Extending my FIOS network with wired Airport Extreme

Set your airport to bridge mode and allow the fios router to dish out ip address. assign your airport a static ip address so you can find it easier. the rest of the settings should be fine with the default.

In order to extend the Fios network correctly, connect an Ethernet cable from one of the LAN <-> ports on the Fios router to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme.

Insure that the following settings are used when you set up the AirPort Extreme:

Wireless Mode = Create a wireless network

Wireless Network Name = Same name as the Fios network

Wireless Security = Same security that the Fios network is using

Wireless Password = Same password that the Fios network is using

The tricky part of this for most users is the the Wireless Security setting, since most users know the name of the wirleess network and password. But....if the Wireless Security settings do not match up on both the Fios and AirPort routers, the network will not operate correctly. Hopefully, the Fios router is using good security like WPA2 Personal.

The final....and very important step...is to insure that the AirPort Extreme is setup to operate in Bridge Mode.

Concentrate first on getting the AirPort Extreme working correctly, then we can discuss using an AirPort Express to extend the network further.

Can I hang an airport express on the upstairs, the same way?

Not sure if "hang" means a wired or a wireless connection.

If wired, set up the AirPort Express exactly the same way as the AirPort Extreme, but give it a different device name to keep things organized.

If wireless, the setup varies according to the version of AirPort Utility that you are using. Post back with that info if you want to setup the Express to connect wirelessly.

In either case, it would be a good idea to power down the entire network for a few minutes, then start up the FIos router first, then the Extreme, then the Express and then devices.

What is the difference between extending & bridging the second AE?

I have used both methods and it depends on which device you want to use to be the main wifi access point.

1) I have turned off the wireless radio on my FIOS router and plugged in my Airport Extreme AC into one of the lan ports on the FIOS and ran that into the WAN port on the AEAC. Since the FIOS router did not have a wifi radio broadcasting, I used the AEAC to broadcast the signal and in this mode, the AEAC was setup as Bridged Networking.

2) I have also tried using the FIOS router's wifi radio and used that to be the main signal brodcaster. In this scnerio, then my AEAC would be used as a Wireless extender in the drop down of what type of network to be. I think the options are Create a Network, Extend a network and one other.

I liked using option 1 above but somehting happened the other day when Verizon was trying to push down an update they called 'an enhancement' to my viewing services. Not sure why my AEAC stopped working reliablity yet as I am still troubleshooting, but I had to resort to option 2 to give a strong signal back to all of my -i-devices in the house.

It's a bit frustrating they would do that and I hope to find a solution soon.

In the case of another Airport, I don't think I'd want to name it differently, would I?

As I said above, if the AirPort Express is wired, you would want to configure the AirPort Express exactly the same way as the AirPort Extreme.....same SSID, same security, same password and Bridge Mode operation to continue the extension of the Fios / AirPort Extreme network.

If you want to use a different SSID for the network that the AirPort Express is providing, then you will need to log onto that network separately when you are in the area near the AirPort Express.

I guess that I'm assuming that with such a configuration whichever WAP is strongest would provide a signal.

All of the wireless access points would be providing a signal. Your Mac will pick up the strongest signal from the various access points depending on its location in relation to each access point.

If you move your Mac closer to another access point, the Mac will automatically "switch" to pick up the stronger signal from the closer access point. This type of setup is called a "roaming network".

What is the difference between extending & bridging the second AE?

It is possible to extend using either a wireless connection or a wired connection between wireless access points. The access points wil be bridging in either case.

Hello Bob,

I don't understand why you would set the airport extreme's wireless network name the same as the fios router's network name?

Are both wifi radios on or only the airport extreme's radio?

I am asking since it appears that after a recent verizon update, I've had to resort to using the wifi on the fios router until I figure out the issue.

I don't understand why you would set the airport extreme's wireless network name the same as the fios router's network name?

The original question asked whether it was possible to locate the AirPort Extreme in a different area of the home to provide more wireless coverage.

When you configure the AirPort Exterme to use the same wireless network name, a computer could be online in the area near the Fios router and move to the other area near the AirPort Extreme and stay on the same network.

As the computer moved closer to the AirPort Extreme, the computer would automatically switch to pick up the stronger signal from the AirPort Extreme.

When the computer moved back closer to the Fios router, it would then automatically pick up the stronger signal from the Fios router.

You could assign a different wireless network name to the AirPort Exteme if you want, but when the computer moved closer to the AirPort Exteme, you would then have to manually switch to that network and enter the password to connect.

When the computer moved back closer to the Fios router, you would again have to manually change networks again.

I think you probably have the idea now.

Hello Bob,

That makes sense, as I missed the original question. Somehow I got the impression that both the fios router and the AE were broadcasting different SSID's.

I was going with the premise of using the AE as the main access point with an AX as the wifi extender and the fios router's wifi being off.

I was going with the premise of using the AE as the main access point with an AX as the wifi extender and the fios router's wifi being off.

Good plan. Best if you can connect the Express to the Extreme using an Ethernet cable, but wireless might be OK if the Express is located where it can pick up a strong wireless signal from the Extreme.

Hi Bob,

Saw your posts on other threads (thanks for your specificity), so I think I already know the answer to this question, but figured I'd ask anyways. I assume the answer is no based on this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4650868?start=0&tstart=0

Can you use an Airport Express to extend the range of an existing Verizon FIOS wireless network? Or can you only hardwire the Airport Express via a LAN connection to create a new network? I'd prefer to not have to manually switch networks when I move from the bedroom to the living room.

I am running a Verizon MI424WR FIOS Router hardwired through a Netgear Prosafe 16 Port 10/100 Switch (Model FS116). I have 10 LAN outlets through the various rooms of my house. Can I plug an Airport Express into one of the LAN outlets, and if so, should I connect to the LAN or WAN port on the back of the Airport Express?

Will this allow me to extend the range of the existing wireless network? Again, I'm guessing the answer is no, although these threads give me hope:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5556145?answerId=23778815022#23778815022

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2718517?start=0&tstart=0

Thanks for your help!