Advice please>>Belkin N600 DB Router and Airport Express

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Level 1

4 points

Advice please>>Belkin N600 DB Router and Airport Express

I need some advice trying to connect an Airport Express (N) to a Belkin N600 DB router. It is for my friend. She had an old router to which I previously successfully connected an older Airport Express (b/g) without issue. Unfortunately her router died and she was led to purchase a Belkin N600 DB which is N only. That is up and running without issue. So I know she had to upgrade to the new Airport Express to be N compatible to continue to get her beloved Airtunes. However, I have not been able to get it installed. I see the AE network from Airport Utility. Can access it and it appears to go through the steps of configuration. But then it seems to time out in the updating step and I get "An Unexpected Error has occurred". At that point the AE cannot be seen until I do a factory reset on it. So it seems to get partially configured but then not able to access the network.

I have tried to troubleshoot best I can:

1. Her wireless network has a good signal and I can easily get on the internet from any number of devices.

2. I took the AE to my house (where I have a Time Capsule and AE) and had it running on my network in about 5 minutes so I am sure the device is good.

3. I hardwired the AE to her router and was able to configure it successfully (green light) I then changed the settings to extend wireless network and again an amber flashing light.

A web search left me confused as folks talk about vendors other that Apple not being compatible with Apple's WDS but all of those posts are several years old and I know I had her old AE working with her old router.

Is there some security setting on Belkin routers that I need to change or make them otherwise incompatible with AE? Does Belkin somehow block other wireless devices on its network? Somewhat frustrated so any ideas or advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Nov 4, 2012 2:18 PM

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Answer 1

CRMDVM

Level 4

1,369 points

Nov 4, 2012 5:36 PM in response to Scottadel

Your research is correct - and there is no problem with the settings of the Belkin router - the Express can only connect to it in 2 ways - the first as you have already figured out is via ethernet - the second is "joined" wirelessly - it cannot be extended wirelessly to this router - in the "joined" mode, it does not produce a wireless signal - it connects to the Belkin wireless network and provides 2 ethernet ports and a USB port for a printer and the audio jack is also available - this should work for your friends needs - but if she wanted to have a true roaming wireless network for iTunes, maybe she could return the Belkin and get another Express - then you would be able to extend the network wirelessly - it is her choice.

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Answer 2

Scottadel Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2012 5:44 PM in response to CRMDVM

Thanks CRMDVM. A few more questions if you do not mind. It seems that the 'joined' mode is what I am looking for. There will be no wireless signal but the wireless from the Belkin is more than powerful enough throughout her house so that is not an issue.

To create a joined network do I need to change settings on the Belkin router? What configuration do I use on the AE? I think the options are to create a new network or join another wirelessly. I assume the latter?

( I have been reading that I may need to enable wireless bridging on the router through their configuration page and enter the MAC address of the AE.)

And in joined mode it seems that you would connect to the AE via the Belkin access point and not directly if I get this correct.

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Answer 3

CRMDVM

Level 4

1,369 points

Nov 4, 2012 6:05 PM in response to Scottadel

As long as the Belkin router is producing a wireless network with WPA2 personal security or its' equivalent, you don't have to change anything - what version of the AU are you using?

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Answer 4

Scottadel Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2012 6:07 PM in response to CRMDVM

Thanks. AU 6.1 although I also have 5.6 installed as I have some older AE installed elsewhere.

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Answer 5

CRMDVM

Level 4

1,369 points

Nov 4, 2012 6:23 PM in response to Scottadel

Great - 5.6 is better for me - go to Wireless - in the Wireless Mode drop down box choose Join a Wireless Network - fill in the boxes with the appropriate information for the Belkin wireless network - check Allow Ethernet Clients - update and let me know how you make out.

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Answer 6

noddie

Level 1

0 points

Jan 12, 2013 6:36 PM in response to CRMDVM

Hello everyone, I have like yourself just bought a 3rd gen AE to enhance my Belkin N600 DB Router and sadly I have tried for 2 days to get it to work (wirelessly). on my imac.

The easiest way I found to get things started was to go to the top right hand corner of the mac and click on the little radar with the four bars. I then pick Airport and with AE turned on I as it to join the network.

I then get a request for my WPA2 password, which I am certain is right but no joy. I go into my belkin website (192.168.2.1) to check the WPA2 password, | security | Password | then get the window Wireless security. I have it set up as 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ. Theyboth have the same obscure PSK which I can view by unchecking the tick. I believe this is my WPA2 password but am not convinced, as I cannot get it to work when I asked to join the network as described above.

Can I ask with reference to CRMDVM and - go to wireless etc. I wonder if this is the same as I did with going to the top taskbar on my mac? If so I did not get the request - check Allow Ethernet Clients.

Is anyone able to guide me through what I am doing wrong, as I am getting very frustrated. The reason for getting the AE is our range in our lounge is not good on our ipad and iphones. The net often drops out there and we keep having to reconnect to the net again.

Thanks in advance

Cheers

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