Extend Airport Extreme Network via Ethernet to Airport Express

Very many thanks: pity that Apple could not print such easy to follow instructions in the manual with the Express.

Best,

PS

Re a previous answer from Joseph Kris "See this Apple article:

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

article does not help as the Airport Utility version that I have 6.3.7 is entirely different.

Do not check the box to "extend" your network wirelessly if the Ethernet cable is attached.

Consider performing a "hard reset" and reconfigure the Expresses, one at a time. This time do not check the box to "extend" a wireless network. Instead, configure its Internet Connection to connect using Ethernet - not your wireless network.

For "wireless", choose "Create a wireless network" and provide the exact same name as your existing wireless network.

Make one work and then configure the other one exactly the same way. Both of them should be connected to your main AirPort router - either directly or through a switch.

Even if you do everything right it is often necessary to perform a "hard reset" if things do not work as expected. It is easy to forget or misconfigure a setting that will result in a conflict, preventing further communication with AirPort Utility.

I agree with John Galt.

You would be better off creating a "Roaming Network" if you are going to connect them using ethernet.

See this Apple article:

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

Start over again by powering off one Express and keeping another powered up.

Disconnect the Ethernet cable, but keep the Express powered up

Hold in the reset button on the Express for 7-8 seconds and release

Allow a full minute for the Express to start up

Connect the Ethernet cable from a LAN <-> port on the AirPort Extreme to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Express

Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Macs screen

Look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station

Click on the AirPort Express just below that heading

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

Enter a device name for the Express and click Next

AirPort Setup will take another minute to set up the network

When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done

Set up the other AirPort Express the same way, but assign a different device name to keep things straight

Just finished doing what Bob has described (well I might add!) with a new airport express and it was the simplest setup of all time. It not only transferred basic settings, but also passwords and my timed access control info. I cannot say how absolutely impressed I am at how easy it was. Thanks for the info.

Setup is: Cable Modem --> Airport Extreme --> 24 Port Switch --> Airport Express

Thanks,

Dan

I went through this same process and it worked like a charm! ...until the next day. My MacBook Pro works fine and sees the networks, but my iOS devices says "Cannot join Network <SSID name>"

• Late 2011 15in MBP

• iPad 2, iPhone 5

• Latest generation Airport Extreme

• Latest generation Airport Express connected via ethernet to Extreme

I let Airport Utility automatically setup the Express. Restarted iOS devices, but still nothing. Rebooted everything, Stumpped!

These instructions worked perfectly! Thank you for posting.

Thanks Bob - This worked for me by using a TP-LINK powerline extender TL-WPA281KIT!!!

Thanks Bob! You made it totally easy to set up an extended network via Ethernet. The new AirPort Extreme is the bomb. The range is fantastic.

Bob,

I did what you recommended but the express is still expanding the network via a wifi connection, even with the ethernet cable connected.

Are others actuallly getting an ETHERNET connection via this method?

The device works fine via wifi with this method.

any ideas?

Mine has an Ethernet connection as confirmec by the Airport Utility on my iPad. Make sure you are running your Ethernet cable from the LAN port of the Extreme to the WAN port of the Express. I have a large multiple level home and have two Expresses hooked to my Extreme via a multiport switch. Bob's guide above made it cake to set up my wired network and extend the wireless network.

well my setup is cable modem to airport extreme to a switch to the airport express.

the ethernet cable is plugged into the wan port. I followed bobs instructions. Did the reset, hooked in

the ethernet cable, followed instructions and it works, only its connecting through wifi still.

I have the exact setup. I will check my settings when I get home tonight if you are still needing help.

If your Express is working correctly, and the switch is working correctly, and the Ethernet cable(s) are working correctly, the setup that I detailed will work correctly.

Did you test by resetting the AirPort Express back to defaults and then temporarily connecting directly to an Ethernet LAN <-> port on the AirPort Extreme using a spare Ethernet cable that you know is working correctly, then configure the Express that way?

If it works that way, then you know that you have a bad port or bad cable somewhere....likely at the switch or the Ethernet cable from the switch to the Express.

If the Express will not work correctly when you test as above directly to the AirPort Extreme, then you have a bad port on the Express. Take it back to get another Express.