S Proton

Q: Best Setup To Network Three Devices

Just got a new Airport Time Capsule. So I now have two as well as one Airport Extreme. I’m trying to set up my network to get maximum range and hoping I can get some help on the best way to do this. I’ve done some experimenting, but could use some help.

 

I have the new Time Capsule network mode set to “create a wireless network” and the Airport Extreme set to “extend a wireless network”. It’s all running well and the connection is “excellent” when you click on the edit button.

 

Everything looks fine in my Airport Utility settings.

 

This set up works well for most of the house, but there is a bedroom on the other side away from the modem that’s the signal is weak. So I’m hoping I can extend it there using my second time capsule.

 

I’ve read that you can’t daisy chain devices together wirelessly to do this, but you can connect an ethernet cable to extend the range. So I’ve connected a cable from the Extreme to the second Time Capsule and also set the second time capsule to “extend a wireless network”.

 

This seems the best way to go, but doing it just screwed up all my Airport Utility settings. I can go into detail about that if needed. I had to shut down the second time capsule and restart my iMac to get everything back to normal.

 

So what’s the best way to go with this?

 

Also, if you only had two devices to work with, would it be better to use the Extreme or the second Time Capsule? The Extreme is a couple years older running version 7.6.4. So I’m thinking it might be better to just use the second TC instead.

 

Thanks for any help!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on May 29, 2015 12:37 PM

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Q: Best Setup To Network Three Devices

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  • by S Proton,

    S Proton S Proton Jun 2, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 2, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    Great! So, just connect the 2nd TC and set it to extend network?

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Jun 2, 2015 3:20 PM in response to S Proton
    Level 10 (105,338 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 2, 2015 3:20 PM in response to S Proton

    Correct, but power off the Express first before you set up the 2nd TC, so the 2nd TC has no choice but to connect to the main TC.

     

    Once the 2nd TC is set up, then power up the Express

  • by S Proton,

    S Proton S Proton Jun 2, 2015 3:53 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 2, 2015 3:53 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    All connected and looking good in Airport Utility. Getting a good signal, but can't test the far end of the house yet. Will test more tomorrow and make adjustments if needed. I'll give a shout and let you know what happens. Thanks for your great support. Much appreciated.

  • by S Proton,

    S Proton S Proton Jun 3, 2015 10:39 AM in response to S Proton
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 3, 2015 10:39 AM in response to S Proton

    Hi again,

     

    I had a chance to test things today. The far side of the house still had a weak signal, so I repositioned the 2nd TC and it helped. I think I’m almost there, but still have some questions.

     

    I’ve attached a pict of my current Airport Utility set up (after repositioning the 2nd TC). Before I did that, the Airport Utility looked different. Instead of the 2nd TC and Extreme in it’s current position, they were set up in a straight line, with the extreme right under the main TC and then the 2nd TC under that.

     

    Is one better then the other for this type of situation? Do I have it right now, or should I go back to where it was yesterday? Note that the connection on the 2nd TC was “excellent” yesterday, but only “good” today - even though the signal seems to be stronger this way on the far end of the house.

     

    Also……

     

    I’ve been testing using my Macbook pro. It’s about four years old. As I said, the signal is strong all throughout the house with my current set up. I also did some testing with my iPad. It’s not the latest one. I got it about a year ago - so it’s newer then my Macbook pro. On the iPad the signal is still weak in certain areas. It also seems to go back and forth between having a strong and then weak signal - even in spots close to the main TC.

     

    Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about that. I thought that the iPad would have at least as good, if not better signal since it’s about three years newer.

     

    Thanks again for all the great info!

     

    Screen Shot 2015-06-03 at 1.16.30 PM.png

  • by S Proton,

    S Proton S Proton Jun 3, 2015 2:02 PM in response to S Proton
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    Jun 3, 2015 2:02 PM in response to S Proton

    Well, I found some info about the slow iPad over here....

     

    Fixed my slow iPad Wi-Fi issue, here is what I found...

     

    I disabled the WMN on my router and everything works great.

     

    Looks like I have everything set right, but if you can just have a look at the pict that I attached of the Airport Set up and comment on which version is best. Looks like I have it all sorted out, but it's always good to have confirmation from the experts!

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