47.6
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Q: Questions regarding extending a wireless network

Hi, I have three questions about extending my network.

 

1- Is the option "Create a wireless network" on a Time Capsule creating a second wireless network if I use the same name and exact same settings as the wireless network created by an Airport Extreme or just extend it?

 

2- If yes, why using the "Create a wireless network" option to extend a wireless network since there's an option to "Extend a wireless network"?

 

I've discovered something I don't understand while plugin my Time Capsule. I've set it up using the option "Extend a wireless network" and everything is fine, but if I plug an ethernet cable on my Time Capsule that is relied to my Airport Extreme router that creates the network, I loose all signal.

 

3- Why I loose all signal if I connect my Time Capsule to my Airport Extreme via ethernet while my Time Capsule is on "Extend a wireless network" option.

 

Thanks!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Feb 6, 2012 4:53 PM

by Tesserax,Solvedanswer
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,618 points)
Wireless
A:

1- Is the option "Create a wireless network" on a Time Capsule creating a second wireless network if I use the same name and exact same settings as the wireless network created by an Airport Extreme or just extend it?

If you have the Time Capsule (TC) connected by Ethernet to another AirPort or non-AirPort router, then this setting will create a second wireless network. However, if both routers are configured for roaming, both of these wireless networks will perform as "one."

 

2- If yes, why using the "Create a wireless network" option to extend a wireless network since there's an option to "Extend a wireless network"?

The "Extend a wireless network" option is for when you want the connection between AirPort routers to be wireless. The AirPort that would be extended would have the option: "Allow this network to be extended" enabled as well. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details on configuring an extended network with two or more 802.11n AirPorts.

 

3- Why I loose all signal if I connect my Time Capsule to my Airport Extreme via ethernet while my Time Capsule is on "Extend a wireless network" option.

It's because you have your network mis-configured for what you are trying to do. Again, that is because this option is only relevant when two AirPorts are interconnected by wireless.

Posted on Feb 6, 2012 5:42 PM

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47.6

Q: Questions regarding extending a wireless network

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Feb 6, 2012 5:42 PM in response to 47.6
    Level 9 (54,618 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 6, 2012 5:42 PM in response to 47.6

    1- Is the option "Create a wireless network" on a Time Capsule creating a second wireless network if I use the same name and exact same settings as the wireless network created by an Airport Extreme or just extend it?

    If you have the Time Capsule (TC) connected by Ethernet to another AirPort or non-AirPort router, then this setting will create a second wireless network. However, if both routers are configured for roaming, both of these wireless networks will perform as "one."

     

    2- If yes, why using the "Create a wireless network" option to extend a wireless network since there's an option to "Extend a wireless network"?

    The "Extend a wireless network" option is for when you want the connection between AirPort routers to be wireless. The AirPort that would be extended would have the option: "Allow this network to be extended" enabled as well. Please check out this Apple Support article for more details on configuring an extended network with two or more 802.11n AirPorts.

     

    3- Why I loose all signal if I connect my Time Capsule to my Airport Extreme via ethernet while my Time Capsule is on "Extend a wireless network" option.

    It's because you have your network mis-configured for what you are trying to do. Again, that is because this option is only relevant when two AirPorts are interconnected by wireless.

  • by 47.6,

    47.6 47.6 Feb 7, 2012 7:32 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2012 7:32 AM in response to Tesserax

    Thank you!! I really appreciate your information!

  • by deeduby,

    deeduby deeduby Oct 2, 2014 1:01 AM in response to 47.6
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2014 1:01 AM in response to 47.6

    I just want to add something that may seem very obvious, but isn't mentioned much in these groups. I kept having my wifi signal working and then get bumped off, I believe it's from 2 wifi transmitters operating at once. If you have a wireless non-apple router as your internet gateway, you need to turn the wifi radio off in router settings, connect an airport device to the non-apple router via ethernet, and config that airport to 'create a wireless network', then config your additional apple airports to 'extend an existing network'. This seems to be stable; occasionally I still have to restart a device or router, or un-patch an ethernet cable for 15 seconds, re-patch, and it gets recognized.