Holmz82
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Airport extreme extend wireless network

I currently have a time capsule broadcasting my wireless network. I am looking for a way to extend my home network into my basement that I am finishing. Issue is that I need to extend a wired network for some home theatre components. I have purchased an airport extreme base station with the plan to have my time capsule creating the network on my main floor and the Airport extreme extending the network in the basement.

 

Is it possible to have the Airport extreme join my wireless network and then use the Ethernet ports on the airport extreme. I understand that the speed would not be the same as a traditional wired network but that is not an issue with what I am using it for. I am just looking for an alternative to running Ethernet cables through my house. I also do not want to use an Ethernet power line adapter due to the electrical wiring set up in my house.

Time Capsule

Posted on Apr 26, 2012 7:14 PM

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Holmz82

Q: Airport extreme extend wireless network

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Apr 26, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Holmz82
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Apr 26, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Holmz82

    Is it possible to have the Airport extreme join my wireless network and then use the Ethernet ports on the airport extreme.

    Yes, but the "join" setting is not what you want.

     

    You need to configure the Extreme to "extend" a wireless network to allow it to provide more wireless coverage and allow the Ethernet ports to be enabled.

     

    As you might imagine, for this to work well, the Extreme will need to be located where it can receive a strong wireless signal from the Time Capsule in order to "extend" the signal effectively.

     

    If you temporarily move your laptop to the proposed location for the AirPort Extreme, log on to the Internet, and get a good, stable connection.....then the Extreme will likely work well for your purposes.

     

    Apple's step by step instructions to setup the "extend" configuration are here:

     

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

     

    As you may be aware, the Time Capsule is an AirPort Extreme with a built in hard drive, so the instructions apply to either the Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme.

  • by Holmz82,

    Holmz82 Holmz82 Sep 15, 2012 2:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2012 2:46 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    When I go into my time capsule setting there is not a box to check to "allow this netowrk to be extended" Do I need to restore my time capsule? I do not want to lose my settings as I had difficulty setting up my original network to begin with due to the IP issues with my Gateway router...

     

    Thanks,

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 15, 2012 3:05 PM in response to Holmz82
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 15, 2012 3:05 PM in response to Holmz82

    It sounds like you may likely have upgraded to the Lion or Mountain Lion operating system on your Mac.

     

    The "extend" setup is completely different with Lion or Mountain Lion, so the older Apple Support document would not apply if you are using one of these newer operating systems.

     

    Post back to let us know more information about what your Mac is using.

  • by Holmz82,

    Holmz82 Holmz82 Sep 15, 2012 5:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2012 5:38 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    You are correct. I am using an iMac with Mountain Lion.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 21, 2012 7:16 PM in response to Holmz82
    Level 10 (105,398 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 21, 2012 7:16 PM in response to Holmz82

    Then you no longer need to even worry about checking the box on the main router to "allow this network to be extended".

     

    Apple's new AirPort Utility in Mountain Lion (and Lion) automatically does that for you when you click to configure the AirPort Extreme to "Extend a wireless network".

  • by Holmz82,

    Holmz82 Holmz82 Sep 26, 2012 5:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 5:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I have tried several times to set up the airport extreme to extend the wireless netowrk and it says it is unable to extend. It says to make sure it is in close enough proximity and the correct password is entered. It is 2 feet away from the time capsule as it is plugged into it with an ethernet cable and I have verfied I entered the correct password. Any idea on why it will not extend?

     

    Thanks,