The Obviator

Q: Is it possible to extend a non Apple router network using an Airport Express?

I have an old Linksys WRT54GL router (version 1.1) firmware version v4.30.7 that I would like to get back in to service, as it has VPN support and custom firmware options.

I would like to free up the two Airport Express I own and put them to use purely as network extenders/AirPlay boxes, but despite the fact that Linksys (apparently) released WDS (Wireless Distribution System) support a while ago, setting up the AX as a network extender is looking impossible.

It seems the problem is not with the Linksys, but rather with Airport Utility, which seems to be a result of Apple simplifying the setup options.

I would really appreciate any suggestions on this.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Aug 25, 2013 7:34 AM

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Q: Is it possible to extend a non Apple router network using an Airport Express?

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 25, 2013 7:43 AM in response to The Obviator
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 25, 2013 7:43 AM in response to The Obviator

    Apple dropped WDS support in AirPort Utility 6.x, so if you have another Mac running the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system, you can use AirPort Utility 5.x to configure and administer the WDS settings on the AirPorts. A PC would work as well.

     

    Is that a possibility?

  • by The Obviator,

    The Obviator The Obviator Aug 25, 2013 9:40 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 9:40 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob Timmons wrote:

     

    Apple dropped WDS support in AirPort Utility 6.x, so if you have another Mac running the Leopard or Snow Leopard operating system, you can use AirPort Utility 5.x to configure and administer the WDS settings on the AirPorts. A PC would work as well.

     

    Is that a possibility?

     

    Nope, only one Mac in this household. Any other options?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 25, 2013 10:14 AM in response to The Obviator
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 25, 2013 10:14 AM in response to The Obviator

    You can try a workaround.....not supported by Apple, so there are no guarantees of success.....to install an older version of AirPort Utility on your Mac. So, you will have two versions of AirPort Utility on your Mac, and you can use the one that you need.

     

    There are several methods for this. See details in this thread by forum expert Tesserax:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/21397085#21397085

     

    Another popular method is found in this link:

     

    Installing the Old AirPort Utility (Version 5.6) on Mountain Lion | frank.is

     

    If you can make it as far as installing AirPort Utility 5.6, Apple hides the WDS settings, since they do not want users to use them.

     

    When you open AirPort Utility, click on the AirPort router, then click Manual Setup

     

    Click the Wireless tab just below the row of icons

     

    Hold down the option key on your Mac while you click on the small arrow located on the right of the Wireless Mode settings box.  Viola!

  • by The Obviator,

    The Obviator The Obviator Aug 25, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Awesome, thank you, I will try this out and report back.

  • by BoloMK33,

    BoloMK33 BoloMK33 Aug 25, 2013 1:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 1:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I have a somewhat related, although slightly different question...

     

    I find myself needing to extend the wireless network coverage for my home network. I've been in the market for a wifi extender and a friend reminded me that I can use the Airport Extreme as an extender / repeater.

     

    First question is...is this correct?

     

    Second question is...if true, how would I do it?

     

    Thanks

     

    Scott

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 25, 2013 4:11 PM in response to BoloMK33
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 25, 2013 4:11 PM in response to BoloMK33

    First question is...is this correct?

    Yes, you can use Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature to extend your network wirelessly....IF....your "main" router is an Apple product.

     

    Is that the case?  If yes, which model do you have?

  • by BoloMK33,

    BoloMK33 BoloMK33 Aug 25, 2013 6:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 6:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Well...that's gonna be a problem then.  I have two base stations right now...one is from AT&T and the other is my Airport Extreme...I was tinking I could move the AP-E to the area where I have marginal coverage to enlarge my footprint...

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 25, 2013 6:54 PM in response to BoloMK33
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 25, 2013 6:54 PM in response to BoloMK33

    Unfortunately, It always takes a minimum of two Apple routers to extend a network wirelessly.

     

    If you want to use the Extreme with the ATT modem/router, you will need to establish a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection from one of the LAN <-> ports on the ATT modem/router to the WAN port on the Extreme.

     

    Then, configure the Extreme to "create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name, same wireless security settings and same password as the ATT network. As the final setup step, make sure that the Extreme is setup to operate in Bridge Mode.

  • by The Obviator,

    The Obviator The Obviator Aug 25, 2013 10:34 PM in response to The Obviator
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2013 10:34 PM in response to The Obviator

    Well after playing around with the Linksys a little more, there now seems to be another issue, not only was the WiFi connection constantly being dropped, Mountain Lion seems to have an issue with storing the WEP key.

    As WEP is not as secure as WPA I think I will have to abandon this plan, it's just not worth the hassle.

  • by Michaeljohnson73,

    Michaeljohnson73 Michaeljohnson73 Jan 29, 2014 6:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2014 6:16 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Hi Bob,

    You seem knowledgable and may be able to help me. I have a verizon router connected via cat5 to my AirPort Extreme in another area of the house that I wish to use as a bridge to connect several wired devices and then use as a wireless access point. You mention above that this is possible correct if I set all of the connections to be the same? I have tried this using my iPhone and the airport utility app but cannot get it to work bc my AX won't even connect to the network and turn green( the bulb). I did initiAlly but once I started to mess with the settings it turned amber and no longer will connect. While looking around many people are mentioning that using an apple AX as a second router connected to a non-apple verizon main router is impossible, high is true and if possible, how do I do it? I just bought this AX bc it sounded in ads like it could do this but I can't get it to. Please help me from having to go but another router.

    Thanks,

    Mike

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2014 6:32 PM in response to Michaeljohnson73
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2014 6:32 PM in response to Michaeljohnson73

    Sorry, can't help with Verizon, but can confirm that the setup works perfectly with ATT Uverse routers.

     

    If you want to use the [Express] with the ATT modem/router, you will need to establish a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection from one of the LAN <-> ports on the ATT modem/router to the WAN port on the [Express].

     

    Then, configure the [Express] to "create a wireless network" using the same wireless network name, same wireless security settings and same password as the ATT network.


    As the final setup step, make sure that the [Express] is setup to operate in Bridge Mode.

  • by Michaeljohnson73,

    Michaeljohnson73 Michaeljohnson73 Jan 29, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    K, so how do I connect to my AX if it won't appear on the network and is always blinking green?

  • by Michaeljohnson73,

    Michaeljohnson73 Michaeljohnson73 Jan 29, 2014 7:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 29, 2014 7:48 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    K, sorry I meant to say...so how do I connect to my AX if it won't appear on the network and is always blinking amber?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 29, 2014 8:04 PM in response to Michaeljohnson73
    Level 10 (105,067 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 29, 2014 8:04 PM in response to Michaeljohnson73

    If the AX really is blinking green, it is defective.  Please replace the AX or return it for a refund.

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