HT204617: Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)

Learn about Wi-Fi base stations: Setting up and configuring an extended wireless network (802.11n)
davidszabo

Q: I am trying to set up a Dlink range extender on to my Airport Extreme base unit.

I ma trying to set up a range extender to enhance the wifi in my home. I have purchased the Dlink DAP-1520 and am trying to set it up with my Airport Extreme

Airport Extreme base, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 3, 2015 6:09 PM

Close

Q: I am trying to set up a Dlink range extender on to my Airport Extreme base unit.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LaPastenague,Helpful

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Jan 3, 2015 6:29 PM in response to davidszabo
    Level 9 (52,476 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 3, 2015 6:29 PM in response to davidszabo

    What is the problem?

     

    Extend wireless can be tricky but a universal wireless extender should work..

     

    I can offer a few suggestions

     

    eg.. Make sure the wireless name is universal network compliant.. not apple type with spaces and illegal characters like apostrophe.

     

    Make a separate name for 2.4ghz and 5ghz can also help.

     

    eg AEgenx and AE24ghz and AE5ghz as base station and wireless names.

     

    Start with no security.. then once it works add WPA2 Personal security with 8-20 character pure alphanumeric mixed case and number password.. no luck take the security back to WPA1 and WPA2.. If it does not work it may not be compatible.

     

    You bought the wrong device.. to extend wireless is dead simple with another apple router. Express, Extreme or TC are all designed to work easily together.. 3rd party devices do not work well.. if it needs WDS it will not work.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jan 3, 2015 6:55 PM in response to davidszabo
    Level 10 (105,062 points)
    Wireless
    Jan 3, 2015 6:55 PM in response to davidszabo
    I ma trying to set up a range extender to enhance the wifi in my home. I have purchased the Dlink DAP-1520 and am trying to set it up with my Airport Extreme

    Assuming that the AirPort Extreme is producing a wireless network and things are working.......the work of the AirPort Extreme is done. There are really no settings on the AirPort that would allow a D-Link device to extend the network.

     

    It is up to the D-Link device to connect to the AirPort Extreme signal and extend it if it can. That is a big question. Please contact D-Link support for that.

     

    It would take maybe two minutes to set up an AirPort Express to extend the AirPort Extreme, if you can return the D-Link device.

  • by urandhawa,

    urandhawa urandhawa Sep 20, 2015 6:15 PM in response to davidszabo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 20, 2015 6:15 PM in response to davidszabo

    I successfully installed D-Link DAP-1520 Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender to my Apple Airport Extreme router. Used AirPort Utility on my iPhone to trigger the WPS (use non-PIN option). Plug the extender close to router at that time as per instructions for extender. After triggering the WPS via Airport Utility immediately press the little button for WPS on the extender. Within a couple of minutes it linked and the light became green on the extender

    I faced issues for the password to access the newly created wi-fi options so I decided to change the password using the web browser configuration option for the extender. Using HP Laptop I changed the passwords for both the bands (2.4 & 5 Ghz) available on it to the same password as for my router.

    That was it.. I unplugged the extender and plugged it on the second floor.  The light on it was not green for a bit.. Was reddish then started blinking.. I let it be and then it became green and since then we have excellent wi-fi on this floor.. Great device..

  • by dmorganstern1,

    dmorganstern1 dmorganstern1 Jun 12, 2016 10:51 AM in response to davidszabo
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 12, 2016 10:51 AM in response to davidszabo

    You need not return the range extender.  If I can make it work with the aiport, anyone can.  I bought the refurbished one, and despite the directions to follow the network configuration card enclosed, THERE WAS NOT CARD.  But FEAR NOT, I figured it out!  I don't even know what WPS stands for.

     

    Here is what i did

     

    on the airport utility base station-->Add wps printer.  I selected that and pressed the WPS button on the extender.   The light on the airport then turned COBALT BLUE, a color I did'nt even know it had and then voila (almost) there flashing green light turned into a solid green lightg

     

    NEXT-  I could then get into the extender configuration wizard and set up passwords for the extender, also change the network SSID thing--it assigned "old network name-->2.4g"  or "old network name--> 5 g"

    Finally, somewhere in there there is a choice to input the password for your wireless network so that the extender 'logs in" to the apple airport extreme.  I did that and it worked like a charm.

    I know these directions aren't using the right tech vocab, or precise, but they worked and i hope it saves someone hours of work.  Please let me know if it works!

    Happy extending~    

     

    dm