HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Colin Aitken1

Q: Can I use a new airport express to extend a network?

If I am using an AirPort Extreme as my main wifi, but it is in bridge mode because I already have another router setup in dhcp on my network, can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?

AirPort Extreme and Airport Express, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 29, 2012 9:42 PM

Close

Q: Can I use a new airport express to extend a network?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,Helpful

    Tesserax Tesserax Nov 29, 2012 10:03 PM in response to Colin Aitken1
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 29, 2012 10:03 PM in response to Colin Aitken1

    Yes. If all of the routers will be interconnected by Ethernet, you have the fundamentals for a roaming network.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 30, 2012 6:15 AM in response to Colin Aitken1
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 30, 2012 6:15 AM in response to Colin Aitken1
    can I use an airport express to extend my network, but use it hard wired?

     

    Yes, assuming that you are asking about a new Express, or the 802.11n version. 

     

    This is very easy to do with the Mountain Lion operating system that you have.

     

    (The "roaming network" link above assumes that you are using the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system...although the general information there is good).

     

    Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express.

     

    Power up the AirPort Express and wait a full minute

     

    Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for the heading of New AirPort Base Station. Just below that, click directly on AirPort Express there

     

    AirPort Setup will open automatically and take a minute to analyze your network and then announce that the Express will be setup to "extend" your AirPort Extreme network

     

    Enter a device name for the Express and click Next

     

    AirPort Setup will take another minute to configure the Express

     

    When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done

     

    That's it.