ethrty
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: No matter what i do i cant extend my network??

Okay so i brought an Apple Express basestation brandnew from Apple about 4 months ago that I am using as my basestation. I have been able to acess my internet etc all without an issue via various devices in the house such as my 10.6.8 iMac, 10.5.? Mac Mini, and my iPad, as well as other devices like the PS3, my Acer phone and an Asus Vista desktop (the latter with a wireless card)

 

I brought another express second hand but only about a year old to extend the range of the network and no matter what setting I use it will not extend the range. I have ensured that the express I am using as the main gateway have the extend this network box checked. I have also tried setting up the secondary express to "join my existing network" (which does everything you would expect this setting to do) and also "extend my current network" which is where issues arise such as it slipping in and out of visibility on the Airport Utility.

 

I even tried setting it up using the WDS system and that yeilded no results at all, this was the only time that none of the computers/devices would connect.

 

The only reasons that I can think of that would make it not work are these questions:

  • Does the gateway to the modem have to be an airport extreme/time capsule, or is the express fine for this?
  • Does the secondary express have to have to be hardwired to the gateway express? Which obvioulsy isnt going to happen

 

Do you have any other ideas? Would swapping the two expresses around so the one that i want to be the secondary is actually the primary gateway and viseversa or is that a wasted exercise? I am familiar with all of those posters that comment here a lot and thank you for your tips. Have tried all of the stuff you have mentioned time and time again! I spent about 3 hours trying and retrying various configurations last night and again this morning after switching off every device in the household over night.

 

the original express runs seamlessly, and if i bring the devices closer to the original they work perfectly. the secondary one is just like a washed out bridge, its there and does part of what you need, but not completely usefull without all of it!

 

Thanks!

AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Gen)

Posted on Mar 2, 2012 6:28 PM

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ethrty

Q: No matter what i do i cant extend my network??

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 2, 2012 7:19 PM in response to ethrty
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 2, 2012 7:19 PM in response to ethrty

    I brought another express second hand but only about a year old to extend the range of the network and no matter what setting I use it will not extend the range. I have ensured that the express I am using as the main gateway have the extend this network box checked. I have also tried setting up the secondary express to "join my existing network" (which does everything you would expect this setting to do) and also "extend my current network" which is where issues arise such as it slipping in and out of visibility on the Airport Utility.

     

    I even tried setting it up using the WDS system and that yeilded no results at all, this was the only time that none of the computers/devices would connect.

    If both AirPort Express Base Stations (AX) are 802.11n model, then you will want to review the following Apple Support article that provides details on how to configure them for an extended network.

     

    The only reasons that I can think of that would make it not work are these questions:

    • Does the gateway to the modem have to be an airport extreme/time capsule, or is the express fine for this?
    • Does the secondary express have to have to be hardwired to the gateway express? Which obvioulsy isnt going to happen

    In order to extend one 802.11n AirPort with another, you can use any combination of AirPorts: Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule. The AirPort connected directly to the modem does NOT have to be an Extreme or Time Capsule.

     

    In an "extended" network, both AirPorts must be interconnected by wireless. However, there is an option where they can extend the wireless range by having multiple AirPorts connected back to the "main" AirPort by Ethernet. This configuration is called a roaming network.

  • by ethrty,

    ethrty ethrty Mar 2, 2012 9:28 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 2, 2012 9:28 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks for taking the time to reply. Unfortunately I tried those steps a half dozen times and they didnt work for me though! it doesnt seem to be right!

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 3, 2012 5:54 PM in response to ethrty
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 3, 2012 5:54 PM in response to ethrty

    Ok, here's another set of step-by-step instructions for configuring an extended network. Please give them a try to be sure you didn't miss anything.

     

    Dynamic WDS - Extending a Wireless Network Setup

    • If practical, place the base stations in near proximity to each other during the setup phase. Once done, move them to their desired locations.
    • Open AirPort Utility, and then, select the base station that will connect to the Internet.
    • Choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open the configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
    • Click AirPort in the toolbar, and then, click Wireless.
    • Choose “Create a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, select the “Allow this network to be extended” checkbox.
    • Next, select the base station that will extend this network, and then, choose Manual Setup from the Base Station menu, or double-click the base station to open its configuration in a separate window. Enter the base station password if necessary.
    • Choose “Extend a wireless network” from the Wireless Mode pop-up menu, and then, choose the network you want to extend from the Network Name pop-up menu.
    • Enter the base station network and base station password if necessary.
    • Click Update to update the base station with new network settings.

     

  • by ethrty,

    ethrty ethrty Mar 4, 2012 11:02 PM in response to ethrty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 4, 2012 11:02 PM in response to ethrty

    hmm tried that again and still have the same issue. I have decided to do what i shoul dhave done in the first place and have brought an AirPort Extreme Base Station from the Apple Store. I will let you guys know what happens with this.

    Because I can get this express to slave off the network I will relocate that to the bedroom, and use the express I am currently using as my main gateway as the repeater, as being brand new as well, it should be fine to do it, and inside warrenty still if it doesnt

     

    Thanks for your help Tesserax! I will post in this thread if i cant get it to go still!