WDS" option for the Wireless Mode. Note: In order to have this option, you will need to hold down the Option key before clicking on the drop-down menu for Wireless Mode.

Are all of your AirPorts the 802.11n or 802.11b/g version ... or a mix of both?

Ok, just to be sure I understand your network requirements, are you trying to do the following?

Internet > Modem > AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBS) >>> AirPort Express Base Station (AX) #1 >>> AirPort Express Base Station (AX) #2 >>> wireless clients, where ">" is a wired connection, and ">>>" is a wireless connection.

Ok, thanks for clarifying your equipment.

Since they are all 802.11n models, you basically have two versions of WDS that can be configured: static & dynamic.

A "static" WDS will only operate in the 802.11g Radio Mode and has the advantage of covering the greatest linear distance. So, for example, if you house is rectangular in shape, and the ADSL modem is on one of the short sides of the rectangle, you can set up the main near the modem, place a remote at the far end of the house, and place a relay between them. The biggest disadvantage of this type of WDS is there is a significant loss of bandwidth as for each station added, the overall bandwidth is cut in half. Since, this type of WDS operates in the 802.11g Radio Mode, you would be starting with a maximum bandwidth of 54 Mbps. Adding the additional two stations would drop this maximum to 12-14 Mbps (or near 802.11b speeds).

A "dynamic" WDS operates in the 802.11n Radio Mode. Unlike the "static" version there are only "mains" and "remotes" ... no "relays." If we use the same example, if your ADSL modem was in the middle of the house, you could place the main there and place remotes at either end. Note: Although there will be some loss of overall bandwidth, you will be starting at a much higher maximum (around 130 Mbps) and adding the additional stations will NOT reduce the bandwidth in half like the "static" version.

Since the setup is different for each type, which do you prefer?

If you need to cover a long distance than the first option, using a "static" WDS, is the way you would want to go.

Here are the steps to set it up:

(Note: To facilitate the WDS set up, temporarily connect the remote & relay base stations to the AEBSn by Ethernet during the set up phase, and then, relocate them to the desired locations when complete. Also, jot down the AirPort IDs (MAC addresses) for each of the base stations to be used in the WDS. The AirPort ID and is printed on the label on the bottom/side of the base station.)

Main Base Station Setup - AEBSn
o Click the AirPort status menu in the menu bar and choose the wireless network created by the base station you want to set up as the main base station.
o Open AirPort Utility (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder on a Macintosh computer, or in Start > All Programs > AirPort on a computer using Windows).
o Select the main base station, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base
Station menu.
o Enter the base station password if necessary. If the base station is using the default password of public, you will not be prompted for a password.
o Click Wireless in the toolbar, and then, choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu. Note: You will need to hold down the Option key in order to get this option on the AEBSn, 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn), or Time Capsule (TC).
o Click WDS and then, choose “WDS main” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Select the “Allow wireless clients” checkbox if you want client computer to connect to this base station.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the base station you want to connect to this base station.
o Click Update to send the new settings to the base stations in the WDS.

Remote Base Station Setup - AX#1
o Open AirPort Utility; select the remote base station, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the base station password, if necessary.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS remote” from the pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the WDS Main field.
o Click Update to transfer the settings to the base station.

Relay Base Station Setup - AX#2
o Open AirPort Utility; select the relay base station, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu.
o Enter the same network password as the main base station, if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless. Choose “Participate in a WDS network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the same channel as the main base station from the Channel pop-up menu.
o Click WDS and choose “WDS relay” from the WDS Mode pop-up menu.
o Enter the AirPort ID of the main base station in the Main AirPort ID field.
o Click the Add "+" button and enter the AirPort ID of the remote base station this relay base station will connect to.
o Click Update to transfer the new WDS settings to the relay and remote base stations.

(ref: Pages 42-46 of " Designing AirPort Networks.)

I'm sorry that this is not working for you. Let's try to simplify things by configuring for a "dynamic" WDS. Hopefully the process will be easier to configure and still work for your situation.

Do the following for the AEBSn:
o Open AirPort Utility and select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
o Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
o Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then click Wireless.
o Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.

Do these steps for each AX:
o Select the base station that will extend this network, and choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
o Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
o Enter the base station network and base station password is necessary.
o Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.

I need help along the same lines. I have an airport extreme - dual band. I plugged it in (a few months ago) it works. But I have no wi fi in parts of the house so I bought an express (n). Get it plugged in and green but it does not extend the network. Reading other forums someone said to check on the option to extend (on express) but there is no such option. I don't plan to use it for printing or music - I just want my wi fi to work better. What am I doing wrong??

CT

You'll need to check some settings and perhaps reconfigure the AirPort Express again to get things working. The instructions earlier in this thread are for setting up a WDS. You would not do this with your devices because both are newer "n" devices.

_On the AirPort Extreme (AEBS)_

Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup
Click the Wireless tab below the row of icons
The important settings to check here are:
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Make sure there is a check mark next to "Allow this network to be extended"
Make a note of the exact Security setting that the AEBS is using as well
Update to save any changes and close AirPort Utility

_On the AirPort Express (AX)_

Temporarily, move the AX to the same room as the AEBS and power it up
Hold in the reset button until the amber light begins to blink more quickly and then hold a few more seconds, then release the reset button
Temporarily, connect an ethernet cable from your Mac to your AX
Open AirPort Utility and click Manual Setup

Click the Base Station tab to assign a device name, device password and adjust Time Zone settings

Click the Wireless tab
Wireless Mode = Extend a wireless network. If you do not see this choice, hold down the option key on your Mac as you click on the selection box
Wireless Network Name = the name of your TC network should appear as a choice. Click to select
Enter a check mark next to Allow wireless clients
Wireless Security = Exact same setting as your TC network
Wireless Password = Same password as your TC network
Confirm Password again

Update to save settings.

In general, you want to position the AX about 1/2 to 2/3 of the distance between your AEBS and the area where you need more wireless coverage.

This worked perfectly exactly as described. Thank you so much for a quick and complete response. Your help is much appreciated.

Cathie