feetsdr
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I need help setting up Airport Express and Extreme as a base and wireless repeater

I spent 3 hours trying to get this going.

 

I have an airport extreme (square one) bought 2 months ago.  worked fine for a wireless network to a mac. Configured the extreme with the airport utility that came with it for WPA2, etc.

 

all fine, except for the range.

 

so I got an airport express and want to set it up as a wireless repeater (no cable between the 2 devices).  Can't get it working and my head is spinning.

 

do I want to join network, extend network, create WDS network!?

 

this doesn't mention wds: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2663477?start=0&tstart=0

 

others do.

 

I tried WDS, set the existing extreem as WDS main, the express as wds remote, entered the mac addresses in the apple ID fields, etc.  and they just blink amber / talk of wds errors, or the utility doesn't even see 1 or the other device untill I reset it by pressing / holding reset button for 10+ seconds and get fast flashing.

 

Using all apple products.  Can't believe trying to get 2 airports to talk to each other and extend network can be so confusing.

 

PLEASE HELP!

Airport, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 29, 2012 8:13 PM

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feetsdr

Q: I need help setting up Airport Express and Extreme as a base and wireless repeater

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Mar 29, 2012 8:18 PM in response to feetsdr
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Mar 29, 2012 8:18 PM in response to feetsdr

    Since both of your AirPorts are 802.11n models and you want them interconnected by wireless only, you will want to configure them for an extended network.

     

    Extended Network or 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 John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Mar 29, 2012 8:23 PM in response to feetsdr
    Level 9 (50,431 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 29, 2012 8:23 PM in response to feetsdr

    You wandered well off the recommended path trying to use WDS

     

    With your devices you will want to "extend" your network. You will probably fix everything in about five minutes.

     

    Start here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4145

     

    and pay attention to this part:

    Wirelessly Extended Network (802.11n)

     

    If you are unable to build the recommended Roaming network, then a Wirelessly Extended Network is the next best option.

    To create a Wireless Extended Network you must place the extended Wi-Fi base station within range of the primary Wi-Fi base station.

    Edit: Tesserax provided the individual steps to follow in AirPort Utility.

     

    Message was edited by: John Galt

  • by feetsdr,

    feetsdr feetsdr Mar 29, 2012 9:09 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 29, 2012 9:09 PM in response to John Galt

    Wow thanks guys.  seems so easy : )

     

    I'll let you know.