HT204616: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Folbo
Level 1 (17 points)
Apple TV

Q: Updated Roaming Instructions

Does anybody know of a link to some updated instructions for Roaming networks?

 

I have this link: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring a roaming network (802.11 a/b/g/n) - Apple Support

but it is well out of date ...

 

I am having particular problems with the second base station finding the wireless network of the first ... even when they are directly linked by ethernet!

Screen Shot 2014-12-20 at 11.41.03.png

Numerous resets of both Time capsules gets me nowhere other than an increased hatred for Airport Utility (crashes most sessions ... incorrect topology ... failing to acknowledge when updates have been completed ... slow ... etc. etc.)

 

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Dec 20, 2014 3:56 AM

by CellarDwellr,Solvedanswer
CellarDwellr CellarDwellr
Level 4 (1,212 points)
A:

Hello!

 

Please see if this threads gets you started in the right direction:

Setting Up Roaming - New AirPort Extremes and Utility

- specifically Tesserax's post near the top. They look correct to me

Posted on Dec 20, 2014 4:09 AM

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Folbo

Q: Updated Roaming Instructions

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  • by Folbo,

    Folbo Folbo Dec 20, 2014 3:57 AM in response to Folbo
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 20, 2014 3:57 AM in response to Folbo

    BTW. I am using Yosemite ... but wish I was not ... if only I could revert back ...

  • by CellarDwellr,Solvedanswer

    CellarDwellr CellarDwellr Dec 20, 2014 4:09 AM in response to Folbo
    Level 4 (1,212 points)
    Dec 20, 2014 4:09 AM in response to Folbo

    Hello!

     

    Please see if this threads gets you started in the right direction:

    Setting Up Roaming - New AirPort Extremes and Utility

    - specifically Tesserax's post near the top. They look correct to me

  • by Folbo,

    Folbo Folbo Dec 20, 2014 4:57 AM in response to CellarDwellr
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Apple TV
    Dec 20, 2014 4:57 AM in response to CellarDwellr

    Thanks.

     

    My issue seems to have been that when connected by ethernet then all base stations MAKE a network with the same name and password.

    Any base stations that are connected by wifi only must EXTEND the network.

     

    At least that seems to have got green lights everywhere.

     

    Still curious though, with 'Making' a network, if I were to move upstairs with my laptop, would it automatically switch basestation? I think that it does not ... and therefore it is not roaming. I need to turn my wifi off and on to make it switch base station.

     

    I'll take that to the other thread though.

     

    Thanks.

  • by CellarDwellr,

    CellarDwellr CellarDwellr Dec 20, 2014 5:10 AM in response to Folbo
    Level 4 (1,212 points)
    Dec 20, 2014 5:10 AM in response to Folbo

    "roaming" in this situation means that you have a bunch of routers, all creating a network individually, using the same wifi-name and password as the other ones- but they all delegate the actual underlying routing part to a single one among them. That's why only one of the routers uses "dhcp & nat" and the others all create a "bridge" to that router.

     

    For this to work you need to connect them via ethernet-cables in a specific manner. As soon as you're using wi-fi to connect them instead of ethernet, you're no longer using "roaming"

    If you have some Airports that you want to remain wireless, you're only option is the "connect to wireless network" or "extend wireless network" (extend might not even work in many cases) while setting them up with Airport Utility. The option "create wireless network" won't funtion wirelessly. That's just the way routers are built.