Can Airport Extreme Extend a non Apple Wireless Network?

Welcome to the discussions!

The Apple store said it could be done (I know the Airport Express will only extend Apple networks).
Can it be done & how? (running an ethernet cable isn't an option).

Unfortunately, the information that you received was not correct. As far as we know, you'll only be able to extend another network using wireless if it has been provided by another Apple"n" router.

Since you say that you cannot run an ethernet cable, you might want to take a look at a pair of ethernet powerline adapters to accomplish the same task by using the AC wiring in your home.

An ethernet signal from your D-Link router would allow the AirPort Extreme to be configured as a "bridge" to "create a wireless" network with exactly the same name, security and password as your main network. In effect, you'll have a much larger wireless network if you go with this option.

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

So if I can get an ethernet cable into the Airport Extreme via a powerline adapter connection the level 1 router to level 2 I can use this to spread the wireless further? ie create a new network with same details

Yes, post back if you need step by step instructions for this.

Could be a problem as the house has 3 phase power and I'm not sure that the phase on the bottom level goes anywhere else - will need to check by switching off phases & seeing what is live.

Typically, recent generations of powerline products will work as long as everything is on the same master AC circuit, but it would be wise to check in advance. This may be one of those things where you just don't know until you try. Might be a good idea to understand the store's return policy in case things don't work out as hoped.

Bob (or anyone),

So happy I found this thread. It was exactly what I
was looking for and oh boy, do I need someone's help.

_*The Problem*_

I have Verizon Fios Internet. Their Actiontec
router only provides minimal wireless coverage
across my large home.

I have an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station
but didn't get better results hooking it up to the
Actiontec router as a bridge.


_*So I got an Interesting Idea*_

Why not get the Belkin Powerline Adapter Kit.
These things are supposed to work great.

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Powerline-200-Adapter-Kit/dp/B0036R9YA6/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1291378994&sr=8-1

I plug it into my Actiontec router at one side
of the house and then plug it into a wall outlet
on the other.

Then....

I plug it into my Apple Airport Extreme Base
Station at the opposite end of my home and
essentially put it in AP (ACCESS POINT) MODE
to essentially repeat/extend the signal of the
Actiontec router.

Will this work?

I really need detailed information on how to set this up.

I can easily plug in the AV Powerline to my router and
then to a plug outlet at the opposite side of the house.

What I really need to know is how to configure the Airport
Extreme Base Station. I mean, I need step-by-step and
easy-to-follow instructions if anyone has the time to
provide it.

Also, will the wireless signal from the Actiontec router
interfere with the wireless from the Apple Extreme or
since the AE is running as an access point it will simply
extend it? I take it that the AE as an extension will still
use my current security login.

Thank you so much in advance

Message was edited by: NJ Ron

NJ Ron,

You'll be able to do what you want if the security settings on the FIOS router and AirPort Extreme match up exactly. If they don't, you'll have two wireless networks instead of one and you'll need to log on to each of them separately.

If you can access the setup page(s) of the Actionec router and tell me exactly what type of wireless security it is using, I can give you a step by step guide of how to set things up. Some examples of what the security might look like are:

WPA/WPA2 Personal
WPA2 Personal
WPA - PSK (TKIP
WPA - PSK (AES)

If you are not sure where to access the security settings, you may need to check with Verizon for assistance. It's possible they could tell you what they are if they use a standard setup on the their routers.

Bob,

Stick with me here. The more detailed instructions you
can give me in setting this all up, the better. I really
appreciate this.

Logged into my Verizon Actiontec router. Here are the
settings I copied and I hope they are the right one:

(I put XXX over personal information)


Radio Enabled: YES
SSID: XXXXX
Channel: Automatic
Security Enabled: YES
WEP 64-bit: XXXXXXXXXX
WEP 802.1x: N/A
WPA: N/A
SSID Broadcast: Enabled
MAC Authentication: Disabled
Wireless Mode: Mixed accepts 802.11b and 802.11g connections
Received Packets: 16189182
Sent Packets: 22250074


So, I suppose I need both the Verizon Adaptec and the Apple
Extreme to transmit the same wireless signal to increase overall
coverage.

I am also guessing I initially need to plug the Apple Extreme into
the Verizon router to configure via the Airport software tool on my Mac.

Other than putting each router on different channels what
do I need to enable and disable on each router?

Thank You again

WEP 64 bit is also known as WEP 40. Password compatibility is really tricky among different manufacturers because each generates a code differently. So when you enter the word "password" on the FIOS, it generates a complex code of letters and numbers.

If you enter the same word, "password" on a Mac product, it will generate a different code because Apple uses a different algorithm than FIOS. Fortunately, there is a way around this but you have to use a 5 character password on the FIOS router. Is it possible for you to change the wireless password on the FIOS to 5 characters?

While we're talking about security, WEP 64 (40) is the least secure of your choices and it's easily cracked. WEP 128 would be a bit better, but it requires a 13 character password to be compatible with other manufacturers.

Here's some more detail on the password compatibility issue:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1344

Message was edited by: Bob Timmons

I could change the Fios password to 5 characters
I suppose.

I would just use the same password on the Apple.

If I go to the higher encryption is it being defeated
by the fact I am only putting in 5 characters?

To be honest, I live in a small neighborhood and
I really don't think anyone here would be cracking
secure WiFi connections. Chances are slim.

Okay...so I can go with 5 characters on both routers.

Again, I would ask exactly what needs to be done to
set up both routers. I realize I will have to connect
them using ethernet. What has to be turned on and
off in each router?

I won't have the Belkin Powerline equipment for at least
another week. So any advice you give will be tried out then
and I will post the results back in this thread.

Thanks Bob for all the help.

Here's how to do what you want:

It will help to configure the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) if you temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AEBS. You can also configure the AEBS using wireless only, but the ethernet method is less prone to errors.

Open AirPort Utility - Click Manual Setup

Click the *Base Station* tab to name your AEBS, establish a device password (write that down) and adjust time settings

*Click the Wireless tab*
Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network
Wireless Network Name = Exact same name as your FIOS wireless network
Radio Mode = To use WEP security, you'll need to use 802.11b/g
Channel = Automatic
Wireless Security = WEP 40 bit (Hold down the option key when you click on the selection box if you don't see this choice)
Wireless Password = Same 5 character password that the FIOS network uses
Confirm Password

*Click the Internet icon*
Connect Using = Ethernet
Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Update to save settings and wait for the green light in about 30 seconds. Important...then you need to power down the entire network and start it back up..modem first, then your FIOS, then the AEBS, then computers, etc.

Bob,

Again...thank you.

I realize that this took time for you to do.

It's great that there are people like you willing
to assist.

It will take me about a week to try this. Please
check back then for a status report. Hopefully
I'll need no further help from you. This does look
as thorough and easy-to-follow as I had hoped.

Happy to help. It is much easier when you have the right settings 🙂

Bob,

Still hoping to have the Powerline kit ready to hook up by
Sunday 12/12 with the Apple Router.

Quick question till then....

*It will help to configure the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) if you temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AEBS. You can also configure the AEBS using wireless only, but the ethernet method is less prone to errors.*

Do you mean hooking the AEBS to my current Fios Adaptech Router
to configure? I am hoping that the Mac configuration utility will see
the AEBS through the Fios router.

You will have a permanent ethernet connecton between one of the LAN <-> ports on the FIOS router and the WAN port on the AEBS.

Do you mean hooking the AEBS to my current Fios Adaptech Router

to configure?

The AEBS will already be connected to the FIOS router (see above). I am talking about configuring the settings for the AEBS as part of the setup process.

+It will help to configure the AirPort Extreme (AEBS) if you temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AEBS.+

I think this is pretty clear. My suggestion to help with the configuration was to +temporarily connect an ethernet cable from your computer to one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme+. Once the AirPort Extreme is configured, you can disconnect the ethernet cable.

This gives you the "best" connection between the device being used to configure the AirPort Extreme (your computer) and the AirPort Extreme. Is there a reason why you could not temporarily make this type of connection to configure the AEBS?

Bob,

Absolutely no reason why I can't disconnect the ethernet internet
connection going into my iMac and temporarily connecting the
AEBS to configure it.

I just didn't know if I needed the Internet connection on the iMac
and thus should only make that kind of connection thru the Fios
router.

I will follow your instructions.

My Western Digital Powerline Adapter just shipped. I will attempt
to set all of this up Saturday or Sunday. Please check back then if
able.