I have 3 Airport Extremes on my network. AE #1 is connected to my modem supplying my network. I want to use AE #2 and #3 to extend my AE #1 network. AE #2 is extending the network, but my AE #3 only extends AE #2's network. Why is how and how do I get #2 and #3 independently extending AE #1's network?
AE# 1
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l l ---What I want AE #1
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AE #2 AE #3 l
l
AE #2 -----How it is now
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AE #3
MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)
Since Apple's "Extend a wireless network feature" works on wireless signal strength, in order to get what you want, the following conditions must be met:
1) AE#2 and AE#3 need to be approximately the same distance from AE#1.
2) AE#2 and AE#3 must each be closer to AE#1 than they are to each other.
Ok so it automatically selects which one it will extend. Ok. I guess that's why it connects to AE #1 then immediately jumps to AE #2. Is the signal strength weekend by the AE #3 extending off of AE #2 and not the main AE?
There is only one network to extend.
Which access point 2 and 3 connect to to extend the WLAN is based on signal strength and timing.
Does the network function correctly? If so, why are you worried about which Access point is grabbing onto which one? If not, then explain what's wrong.
AE#3 will not wirelessly extend from AE#2.....this is an illusion on your network illustration......so there is no value in having AE#3 if it "appears" to be extending from AE#2, since it is not doing anything.....wireless devices cannot connect to AE#3 since it is not extending the signal.
Apple's "extend" system works like the hub and spokes of a wheel.
AE#1 is the "hub". AE#2 and AE#3 are both located at the ends of separate "spokes". Each extender must connect directly to the hub.....not to another extender at the end of another spoke.
Exactly... so I set AE #3 to extend the wireless network, but the illustration on my utility looks as if it it connected to the AE #2. It does not look like a spoke with AE as the hub. How do I get it to work like a spoke is my question
so I set AE #3 to extend the wireless network, but the illustration on my utility looks as if it it connected to the AE #2.
That is the illusion that I was talking about. AE#3 is not extending the network. It has "joined" the network...but it provides no additional wireless signal coverage when it joins a network. It is useless, unless you want to connect a printer or hard drive to the USB port.
How do I get it to work like a spoke is my question
Already answered above.
1) AE#2 and AE#3 need to be approximately the same distance from AE#1.
2) AE#2 and AE#3 must each be closer to AE#1 than they are to each other.
Stated more simply another way......
a) AE#1 needs to be in the center of your home.
b) AE#2 needs to be at the North end of the house and AE#3 at the South end....or AE#2 East and AE#3 West, as the case may be.
a and b would meet the conditions in 1 and 2 above,
Airport Extreme extending question… help please
