Creating a seamless wireless network with 2 AExpress units

Question

Creating a seamless wireless network with 2 AExpress units

I have 2 Airport Express units in different parts of my house. I have struggled for YEARS trying to get them to create one seamless wireless network with the same name that I could float between. I have never been able to get that to work. anyone?

I know that some of the problems MAY have to do with the non-apple router settings, but I just have never gotten a clear response form anyone about weather it is doable, and/or worth doing. I would settle for 2 seperate wireless networks that didn't compete with each other and/or constantly need re-booting to stay active. I am generally the most tech savvy person I know and am consulted on IT by friends and colleageus regularly, but I just cannot figure this one out..

I am totally capable of setting this up, both in the router and the AE units, if someone can just tell me that;

1) yes it is possible and it will work, and

2) just set it up like this...

Airport Express b/g-OTHER

Posted on Jul 14, 2011 9:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Jul 15, 2011 4:47 AM in response to chefmiguelito

It would really help us if you could tell us how you want to configure the Express devices.

Will be both of them be connected by an Ethernet cable back to a "main" router?

Will one Express be connected to a modem with an Ethernet cable, while the other connects to the "main" AirPort Express using wireless only?

Will both Express devices be connected only by wireless to another router that is providing your wireless network? If yes, please provide the manufacturer and model number of this device.

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 4, 2011 7:27 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

thanks so much for following up. Let me explain the basic set up

I have AT&T DSL hi speed internet. It comes into the house and goes straight to a

MOTOROLA WR850G. There is also a network switch as I have a number of devices running straight ethernet (Mac Mini, xbob 360, etc) The wireless on the Motorola is diabled. It is only functioning as a router.

Both AExpress units are connected to this Motorola (or the network switch) by Ethernet. One is right there next to the router and provides wireless for this floor of the house. The other unit is about 30 yards away in the main house and the ethernet runs the distance to it.

I am able to get internet/wireless to work at both AE units. The problems I have are as follows;

1) the unit in the house always needs resetting. After a week or so, the wireless remains active, but you cannot connect to it. The wireless just keeps saying connection timeout

2) the unit outside occasionally needs resetting, same as above.

3) currently I have each AE broadcasting a different network SSID as my past attempts at creating a "Mesh" metwork always resulted in the network not functioning.

I am somewhat convinced that most of this has to do with certain port or other NAT or LAN settings on my Motorola but no one has over confirmed that for me. I have followed as many of the online threads as I could trying to follow others instructions and tips on this, but am now looking for a definitive yes/no and possibly some help with the settings.

Does that clarify?

Thanks, Mike

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Aug 4, 2011 7:50 PM in response to chefmiguelito

Thanks for the clarification. Check your AirPort Express devices one at a time, but other than different device names to avoid confusion.....AirPort Express 1, AirPort Express 2....for example, the settings should look this:

Open AirPort Utility , select one AirPort Express, click Manual Setup

Click the Wireless tab below th row of icons

Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network

Wireless Network Name = Your choice

No check mark needed next to "Allow this network to be extended"

Radio Mode = 802.11n (802.11 b/g compatible) a good choice, but you can choose other combinations by holding down the option key on your Mac while you click on the selection box

Channel = Automatic

Wireless Security = WPA2 Personal an excellent choice if all of your devices are compatible with this setting

Wireless Password = Your wireless password

Confirm Password

Click the Internet icon

Connect Using = Ethernet

Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)

Update to save settings

Configure AirPort Express 2 exactly the same way and Update to save settings

Then, power down the entire network.....all devices....order is not important

Wait a moment, then start the modem/router first and let it run 2-3 minutes by itself

Start each AirPort Express the same way

Start each other network device one at a time about a minute apart

Check for proper network operation

IF....you did not have your AirPort Express devices in Bridge Mode before.....that is the reason why you are having issues now and also is the reason why the "roaming" network was not working.....assuming that there was a reasonable overlap in wireless coverage between the 2 Express devices, of course.

If you want to try the "roaming" setup again, assign the exact same wireless network name, security and password to both Express devices and confirm again that both are setup in Bridge Mode as the very last step before you click the Update button in AirPort Utility.

Power down the entire network and start up in sequence as well as in the example above.

Reply

Answer 4

Aug 16, 2011 12:40 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

You rock. My torment is over. It's working strongly for 10 days now with no resets necessary! Thank you..

One last question though,

When I move away from one WAP and am near the other, sometimes it's difficult to get my device (iPad, iPhone, MacBook) to switch over to the closer point where the signal will be stronger. Is there any way to get them to kick over? I've tried turning wireless on and off, renewing lease, even forgetting the network and trying again. Every time, it rejoins the weaker one... What can I do? Thanks,

Michael

Reply

Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Aug 16, 2011 5:56 AM in response to chefmiguelito

iPhones and iPads tend to remember and lock on to one wireless access point and stay there, even if you move them very close to another wireless access point. That is a nature of the beast with these devices since their operating systems dictate what they can and cannot do.

When I move my Mac laptop around the house and outside to the patio area, it will automatically change access points wihitn a second or two as I move into a different area. I cannot duplicate the issue that you are experiencing with my Mac laptop.

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 17, 2011 11:58 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob,

one more question on this one. So I got the single network active, with both AExpress units EXCEPT...

the one AE in my house, keeps not working. What does that mean? If I unplug it and replug it, I get great signal with strong bandwith for anywhere from a day to couple of days, and then it just stops working. Similar symptoms to what was described above, in that the devices (macbook, ipad, etc) all stay latched onto the weaker, more disant WAP (the garage AE) when in the house, rather than being on the nearby WAP (house AE). The only fix is to unpug and replug the AE in the house and then it works again. Signal strong, all devices latch onto it.

I have a feeling that this is a NAT issue or something to do with my router level, as the house AE stays green light, even when it is "not working". It seems like it just stops routing traffic correctly or the WAP locks out or something...

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance, MLA

Reply

Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,114 points

Oct 18, 2011 5:47 AM in response to chefmiguelito

Did you check the settings on the AirPort Express to verify that the setting for Connection Sharing = Off (Bridge Mode)?

Otherwise, the AirPort Express may be picking up some wireless interference from a cordless phone, another wi-fi network nearby, nearby electornic device, etc....the possibilities are endless.

Reply