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Extending Time Capsule wireless network with an Airport Extreme

Hello - can anyone please advise about extending a wireless Time Capsule network by adding an Airport Extreme?


I've looked at the Apple support advice - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4259?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US -

Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n) -

but I couldn't seem to make it work. I don't know if it is different as I'm using Mountain Lion, but I cannot seem to locate a '

iMac

Posted on Sep 7, 2012 3:14 AM

Reply
65 replies

Jul 19, 2013 9:54 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob,


You seem to be the most knowledgeable on this subject so I hope you don't mind another question.


What I aim to do seems to be very simple and yet I'm constantly having problems with my Wi-Fi network here.


I have :


Time Capsule 2TB A1409 (4th Gen)

Airport Extreme A1354 (4th Gen)

Airport Extreme A1143 (1st Gen or 2nd Gen?)


All updated to 7.6.3 firmware


I want to setup a WPA/WPA2 Personal Network across all three, and a guest network at least on the first two (not supported on the A1143).


But they're constantly going in and out of network. Works for days then out. The Time Capsule is hooked up to the Internet. The other two are hooked up via MoCA (cable internet). When I reset the other two they come on in Airport Utility and default to extend a wireless network; but the 4th Gen A1354 always seems to give an error then work when I retry.


In any event the final configuration is weird -- the A1354 is Creating a network and the A1143 is extending; why aren't they both doing the same, and if I manually configure, what do I want them to do? I want them to extend using Ethernet (MoCA) not using wifi.


Any help is appreciated. I'm frustrated. The kids are frustrated. Everyone's frustrated! 🙂


Thanks!!

Jul 20, 2013 9:03 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob,


Your responses are very helpful!


1) I bought a new Time Capsule a few months ago; it was not the .ac model as that has just been released. 😟 I would like to extend my network. Must I buy a new airport extreme .ac, or would a new airport express.11 work?


2) I have an old Airport express, the A1084 model. Per your replies and my experience, it is not compatible with the Airport software that I now have, nor the Time Capsule. Is there any use I might make of it?


Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

Glenn

Jul 20, 2013 9:13 PM in response to glennfromredwoodcity

Must I buy a new airport extreme .ac, or would a new airport express.11 work?

The AirPort Express would do a nice job of extending the Time Capsule network either by connecting to the Time Capsule using a wired Ethernet cable or by connecting wirelessly. If the AirPort Express connects wirelessly, then it must be located where it can receive a strong signal from the Time Capsule.


The new AirPort Extreme 802.11ac can also extend the Time Capsule network in the same way as the AirPort Express.


I have an old Airport express, the A1084 model. Per your replies and my experience, it is not compatible with the Airport software that I now have, nor the Time Capsule. Is there any use I might make of it?

The old AirPort Express could be configured to connect wirelessly to the network to "join" the network for use with AirTunes, or to connect a remote printer to the USB port.


If you connect the old AirPort Express to the Time Capsule using a permanent wired Ethernet connection, it can be configured to "create" a wireless network to provide additional wireless signal coverage.

Jul 21, 2013 7:36 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, I have a question. I also have a Time Capsule that I purchased in 2011 and it serves as my base station. I have a bonus room that is somewhat isolated from the rest of the house, although it is NOT a separate structure. I notice that I have issues sometimes when trying to stream Netflix via a Samsung Blueray player with online and Netflix capability. Which would be the best option to extend my network for this purpose, an AirPort Extreme or the Airport Express? I'm leaning towards the Extreme but want your opinion.


Thank you.

Aug 19, 2013 4:37 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Hi Bob,


I just bought 3TB Time Capsule (old model) that has 802.11N


Just wondering if I could extend the network coverage by adding Airport Extreme Version 0 (UFO Model - only has 802.11G).


Found in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4262 looks like this is not do-able as the UFO model only has G and not N.


Is there any way to connect the UFO to TC as a repeater, extender, or anything?


Basically the expected network connection flow will be as below:


Phone socket (ADSK2+) --> Modem --> (Ethernet Cable) --> TimeCapsule --> (WiFi) --> Airport Extreme (UFO) --> (Wifi) --> Connected devices.


Many thanks.

Aug 19, 2013 5:13 AM in response to javajazz

The UFO AirPort Extreme will need to permanently connect to the TIme Capsule using a wired Ethernet cable connection, since there are no settings to "Extend a wireless network" on the older round AirPort Extreme.


If you cannot run the Ethernet cable, a pair of Ethernet powerline adapters might be able to send the signal over the existing AC wiring in your home. If you decice to try this, make sure that you understand the store's return policy in advance on the powerline adapters, since you really will not know how well....or if....this will work.

Oct 26, 2013 8:45 AM in response to 1gr8dane

Is it possible to extend my timecapsule network with a Cisco Access Point that I have?

Sorry, I don't have a Cisco Access Point here to test.


Probably will work, if you plan to connect the Cisco access point to the Time Capsule using a permanent wired Ethernet connection.


Extremely unlikely, if you plan to have the Cisco access point connect to the Time Capsule wirelessly.

Extending Time Capsule wireless network with an Airport Extreme

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