HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Bill Gladstone

Q: Roaming Network with Extreme Base and Express Node...?

My choices don't match those in the .  I am trying to create a roaming network with an Express and there is no Off (Bridge Mode) option.  My Extreme Base Station offers Off (Bridge Mode) but no Share a Public IP address; windows different too but I am up to date.

Posted on Aug 30, 2013 7:03 PM

Close

Q: Roaming Network with Extreme Base and Express Node...?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 30, 2013 8:56 PM in response to Bill Gladstone
    Level 9 (54,452 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 30, 2013 8:56 PM in response to Bill Gladstone

    What models of AirPort Extreme and Express do you have? Which version of the AirPort Utility are you using to administer them? Are you using a Mac or PC? What operating systerm version is it using?

  • by Bill Gladstone,

    Bill Gladstone Bill Gladstone Sep 3, 2013 11:01 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 3, 2013 11:01 AM in response to Tesserax

    My Goal is to set up a roaming network that I expect will be faster and more stable than a wireless link from the express back to the extreme router.  My attempts created mayhem, as I think both the extreme and express were trying to set up competing wireless networks.  I've since gone back wireless and seems stable and reasonably fast.

     

    Current configuration:

     

    OSX 10.8.4

    Airport 7.6.3

     

    AirPort Extreme  (0x14E4, 0xF5)

         Not the new one

    Model A 1408  with USB, one WAN and three LAN ports

     

      Firmware Version:          Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.17)

      Supported PHY Modes:          802.11 a/b/g/n

      Supported Channels:          1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165

      Wake On Wireless:          Supported

      AirDrop:          Supported

      Status:          Off

     

         Airport Express

          Older model - has just one Ethernet port, sound output, and USB.

     

    Wi-Fi:

      Type:          IEEE80211

      BSD Device Name:          en1

      Hardware (MAC) Address:          20:c9:d0:d8:5f:69

      IPv4:

      Configuration Method:          DHCP

      IPv6:

      Configuration Method:          Automatic

      Proxies:

      Exceptions List:          *.local, 169.254/16

      FTP Passive Mode:          Yes

      IEEE80211:

      Join Mode:          Automatic

      PowerEnabled:          0

      RememberJoinedNetworks:          1

      RequireAdminIBSS:          0

      RequireAdminNetworkChange:          0

      RequireAdminPowerToggle:          0

     

     

    PS: Further reading found this method to create a roaming network: (seems like this would be setting up a 2nd network, but...)

     

    Configure the AirPort Express to "Create a wireless network" using the exact same wireless network name, same wireless security setting and same wireless password as the AirPort Extreme network.

     

    Make sure that the AirPort Express is configured in Bridge Mode as the final step before you Update to save the settings.

     

    Then power cycle the entire network. Power everything off. Wait a minute. Start the BT device first and let it run a minute. Then start the AirPort Extreme the same way. Then the Express. Keep starting devices one at a time until the entire network is powered back up.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Sep 3, 2013 11:12 AM in response to Bill Gladstone
    Level 10 (105,079 points)
    Wireless
    Sep 3, 2013 11:12 AM in response to Bill Gladstone

    Bill, see your other post for detailed instructions on what you want to do. As I mentioned in that post, you are looking at a support article that is more than 2 years old, which would not apply to your current Mac operating system and version of AirPort Utility.

     

    That article has good general information, but nothing specific for your needs.

     

    (seems like this would be setting up a 2nd network, but...)

    That is in fact exactly what you do when you want to set up a roaming network. The 2nd network will have the same wireless network name, same security and same password as the "main" network, so everything will behave as one "big" network.

     

    Your Mac computer will automatically pick up the best signal as it "roams" from one area to another.