jcorbin69993
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Q: Extend Network with Airport Express and assign own unique SSID

Hi,

 

I have a Time Capsule which is my primary router. I also have an AirPort Express which I want to use to extend the network. The Time Capsule is located at the front of my house (in my lounge) where there is also and Apple TV. Above the lounge is a bedroom where there is a 2nd Apple TV. The master bedroom at the rear of my house (obviously upstairs still) I have an iMac which is essentially a server servicing both Apple TV's and any iOS devices I have. All my devices are well within range of of the Time Capsule at the front of my house and streaming content  works very well. The Airport Express that is used to extend the network is at the back of the house in my kitchen allowing a stronger connection to the network in my garden and allowing AirPlay to my kitchen radio. Again this all works well. However, because the iMac is in closer proximity to the Airport Express it tends to connect to the extended part of the network instead of the primary router (time capsule). When streaming content to the Apple TV in my lounge from the iMac while its connected to the extended network causes a less that desirable streaming experience. It's impossible to watch anything without interruptions in the picture, audio or both. I therefore want to extend the network but assign a different SSID so that the iMac doesn't connect to the extended network and keeps connected to the primary router. I have tried changing the SSID of the Express but once done it no longer extends the network. I can't create a new network because it requires the Ethernet cable to be plugged in and the modem supplied to me is limited to 1 output.

 

So my question is: Is there anyway I can extend the network and assign a separate SSID or alternatively tell the iMac to ignore the extended network?

AirPort Express 802.11N (2nd generation)

Posted on Aug 22, 2013 12:33 PM

by jcorbin69993,Solvedanswer
jcorbin69993 jcorbin69993
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A:

It's just occurred to me that a workaround for this would be to create a guest network that only my iMac and Apple TV's are connected too (ensuring my iMac forgets the main network). This should stop the iMac connecting to the extended network and solve my problem.

 

However if anything in my original post is achievable I'd love to hear it.

Posted on Aug 22, 2013 12:53 PM

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jcorbin69993

Q: Extend Network with Airport Express and assign own unique SSID

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  • by jcorbin69993,Solvedanswer

    jcorbin69993 jcorbin69993 Aug 22, 2013 12:53 PM in response to jcorbin69993
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    Aug 22, 2013 12:53 PM in response to jcorbin69993

    It's just occurred to me that a workaround for this would be to create a guest network that only my iMac and Apple TV's are connected too (ensuring my iMac forgets the main network). This should stop the iMac connecting to the extended network and solve my problem.

     

    However if anything in my original post is achievable I'd love to hear it.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 22, 2013 12:59 PM in response to jcorbin69993
    Level 9 (54,906 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 22, 2013 12:59 PM in response to jcorbin69993

    I therefore want to extend the network but assign a different SSID so that the iMac doesn't connect to the extended network and keeps connected to the primary router.

    Using the "extend" feature of the AirPorts the Wi-Fi network has to have the same SSID.

     

    To assign different SSIDs would require using a network based on an Ethernet backbone. Apple's "roaming" network is one form of these networks but also requires using the same SSID for each base station. However, there is nothing wrong with changing any single base station's SSID as long as you don't care for the "roaming" part. With that said you can create separate wireless networks throughout your house, each with different SSIDs.

     

    Since all of these base stations would be connected by Ethernet, they would all still gain Internet access and be able to communicate with devices connected to other base stations.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 22, 2013 1:05 PM in response to jcorbin69993
    Level 10 (105,443 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 22, 2013 1:05 PM in response to jcorbin69993
    This should stop the iMac connecting to the extended network and solve my problem.

     

    Well, it is certainly worth a try, if you have the time

     

    Potential downsides:

     

    o When you enable the Guest Network feature, it pulls available bandwidth away from the "main" network...one possible issue since you need as much bandwidth as possible for streaming video.

     

    o Devices on the Guest Network cannot communicate with other devices on the "main" network. The iMac would be able to reach the Internet, but that is about all it would be able to do.....likely not what you want.

  • by jcorbin69993,

    jcorbin69993 jcorbin69993 Aug 22, 2013 1:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons
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    Aug 22, 2013 1:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Point taken, the iMac would lose communication to the Time Capsule halting back ups and of course other devices would no longer be able to communicate. I'll look into the roaming network as mentioned above and report back on that. Thanks for the input.

  • by jcorbin69993,

    jcorbin69993 jcorbin69993 Aug 22, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Tesserax

    From what I can see this would probably work but (if I understand it correctly) it would mean either running an Ethernet cable from the front of my house to the rear or alternatively investing in home plugs. Probably a few too many wires for my kitchen in each scenario.

     

    I think the best, easiest and most cost effective way of solving my problem is the little switch on the plug socket the Express is plugged into. Unless I'm in the garden or Airplaying to the radio in the kitchen there's no real need for it to be on.

     

    Thanks for the help.