Q: use airport express to extend not join network
-
Sep 26, 2013 7:48 PMby lowtoleranceforpain,Hi. based on a post by
Bob Timmons Texas
Apr 5, 2011 2:41 PM ()
I ethernetted the airport express to my 2Wire box and configured the AE in bridge mode. I now have two networks to choose from. But, how would this extend the range of my wifi signal?
just hypothetically, could one now use a second AE to extend (not join) the bridged AE network? would this overcome the problem that
>Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature only works on Apple "n" wireless routers, so both your >main wireless router and remote devices need to be Apple "n" product for this to work using wireless >only.
the bridged AE would act as the "main router" in this scenario.
does this make any sense? I'm an amateur.
thanks
-
Sep 27, 2013 9:46 AMby Tesserax,HelpfulI ethernetted the airport express to my 2Wire box and configured the AE in bridge mode. I now have two networks to choose from. But, how would this extend the range of my wifi signal?
It's not, at least not as you have it configured. What you want to do is configure both routers for a "roaming" network. You already have the basis for this, all you would need to do is make a few configuration changes on the AirPort Express using the AirPort Utility. This type of network "extends" the overall wireless range using multiple Wireless Access Points.
The important settings for a roaming network are:
- Each router used in the roaming network must be interconnected by Ethernet back to the "main" router. Note: By "main" in your case that is the 2Wire router.
- Each router should have a unique name.
- Each router, except for the "main" one, would need to be reconfigured as a bridge. Note: You have already done this with the Express.
- Each router must broadcast a wireless network with the same Network Name (aka SSID).
- Each router must use the same wireless security type and password.
>Apple's "extend a wireless network" feature only works on Apple "n" wireless routers, so both your >main wireless router and remote devices need to be Apple "n" product for this to work using wireless >only.
The issue here is that Apple uses the option "Extend a wireless network" to extend a wireless network where all connections between routers are wireless. This would require all Apple routers to work. In a roaming network configuration, you can intermix routers from any manufacturer ... but they must be interconnected by Ethernet.
The confusion arises as Apple promotes both types of network configurations as an "extended" network, but the "extend" option in the AirPort Utility is only meant to be used when there will be wireless connections between Apple routers.
the bridged AE would act as the "main router" in this scenario.
In the roaming network, your AirPort Express that is in bridge mode, would NOT be the "main" router. Instead that would be your 2Wire router. The "main" router is the one connected directly to the Internet modem and is providing both NAT & DHCP services. When a router is reconfigured as a bridge both of those services are disabled.
-
Sep 27, 2013 4:49 PMby lowtoleranceforpain,This dispels a lot of misconceptions, thanks. but for setting up roaming, let's say i'm using the 2Wire as main router and one AE in a roaming network. so "each" in the following = this one AE box.
The important settings for a roaming network are:
- Each router used in the roaming network must be interconnected by Ethernet back to the "main" router. Note: By "main" in your case that is the 2Wire router.
DONE
- Each router should have a unique name.
DONE, there's only one
- Each router, except for the "main" one, would need to be reconfigured as a bridge. Note: You have already done this with the Express.
DONE, there's only one
- Each router must broadcast a wireless network with the same Network Name (aka SSID).
DONE, there's only one
- Each router must use the same wireless security type and password.
DONE etc.
but it's not a roaming network. what have I missed? thanks much.
-
Sep 27, 2013 7:54 PMby Tesserax,If they are only a foot apart you won't have much of a roaming network to play with, unless of course, this is just the setup configuration and you plan on moving the Extreme to another location.
Regardless how you can tell if roaming is working is by noting the BSSID value on your MacBook Air when you travel between routers. You will find this value by Option-clicking the AirPort icon on the OS X menu bar. BSSID is the wireless MAC address (or AirPort ID for Apple routers) of the wireless router. This tell you which router your Mac is connected to.
