I am trying to setup an extended wireless network using 2 Airport Extremes (4th and 5th generation). I have ethernet around the house. I have my wireless network setup but cannot add the second AE. My broadbanc connection is via cable modem.
Any help would really be appreciated!
Thanks
Barbara
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)
Hello Barbara,
Things are very different now with the new version of AirPort Utility in Mountain Lion. Apple says that no instructions are really needed, since the setup is now much simpler than in the past.
Still, most users need a few hints to get going, and it's always good to check your connections first, to verify that the Ethernet "backbone" is working correctly before trying to add a second AirPort.
I understand that you already have one AirPort Exteme set up and working, which we will call AE 1.
Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on AE1 to your Ethernet connection for the house....probably a wall jack.
Temporarily, move your MacBook Pro to the location where you want to install AE2. Turn off the wireless on the MacBook Pro (by clicking the fan shaped AirPort icon at the top of the screen). Connect an Ethernet cable from the Ethernet wall port to the MacBook Pro, and check to see if you can get a good Internet connection with the MacBook Pro connected this way as a test.
If you can, then you know that the Ethernet wiring is functioning correctly. You can disconnect the Ethernet cable from the MacBook Pro now, and turn the wireless back on.
If you cannot get an Internet connection with the "test", then you'll need to do some additional troubleshooting before you can connect AE 2.
Post back on your results, and we will continue with the setup of AE 2.
I assume that AE 2 is new, and that you have not made any changes to this device, or tried to configure it yet.
Good reply. I'm trying to do the same thing: set up a roaming network with a new Airport Express as the backbone unit (the one directly connected to the ISP modem and an older Airport Extreme as the "remote roaming device". Wish me luck!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the detailed input. I have tried the ethernet wall jack with my MacBook Pro and am getting a different IP address and cannot connect to the internet. Will need to check all the different wall jacks...but running out of time...so a task for later..
I have been having a lot of challenges with my network ever since the cable company installed a new cable modem :-(
Decided to try extending the existing AE1 (5th generation) with the AE2 (4th generation) wirelessly and now have it connected. I still want to be able to use it via the ethernet connection...this is if it improves peformance, if not I will leave it connected via wireless. Would the bandwidth be faster via ethernet (assuming) I can get it work?
Thanks for your tips
Barbara
A wired Ethernet connection always provides maximum bandwidth.
A wireless connection loses bandwidth as it moves further and further away from a wireless router and/or it encounters any obstrucitons like heavy furniture, walls or ceilings in the signal path.
The "extending" AirPort can only extend the bandwidth that it receives from the "main" router. In other words, it can make the signal go further, but it cannot make it go faster.
That is not to say that wireless will not work...it can work reasonably well depending on the installation and your requirements.
If you are satified with the performance of the network by extending using wireless only, there is no rush to get things working using a wired Ethernet connection.
Still, I always recommend a wired connection if at all possible. Keep us posted on your progress.
I am working with a later version of Airport Extreme's using Mountain Lion. Are these instructions suitable?
