what is the difference between join a network and extend a network

Is it possible to use the original Airport Express to extend a network using wireless? Meaning, I have a aiport express plugged in to an outlet, but not connected via ethernet to anything. I am able to successfully get it to join the network, but when I then try to change the settign to "extend an existing network" it fails and I get an error message. Am I doing something wrong?

Should i be using the option mentioned above to create a new network with same SSID? From above it sounds like this can only be done if it is wired to an existing router. Which is not possible in my case.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think the original Airport Express can't extend any network unless it's in WDS configuration (and is garbage). Moreover, original Airport Express can't be used to get wifi signal to ethernet but only wired to wireless.

So, original airport express is only for:

Router --- cable --- Airport •)) wifi-signal

------------- THIS WAY ONLY ------------>

and nothing more. (besides listening to the music via airplay and printing, of course)

Buy something different... maybe with an external antenna.

Is it possible to use the original Airport Express to extend a network using wireless? Meaning, I have a aiport express plugged in to an outlet, but not connected via ethernet to anything.

It is extremely unlikely that the AirPort Express could extend a signal from a third party router. The reason for this is that Apple appears to use proprietary technology for their "extend a wireless network" settings, designed to only allow other Apple routers to extend the signal.

I am able to successfully get it to join the network, but when I then try to change the settign to "extend an existing network" it fails and I get an error message.

"Join" works with just about any wireless network. "Extend" works with an Apple wireless network. Is your main router an Apple product?

From above it sounds like this can only be done if it is wired to an existing router. Which is not possible in my case.

If you cannot run the Ethernet cable, a pair of Ethernet powerline adapters might be able to send the Ethernet signal over the existing AC powerlines in your home.

@Bob...thanks for gettign back to me.

My setup is a little complicated. My main router is not Apple (Linksys). I have a wired connection from this router (Linksys) to one of the airport express in my house. I setup this Airport Express as a base. Thus I am trying to "act" like this is the main router for the other Airport Express I have in the house. Then I have a few more Airport Express that I am trying to put throughout the house to areas that are not getting coverage from the main router. I hope that makes sense.

Everything will work with just fine if the AirPort Express that is connected to the Linksys router via Ethernet is set up in Bridge Mode.

Please start a new post if you want more info....as we are drifting far from the original topic that started more than a year ago.

Here is yet another difference I've noticed:

• Airport Express can JOIN any wireless network in range, employing password protocol, of course.
• Airport Express can EXTEND ONLY a wireless network from an AirPort Extreme base station (or one that emanates from another Airport Express). In other words, Apple to Apple only.

At least that is my experience.