Xavier Garcia
Level 1 (15 points)

Q: Extending my ABS with AEX

I recently purchased a new ABS and replaced my dome.  I'll apologize in advance, I did search to see if there was a thread that could help but I seem to be missing something. 

 

My Base Station is configured to "allow this network to be extended".

My AEX is configured to "extend a wireless network".  I'm pretty sure its an n version, but this might be the glitch.  Is there a way to confirm?  Its connected to my ABS at the 5ghz channel.

 

I've noticed that the speeds away from my AEX not as impressive as closer to my ABS. 

I have a macbook and utilized the option+wifi logo to see which device my computer is being connected to as I walk throughout the house.  It seems that I'm still connecting to the the ABS, even when I'm right up against the AEX. 

 

ABS SETTINGS:

Wireless mode - Create a wireless network

Allow this network to be extended (checked)

ABS Radio Mode - 802.11a/n - 802.11b/g

Radio Channel - Automatic

 

 

AEX SETTINGS:

Wireless mode - Extend a wireless network

Allow wireless clients (checked)

 

 

TIA.

Posted on Feb 25, 2012 5:27 PM

by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer
Bob Timmons Bob Timmons
Level 10 (105,448 points)
Wireless
A:

If your Mac indicates that you are connecting to the AEBS, then it is very likely correct. That means that the AX is not extending correctly.

 

Suggest that you try configuring the AX again starting with a Factory Default Reset

 

Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

 

Move the AX close to the AEBS for the configuration setup, then move the AX to a location that is about half the distance from the AEBS to the area that needs more wireless coverage

 

Check the network again to see if it is extending correctly

 

The AX will extend the 5 GHz band if it receives a very strong signal from the AEBS. You almost have to have line of sight to be able to extend the 5 GHz band. Otherwise the AX will extend the 2.4 GHz band.

Posted on Feb 25, 2012 6:08 PM

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Xavier Garcia

Q: Extending my ABS with AEX

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  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Feb 25, 2012 6:02 PM in response to Xavier Garcia
    Level 9 (54,906 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 25, 2012 6:02 PM in response to Xavier Garcia

    My AEX is configured to "extend a wireless network".  I'm pretty sure its an n version, but this might be the glitch.  Is there a way to confirm?

    The 802.11g is model# A1084; the 802.11n is model# A1264

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 25, 2012 6:08 PM in response to Xavier Garcia
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 25, 2012 6:08 PM in response to Xavier Garcia

    If your Mac indicates that you are connecting to the AEBS, then it is very likely correct. That means that the AX is not extending correctly.

     

    Suggest that you try configuring the AX again starting with a Factory Default Reset

     

    Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule FAQ

     

    Move the AX close to the AEBS for the configuration setup, then move the AX to a location that is about half the distance from the AEBS to the area that needs more wireless coverage

     

    Check the network again to see if it is extending correctly

     

    The AX will extend the 5 GHz band if it receives a very strong signal from the AEBS. You almost have to have line of sight to be able to extend the 5 GHz band. Otherwise the AX will extend the 2.4 GHz band.

  • by Xavier Garcia,

    Xavier Garcia Xavier Garcia Feb 25, 2012 7:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Feb 25, 2012 7:07 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I reset the AX to factorty default settings while it was adjacent to the ABS.  It prompted me if I was interested in extending my network. 

     

    I selected this option and it appears to be connected to my ABS.  It still show no devices connected to the AX though?

     

    I put my ipad in the far corner of my house and the signal is weak which leads me to beleive the network is not extended properly.  Also AU has one device connected to the AX which is the ABS address. 

     

    Do I need to mess with the Router settings?  DHCP/NAT, DHCP only, Bridge?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Feb 25, 2012 7:33 PM in response to Xavier Garcia
    Level 10 (105,448 points)
    Wireless
    Feb 25, 2012 7:33 PM in response to Xavier Garcia

    Please review this Apple support document to make sure that you are following all of the steps to configure things correctly:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259

     

    Although the example pictures another AirPort Extreme as the extending the device, the set up for an AirPort Express would be exactly the same.

     

    When the AX is setup correctly, you will be able to use your Mac and confirm that it is connecting to the AX when it is near the device.

     

    If you have tried this a few times and confirmed that the settings are correct....then it might be time to suspect that you may likely have a defective AX.