wiwmd

Q: Express to extend network - ethernet

I'm sure you've heard all this before, but I have an Airport Extreme as my primary Wi-Fi. In the middle of my home I put an Airport Express to wirelessly extend my network. Not entirely sure all the settings are correct there, but now I have added a hard wired (ethernet) additional express at the far end.

The question is, at it's most basic level, how do I get them set up to all work together as one?

(Dell XPS 8000, Windows 7, 64 bit)

 

Thanks

 

WW

Dell XPS 8000, Windows 7, Apple Airport Extreme

Posted on May 6, 2012 11:12 AM

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Q: Express to extend network - ethernet

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt May 6, 2012 11:15 AM in response to wiwmd
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2012 11:15 AM in response to wiwmd

    here you go: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

     

    As I understand it you have one Express set up to "extend" the network, and an additional Express as a wired access point. That's all good. The important thing about the wired Express is that it is configured to connect via Ethernet, that its connection sharing is "off (bridge mode)" and that it uses the exact same network name and security settings as your existing wireless network.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 6, 2012 11:17 AM in response to wiwmd
    Level 9 (54,786 points)
    Wireless
    May 6, 2012 11:17 AM in response to wiwmd

    If you goal is to extend the wireless network across the house using the first AirPort Express Base Station (AX) as a relay and the second as a remote, then the only available method to do so is a WDS. Please check out the following Apple Support article for details.

  • by wiwmd,

    wiwmd wiwmd May 6, 2012 11:18 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 11:18 AM in response to John Galt

    Sorry if this is too basic, but how do I do that? "Cut and Paste"? or is there something within?

    Again, thanks

  • by wiwmd,

    wiwmd wiwmd May 6, 2012 11:20 AM in response to wiwmd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 11:20 AM in response to wiwmd

    the ethernet wired Express comes up, and works, but as a separate network. Need to be able to change that, and I'm a bit apple ignorant, as you can tell

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt May 6, 2012 11:28 AM in response to wiwmd
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2012 11:28 AM in response to wiwmd

    Start from the beginning. You have an AirPort Extreme base station, then added an Express and configured it to "extend" the network created by the Extreme, correct?

     

    Now, if I understand correctly, you want to add a second Express, so you connected it to your AirPort Extreme Base Station, right? Not the Express. Then configure it as I explained. Its Ethernet cable must be connected to the AEBS either directly or through a switch - nothing else.

     

    ... the ethernet wired Express comes up, and works, but as a separate network.

     

    Then it doesn't have the exact same network name and security settings as your existing wireless network.

  • by wiwmd,

    wiwmd wiwmd May 6, 2012 11:33 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 11:33 AM in response to John Galt

    Correct, the new Express is ethernet wired to the Extreme, but it comes up as a separate, although working, network.

    Under Wireless settings for the new Express, should it be: Extend, Join, or Participate?

    Thanks

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt May 6, 2012 11:39 AM in response to wiwmd
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2012 11:39 AM in response to wiwmd

    There's your clue - the new Express must be set up to create a wireless network (with the exact same network name and security settings). You will find those settings in the AirPort pane > Wireless tab. You have to type in your wireless network name, I expect copy and paste would work fine also.

     

    If that's not an option go back to the Internet pane, Internet Connection tab, and select Connect Using: Ethernet, and Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode). Then return to the AirPort pane > Wireless tab and confirm the above wireless network settings.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt May 6, 2012 11:55 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2012 11:55 AM in response to Tesserax

    Tesserax... I have a vague memory of some setting that disables the LAN ports on an Extreme, or am I imagining that? Just wanted to be sure that it's not "allow this network to be extended" (apparently that's not it).

  • by wiwmd,Solvedanswer

    wiwmd wiwmd May 6, 2012 11:53 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 11:53 AM in response to John Galt

    Thanks for your patience and help.

    IT WORKS!

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax May 6, 2012 11:57 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 9 (54,786 points)
    Wireless
    May 6, 2012 11:57 AM in response to John Galt

    No, that setting would not disable the Extreme's LAN ports. However, if the Extreme was configured with Wireless Mode = Join a wireless network, it would.

     

    I interpreted the OP's suggested network configuration as a combination of a "roaming" and "extended" network which would not work as a single network ... thus my suggestion for a WDS to cover the range. Ideally, to cover a long linear range, I would suggest connecting both Express base stations back to the Extreme via Ethernet and use the roaming configuration (if feasible.)

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt May 6, 2012 12:00 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 6, 2012 12:00 PM in response to Tesserax

    Thanks!

    ... I would suggest connecting both Express base stations back to the Extreme via Ethernet and use the roaming configuration (if feasible.)

     

    (to the OP) that would be ideal and could convey additional advantages.

  • by sck7788,

    sck7788 sck7788 Jun 23, 2012 6:51 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 23, 2012 6:51 PM in response to John Galt

    Thank you for this John. Helped me as well.

  • by George Chapman,

    George Chapman George Chapman Jul 3, 2012 1:26 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 2 (356 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 3, 2012 1:26 PM in response to John Galt

    Will this work with the first generation extreme also?  The flat one but the first one out.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jul 3, 2012 2:30 PM in response to George Chapman
    Level 9 (50,132 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 3, 2012 2:30 PM in response to George Chapman

    Yes.