Combine routers into one network

Question

Level 1

54 points

Combine routers into one network

I have an O2 wireless router, an Airport Extreme and a Time Capsule in my house for Internet.

Currently they are all connect via Ethernet but all broadcasting their own wifi networks.

Is it possible to set up the O2 router (this is the one with the modem in) and then have the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule connect via ethernet but broadcast the same wifi network?

At the moment I have to choose between 3 networks to get the strongest signal based on where I am in the house.

Anyone have any idea how this could be done?

Thanks,

Chris.

Macbook Pro 15.4, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Dec 19, 2011 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,200 points

Dec 19, 2011 7:44 AM in response to e3gle

Anyone have any idea how this could be done?

Configure the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule to broadcast a Wi-Fi network using exactly the same wireless network name, wireless security and password.
Make sure that the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are configured in Bridge Mode

The tricky part of all this is making sure that each device....O2, AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are using the exact same type of wireless security.

Do you know the exact type of wireless security that the O2 wireless router is using?

Post back with your findings and we will provide a step-by-step guide to configure the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule to provide a "roaming" network.

This will allow you to go anywhere in the house and remain on the same network. The computer will automatically switch to the router with the strongest signal as it "roams" the house.

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Answer 2

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 20, 2011 3:24 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks 🙂

The O2 box is currently using WPA-PSK security.

When setting up the Apple boxes, should they be set as Create a wireless network or Connect to a network using Ethernet to extend the network or create a second network?

I'm assuming as the Apple boxes are both connected via ethernet then the second option is best.

Currently my setup is as follows:

______________________________________________

Internet In

|

O2 Modem/ --- Ethernet cable --- Windows PC

Wireless box --- Broadcasting Wifi #1

|

Ethernet

Cable

|

Airport

Extreme --- Broadcasting WiFI #2

|

Ethernet

Cable

|

Time Capsule --- Broadcasting WiFi #3

|__________________________

| |

Ethernet Ethernet

Cable Cable

| |

Macbook Pro #1 MacBook Pro #2

______________________________________________

Hope that makes sense.

Chris

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,200 points

Dec 20, 2011 9:00 PM in response to e3gle

Is there any additional information on the WPA-PSK setting?

Normally, the setting would look like one of the following:

WPA-PSK- TKIP

WPA2-PSK-AES

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Answer 4

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 22, 2011 3:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hmm. I can't seem to change the security mode.

When I look at the details for the wireless settings I can see which security mode it is set to, WPA-PSK, but cannot change it from there.

When I try to go through the easy setup wizard it asks me to fill in the Static IP, Subnet Mask and default gateway.

However, we did not set up a Static IP when starting the broadband service so have nothing to input, but it seems to require both the static IP and default gateway to proceed with the setup.

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Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,200 points

Dec 22, 2011 6:49 PM in response to e3gle

When I look at the details for the wireless settings I can see which security mode it is set to, WPA-PSK, but cannot change it from there.

Unless we can get another O2 user to help us, a 'best guess" setting for the AirPorts would be WPA/WPA2 Personal. But.....I must emphasize that this is just that.....a guess.

When I try to go through the easy setup wizard it asks me to fill in the Static IP, Subnet Mask and default gateway.

These settings are not required. Make sure that the setting for Configure IPv4 is set to Using DHCP. No other entries are required on this page....leave them all blank and they will obtain information automatically.

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Answer 6

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 24, 2011 1:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Ok.

Apparently the O2 box is broadcasting using WPA2 Personal security. I had a feeling it would be somehow 🙂

I'm assuming that the Airport and Time Capsule need to be set to the same network name and security setting as the O2 box now and into bridge mode?

Chris

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Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,200 points

Dec 24, 2011 1:55 PM in response to e3gle

That's correct. As mentioned earlier in this thread....

Configure the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule to broadcast a Wi-Fi network using exactly the same wireless network name, wireless security and password.
Make sure that the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are configured in Bridge Mode

Once the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are configured, it would be a good idea to power cycle the entire network to make sure that evrerything is in sequence.

Power off all devices, order is not important

Wait a minute or two

Start the O2 device first, and lt run for a moment or two by itself

Start the next device connected to the O2 the same way

Start the next device, etc the same way and keep starting devices until everything is powered back up

The network should be functioning correctly

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Answer 8

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 24, 2011 2:05 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Perfect!

That was much easier than I was expecting 🙂

Hoever, I was having an issue before where if any Apple device (iPhone/iPad/Apple TV/Mac) was connected to the O2 wifi, it would not be able to talk to any other Apple device on either of the Airport networks.

I'm guessing that might be a security issue but I'm not sure.

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Answer 9

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 24, 2011 2:54 PM in response to e3gle

Fixed it!

I changed the wifi channels on the Airport devices to the same as the O2 box.

Now I am getting full speed on the single wifi network and my Apple devices and talk to each other 🙂

Thanks for all the help!

Chris

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Answer 10

e3gle Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 25, 2011 2:43 AM in response to e3gle

Correction, my Apple devices can talk to each other when connected to the Airport networks, but the second the iPad changes to the O2 wifi, anything Apple vanishes. The iPad cannot see my iTunes when using Remote app and Airplay is not available.

I can't find anything about the requirements for Airplay to check if there is a setting in the O2 box stopping the communication.

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