Airport Utility won't allow extended network in version 6.1

Question

Level 1

4 points

Airport Utility won't allow extended network in version 6.1

My base station is an 802.11n Time Capsul, and I have four Express Units to stream music. I want to set one of them to extend my wireless network to strengthen the signal to a Blu Ray player with internet connections. When I set the Express to "extend a wireless network" Air Port Utility drops it from my network. Also there is no " allow this network to be extended" tab as there was in earlier editions. Otherwise the network works fine. Any ideas?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), Base station is an 802.11n Time Cap

Posted on Jan 17, 2013 5:37 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

159,164 points

Jan 17, 2013 5:56 PM in response to Marklinalan

Close AirPort Utility if is open.

Temporarily, move the AirPort Express to the same room or an adjacent room to the Time Capsule

Power up the Express and let it run a full minute.

"Hard Reset" the Express that you want to configure to "extend" by holding in the reset button on the device for 7-8 seconds and release. Allow a full minute for the Express to restart.

Click the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and located a listing of New AirPort Base Station. Just under that, click directly on AirPort Express.

AirPort Setup will open up and take a moment to analyze the network. After a minute, you should see a message that the Express will be configured to "Extend" the network.

Enter a device name for the Express and click Next

AirPort Setup will take another minute to setup both the Time Capsule and Express. When you see the Setup Complete message, click Done.

Locate the Express approximately half the distance from the Time Capsule to the general area that needs more wireless coverage and power it back up.

You are done.

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Answer 2

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 6:26 PM in response to Marklinalan

That's great, Bob. You should write the articles for Apple! Worked like a charm. All I have to do now is test my signal to the Blu-Ray. Many Thanks.

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Answer 3

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 6:32 PM in response to Marklinalan

I spoke too soon. Air Port Utility just dropped the Express from my network. Its only 25 feet away.I get the yellow warning triangle by the device now.

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Answer 4

Jan 17, 2013 6:41 PM in response to Marklinalan

I have never had an "extended" Express drop the connection, so all I can suggest is to start over.

Minimize any obstructions in the signal path between the Time Capsule and Express.

Keep the Express as far away as possible from any other electronic devices, especially cordless phones.

If the Express keeps dropping, post back if you have a Mac laptop and would be willing to spend $4 or so for a good utility that help analyze the problem.

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Answer 5

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 6:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Actually the express unit didn't drop the connection. I use Airfoil to stream music, and it is working fine. It is just that Air Port Utility reports that the unit was " previously part of your network " and the Express image is greyed out. Should I just ignore this?

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Answer 6

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 6:46 PM in response to Marklinalan

P.S. I do have an Air with NetSpot, if that is what you are referring to.

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Answer 7

Jan 17, 2013 6:49 PM in response to Marklinalan

Power off both the Time Capsule and Express

Wait a minute

Power up the Time Capsule first and let it run a minute by itself

Power up the Express next

You should see both devices in AirPort Utility if your setup is correct.

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Answer 8

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 6:59 PM in response to Bob Timmons

OK, Done. The Express unit came back up in the Utility window, but after a minute or so dropped out. However it is still streaming music over Airplay. Is this just a problem with Airport Utility?

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Answer 9

Jan 17, 2013 7:05 PM in response to Marklinalan

I don't know. I have never seen this issue.

If NetSpot can do SNR dB readings, what reading do you get at the location of the Express when the Express is powered off?

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Answer 10

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 7:08 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I'll go run that test. I noticed that if I turn Airfoil off, the one Express out of the three hooked up, reappears in the Utility window. If I turn Airfoil on, after a minute the one extended unit drops out, but still continues to stream.

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Answer 11

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 7:15 PM in response to Marklinalan

With the Express off I get -46, -92, Signal % 53. With the unit on, I get -27, -92, Signal %73.

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Answer 12

Jan 17, 2013 7:18 PM in response to Marklinalan

Great SNR, plenty of signal and low noise. I don't use Airfoil....cannot say whether it is causing some issues or not.

Maybe Airfoil support could help?

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Answer 13

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2013 7:24 PM in response to Bob Timmons

I'll give them a try, as they are generally helpful. I brought my Air back to within a foot of my TC and big Mac, and the signal dropped to -55 Now I am puzzled! Anyway, many thanks for your help!

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Answer 14

Jan 17, 2013 7:33 PM in response to Marklinalan

Good luck. Please keep us posted on any news regarding Airfoil / AirPort known issues.

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Answer 15

Marklinalan Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2013 12:55 PM in response to Bob Timmons

The issue seems trickier. I have a Sony Blu-Ray player connected to my Extended Network Express unit with a Cat-6 cable. It joins my network but cannot connect to the internet, no matter what settings I use. VUDU suggested I run a couple Terminal programs, and they indicate I have a triple NAT. My ISP says they can't do anything more than restore my main router, but that doesn't seem to be the problem. Do I need to find a way to get all my addresses to match? One address is the Lan IP address of my Time Capsul, there are two others that I can only guess belong to my various Express units ( though I would think I would have four, to match the number of Express units plus the router.) Any ideas?

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