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airport express used as repeater?

Can I use an airport express to strengthen the signal of a cisco wireless router?


The Cisco was provided by our cable company, but isn't strong enough to provide a good signal to all parts of our home. I was hoping to use the Airport Express to strengthen that signal.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 19, 2012 6:20 PM

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2 replies

Jul 19, 2012 6:24 PM in response to sinomac

Can I use an airport express to strengthen the signal of a cisco wireless router?

Yes, if you plan to connect the AirPort Express to the Cisco router using a wired Ethernet connection.


No, if you are hoping to have the Express "extend" the wireless signal from the Cisco router using wireless only. Apple designed the "extend" function to only work with other Apple routers, so it would be extremely unlikely that it would work with a product from another manufacturer.


Your best bet by far if you need to extend the signal using wireless only is to add another Cisco product to insure compatibility.

Jul 19, 2012 8:20 PM in response to sinomac

You need TWO Airport units, one to function as the main radio and the other to function as an extender. Turn off the radio on the Cisco and connect the Express to the Cisco via Ethernet.


Configuration is simple if you start from a factory default condition. Connect the main Airport to AC power and to the Internet modem (or modem/router). Open Airport Express on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. After confirming that it works, insert your desired administrative and WiFi passwords.


Then connect the extender to AC power. As before, open Airport Express on your Mac or other computer and accept all of the recommendations. No need to add password info.

airport express used as repeater?

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