Inconsistent Connections to Airport Extremes

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Inconsistent Connections to Airport Extremes

First, my set up: Brighthouse Cable ---> New Airport Time Capsule (downstrairs) ---> Airport Extreme (downstairs wireless) 2nd Gen ---> Airport Extreme (upstairs 5th Gen)

When I bought the new TC, I updated the two old AEs and set them up to "Extend Wireless Network".

The situation: Both my wife's and my MBAs randomly connect to the TC even when we are sitting NEXT to the upstairs AE (and showing "Excellent" connection on Airport Utility. Each of our iPhones do the same. I can't seem to pinpoint any consitent pattern.

Then, when my MBA does connect to the closest AE, I see a data rate of 72 Mb/s and my wife (who is next to me, but connected to main TC) shows a data rate of 144 Mb/s. We simultaneusly run speedtest (bhn speedtest) and my DL speed is around 22 MBPS while hers is 42 MBPS. I have Brighthouse Lightning (supposed to be up to 90 MBPS).

And randomly, the exact oppostie situation happens. Her machine crawls and mine is fast. Then, many times, both machines will crawl (5MBPS).

Ive spent the last two nights scouring the forums but cant seem to find the right answer and Im open to ANY suggestions.

THANKS!

Kyle

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Dec 16, 2013 6:46 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,435 points

Dec 16, 2013 8:51 PM in response to pjfla

First, my set up: Brighthouse Cable ---> New Airport Time Capsule (downstrairs) ---> Airport Extreme (downstairs wireless) 2nd Gen ---> Airport Extreme (upstairs 5th Gen)

Sorry, but I'm still a little be confused about your current network configuration. Let me know which of the following correct:

You have an Ethernet cable between the Brighthouse modem and the WAN port on the 802.11ac Time Capsule.
You have an Ethernet cable between one of the available LAN ports on the TC to the WAN port of the 2nd Gen 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station.
The connection between the 2nd Gen Extreme and the 5th Gen Extreme is wireless.

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Answer 2

pjfla Author

Level 1

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Dec 17, 2013 4:13 AM in response to Tesserax

Sorry Tesserax, that would've been helpful. The new TC is connected via Ethernet and the two AES are connected to the TC wirelessly (and set to "Extend"). Is that helpful?

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

148,435 points

Dec 17, 2013 4:13 PM in response to pjfla

Yes that helped. Thank you!

The key for successfully extending the AirPort's wireless network is to place the extending base station such that they are within a reasonably strong signal area of the base station that it is extending. Since you placed each of the two extending base stations on different floors could make a difference on which may be performing better.

Check out the following AirPort User Tip. It will provide details on how to determine the best location for the extending base station. Your goal is to place it within a 25+ dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) range of the station being extended. Be sure to only have the "main" Extreme powered on when you take these measurements. You will want to take several of them at each of the desired locations for the extending base stations. You may just find that a small placement change will make all of the difference. Please post back your results.

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Answer 4

pjfla Author

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Dec 18, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Tesserax

Thanks again for the reply. I really dont think range is the issue. When I go to Airport Utility and check the clients and signal strength for the base stations, they are all "excellent". I have the three units all in a loft style condo (about 3k sq ft). Very open place.

If I were to connect the upstairs AE via ethernet, do I need to change the settings? I have an ethernet run very close.

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

148,435 points

Dec 19, 2013 10:35 AM in response to pjfla

Thanks again for the reply. I really dont think range is the issue. When I go to Airport Utility and check the clients and signal strength for the base stations, they are all "excellent". I have the three units all in a loft style condo (about 3k sq ft). Very open place.

I understand but without the SNR readings for each extending base station location, I cannot verify that these signals are really "excellent" even if the AirPort Utility says otherwise. Again these readings would be with both extending base stations powered-off as you will only want the SNR values of the TC at each of those locations.

If I were to connect the upstairs AE via ethernet, do I need to change the settings? I have an ethernet run very close.

When base stations are connected by Ethernet you would have a roaming network configuration and the setting will need to be changed. If you only plan on doing so for only one of the extending base stations, then the TC & that base station would be configured for a roaming network. The TC and the other extending base station would still need to be configured for an extended network.

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Answer 6

pjfla Author

Level 1

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Dec 20, 2013 11:01 AM in response to Tesserax

I went the roaming route. BIG difference in speed. But the same problem exists. Last night, I was sitting next to the AE that I recently connected via ethernet. Laptop is flying, but my iPhone was still connected to the downstairs AE. I restarted the iPhone and it connected to the closer AE. My wifes laptop did the same. Connected to the downstairs even though she was sitting next to the hard wired upstairs AE.

Any thoughts? Appreciate your time!

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