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Q: use airport extreme A1354 to provide wired connection

I just purchased a time capsule.  It replaced an airport extreme A1354.

 

In another room of my home I have an older blu ray disc player that requires a hard wire ethernet connection for the internet (not wireless capable).

 

I tried to reset my A1354 following the instruction on the apple website and then add it to my wireless network so that I could place it in that room where the blu ray is, hoping that it could provide the required wired ethernet connection.

 

However, when I open airport utility it sees the A1354, and then is able to see my wireless network, but when it attempts to connect I receive a message "an unexpected error occurred"

 

Can what I am attempting be accomplished?

 

Thank you

Airport extreme, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Nov 1, 2014 12:37 PM

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Q: use airport extreme A1354 to provide wired connection

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  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 1, 2014 12:51 PM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 1, 2014 12:51 PM in response to gz2

    When the AirPort Extreme is configured to "extend" an existing wireless network, the Ethernet ports on the AirPort Extreme are all enabled, so Ethernet devices can be connected to the AirPort that way.

     

    However, the "Ethernet" signal will only be as strong and fast as the wireless "hop" between the Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme allows.  If the wireless signal must pass through 3-4 walls or a ceiling and a few walls, not much of the signal from the Time Capsule will make it to the AirPort Extreme.

     

    If you locate your laptop or another wireless device at the point where you want to install the AirPort Extreme, are you able to get a good, solid Internet connection that way?

     

    If yes, then something is amiss with your setup, and more troubleshooting will be required to solve the issue.

     

    You mention that you are using Mac OS X (10.7.4) in your tagline. Is that the current operating system that you are using? 

     

    If not, what operating system is being used currently on the Mac that will be used to set up the AirPort Extreme?

     

    Do you happen to have an iPhone or iPad handy, in case the Mac will not allow the AirPort Extreme to be configured?

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 1, 2014 1:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2014 1:00 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you for responding.

     

    In answer to your questions:

     

    I do have a strong internet connection in the room where the blu ray is; it is not too far from the time capsule

     

    After I failed in connecting my A1354 from that room, I actually moved it into the same room where the time capsule is, and still failed to connect.

     

    I am using OS 10.9.5 on my iMAC

     

    I do have an iPad handy.

     

    Thank you again

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 1, 2014 1:14 PM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 1, 2014 1:14 PM in response to gz2

    OK, thanks for the information.

     

    Please power off your Time Capsule for a minute and then restart it again and let it run for a full minute.

     

    Locate the AirPort Extreme where it will be needed.

     

    Perform a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Extreme as follows:

     

    Power off the Extreme...if it is on....for a minute or two

    Then, hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it in for an additional 8-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the AirPort Extreme. (This is a bit tricky, as you almost have to have 3 hands to do this)

    Release the reset button and allow a full minute for the AirPort Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light

     

    On the iPad home screen, tap Settings

    Tap WiFi

    Look for a setting of Setup a New AirPort Base Station

    Tap on AirPort Extreme below that

     

    That will get the utility going. If all is well, the utility will suggest that the AirPort Extreme will be configured to extend the Time Capsule network. Enter a name that you want to call the AirPort Extreme and tap Next.

     

    The utility will set up everything for you. When you see the message of setup complete, tap Done.

     

    The AirPort should now be extending the network and the Ethernet ports will be active to allow a device to connect that way to one of the three LAN <--> Ethernet ports.

     

    Please post on your progress

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 1, 2014 1:58 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 1, 2014 1:58 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Thank you.  Did just as you said.  Everything works perfectly until the last step when the Extreme tries to connect to my time capsule network; then I get the same error message 'an unexpected error occurred.'

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 1, 2014 2:04 PM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 1, 2014 2:04 PM in response to gz2

    That's unfortunate, since it indicates that the AirPort Extreme is not functioning correctly.

     

    I asked you to use an iPad for the setup to eliminate the Mac from the process...and the AirPort Extreme is behaving the same way.

     

    I'm afraid that all that you can do is try the complete factory default reset again a few time on the AirPort Extreme and try the setup again a few times to see if that will allow it to extend the network.

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 2, 2014 8:44 AM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 2, 2014 8:44 AM in response to gz2

    Any luck in getting things working?

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 2, 2014 9:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 2, 2014 9:24 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    None at all.  Would your best guess be that the problem is the AirPort Extreme, or could there be some setting on the time capsule not allowing another device to join? I would be willing to get a new airport express to solve my problem but could the same issue occur?

     

    thank you

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 2, 2014 9:44 AM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 2, 2014 9:44 AM in response to gz2

    There is nothing that needs to be done on the Time Capsule that would allow another AirPort to extend the signal, so if the new TC is operating correctly, that part of the network is done.

     

    The only exception might be if you had set up Timed Access controls on the new Time Capsule that would allow....or not allow....a wireless device to connect to the network.  Most users do not make use of this feature, but if you have enabled and set up Timed Access, that might not allow the AirPort Extreme to connect to the network depending on how the settings were configured.

     

    Can you clarify on that?

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 2, 2014 1:23 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 2, 2014 1:23 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    No such problem with settings. I guess that is it; thank you for your efforts

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Nov 2, 2014 3:04 PM in response to gz2
    Level 10 (105,268 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 2, 2014 3:04 PM in response to gz2

    If you have the time and a spare Ethernet cable handy, give this a shot.

     

    Perform a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Extreme again as before

    Restart both the Time Capsule and your Mac

    Connect an Ethernet cable....any length will do.....from the Mac to one of the three LAN <--> ports on the AirPort Extreme to see if a wired "umbilical" cord connection will allow the AirPort Extreme to accept the setup correctly.

     

    If it works, move the AirPort Extreme back to the area where is will be needed and power it up.

     

    If it does not work, then it's time to accept the fact that something has gone wrong with the AirPort Extreme.

     

    If you want to try an AirPort Express, buy from an Apple source and you have a 14 day return privilege in case the gremlins are loose on your network.

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 2, 2014 4:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 2, 2014 4:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    It appears something is wrong with the extreme. 

     

    Thanks for trying.

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 28, 2014 2:09 PM in response to gz2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2014 2:09 PM in response to gz2

    Mr Timmons,

     

    One thing of interest...

     

    Just out of curiosity,  I set up my Airport Extreme as my base station, and it works perfectly.  Then I brought the time capsule into the room where I want to extend my wireless network (remember please that the entire reason for this exercise is to get a wired ethernet connection in another room to serve an older device), and attempted to have the Time Capsule extend the Extreme...  When I did so, I received the exact same error message I did when I attempted to use the extreme to extend the network.

     

    Now I am doubting that the extreme is defective at all.... could there be some basic setting on whatever I am using as my base station, or something in my modem from my ISP, that is prohibiting the extension of my network?   There is no problem with the wireless reaching the other room; the signal is plenty strong enough. 

     

    I am now doubting that even a brand new Airport Express will extend my network....

     

    Thanks

  • by gz2,

    gz2 gz2 Nov 28, 2014 2:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2014 2:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Mr Timmons,

     

    One thing of interest...

     

    Just out of curiosity,  I set up my Airport Extreme as my base station, and it works perfectly.  Then I brought the time capsule into the room where I want to extend my wireless network (remember please that the entire reason for this exercise is to get a wired ethernet connection in another room to serve an older device), and attempted to have the Time Capsule extend the Extreme...  When I did so, I received the exact same error message I did when I attempted to use the extreme to extend the network.

     

    Now I am doubting that the extreme is defective at all.... could there be some basic setting on whatever I am using as my base station, or something in my modem from my ISP, that is prohibiting the extension of my network?   There is no problem with the wireless reaching the other room; the signal is plenty strong enough. 

     

    I am now doubting that even a brand new Airport Express will extend my network....

     

    Thanks

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Nov 28, 2014 2:31 PM in response to gz2
    Level 9 (52,825 points)
    Wireless
    Nov 28, 2014 2:31 PM in response to gz2

    Let me see if I can help..

     

    I am a great believer in fully manual setups.

     

    If you have another computer running older OS.. up to Mountain Lion is fine or even windows you can load the old 5.6 utility which can be a big help for this.

     

    Anyway please put the TC back as the main router.

     

    When you do the setup.. please make sure all the names are short, no spaces and pure alphanumeric.

     

    And I want you to setup different names for the different bands. So for eg. Base Station name = TCgen5 and wireless names TC24ghz and TC5ghz.

     

    Please set WPA2 personal password that is 8-20 characters pure alphanumeric.

     

    Please set the 2.4ghz channel to 11. (you can use other ones.. but 11 is a good start.. in UK or Europe you can use 13 instead).

     

    So your wireless will look something like this.

     

    Screen Shot 2014-11-29 at 9.20.22 AM.png

     

    Screen Shot 2014-11-29 at 9.20.53 AM.png

     

    Never hide the network.. Radio Mode probably won't exist .. and country will be where you are.. not Australia.

     

    Now on the AE 1354 reset to factory again.

     

    Give it a nice simple name.. AEgen4 would be nice.

     

    Setup the wireless.

    Screen Shot 2014-11-29 at 9.24.06 AM.png

     

    This should then work when you update.

     

    I recommend you start in the same room.. so you know the link will work with no bother about signal level.

     

    If you get errors at this point tell us or give screenshot (even better) of what is going on.

     

    Do not use the setup wizard.. although you may need to start that way.. just so you can get to the edit.

     

    edit.png

     

    I do have a similar setup and I have to say 7.6.4 firmware is terrible.. YMMV but I always have issues.. although I am doing the repeater between TCgen4 and a AEGen4 (same as yours).

     

    Screen Shot 2014-11-29 at 9.30.07 AM.png

     

    It might provide an alternative.. just grab a second hand Gen4 or Gen5 AE and use that for the bridge.. run both on 7.6.1 and it could well work fine.

     

    A secondhand AE is much better and cheaper than newest Express. Better wireless and more useful routing. Gigabit ports.

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