ANY TRICKS?: Wireless Network Extension

Question

Level 1

12 points

ANY TRICKS?: Wireless Network Extension

Calling Apple wireless networking GURUS:

I have a wireless network being broadcast from Airport Timecapsule "ALFRED" and set as a non-broadcast (invisible) network.

I have another older Airport Timecapsule "BRUCE" set on "extend wireless", and I have manually input "ALFRED" and its password.

BRUCE seems not to be able to find ALFRED. Is this because it is not being actively broadcast as a visible network? When I do a regular visible network setup like this it seems to work.

What am I missing? Any tips?

Thanks,

Rich

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 19, 2014 5:30 PM

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Answer 1

braden85

Community Specialist

Jan 22, 2014 8:10 AM in response to Richard Tse

Hey there Richard!

I have an article for you that I believe will help you create the network you are envisioning:

Wi-Fi base stations: Extending the range of your wireless network by adding additional Wi-Fi base stations

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4145

Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.

-Braden

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Answer 2

Richard Tse Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 22, 2014 9:20 AM in response to braden85

Thanks Braden,

I have follow the steps above, but it still seems like a "non-broadcasting" network might be the problem. Is it that Airports cannot wirelessly extend networks that are non-broadcasting?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

186,194 points

Jan 22, 2014 9:34 AM in response to Richard Tse

Performance is "iffy" with a hidden network in my experience with Apple routers, so best to run things normally. iPhone and iPads tend to have problems with "hidden" networks as well.

As you know, even if you "hide" your network, anyone who wants to see your network can do so very easily in seconds using any number of free utilities available on the Internet, so there isn't any security value in "hiding"' your network anyway.

True, it might keep the retired couple next door from seeing the name of your network, but they are probably not the types of folks that you need to worry about.

That unmarked van....a few houses down the street....been there for the last 4-5 hours.....you may need to worry about.

I assume that you do not use your personal name for your wireless network. If you do, it might be a good idea to change that to something vague or random that would not identify you.

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