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User profile for user: Joseph Buoscio,
Joseph Buoscio, Author
User level: Level 1
21 points

I'm trying to use a 2nd AirPort Extreme to extend my Wireless Network

I just updated my AirPort Extreme to a 5th gen. and wanted to use my old AirPort Extreme to extend the network. The old AP Extreme is a square one with rounded corners, I'm not sure what gen. I reset the old APExtreme and connected the two with a Ethernet cable - Ethernet to Ethernet connection. The new APExtreme is connected to a DSL modem through the WAN port. When I connect the old APExtreme I'm trying to use AirPort Untility to configure the old APExtreme to extend the network, but it won't let me. It will only let me set up a new wireless network which I don't want to do. I went to "other optiions" where I can chose "extend network" but when I go to next it takes me back to set up a new network. Am I missing something? Any

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 12:19 PM

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
159,326 points

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 12:39 PM

I'm trying to use AirPort Untility to configure the old APExtreme to extend the network, but it won't let me.


"Extend" is only used if the two AirPort Extremes are connecting using wireless only.


"Create" is the correct setting to use since the AirPort Exremes are connecting using Ethernet.


Configure the second AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network using the exact same wireless network name, same security setttings and same wireless password as the "main" AirPort Extreme and make sure that you are choosing the Bridge Mode option for the second AirPort Extreme before clicking Update to save the settings.


When you do this, everything will act like one big wireless network and computers will automatically pick up a signal from the AirPort with the strongest signal based on their location.


This Apple document more details on this....which is called a Roaming Network.


Roaming network

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
159,326 points

Jul 28, 2012 12:39 PM in response to Joseph Buoscio,

I'm trying to use AirPort Untility to configure the old APExtreme to extend the network, but it won't let me.


"Extend" is only used if the two AirPort Extremes are connecting using wireless only.


"Create" is the correct setting to use since the AirPort Exremes are connecting using Ethernet.


Configure the second AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network using the exact same wireless network name, same security setttings and same wireless password as the "main" AirPort Extreme and make sure that you are choosing the Bridge Mode option for the second AirPort Extreme before clicking Update to save the settings.


When you do this, everything will act like one big wireless network and computers will automatically pick up a signal from the AirPort with the strongest signal based on their location.


This Apple document more details on this....which is called a Roaming Network.


Roaming network

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I'm trying to use a 2nd AirPort Extreme to extend my Wireless Network

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