DSL Router/Modem + Time Capsule + Airport Express - Extend Wifi

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DSL Router/Modem + Time Capsule + Airport Express - Extend Wifi

I currently have a DSL TV Service here in Canada (Fibe TV) where we must use the supplied cable modem/router provided to us. However, because I wanted to use my Time Capsule for backups, I have connected it to the supplied modem/router and disabled the wireless options in the supplied router. In other words, the Time Capsule is providing Wifi throughout my home. I also have a wired connected Airport Express on a separate floor in my home.

I want to confirm that my Airport Express is in fact extending and not creating an entirely new wifi network. When I followed the instructions, extending the existing wasn't an option provided for me at the outset. In stead, I had to click OPTIONS in the Airport Utility and select JOIN network.

I launched stumbler and found the following entries:

1. Jagstyles Wifi

2. Jagstyles Guest Wifi

3. Jagstyles Wifi 5GHz

4. Jagstyles Guest Wifi

5. Jagstyles Wifi

6. Jagstyles Guest Wifi

7. Jagstyles Wifi 5GHz

8. Jagstyles Guest Wifi

From what I can tell, the first 4 entries above are from the Time Capsule. The other 4 are coming from the Airport Express which to mean may indicate that it created an entirely new Wifi Network rather than extending. I'm not completely sure here.

How can I confirm my setup is done properly. If not for having to use the supplied cable modem/router, things would be a lot simpler. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 18, 2014 3:56 PM

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Answer 1

PJStyles Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 18, 2014 4:05 PM in response to PJStyles

I should also point out that my Time Capsule Router is set to Bridge Mode to avoid the DOUBLE NAT error message I would get.

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Answer 2

Apr 18, 2014 4:12 PM in response to PJStyles

When you connect an AirPort using a wired Ethernet connection, the AirPort must always be configured to "create a wireless network".

"Extend a wireless network" is a setting that is only used if the AirPort device is connecting to another AirPort using wireless....not Ethernet.

When you have two AirPorts both configured to create a wireless network using the same wireless network name, same security and same password, everything will behave like one "big" network.

Technically, this is called a called a "roaming" network.

Some users would call a "roaming" network an "extended" network, because it behaves like one......wireless devices will connect to the AirPort with the best signal quality.

The "roaming" network has the added advantage of maximum bandwidth capability, since devices are connected together using Ethernet, the normal loss of bandwidth that would occur with a wireless only approach is avoided, since there is no bandwidth loss in a wire.

Your setup looks just fine.

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Answer 3

PJStyles Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 18, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Awesome info. Thanks for that. One last question. Should I be disabling the 5Ghz wifi? Is it required for anything?

Thanks

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Answer 4

Apr 18, 2014 4:30 PM in response to PJStyles

You cannot disable 5 GHz....it is always "on".

What you can do is have both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signals or bands use the same wireless network name. That is Apple's default setting....and it makes sense for a lot of users.

In theory, when both bands use the same name, wireless devices will automatically connect to either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz signal depending on their capabilities and distance in relation to the AirPort.

When you have the 5 GHz band and 2.4 GHz bands named differently, you have to "point" devices to either one band or the other.

But, some users swear by this method.

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Answer 5

PJStyles Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 18, 2014 4:37 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Perfect. Thanks again, appreciate it.

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