mattybee
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Q: Question! Are Airport Extreme (model a1032) and new Airport Express (model a1392) incompatible in an extended wireless network?

Hello, I'd appreciate some guidance. I have a wireless network with Airport Extreme a1032 as Base Station. I cannot seem to extend the network using a new Airport Extreme model a1392. Am i missing a trick or are they incompatible?

Thanks, Matt

Posted on Dec 28, 2013 10:28 AM

by Tesserax,Solvedanswer
Tesserax Tesserax
Level 9 (54,901 points)
Wireless
A:

Hmm, I thought that you have a 2nd generation 802.11n AirPort Express (Model A1392). I didn't know that you already tried an 802.11ac AirPort Extreme (Model A1521).

Posted on Dec 28, 2013 11:44 AM

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mattybee

Q: Question! Are Airport Extreme (model a1032) and new Airport Express (model a1392) incompatible in an extended wireless network?

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  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 28, 2013 10:56 AM in response to mattybee
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 28, 2013 10:56 AM in response to mattybee

    The older 802.11g version of the AirPort Extreme only supported the "static" WDS version of an extended network. The newer 802.11n AirPort Express can still be used in this mode but only if you have the older v5.x version of the AirPort Utility to administer them as the newer 6.x version does not support 802.11g AirPorts.

     

    The major drawback of the WDS configuration is two-fold: 1) The overall network can only operate in the 802.11g radio mode, effectively eliminating any advantages of your 802.11n AirPort Express, and 2) For every base station in the WDS network, the overall bandwidth is cut in half.

     

    My recommendation is to replace the old Extreme with a 802.11n or 802.11ac model.

  • by mattybee,

    mattybee mattybee Dec 28, 2013 11:03 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2013 11:03 AM in response to Tesserax

    Reduced bandwidth is NOT the idea! (altho i can administrate the old airport extreme from Airport Utility on my old G4). Frustrating. Should have done my Xmas homework more thoroughly. Thanks for responding. Matt

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 28, 2013 11:07 AM in response to mattybee
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 28, 2013 11:07 AM in response to mattybee

    Another option with your current networking equipment if you can support a wired connection between them is to reconfigure them both for a roaming network. This effectively will provide you with an extended network and can work with routers from other manufacturers as well.

  • by mattybee,

    mattybee mattybee Dec 28, 2013 11:10 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2013 11:10 AM in response to Tesserax

    Not poss, as trying to extend wirelessly to inaccessible areas of the house.

     

    I have heard of some plug unit that can route the signal through the house wiring. Do you know/recommend?

     

    M

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 28, 2013 11:16 AM in response to mattybee
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 28, 2013 11:16 AM in response to mattybee

    I have heard of some plug unit that can route the signal through the house wiring. Do you know/recommend?

    I believe you are referring to Powerline adapters. These work, but a few cautions should be noted: 1) The adapters must be on the same electrical circuit to function, and 2) Electrical lines tend to be "noisy."

     

    There are a number of brands and this technology has come a long way in just the last five years so recommending any one brand will be difficult. The other thing to keep in mind is that you should consider the cost of these adapters vs. that of a new base station. You may find that just using the latest 802.11ac AirPort Extreme may cover your entire house without the need to use any extending base stations.

  • by mattybee,

    mattybee mattybee Dec 28, 2013 11:29 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2013 11:29 AM in response to Tesserax

    Well i thought so too, and I've tried it as the main Base Station with no extensions, but i'm disappointed to say that, depsite changing channels and trying to move it away from other signals as much as possible, it so far doesn't seem to offer significantly more coverage....

  • by Tesserax,Solvedanswer

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 28, 2013 11:44 AM in response to mattybee
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 28, 2013 11:44 AM in response to mattybee

    Hmm, I thought that you have a 2nd generation 802.11n AirPort Express (Model A1392). I didn't know that you already tried an 802.11ac AirPort Extreme (Model A1521).

  • by mattybee,

    mattybee mattybee Dec 28, 2013 11:55 AM in response to Tesserax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 28, 2013 11:55 AM in response to Tesserax

    I first set up the new Airport Express as the base station and tried to use the old Extreme to extend the network. Couldn't make that work either!

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Dec 28, 2013 1:03 PM in response to mattybee
    Level 9 (54,901 points)
    Wireless
    Dec 28, 2013 1:03 PM in response to mattybee

    I first set up the new Airport Express as the base station and tried to use the old Extreme to extend the network. Couldn't make that work either!

    Unfortunately, you have the same problem regardless of which is used as the "main" and extending base stations. Either way they would have to be configured for the older WDS type extended network and still face the same performance pitfalls.

     

    Even the 2nd generation AirPort Express is a bit outdated with only 100 Mbps Ethernet ports and limited radio/antenna design compared to the 4-6th generation Extremes which use 3x3 stream radios and 1 Gbps Ethernet.