Time Capsule and Airport Express (roaming and WiFi at the same time). How to implement on an optimised fashion?

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Time Capsule and Airport Express (roaming and WiFi at the same time). How to implement on an optimised fashion?

I have a router, which connects to a Time Capsule (1TB, A1355). Such Time Capsule connects to one HP printer, an external drive and, additionally, this TC connects to a switch that distributes the signal around the house. I have three Airport Expresses (2 old ones [A1264 model] and a brand new one) to extend the coverage of my wifi signal, such that I can have the best internet signal on all rooms AND that computers can access the Time Capsule AND the hard drive attached to it. (I am not 100% sure the terminology that applies here is extend the network, please correct me if I am wrong and this MEANS extending my network). That said, I have not been able to set up the network efficiently, noting that two of the Airport Expresses (it can the two old ones or an old and a new one) can be wired ("roaming" as far as I can understand) and the third one (either the old or the new, whatever works best), would connect via wifi.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 21, 2013 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 21, 2013 1:48 PM in response to AChio

So the TC is in bridge or router mode??

Did you follow the apple roaming document?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4260

I don't think it matters which express you use for what.. as long as each works well for the range and situation. The only big advantage of the new one.. is dual band simultaneous. Whereas older ones are dual band but you can only use one or the other.

As rule of thumb.. I use SMB name convention.. short no spaces, pure alphanumeric for everything.. it helps loads with any non-apple stuff.. and it helps iOS stuff.

With lots of wireless don't trust auto anything.. set mode set channels.. whatever is necessary.. I also set different name for 5ghz.

Use WPA2 Personal only.. nothing else is N compatible.

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Answer 2

AChio Author

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Jan 21, 2013 2:24 PM in response to AChio

APOLOGIES TO ALL. PLEASE REPLACE ROUTER FOR MODEM. THE TC MEANT TO BE THE ROUTER.

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Answer 3

AChio Author

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Jan 21, 2013 4:44 PM in response to LaPastenague

Hi LaPastenague, I have looked into that roaming document, but the new Airport Utility does not offer the same alternatives as the one picture in there. I did not manage to replicate the same concept there. Also, did you have a chance to look at my comment on the router mistake? I meant actually modem and not router (i.e., the TC is connected with a broadband cable modem). Thanks.

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Answer 4

Jan 21, 2013 5:14 PM in response to AChio

Also, did you have a chance to look at my comment on the router mistake? I meant actually modem and not router (i.e., the TC is connected with a broadband cable modem). Thanks.

Yes, that is fine, as long as I know which is which that is fine.. Otherwise it gets complicated to understand.

I see no probem in setting up wireless roaming.. but you need to be prepared to wipe the lot and start over.. factory reset everything.. take a risk.. be brave..

Start with fresh clean setup of the TC.. use different names for everything following the rules I gave.. then everything else will follow.

And yes, the v6 utility is a dog.. packaged with a Lion.. or Mountain Lion but it is still a dog.

Install v5 utility.. thusly.

How to load 5.6 into ML.

1. Download 5.6 for Lion.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482

Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.

2. Download and install unpkg.

http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/

Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.

You cannot uninstall 6.1 so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.

Once you get v5 utiity running.. plug each device into the computer by ethernet.. reset to factory and do the network setup in complete isolation.. only when you update the device.. place it into the network and check that it is working.. for roaming network this is pretty easy.

And much better than trying to setup remote from the device ie via another router.. or over wireless.. which is doomed.. setting wireless over wireless is like sawing off the branch you are sitting on.

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