I have an older airport express (approximately 5 yrs old) that just got replaced by a time capsule. My house definitely has some dead spots and instead of buying a repeater, can I use my old airport express?
iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10)
can I use my old express?
Please check to locate the model number on the side of the AirPort Express. It is hard to see.....gray lettering on a white background.....so you may need a magnifying glass and good lighting.
The model number starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.
A1264 would be really nice to see there, since you would have the option of having the Express connect either using wireless or via a wired Ethernet connection to extend the network. Let us know which option you want to use.
A1084 or A1088 makes things more difficult, and would mean that the Express must remain permanently connected to the Time Capsule using a wired Ethernet connection....and that you will need to use a Mac running an older operating system like Leopard (10.5.x) , Snow Leopard (10.6.x) or a PC with AirPort Utility installed on the computer to be able to set up and configure the older Express.
Model number is A1143. It is an airport extreme base station
The AirPort Extreme could be used to wirelessly extend the signal from the new Time Capsule. In this case, the AirPort Extreme will need to be located approximately half way between the Time Capsule and the general area that needs more wireless signal coverage.
If you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme back to the Time Capsule using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.....then, the AirPort Extreme can be located in the area that needs more wireless signal coverage, since there will be virtually no signal loss in the Ethernet cable.
You can use your Mac running Yosemite to configure the AirPort Extreme, or an iPhone or iPad if you prefer.
If I run it with an ethernet cable (which would dramatically curb signal loss) could I also plug into this extended router? My goal would be to run a hardwire to my airport express to minimize any signal loss (hardwire in the attic between the 2) then able to plug into the back of my computer (hardwire from airport express to back of MacMini)
Yes. If you do it this way....highly recommended....connect the Ethernet cable from one of the three LAN <--> ports on the Time Capsule to the WAN "O" port on the AirPort Extreme.
Then, the three Ethernet LAN <--> ports on the AirPort Extreme will be available for any devices that you want to connect that way.
I'll run the cable, try configuration, then report back........configuration may not be my strong area, so any tips or advice would be great..
You will be amazed at how easy the setup will be. Post back when you have run the Ethernet cable and tested to make sure that it is working correctly.
Do you want to use an iPhone or iPad to set things up, or your Mac?
I will most likely use my iMac.
OK. I have run a new ethernet cable from the time capsule and have plugged it into the old airport extreme base station. I tested the ethernet cable by plugging it directly into a computer (turning off wifi) and being able to get access to the internet. Now about configuration.....
First, the old Extreme needs to be reset back to factory default settings.....if you have not already done that.
Power off the old Extreme for a minute
Hold in the reset button on the back first, and keep holding it in for an additional 10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power cable back into the old Extreme
Release the reset button after the hold period and allow a full minute for the old Extreme to restart to a slow, blinking amber light status.
Plug the Ethernet cable into the WAN "O" port on the old Extreme.
Click the AirPort icon at the top of the Mac's screen and look for a setting of New AirPort Base Station
Click on AirPort Extreme just below the setting
The setup utility will open up automatically and suggest the proper setup to extend the new AirPort Extreme network
Enter in a name that you want to call the old Extreme and click Next.
Things will look similar to this:
Now watch the screen to confirm that the old Extreme is being set up to extend using Ethernet.....like this:
The utility will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done
That's it.
Wow, that was super easy. So will I see the airport extreme under "wifi" in my settings (from my mobile devices) or is it just part of my entire wifi network?
Wow, that was super easy.
I think we said previously that you would be amazed at how easy the setup would be.
So will I see the airport extreme under "wifi" in my settings (from my mobile devices) or is it just part of my entire wifi network?
Your devices will only "see" one wireless network since both AirPorts are broadcasting using the same wireless network name and password. Technically, this is known as a "roaming network".
Macs will automatically connect and "switch" to the AirPort with the best signal as they move from one area to another in your home.
iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad will not do this though. These devices stay connected to the first AirPort that they "see" when they are powered on. If you move an iPhone or iPad from one area of the house to the other and want it to connect to the AirPort with the better signal, you will need to temporarily turn off the WiFi on the IOS device, wait a few seconds and then turn the WiFi back on.....and it should pick up the signal from the closest AirPort.
turning my older airport express into a wifi extender
